Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The G3 Breeders’ Plate has long been an important race on the Australian calendar and provides an early opportunity for colts to get a stakes win on the board.
Boniform (NZ) won the inaugural running of the race, which was held in 1906. Since then, a host of outstanding juveniles have added their name to the honour roll, many of them becoming top future stallions. These include Sky High, Eskimo Prince, Baguette, Luskin Star, Maizcay, Clang, Encounter, Choisir, Charge Forward, Snitzel, Smart Missile, Pierro and Capitalist.
Seven Breeders’ Plate winners have gone on to win the Golden Slipper, they being Eskimo Prince, Baguette, Luskin Star, Sebring, Pierro, Vancouver and Capitalist.
Gallery: Some of the Breeders' Plate winners who have gone on to win the Golden Slipper, images courtesy of Sportpix
In 2014, the great Gai Waterhouse won the race for the fourth time in succession when Vancouver was first home. Waterhouse has also tasted Breeders’ Plate success with Law (Denman), Whittington, Pierro, Sebring, Sparks (Thunder Gulch {USA}) and High Rolling.
Waterhouse and training partner Adrian Bott have three 2-year-olds entered on Saturday - Espionage (Zoustar), Prost (Snitzel) and Straight Charge (Written By).
Peter and Paul Snowden have led in three winners - Empire Of Japan (Snitzel), Khan (Exceed And Excel) and Capitalist, and they five runners in 2023 - Bodyguard (I Am Invincible), Counteroffensive (Deep Field), Fearless (Pierata), Force Red (Cosmic Force) and Volatile (Snitzel).
Prominent owner and bloodstock agent James Harron has enjoyed great success with 2-year-olds, most notably Capitalist, and he has four entrants - Bodyguard, Espionage, Fearless and Highness (Snitzel).
James Harron is represented by four entrants in this year's edition of the G3 Breeders' Plate | Image courtesy of Inglis
This year’s race boasts 14 colts and all bar one were sold at public auction. Two juveniles in the field - Bodyguard and Espionage - made seven figures at this year’s yearling sales, with the former the most expensive; he made $1.6 million at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The field features three colts by Snitzel - Highness, Prost and Volatile, while a number of freshman sires are represented; Pierata with Fearless, Cosmic Force has Force Red and Blue Point (Ire) with Scampi.
No.1 - Bodyguard
2-year-old colt, I Am Invincible x Tumooh (Fastnet Rock)
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Barrier: 13
Breeder: Emirates Park
Owners: James Harron Bloodstock Colts, Mrs B C Bateman, Love Racing, Doyles Breeding & Racing, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Mr P Mehrten, Mr J-D Huynh, Mr M A De Stoop, Mr D Saab, Rockingham Thoroughbreds, Emirates Park
Sale information: James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership bought this colt from the Emirates Park draft for $1.6 million at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The colt is from an unraced half-sister to the Group 3 winner Dajraan (GB) (Frankel {GB}), with his grandam being the G1 Golden Slipper S. heroine Mossfun (Mossman).
Bodyguard finished second behind Espionage in a Randwick-Kensington trial on September 18.
Bodyguard as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.2 - Capitol Hill
2-year-old colt, Prized Icon x Yankee Eyes (All American)
Trainer: John Thompson
Jockey: Rachel King
Barrier: 2
Breeder: Kooringal Stud
Owners: Mr B M Cohen, Mr S M Cohen, Mr T M Cohen, Mr P M Cohen, Mrs T P Cohen, Mr T J Pemberton, Mr S K Preen, Mr R H Kirby, Mrs C E Kirby, Mr B G Mahony, Redfox, Mr P M Cohen, Mr P N Smith, Mr M D Gallagher, Mr S J Mitchell, Mr M J Mitchell, Mr J W Smith, In The Soldi Racing
Sale information: Kooringal Stud consigned this colt at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale (Book 2). He was bought by John Thompson for $80,000.
Capitol Hill is by the sire of the promising Tulloch Lodge filly Tropical Squall, who ran third in the G2 Tea Rose S. last start. The colt is from a five-time winner and is closely related to the stakes winners Don’t Doubt Mamma (Not A Single Doubt) and Risen From Doubt (Not A Single Doubt).
