A love of the family of the 2019 New Zealand Cup winner and millionaire pacer Cruz Bromac drew Blowhard breeder-owner Verna El-Khishin to his close relative Chiquita Bromac a few years ago.
A $52,000 buy at the Christchurch yearling sales, the daughter of McArdle raced solely in Victoria, racking up five wins and 23 placings in 75 starts for $33,963 in stakes.
The mare was raced by Warragul livestock agent Peter Gibbon.
“A friend contacted Peter to enquire whether the mare was for sale,” El-Khishin said.
“Peter told him that he had no interest in breeding from her and that she could be bought at the end of her racing career.”
A couple of years later, El-Khishin exercised her option of purchase and the rest is history.
Chiquita Bromac has produced three foals of racing age – all fillies – and all have emerged successful.
The first of her progeny, Celerina (by Pet Rock), won five races including the Evolution Series Final at Menangle and earned $57,140. She is carrying a positive test to Vincent and has been booked to Stay Hungry.
Next, to the cover of Heston Blue Chip, she left the very smart racemare Cheyella. She is a winner of 10 races to date - including three at Melton - $86,643 and was a Vicbred finalist at three.
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The third of Chiquita Bromac’s offspring is the promising two-year-old filly Chirripo (by Always B Miki), who led throughout to post her maiden success at the Kyabram meeting at Shepparton on Sunday night.
Celerina, Cheyella and Chirripo were all trained by Byrneside horsewoman Laura Crossland.
“The family seem to get better with age, but Chirripo’s a bit of a surprise,” Crossland said.
The filly is now enjoying a short spell and will be aimed at the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic at Melton in October.
“Providing she measures up, we might also have a crack at the Alabar Vicbred Super Series,” she said.
Chiquita Bromac has since produced a weanling gelding by the world champion Lather Up and has been booked to Huntsville.
“We only breed from her every second year,” El-Khishin stated.
El-Khishin, a beef grazier and trotting breeder, is a third generation harness racing participant. Her grandfather Charlie Smith was a successful trainer-driver and her parents Bob and Ruth Smith conducted the Whitestone Trotting Stud at Burrumbeet, the home of leading American imports Chapel Chief and Hundred Proof.