Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Sunday’s Magic Millions National Weanling Sale will kick off a busy week for Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch and his team. The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Bowditch ahead of the sale to discuss his expectations.

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Affaire A Suivre (NZ) - Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale 2024

The 2023 Magic Millions National Sale series grossed $139,736,500 from 1022 lots sold, down from $161,457,500 in 2022 when 1126 lots sold. This year, 1620 horses are catalogued across the weanling, mare and yearling sale series, down around 200 from 2023.

Aside from the depth of the exceptional broodmare catalogue, featuring Imperatriz (NZ), Chain of Lightning (Fighting Sun), Madame Pommery (No Nay Never {USA}) and Affaire a Suivre (Astern), there's the dispersal of Element Hill, which features a yearling sister to Golden Sixty (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}).

But first, we start with the babies. A lineup of 377 weanlings by 94 individual sires has been assembled for the two-day event to kick off the sale.

Excitingly, prospective buyers will have the opportunity to inspect and secure progeny by champion racehorses such as St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) and Home Affairs from Coolmore, Newgate Farm’s G1 Golden Slipper victor Stay Inside, a former graduate of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, and his Group 1-winning barnmate Wild Ruler.

Additionally, proven sires such as Written Tycoon, Toronado (Ire), I Am Invincible, and Exceed And Excel are all featured in the sale.

“It’s been very busy out there, and the feedback on the weanlings I’m hearing is all complimentary. From the Magic Millions perspective, I think we’ve got a good, consistent bunch of weanlings, albeit we’d probably love another few barns of them.”

With the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale being only the second sale of the year for weanlings, the first—the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale—gave Bowditch plenty to be confident about heading into Sunday.

“I feel the confidence in the pinhook market is there. We’re coming into Sunday off the back of a strong weanling sale market thus far this year, so we’ve got confidence that we have the most consistent and in-depth weanling sale catalogue.

“We’d like to think the market would see it that way, and that we’ll have a strong average clearance rate come Sunday and Monday.”

Changing attitude?

A fact highlighted by Magic Millions is that over 25 per cent of the catalogue for this year’s Magic Millions National Weanling Sale consists of progeny from black type performed mares.

Examples include Lot 15, a colt offered by Coolmore, who is not only a son of the exceptional Frankel (GB), but also out of Amicus (Fastnet Rock), a mare who won the G1 One Thousand Guineas and the G2 Let’s Elope S. Amicus has proven herself as a producer, with her Irish-bred sons Chief Little Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) placing twice at Group 2 level, and his full brother Okita Soushi (Ire) winning at Royal Ascot.

Vinery Stud presents Lot 86, a colt by Swettenham Stud’s sire sensation Toronado (Ire), and the first foal from the speedy Fake Love (I Am Invincible), a winner of the Listed Debutant S. at Caulfield and placegetter in the Listed Calaway Gal S.

Gallery: Weanlings that are out of black type performance mares, images courtsy of Magic Millions

Also, by Toronado (Ire) is Lot 354, consigned by Three Bridges Farm. This colt is from the Group 2-winning Lonhro mare Wawail. Meanwhile, Coolmore presents Lot 119, the fourth foal from the talented I’ll Have A Bit (Smart Missile), a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placegetter. This colt is a son of the remarkable, So You Think (NZ).

Are these examples indicative of changing attitudes towards weanling sales, or a marker of the economic challenges experienced and ahead?

Bowditch explained, “I think everyone’s got different circumstances as to why they are selling their weanlings, but on the whole, Magic Millions is very lucky that most vendors want to make it worth their while bringing weanlings to the Gold Coast. They want to bring weanlings they think are going to be a good, strong, and sellable product that the market wants to see.”

Commenting on the 25 percent of the catalogue being from black-type performers, Bowditch told TTR AusNZ, “It has to give the buyers confidence that when they turn up on the Gold Coast to buy a weanling, they’re probably buying the best quality weanling they can find on the open market.”

Pinhooks and gradute success aplenty

It should also be mentioned the outstanding success weanling purchasers have had on the track this season and in the past. The Magic Millions Weanling Sale has supplied the victor of the G1 Golden Slipper, Stay Inside, who has his first progeny on offer this Sunday.

