There was a toast amongst team Wexford following the purchase of a cracking Snitzel colt at the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sales. That colt would not disappoint.
Summer Passage's resume is a long and rather impressive one. He shone during his two-year-old season, winning the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper before claiming Gr.1 glory in the Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie.
A frequent flyer, Summer Passage travelled to Sydney where he was narrowly denied victory in the Gr.1 Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick, finishing second. Amongst the beaten brigade that day were subsequent dual Gr.1 winner Trapeze Artist, Gr.1 Golden Slipper placegetter Tulip and stakes winners Menari, Frolic and Sirrconi.
Purchased by Wexford for Hong Kong based clients Hermitage Thoroughbred Ltd, Summer Passage headed to Hong Kong, where he raced under trainer Paul O'Sullivan during the 2018/19 season.
With an impressive list of achievements next to his name, Summer Passage returned to New Zealand to stand at Mapperley Stud for the 2019/20 breeding season where it was discovered he was infertile.
Gelded and returned to the care of Wexford, Summer Passage proved he was still a force to be reckoned with on the track, winning in his first start back at Matamata over 1200m, before finishing second in the Haunui Farm Counties Bowl behind multiple Gr.1 winner Levante.
Today, Summer Passage flew to Sydney to live out his retirement at Hermitage Thoroughbred's world-class property in Sydney (the same property that Winx would spell at during her racing days). To fly 'Sunny' back to Australia is a true testimony to Hermitage, who always put the welfare of their horses first.
Wexford can not thank Hermitage Thoroughbreds enough for entrusting us to purchase and train horses of Summer Passage's class. Wexford can also not thank Sunny enough for the ride he's taken us on. A retirement well deserved, live it up old boy.