Capitol Hill placed fourth behind Sovereign Hill (Written Tycoon) in a Randwick trial on Friday.
Capitol Hill as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.3 - Counteroffensive
2-year-old colt, Deep Field x Victory Cry (General Nediym)
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: Joao Moreira
Barrier: 12
Breeder: Mill Park Stud
Owners: Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Newgate S F, Go Bloodstock Australia, Trilogy, Horse Ventures, Carpe Diem, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Starlight Racing, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Aston Bloodstock, Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd
Sale information: China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy paid $425,000 for this colt from the Mill Park Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The colt is out of a sister to the Listed scorer Victory Chant (General Nediym) and a half-sister to the stakes performer Reldas (Testa Rossa). Counteroffensive is a half-sibling to two stakes winners - Run Fox Run (Foxwedge) and Guard Of Honour (Northern Meteor), as well as the stakes performer Battle Strike (Shooting To Win).
Counteroffensive was fourth in the trial won by Espionage at Randwick-Kensington on September 18.
Counteroffensive as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.4 - Counterpart
2-year-old colt, Trapeze Artist x Image (Exceed And Excel)
Trainers: Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Barrier: 14
Breeder: Vieira Group
Owners: Mr T Donnini, Mr G Walker, Mr G Risa, Ms S Watts, Mr M H Wood, Mrs M E Wood, Mrs L Lloyd, Peake Racing, Mr J T O'brien, Mrs D E Dinopoulos, Mr H Stewart, Mr M Lippiatt, Mrs K S Cowell, Mr D Gardiner, Mrs S T Gardiner, MATJG, Dr E J Cassar, Mrs M J Cassar, Mrs S K Wickens, Mrs J A Hammond
Sale information: Counterpart’s trainers went to $180,000 for this colt at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was offered by Widden Stud.
The colt is from a sister to the stakes performer Cristobal (Exceed And Excel) - the dam of the Group 2 victress Exploring (Brazen Beau). He is also closely related to the stakes winners Marching (Commands), Crawl (Dr Grace {NZ}) and Old Man (Dr Grace {NZ}).
Counterpart placed fourth behind Volatile in a Randwick-Kensington trial on September 18.
Counterpart as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.5 - Espionage
2-year-old colt, Zoustar x In Times Of War (Street Cry {Ire})
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Barrier: 10
Breeder: Gerry Harvey
Owners: James Harron Bloodstock Colts, Mrs B C Bateman, Love Racing, Doyles Breeding & Racing, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Mr P Mehrten, Mr J-D Huynh, Mr M A De Stoop, Mr D Saab, Rockingham Thoroughbreds, Mr G Harvey
Sale information: Baramul Stud consigned this colt at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was knocked down to James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership for $1 million.
Espionage is out of a three-time winner and his grandam is the former top filly/mare Military Rose (General Nediym), who scored in Group 2 company.
The colt looked good in winning his trial at Randwick-Kensington on September 18.
“He’s a very talented colt,” Bott recently told The Thoroughbred Report.
“His trial was good, he didn’t necessarily have things go his own way. He was able to overcome that and still put in a strong trial performance.”
Espionage as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.6 - Fearless
2-year-old colt, Pierata x Matildare (Rothesay)
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: Chad Schofield
Barrier: 8
Breeder: Mrs V Lourigan
Owners: James Harron Bloodstock Colts, Mrs B C Bateman, Love Racing, Doyles Breeding & Racing, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Mr P Mehrten, Mr J-D Huynh, Mr M A De Stoop, Mr D Saab, Rockingham Thoroughbreds
Sale information: This colt made $220,000 at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He was bought by James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership from the Highgrove Stud draft.
Fearless is from a winning mare and she is a half-sister to Gold Anthem (Made Of Gold {USA}) - the dam of the elite-level winner and Group 1-producing sire Starspangledbanner. The colt is closely related to the Group 1 winners Circles Of Gold (Marscay), Haradasun and Elvstroem.