Additionally, the G1 George Ryder S. winner Veight (Grunt {NZ}) was sourced from the Bundall complex for $100,000, and the bonny filly Tropical Squall (Prized Icon), a $16,000 purchase, is already a dual Group 1 winner from nine starts.

Moreover, the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale was where the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and G1 Golden Rose winner Zoustar was sourced for $85,000. Zoustar now stands at Widden Stud as a successful stallion with a fee of $275,000 (inc GST).

Beyond the racetrack success, the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale has proven a happy hunting ground for pinhookers. For instance, a filly by the four-time Champion Sire Snitzel out of the Sebring mare Serena Bay was purchased for $480,000 as a weanling and reoffered in January for $1.25 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, resulting in a profit of $770,000.

Similarly, a colt by Shalaa (Ire) from Exploding Star (Zoustar) was bought for $6000 as a weanling and later sold for $110,000. Last year, a Too Darn Hot (GB) colt out of Duvessa (Street Cry {Ire}) was purchased for $100,000 as a weanling and reoffered in January, selling for $625,000.

Field set for $1 million R. Listed Magic Millions National 2YO Classic

Adding an additional layer of excitement for Bowditch and the team at Magic Millions was Saturday’s inaugural running of the $1 million R. Listed Magic Millions National 2YO Classic at Doomben, won by Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}). She finished second in January’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Bowditch believes the Millions National 2YO Classic will become a valuable and much-sought-after event on the Australian racing calendar and the Magic Millions Race Series.

“It was an outstanding field. I think having some of Australia’s best 2-year-olds running in this inaugural edition was fantastic.

“I really think this event will grow, and this race will become a permanent fixture here on the Gold Coast and on the racing calendar.”

Commenting on the fact that some contestants from January find themselves competing in a $1 million race in May, Bowditch said, “I think that validates the race series and what they can race for when they buy a Magic Millions yearling. These horses always get another bite of the cherry, which is fantastic.”

Cover image courtesy of Annabel Neasham Racing

Neasham’s Bois makes all in Doomben Cup

After hoisting the G1 Doomben Cup trophy up back in 2021 with Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), the Warwick Farm-based horsewoman, Annabel Neasham, returned to town with the classy Bois D’argent (GB) (Toronado {Ire}), who made all to give Neasham her 12th Group 1 success as a trainer.

The grey, ridden by Blake Shinn, prevailed in a photo finish over the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained New Endeavour (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), while Bois D’argent’s stablemate Fawkner Park (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) finished third.

Neasham spoke to 7HorseRacing post-race, “I said to Blake Shinn, “Do you ever get tired of winning these (Group 1s), and he said, “No, never,” but it was a great ride and we try to get Blake on whenever we can.

“Obviously, Bois D’argent was there to be run down, and it was a very small margin, but it was there and thankfully he clung on. It’s so exciting, mid-race I didn’t think they were going that quick and it was very comfortable where all our runners were positioned. I actually think Numerian got a bit of a check, and I actually thought Fawkner Park was the run of the race.”

Bois D’argent is the sixth individual Group 1 winner for Toronado (Ire), who stands at Swettenham Stud in Victoria. The son of High Chaparral (Ire) will serve the upcoming season at a fee of $88,000 (inc GST).

The G1 Doomben Cup is the sixth career victory for Bois D’argent, who also counts the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup and the Listed Prix du Ranelagh among his successes.

Additionally, since his importation to Australia, Bois D’argent has ran fourth in the G1 Caulfield Cup and placed in the G3 Premier’s Cup.

His dam, the Daylami (Ire) mare Madonna Lily (Ire), retired a non-winner but was placed as a two and 3-year-old. She has proven herself as a producer, with Bois D’argent’s sister Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) crowned the Champion Older Female in Europe in 2022, and the French Champion Older Female in 2021.

She won eight races, including the G1 Prix Jean Romanet and the G3 Prix de Flore. There is an Australian flair to Bois D’argent’s pedigree, down the page is the G1 VRC Oaks victress Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and her Oaks-winning daughter Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}).

