Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
In a strong performance Holmes A Court (Capitalist), dominated the field in the prestigious Black Opal Stakes (1200m) this Sunday in Canberra. The 2-year-old colt by Capitalist now have trainers Peter and Paul Snowden setting their sights on the upcoming G1 Golden Slipper.
The victory at Canberra marks a significant milestone for the Snowden stable, celebrating their third win in the last five editions of this juvenile feature, following the successes of Kalashnikov (Capitalist) in 2021 and Barbaric in 2022. He is the fifth winner of the feature for Peter Snowden, alongside Epaulette and Defcon.
Holmes A Court etches his name among notable past winners of the race, such as the star sprinter Trapeze Artist.
Ridden by Tommy Berry - who had a top weekend with a Group 3 win at Randwick on Saturday, Holmes A Court outpaced the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's previously unbeaten Fully Lit (Hellbent) who was the warm favourite.
Placed behind stablemate’s Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude and High Octane (Deep Field) in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview, his victory in the Black Opal was his breakout moment, taking his earnings to almost $220,000 and demonstrating his potential as future stakes horse.
A $850,000 purchase at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by China Horse Club, Newgate, Go bloodstock, and Trilogy, Holmes A Court is the first foal of the Zoustar mare Menagerie, who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Il Quello Veloce (NZ) (Captain Rio) and Listed winner Donna Cattiva (NZ) (Captain Rio). This is the family of Tiger Tees (Dubawi {GB}) and Terravista (Captain Rio {GB}).
Holmes A Court as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bred by Blake Sandblom Pty Ltd and Double R Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Holmes A Court represents the 19th stakes winner for Capitalist and heralds a new chapter as a broodmare sire for Zoustar as his first black-type winner. Capitalist also sired Amazing Eagle who finished third in the event.
Holmes A Court is now being set for the Golden Slipper, where he currently stands as a $26 chance.