He will be the first runner for the Group 1 hero Pierata, who stands at Yulong in Victoria at a fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
Fearless won his September 18 Randwick-Kensington trial by 0.18l.
Fearless as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
No.7 - Force Red
2-year-old colt, Cosmic Force x Joseph’s Coat (Fastnet Rock)
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: Andrew Adkins
Barrier: 5
Breeder: China Horse Racing Club
Owners: Mr S D Manion, Mr J C Williams, Ms J H Gibson, Mr C Johns, Mr J Norris, HeyWaFew, Hopes Gorn , JAMMT, CBD Inc, Mr G King, Mr S J Maybury, Mr W D'cruz, Mr P J Liebke, Dr C D Pitt, Mr B A Jacob, Mr R G Edge, Mr D Mackaness, Ms S J G Casaroli, Mr M D C Roufeil, Mr G L Lawler
Sale information: Triple Crown Syndications signed for this colt at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, paying $240,000 for him from the draft of The Chase.
Force Red is out of an unraced sister to the Listed winner Saturn Rock (Fastnet Rock), and a half-sister to the stakes performer Omeros (High Chaparral {Ire}). His grandam, Satin Robes (Ne Coupez Pas {USA}), won the Listed Kensington S. in 2007.
Force Red will be the first runner for Newgate Farm’s Group 2 winner Cosmic Force, who stands at a fee of $11,000 (inc GST).
Force Red as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.8 - Highness
2-year-old colt, Snitzel x Diana’s Star (Northern Meteor)
Trainer: Michael Freedman
Jockey: Zac Lloyd
Barrier: 9
Breeder: Mr O P Egan
Owners: James Harron Bloodstock Colts, Mrs B C Bateman, Love Racing, Doyles Breeding & Racing, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Mr P Mehrten, Mr J-D Huynh, Mr M A De Stoop, Mr D Saab, Rockingham Thoroughbreds, Gandharvi, Mr O P Egan, Miss J E Egan
Sale information: Highness made $900,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership buying him from the Segenhoe Stud draft.
The colt is from an unraced half-sister to the Group 1 hero and Group 2-producing sire Dissident.
Highness looked very sharp in taking out Heat 5 at the Randwick-Kensington trials on September 18.
Highness as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.9 - Marais
2-year-old colt, Capitalist x Gone To Paris (Duporth)
Trainers: Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou
Jockey: Tim Clark
Barrier: 1
Breeder: Mrs V Lourigan
Owners: Ryan & Alexiou Racing, Mr J B Plozza, Mrs L Maley, Mr M H Wood, Mrs M E Wood, Mrs L Lloyd, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Mr P A Rosenquist, Mr M Plozza
Sale information: Marais fetched $220,000 at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Offered by Highgrove Stud, he was bought by his trainers.
The colt is out of a two-time winner who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Aristocratic Miss (Foxwedge) and the two-time winner Elusive Meteor (Northern Meteor) - the dam of the Listed victress Sky On Fire (Exceed And Excel).
His second dam, Golden Pedigree (Gold Brose), scored in Listed company and she is a half-sister to the Listed winner Biologist (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Marais placed second behind Scampi in a trial at Randwick-Kensington on September 18.
Marais as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
No.10 - Prost
2-year-old colt, Snitzel x Samarmeteors (Northern Meteor)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Adam Hyeronimus
Barrier: 4
Breeder: Gerry Harvey
Owners: TFI, Kia Ora Stud W S, GW Holdings, Mrs M M Maloney, Mr K G Maloney, Mr G D McCloskey, Mr F J Kelly, Mr G Singh, Mr J Carmichael, Mr D T Moxon, Mr J M Russo, Mrs E M Russo
Sale information: Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd/TFI /Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing went to $650,000 for this colt, who was consigned by Baramul Stud, at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Prost is from a half-sister to Samaready (More Than Ready {USA}) - a Group 1 heroine, the Champion Female Sprinter in Australia in 2013/14 and the dam of the G1 Golden Slipper hero Shinzo (Snitzel) and the Group 3 scorer Exhilarates (Snitzel). Samarmeteors is also a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Night War (General Nediym) and the stakes performer Samartested (Testa Rossa).