Scarlet Oak promises big future

Champion trainer Chris Waller is no stranger to a good filly, and has often used Queensland as a launching pad, think - Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Egg Tart (Sebring) to name a few.

Also, worth noting the talented Youngstar won the G2 Doomben Roses before her G1 Queensland Oaks success. Waller looks to have another filly in his barn with the ability to emulate that former star in Scarlet Oak (Kermadec {NZ}).

The lightly raced filly was lining up for start four in the G2 Doomben Rose, after a dominant performance on a Heavy 9 surface at Newcastle. Prior to that she was beaten in the G3 James HB Carr S. behind her talented stablemate Konasana (Dundeel {NZ}), who won on Saturday at Randwick.

Ridden by James McDonald, Scarlet Oak won by 0.30l from Mare Of Mt Buller (Dundeel {NZ}) and Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution). Despite the narrow margin on paper, Waller was impressed with the manner, he told Sky Racing, “Queensland is a great platform for our fillies. That’s the beauty of Australian racing though, 52 weeks of the year you’ve got somewhere to take these horses.

“But Queensland is fantastic when you have a late-developer and a rising star. Scarlet Oak, being by Kermadec, is obviously very close to home, having trained him. So, that’s very pleasing.

“I remember watching her win at Matamata on the TV, and then Ozzie Kheir purchased her out of New Zealand from Ken Kelso, who is a trainer I respect. I spoke to him, and he said, “She’s the real deal, but needs a little bit of furnishing,”” So, the best is yet to come.

“She’s taken everything in her stride and has eaten everything and enjoyed her time in Queensland. No signs of stress, so we will be pushing on towards the G1 Queensland Oaks.”

Scarlet Oak was withdrawn from the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale when due to be offered by Leanach Lodge. She is from the Commands mare Tactless, a four-time winner and a half-sister to the G1 Spring Champion S. victor Complacent.

The filly is the 23rd stakes winner for Darley’s Kermadec (NZ), who stand the upcoming season at $16,500 (inc GST).

Maracana boosts profile

The Danny O’Brien-bred and-trained Maracana (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) boosted her profile ahead of her date with the sale ring on Tuesday. The daughter of the former O’Brien-trained Shamexpress (NZ) was a surprise victress of the G3 Drinkwise Mile at Doomben.

Maracana partnered by Michael Dee, was a last-start winner in BM70 company at Cranbourne, but seemingly jumped out of the ground to defeat a game Osmose (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), while Firestorm (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) was third 1.3l away in.

O’Brien told Sky Racing, “Maracana had stakes form as a 3-year-old but she’s a filly that lost her way a little bit. She got confidence back last start, winning at Cranbourne and when the rain came and took the edge off this track, it gave us a boost because she’s got very good form on these surfaces.

“She’s put her best foot forward toward today (Saturday) and one of the reasons she’s up here in Queensland is because she’s in the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. It looks like Maracana has plenty of good racing in her, and whoever decides to put their hand up next week they’ll be getting a horse who is ready to go on with it, and is now a Group 3 winner.

“I’d be pleased to keep her, but I’m thrilled for all the connections to get the win.”

Widden Stud will present Maracana as Lot 490 on Tuesday. She is from the unraced King’s Chapel mare Rita Moreno (NZ), who is a half-sister to the G2 Eight Carat Classic victress Natalie Wood (NZ) (Yachtie), the dam of the Group 3 winner and G1 Melbourne Cup-placed Maluckyday (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

Maracana brings her record to five victories from 1200 to 1600 metres, which includes a third in the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic and the Listed TAB Trophy. She is the 11th stakes winner for Shamexpress, who stands at Windsor Park for NZ$8000 (plus GST) this season.

The best to come for Here To Shock?

Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) ended Saturday on a high for Lindsay Park trainers, Ben, Will and JD-Hayes, with a hard-fought victory in the G3 BRC Sprint at Doomben. Additionally, the Hayes’ brothers also trained the winner of the last at Sandown-Hillside - Nicolini Vito (Nicconi).

