Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
On Sunday, Sha Tin, one of the world's most prominent and fiercely competitive racing stages, hosted its annual Champions Day, featuring a lineup of top-class runners competing in three Group 1 races.
In the G1 FWD Champions Mile, the victory of the exceptional Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was anticipated, given his usual dominance. However, Beauty Eternal (Starspangledbanner), a graduate of Fernrigg Farm and trained by John Size, had different plans. Against the odds, Beauty Eternal charged down the Sha Tin straight, fending off the competition to secure his maiden elite-level triumph.
Beauty Eternal's victory served as further validation of the outstanding abilities of his sire, Starspangledbanner, who will now stand at Coolmore Stud for an increased fee of $44,000 (inc GST). Additionally, it showcased the expertise of Rae Louise and Padraig Kelly of Fernrigg Farm in nurturing top-tier racehorses.
Starspangledbanner | Standing at Coolmore
In the aftermath of the triumph, The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Rae Louise Kelly to delve deeper into the latest Hong Kong sensation and to learn more about the developments at Fernrigg Farm.
Small but willing
Bred by Peter Raft, Beauty Eternal is the fourth foal from the placed Savabeel mare, Ithacan Queen (NZ). She is also the dam of Love Sensation (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who placed in the G3 Alexandra S. and ran fourth in the G2 Let’s Elope S.
Sent to Fernrigg Farm for the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, the son of Starspangledbanner was purchased for $90,000 by the astute John Foote of John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA).
Reflecting on Beauty Eternal as a yearling, Kelly said, “We prepared him for a client, Peter Raft, and he came to the farm a few months before the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Beauty Eternal was always a bit small and behind the others, but he was one of those horses that just really thrived in preparation.
“He developed and was always switched on with a really good head. Those horses are always easy to get ready because they want to do it. So, he just blossomed and took it all in his stride.”
Beauty Eternal as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Initially named Teamyouessa (Starspangledbanner), he trialled twice in Australia at Moe and then won a trial at Cranbourne before being sent to Hong Kong and renamed Beauty Eternal.
Prior to Sunday’s success, Beauty Eternal won eight races, including the G2 Jockey Club Mile, the G3 Lion Rock Trophy, and the G3 Premier Cup. He also placed in the G1 Stewards’ Cup and ran fourth in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup before securing his ninth career victory and maiden Group 1 in the FWD Champions Mile.
“Beauty Eternal landed in the right hands, that’s for sure, because many people would have seen his early potential and rushed him. Whereas John Size and the team have been patient with him and have given him the time to physically mature.
“Beauty Eternal landed in the right hands, that’s for sure, because many people would have seen his early potential and rushed him. Whereas John Size and the team have been patient with him and have given him the time to physically mature.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
“He was so impressive yesterday (Sunday). It was so exciting. We’ve had a couple of really nice horses in Hong Kong over the last few years, such as Excellent Proposal, but for Beauty Eternal to come and put the cream on top is fantastic.”
Branching out
The success of Beauty Eternal couldn't have come at a better time for the Kellys, who recently expanded their horizons by acquiring a new property and have plans to open Fernrigg Farm to more clients.
The new 300-acre farm, situated in the Denman area, complements their existing 80-acre plot, which they purchased in 2016 and was formerly known as Wexford Farm. Nestled along the Hunter River, the property boasts an ideal location, with Darley and Coolmore visible on the opposite bank and Widden nearby, with the National Park bordering the farm's other side.
“The month before welcoming our first child, Eloise, 18 months ago, we bought a 300-acre property at the back of Denman. It complements our yearling farm. They’re only 10 minutes apart, just off the Hunter River. So, you are in view of Darley and Coolmore on the other side of the river. Then, on the other side of the farm, it backs onto the National Park that leads to Widden. The location is awesome, it’s river flats going into rolling hills, and we’ve been able to develop the farm and design it how we want it.
Rae-Louise Kelly and Padraig Kelly | Image courtesy of Fernrigg Farm
“We plan to promote the new farm and welcome new clients to join the family, so Beauty Eternal’s victory was well-timed.”
Commenting on the decision to expand and acquire more property, Kelly said, “We had the children and got our family sorted, and while we were a bit quieter on the horse side, it was a good chance to develop the farm. We've upgraded our mares over the years, so now we're just keeping up with the times with our facilities.
The gravy train
This year, Fernrigg Farm has showcased drafts at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, and the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
At the Gold Coast, Fernrigg Farm presented 13 yearlings, achieving a top price of $500,000 for a filly by the recently pensioned Exceed And Excel out of the well-related Reset mare, Tragic. This filly was snapped up by Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds.
Lot 312 - Exceed and Excel x Tragic (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
At the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Fernrigg achieved a top price of $300,000 for Lot 613, a colt by Capitalist, from a total of seven sold. Rounding out their sales season in Melbourne at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Fernrigg sold Lot 377, a filly by Extreme Choice, for $170,000.
“The market is definitely changing, and it has been a bit more challenging. We can’t really complain; all the horses we’ve sold this year have achieved a clearance rate of 100 percent. It's about ensuring they find the right home so that we can replicate the success of Beauty Eternal. I’m happy with where all the horses have ended up this year, so far.”
Lot 613 - Capitalist x Queen of Eight (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis
Regarding stallion choices, Kelly explained, “We tend to lean more towards proven stallions because we are a smaller farm and can't take risks on a second-season sire that might not succeed. However, we have begun investing in breeding rights in stallions. We were fortunate to get on the Tassort bandwagon, so that’s definitely a stallion we’re very excited about. We’re thrilled to be on the gravy train there.”
Tassort, who stands at Newgate Farm, saw his fee increase to $33,000 (inc GST) from $11,000 (inc GST). He is the sire of six individual winners, including the G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner Manaal.
Small farm, big results
Despite its boutique size and modestly sized broodmare band, Fernrigg Farm has achieved significant success on the racetrack with its graduates.
Looking ahead, Kelly is excited to see what the future holds for the filly Cat Noir (Merchant Navy), trained by Jamie Edwards. Bred by Fernrigg Farm, Cat Noir was retained after not being accepted into a sale, and she has proven herself more than capable.
She has triumphed twice and placed on three occasions from six starts.
“For a small farm that doesn’t turn over a lot of horses, we’ve enjoyed success on the racetrack. In recent weeks, our graduate Piraeus won the Orange Cup and secured an entry in the $3 million Big Dance at the end of the year.
“For a small farm that doesn’t turn over a lot of horses, we’ve enjoyed success on the racetrack. In recent weeks, our graduate Piraeus won the Orange Cup and secured an entry in the $3 million Big Dance at the end of the year.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
“We also had a little filly we bred ourselves, Cat Noir. We literally couldn't get her into a sale, and she recently emerged victorious against older horses at Geelong.
“Her trainer, Jamie Edwards, has Group race aspirations for her in the near future in Brisbane. Fernrigg Farm produces racehorses; we might not have the million-dollar sale-topper at every sale, but we pride ourselves on producing racehorses.”
