Progeny of Umatilla - Orlavista Horse

Hi everyone, this is Orlavista, a 3yo gelding by Umatilla from Sandbagger.

He was entered at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale in 2005, where we rated him 7.5/10 and noted him as "big plain bay-correct and worth looking at-needs time". However subsequent to the auction, he was withdrawn after suffering a colic attack which required surgery.

Retained by his owners, he was sent to trainer Robert Smerdon who gave him two runs on provincial tracks as a two year old where he finished unplaced both times. In one of those races, he featured significantly in the stewards report. He was then spelled and was recently offered for sale. That's when I got interested again.

His pedigree tells us that he'll run. He's by Umatilla who has produced such high class racehorses as Umrum, Streak, Umah, Boehemiath, Valedictum, Strasbourg, Kim Uma, etc...and boasts a 60% winners to runners record. Not bad for a stallion that stands for just $6,600! The Danehill mare Sandbagger has had 3 to race for 2 winners-both Full Brothers to Orlavista, including Oronoco who has won and been placed several times in Hong Kong!

It's my opinion, that this horse would have been better suited by being left until he was three years old before he raced. As it is, he's now been gelded and was recently purchased by Ballarat trainer Mr Anthony Cosgriff who has offered the horse to me to syndicate. After having investigated the history and potential of Orlavista, I'm willing to bring him on board and take a chance on him. I'm betting that the next time he goes to the races, this time as a three and half year old, he'll be much better suited to handle the rigours of racing. I'm not suggesting to anyone that he'll make a city class racehorse, however I'd be very confident in him being able to win a number of provincial races at the very least. Quite simply, he's a horse to have a bit of fun with, for practically nothing.

On November 17th 2006, he was scoped and passed an inspection of his upper respiratory system, and has also passed a routine vet check. So now he's on the Belhus team and we're taking a gamble with him.

He'll be trained at Ballarat by Anthony Cosgriff who is a qualified and very experienced equine vet having an impressive resume which includes vast experience in international racing. Anthony is now making the change from horse vet to horse trainer which will save us plenty on vet bills! He's produced his fair share of winners from just a handful of starters during his short stint as a trainer thus far, and and I'd say that your horse couldn't be in safer hands.

If you're interested in joining in and taking a share in this horse, Expressions of interest are now invited pending the completion of all paperwork and approval by the Lead Regulator.

I can tell you though that this will be a 12 Share syndicate priced @ $1,375 each. Syndicate fees of $220/month cover all normal racing costs, and commence in January.

Of course, at that price he'll be sold in a week, so register your interest now, (there's no obligation to buy), and I'll e-mail you a brochure when it's been approved.

- Peter Morley