The son of Rich Hill Stud’s G1 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking had been in fine form this preparation. Two starts ago, Here To Shock won the G3 Victoria H. and was placed in a BM100 before his trip to Queensland.

Ridden by Michael Dee, who rode a double at Doomben, Here To Shock pulled out all the stops to narrowly defeat Freedom Rally (Rubick), while Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) was honest in third.

Representing Lindsay Park was JD Hayes, he told 7HorseRacing, “He’s so consistent, and Here To Shock really is a horse in form. He’s gone to another level this preparation.

“We can’t thank Robert Heathcote enough, as he has let us and Here To Shock stay with him. Here To Shock has a few tricks in our bag, so he makes our job a bit easier but the best thing is he’s just so genuine.”

Here To Shock was a NZ$70,000 purchase by Slade Bloodstock from the draft of Cambridge Stud at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He is from the Lonhro mare Rescoes, a dual winner and close relation to the G1 Patinack Farm Classic winner Mental (Lonhro).

Rescoes is also the dam of the eight-time winner, Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}), whose best victory came in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre S. Here To Shock’s sire, Shocking, is standing the upcoming breeding season at a fee of NZ$12,500 (plus GST).

Willo goes Boom!

Bonny filly Tiger Shark (Rich Enuff) upstaged a classy field that included last year’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic victress Skirt The Law (Better Than Ready) in the $140,000 Darby McCarthy at Doomben on Saturday.

The Natalie McCall-trained 3-year-old filly, ridden by the Victorian-based Craig Williams, found to hold Outweighed (Outreach) at bay, while Celui (Toronado {Ire}) finished well in third beating Skirt The Law.

Tiger Shark was backing up from an unplaced run last Saturday at Doomben, before that she celebrated victory at Eagle Farm. The Darby McCarthy was the fifth career win for the daughter of Rich Enuff, who is already a stakes winner of the Listed Mick Dittman Plate.

The filly is from Langoustine, a daughter of Exceed And Excel, whose daughters enjoyed much success on Saturday. Rich Enuff, a son of Written Tycoon, stands at Woodside Park for a fee of $13,200 (inc GST).

Tiger Shark was a $15,000 purchase by Paul Kingsford Bloodstock from the draft of Springmount at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.

Following Tiger Shark’s success, Williams partnered the Tony Gollan-trained Golden Boom (Spirit Of Boom) in the Listed Chief De Beers H. The classy 4-year-old showed the 1100 metres was no cause for concern, running out a solid winner from The Big Goodbye (Host {Chi}) and the last-start stakes winner At Witz End (Epaulette).

Golden Boom is the best runner from the Encosta De Lago mare Golden Falls. She is from the family of the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Eagle Falls (Hussonet {USA}) and the Group 3 WJ Healy S. victress Juan Diva (Snitzel).

The 4-year-old is a victor of five races and was a $150,000 purchase by Archer Park Racing from the draft of Element Hill at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Golden Boom is one of 26 stakes winners for Eureka Stud’s Spirit Of Boom, who will remain at $38,500 (inc GST) this season.

Gollan told Sky Racing, “The light weight (53kg) aided him (Golden Boom) but we only had one plan - and that was it (led).

“We wanted to get out, get on our bike and start moving. I wasn’t really sure with him being first-up off a break on this testing ground, he would be doing a lot of work. However, Golden Boom has always been a quality horse from the first day we stepped him out.

“He hasn’t been without a few issues in his career, but it is great to see him winning a stakes race during the carnival because he is one of the most talented horses I’ve trained.”

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Big dollar filly gets the job done

There was considerable pressure on the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Clean Energy (Zoustar) in Saturday’s Listed Bill Carter S. at Doomben.

Carrying the bottle green silks of her owner Yulong, who paid $2.6 million to secure her from Widden Stud's draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Clean Energy dominated the stakes event, maintaining her unbeaten record with her second win.

Co-trainer, Adrian Bott didn’t mince his words in the aftermath, telling Sky Racing, “It’s lovely to see the nice progression from her maiden to today (Saturday); it’s important for Clean Energy to come away (travel) at this point in her career because she’s lightly raced and still rather new to it all.