Prost finished second in Heat 3, 0.18l behind Fearless (Pierata), at Randwick-Kensington on September 18.
“He’s a professional type and looks a real 2-year-old to me,” Bott said.
Prost as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.11 - Scampi
2-year-old colt, Blue Point (Ire) x Sistonic (Bel Esprit)
Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Jason Collett
Barrier: 7
Breeder: Robert Crabtree
Owners: Halo Racing Services Pty Ltd, Brut Force Racing MM No.3, Mr J A O'Neill, Mr L Caminiti, Deg Racing, Dorrington Farm, Mr A L Herbert, Mr R W Mutton, Mr B J O'Brien, A K Racing, Mr N J Todd, Mr A Vincent, Mr D W Lilley, Mr R H Montague, Mr T I M Joyce, Mr A Makiv
Sale information: Bhima Thoroughbreds offered this colt at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was knocked down to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $750,000.
Scampi is from the two-time winner Sistonic (Bel Esprit) and she herself is a sister to the Listed winner Iconic, and a three-quarter sister to the great Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and Naturale (Bel Esprit) - the dam of the dual Group 1 hero Ole Kirk, who stands at Vinery Stud for $55,000 (inc GST). The colt is a half-brother to last year’s G3 Kindergarten S. winner Semillion (Shalaa {Ire}) and the four-time winner Seatonic (Sebring).
Scampi, who will be Blue Point’s first runner in Australia, won Heat 9 at the Randwick-Kensington trials on September 18.
Scampi as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“He always looked a very mature horse, right from the get-go,” Eustace told The Thoroughbred Report.
“He’s been in work a long time and has done things very easily and professionally throughout.
“We know the family well, we trained the half-sister (Seatonic). She was quick, he’s a bigger, stronger and more mature horse than she ever was.”
No.12 - Straight Charge
2-year-old colt, Written By x Matryoshka (I Am Invincible)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Regan Bayliss
Barrier: 11
Breeder: Mr S Robertson
Owners: Mrs A Zhang
Sale information: Straight Charge made $160,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, with Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Pegasus Bloodstock buying him from the Twin Hills Stud consignment. Yulong Investments then snapped him up for $270,000 from the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is from a half-sister to the Group 2 winner and Listed-producing sire Winning Rupert and the Group 3 victress Tycoon Evie (Written Tycoon).
Straight Charge won Heat 1 at Randwick-Kensington on September 18 by 0.97l under Zac Lloyd.
“He did well and ran good time. He responded well under pressure,” said Bott.
“He’s a nice colt.”
Straight Charge as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
No.13 - Too Soon
2-year-old colt, Charge Forward x Canny Lassie (Canny Lad)
Trainer: Matthew Smith
Jockey: Dylan Gibbons
Barrier: 6
Breeder: Mr P Griffin
Owners: Mr P J Griffin, Mr T Sheehy, Mr P F Bell, Mr J Carone
Sale information: This colt was not offered at public auction.
Too Soon is from an unplaced half-sister to the stakes performer See A Victory (Mister C {USA}) - the dam of the Group 1 heroine Daysee Doom (Domesday). The colt is a half-brother to the Listed winner Villeins (Domesday).
He finished third in the trial won by Highness.
No.14 - Volatile
2-year-old colt, Snitzel x Artemis Rose (Lonhro)
Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: James McDonald
Barrier: 3
Breeder: Belinda Bateman
Owners: Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Newgate S F, Go Bloodstock Australia, Trilogy, Horse Ventures, Carpe Diem, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Starlight Racing, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Aston Bloodstock, Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd
Sale information: China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy paid $550,000 for this colt from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is from a 1000-metre winner who is a three-quarter sister to Munhro (Lonhro) - the dam of the Group 2 winner and Listed-producing sire Derryn. Other stakes winners on the colt’s page include Regrowth (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), Colour (More Than Ready {USA}), Forensics (Flying Spur), Snippets and Not A Single Doubt.
Volatile bolted in at his one and only trial. That was at Randwick-Kensington on September 18 and he owned a 2.38l margin on the line.
Volatile as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