“This will help with her seasoning, because we’ve got bigger things in store for her. By no means has anybody seen the best of Clean Energy yet, she’s a very progressive filly. I think it’s been a real positive and we’ll see the best in the spring.”

Bott added, “She’s got phenomenal balance, and everything is in proportion. You could look at her parade all day, because she’s fantastic. It’s great to see her run up to her looks and pedigree.

“Vin Cox is here today (Saturday, Doomben). We'll have a chat with him, Yulong and Coolmore regarding what we do. Initial thoughts are we will look towards the spring because we want to look after her but we did hold onto a nomination in the G2 Sires’ Produce in a week or so.”

Clean Energy, ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, was too good for Chris Waller’s Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and Canara (I Am Invincible). The filly is the ninth foal from Solar Charged, a daughter of Charge Forward, who won three races, including the G3 Kindergarten S. and the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. but is better known for his exploits as a producer.

Her star daughter, Sunlight, also by Widden Stud’s Zoustar, was crowned the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Australia, retiring with 11 victories, including the G1 Newmarket H., the G1 Coolmore Stud S., the G1 William Reid S., the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Sunlight was sold for $4.2 million to Tom Magnier at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Additionally, Clean Energy’s other full sister, Sisstar, also showed plenty of talent, winning six races, including the G3 Red Roses S.

Clean Energy is the 54th stakes winner for Widden Stud’s Zoustar, who will stand for the upcoming season for $275,000 (inc GST).

Arabian loves a soft track

Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s classy filly, Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) loves a soft track, and further demonstrated her dominance in the conditions beating a crack field in the inaugural $1 million R. Listed Magic Millions National 2YO Classic at Doomben.

Arabian Summer, ridden by her regular partner Harry Coffey, flew down the outside and had enough in reserve to defeat the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained King Of Roseau (Capitalist), who under Tyler Schiller, saved plenty of ground closer to the fence. Running into third was King Of Roseau’s stablemate, Embassy (I Am Invincible).

The favoured Eneeza (Exceed And Excel) finished seventh, while also hot in the market Spywire (Trapeze Artist) was fourth.

Co-trainer Calvin McEvoy, told 7HorseRacing, “What a fantastic result and wonderful for the ownership group. They’ve had so much fun with this filly (Arabian Summer) and she’s still only two!

“A big credit goes to Toby Edmonds and his team; she’s been with him in Queensland, and Toby has done a lot of work getting her ready. I’m not sure what we’ll do with Arabian Summer now, the plan was to go home (Victoria) after today (Saturday).

“But maybe we could look at the Lightning S. in Adelaide at the end of the season. She’s been up here in Queensland all preparation and obviously, it’s nice and cold in Victoria. So, I’m not sure, it is just great for it to come off today.”

Arabian Summer brings her record to three victories from six starts, and prizemoney of over $900,000. Her success in the R. Listed Magic Millions National 2YO Classic, sits alongside her earlier victory in the Ballarat Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the Gold Coast Turf Club Gold Pearl. Additionally, the daughter of Too Darn Hot (GB) has placed in the G3 Ottawa S. and the Listed Debutant S.

The is from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Maraam, a three-time winner and a former $1.05 million yearling from the 2014 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The family has received recent updates, with Boognish (Sooboog) winning the G3 Proud Miss S. during the South Australian winter racing carnival.

Arabian Summer was a $220,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

She is one of nine individual winners for Darley’s Group 1-producing shuttle sire, Too Darn Hot (GB). The son of Dubawi (Ire) will return to Darley, Kelvinside at an increased fee of $110,000 (inc GST).

Heinous storms at Sandown-Hillside

Sent out as a $9.00 chance in a competitive 2-year-old event at Sandown-Hillside, the Jason Warren-trained Heinous (Brutal {NZ}) was impressive in winning the 1000-metre event.

Ridden by Luke Currie, the 2-year-old filly was lining up for start five, having previously placed at Pakenham and Cranbourne behind the promising types Grammar Lad (Written Tycoon) and Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}).

Finishing fast behind Heinous, was the talented Flattered (Yes Yes Yes), while She’s Got Pizzazz (Zoustar) finished third ahead of Jenni’s Meadow (Brutal {NZ}), who would have gone into a few black books with her run.

Warren told Racing.com, “I felt we needed to wait for the right time to put the blinkers back on Heinous. Joe Herbert, my assistant and I discussed giving her a couple of runs just to furnish her a bit more.

“We eyed this race off, being against fillies only and we thought it's a big track at Sandown-Hillside and would allow Heinous to balance up and finish strongly.

“We’ve always had a big opinion of her, and we thought early days we may have been able to get her to a Magic Millions in January, but she started to feel her shins, so we put her away.

“I’m sure she’s got good races ahead of her. I think because we hold Heinous in pretty high regard, we’ll let the dust settle today (Saturday) and just see where we go. I feel we could probably aim up higher than this.”

Heinous is the seventh individual winner for Newgate Farm’s first-season sire Brutal (NZ). The G1 Doncaster H. victor will stand the upcoming season for $16,500 (inc GST). The filly is the third foal from the winning Exceed And Excel mare Nais Ko, a half-sister to the G1 BTC Cup winner Your Song.

Jason Warren paid $60,000 to secure Heinous from Newgate Farm (as agent for Newgate/Gooree Joint Venture) at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Southern Warrior launches late

The Dean Wiles-trained Southern Warrior (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) improved from his debut fifth-placed effort over 1200 metres at Matamata to secure his maiden over 1600 metres in the Listed Champagne S. at Pukekohe Park.

Southern Warrior (NZ), partnered by Joe Doyle, defeated Zorro’s Revenge (NZ) (Ferrando {NZ}) by 0.30l, while the third-placed Magna Memory (NZ) (Magna Grecia {Ire}) was 5.8l away in third.

The 2-year-old colt, bred by K D and Patrick Landrigan, was a bargain NZ$2200 purchase by Warrior Stable from the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale, and is owned by his trainer Dean Wiles.

Southern Warrior is from the Cape Cross (Ire) mare Cape South (NZ), who won three races. She is the dam of Apostrophe (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), a seven-time winner, including the G2 Travis S. and the G3 Manawatu Breeders’ S.

His sire, Belardo (Ire), a Group 1-winning son of Lope De Vega (Ire), shuttled to Haunui Farm in New Zealand until 2022. Southern Warrior is the 10th stakes winner worldwide for Belardo.

Another one for Hellbent!

Yarraman Park Stud’s Hellbent has enjoyed a sensational season on the track with his runners and has another promising filly with the Annabel Neasham-trained 2-year-old Amelius. The filly, ridden by Alysha Collett was a 0.89l victress over Swiftfalcon (Exceedance) and the last-start winner Pisces (Frosted {USA}) at Randwick.

The filly came into Saturday’s event off a fifth-placed debut effort at Newcastle on Heavy 9 track behind Pisces, but on the Soft 5 surface, Amelius improved to defeat that rival. Representing the Neasham stable’s Racing Manager Rob Archibald, he told SkyRacing, “She (Amelius) let down beautifully. We’ve been very pleased with her since the Newcastle run on soft ground.

“We were confident she’d take a really nice step forward into today (Saturday). The draw was a bit tricky, but Alysha (Collett) summed it up very quickly, and she was very strong late.”

Archibald added, “Amelius is a beautiful filly, she’s got a really lovely temperament, and handles training very well. I think she’s only going to continue to improve as she matures. Very smart filly in the making.”

Amelius is the 11th foal from the Galileo (Ire) mare Mead. She won twice and is the dam of the late Brave Mead (Brave Smash {Jpn}), a victor of the G3 Manfred S. and the Listed Darby Munro S.

The filly was a $130,000 purchase by Triple Crown Syndications from the draft Attunga Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

Hellbent is standing the 2024 breeding season for $38,500 (inc GST).

Progressive Churchill gelding salutes at Murray Bridge

The South Australian-based Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained Snore Room (Churchill {Ire}) indicated bigger things could be ahead with a 1l success over Bay Of Portland (Kobayashi) and All Too True (All Too Hard).

Snore Room finished eighth on debut at Murray Bridge earlier in May, beaten 8.6l, but improved considerably with Todd Pannell in the saddle to score his maiden success.

The son of Coolmore’s Churchill (Ire) is the seventh foal from the Exceed And Excel mare Silverscreen Queen. She is from the family of Fouradee, a victor of the G3 Bill Ritchie H. and the G3 Concorde S.

Snore Room was a $220,000 purchase by Merrick Staunton from the draft of Valiant Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Churchill will return to Coolmore Australia, standing at a fee of $19,800 (inc GST).

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Since the catalogue for the 2024 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale has gone to print, a host of weanlings will go through the ring at the Gold Coast sales complex and have had their pedigrees enhanced, which is important information for vendors and buyers alike.

Lot 209 - Tassort x Night Dream (Dream Ahead {USA}), filly - on account of Emirates Park Stud

This daughter of Newgate Farm’s sire sensation Tassort has received two updates since the catalogue for the 2024 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale went to print. Lot 209’s half-brother Hulm (Zoustar) became a maiden winner on May 5, while his full sister Hajra broke her maiden on May 15.

Lot 242 - Home Affairs x Rebel Assault (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}), filly - on account of Morningside

Lot 242, a daughter of Coolmore Stud’s dual Group 1 winner Home Affairs received further boost to her when her half-sister Siren Assault (Rich Enuff) proved herself one of Western Australia’s best juveniles with victory of in the G3 Gimcrack S. and since ran fifth in the G2 Karrakatta Plate behind the boom runner Bustling (Frosted {USA}) and placed in a 2-year-old plate at Ascot on April 27.

Lot 203 - Portland Sky x Mumtaazah (Al Samer), colt - on account of Widden Stud

Lot 203 is from the first crop of Widden Stud's G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Portland Sky, and the seventh foal from the Al Samer mare Mumtaazah. Her fifth foal, Trumpty Dumpty (American Pharoah {USA}) broke his maiden at start three on May 15.

Breeding and selling horses over three decades, Bowness Stud's John North has kicked off the careers of many a high class horse such as Trapeze Artist, Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}), Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Media Award (Shamus Award). We had a chat with John about some of his thoughts on working in this tough but rewarding industry.

What advice would you give to a 20-year-old just starting out in racing today?

I would tell anyone starting out in breeding horses that a good horse can come from anywhere, you don't have to breed with the top shelf to get a good one.

Just look at last year's Everest - none of the first three home came out of any of the really big sales and did not cost a lot of money.

And in regards to working, the more you put in, the more you will get out of it. It is that saying, the harder you work, the luckier you get.

Are there any figures in the racing industry who you feel deserve more recognition for their contribution?

The people at the grassroots level, the hands-on people at studs putting in so much hard work. They are the ones who mould the animal into what they are going to become later on.

What has been the biggest obstacle you faced in your career?

Having bred horses for half a century I have found it difficult to get my head around all the new red tape and regulations. I know the idea is to improve things but I do sometimes wonder about the wisdom of some of the new rules. I am happy to do anything that has a worthwhile outcome but I am concerned that we are appeasing activists with some things - people who are never going to invest or being interested in horses, yet they seem to have a lot of say in regards to their welfare.

When all is said and done, it is the people in racing and breeding doing their best for their horses - if you don't treat them well you are not going to get a lot from them.

Can you share a story that had a lasting impact on you?

Horses who have had a difficult start to life stick with me. We have had a few born not breathing and my wife Helen gets the oxygen into them - I always find that amazing.

Such as Trapeze Artist, he won four Group 1 races and is now doing a good job as a stallion. To think that he could just as easily have died at birth if we were not there to resuscitate him, that is the sort of thing you really remember.

What person influenced your career the most?

My wife Helen, we have been married for 51 years. The passion for horses has been mine and she has supported me in that.

She has always stood by me and has been there to do the work when I couldn't. She is my rock and she has been a great sounding board for my ideas - I always get good advice!