Cover image courtesy of Inglis

To state the bleeding obvious, racing is a game of chance, and yearling buyers aren’t going to spend more than a million dollars on a horse unless the odds are in their favour. Many racing participants love to bag out a million dollar baby who ends up being slow, but the reality is that buyers invest at this level because the risks are worth it.

Table: The total of million dollar yearlings who were stakes winners, placed or unplaced

People buy these horses, not for their racetrack earnings, but for their breeding potential. The list of million dollar yearlings includes top stallions such as All Too Hard, Beneteau, Darci Brahma and Don Eduardo, plus fillies like Samantha Miss, Shower Of Roses, Sunday Joy, and Estijaab as well as the many others who didn’t have quite the same race record but were good producers as broodmares.

From 2019 onwards, the million-dollar horses have included Group 1 winners Profondo and King’s Legacy, as well as Doubtland, Prague, Zarastro, Brereton, Doull, Millane, Crosswinds, and Setana.

“You do put a target on your back when you spend a lot of money on a horse, but I feel the level of pressure or obligation when you do buy one at that level is that you do so with the conviction that you are buying the best horse that you possibly can. For me, I always buy a horse with that sentiment – believing I’ll have a high chance of success at any price – and the motivation shouldn’t change with price tag,” said bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills.

“Those expensive horses give you a very good long term chance at a return. Not everyone can afford to play at that end, and people often think that it’s wealthy people throwing money around to beat their chests, for egos, but what I’ve found is that people spending that type of money are measured and considered and (with the current results) what now looks like an obvious trend with top end stock holding its value very well.”

The 3-year-olds

The 39 million dollar yearlings who are currently 3-year-olds, who sold in 2022, include four stakes winners and three stakes placed horses at a rate of 10 per cent stakes winners to purchases, which is well beyond the population figures and even beyond the figures for most of the commercial stallions in Australia.

Schwarz (Zoustar), who cost $1.25million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, was a winner on debut this season at three, then won the Listed Amanda Elliot H. at his third start. The colt, trained by John O’Shea, won the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas this autumn to take his record to three wins from seven starts with earnings over $330,000. Purchased by Rosemont-Victorian Alliance and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), Schwarz will go to stud with, at least, a Group 3 win on his record.

Tom Magnier purchased Caballus (I Am Invincible) for $1million from Bhima Stud at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and he was a winner at two in July last year. Coolmore bailed out, selling him in October 2023 for $315,000 at an online sale to Darby Racing, and Caballus has since gone on to win the G3 Eskimo Prince S. with his three wins from eight starts earning him $450,000 so far.

Yarraman Park Stud sold Godfather (I Am Invincible) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $1.1million to James Harron Colt Partnership. He immediately gave a return, winning the Listed Phelan Ready S. on debut as a December 2-year-old. He struggled in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and had over a year away from the track before placing recently in Brisbane.

Purchased by Sheamus Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $1.55million from Emirates Park, Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) ran third in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. on debut then won the G3 Ottawa S. Back at three, she won the G3 Quezette S first up, then the Listed Atlantic Jewel S before she ran mid-field in the G1 Golden Rose. She has won three of her six starts with earnings over $390,000.

“Charm Stone will back at Cranbourne on 1 August and is aiming at Gilgai first up,” said Mills.

“I had Sledding run on Saturday who won at Bendigo and on Sunday at Caulfield we’ve got On Display in the 2-year-old race on debut, and then next week we have a filly called Rambling making her debut, so I’ve said to a few people this week that I’m feeling the pressure! Having three million dollar horses go around in five days isn’t great for the anxiety levels.”

Thrilling crop of juveniles

It is the current crop of 2-year-old millionaires who look to be the best yet with six stakes winning juveniles from 47 horses.

James Harron’s colt partnerships have had a fantastic season with Espionage (Zoustar) and Bodyguard (I Am Invincible). He has four rising 2-year-olds who cost more than a million dollars with Golden Slipper entries.

“The Australian breeding industry has become very sophisticated. The breeders are doing an excellent job in putting the right mares and matings together and rearing their horses very well to produce a very good product.

“And we are seeing these well bred, well conformed horses achieve good money in the ring and then reward the investors on the track. There is huge demand for this type of horse, well-bred, well-put together with the race performance on the board, and everyone can benefit along the way,” said James Harron.

“Espionage has been back a few weeks, we couldn’t be happier with him. He’s a very exciting horse with high regard who finished his last prep dominantly in the Kindergarten. He’s put on lovely condition and developed all over, and will work towards The Everest and the Coolmore too. He’s a real speed horse and we want to give him that opportunity. He’ll likely go on a similar path to Home Affairs. We are excited to welcome Coolmore in as partners, who saw the same potential as we have for him going into his 3-year-old season. They did the same with King’s Legacy, whose first crop we are eagerly awaiting.”

Espionage, a $1million purchase from Baramul Stud, won the G3 Breeders’ Plate on debut in September 2023 then bookended his 2-year-old season with a win in the G3 Kindergarten S.

Bodyguard won the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. on debut in October, then followed it up with a win in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) at his next start. With two wins from four starts, he’s already earned over $345,000.

Bodyguard was a $1.6million purchase from Emirates Park.

“Bodyguard is back in work. He’s had a bit of interrupted preparation but he has had a long break in Queensland and looks a treat. With Peter Snowden, he’ll be set for the Danehill S. at Flemington, then the Coolmore.”

“Aadvark is back with Troy, and heading to Poseidon S. He’s been very effective down the straight, so he’ll stick to that.”

“Fearless is a big rangy colt and has finally filled into that frame. He’s come back looking well and will head to the Golden Rose, kicking off in Run to the Rose, then the Golden Rose, then potentially Caulfield Guineas.”

Coolmore’s Tom Magnier found a stallion prospect when he spent $1.5million at Arrowfield on the colt Switzerland (Snitzel) who won his first three in succession for trainer Chris Waller, including the G2 Todman S. He has earnings over $440,000 and a guaranteed place at stud that will easily make the investment profitable.

High Octane (Deep Field) was sold by Segenhoe Stud at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $1.05million to China Horse Club/Go Bloodstock/Newgate Farm/Trilogy Racing. With his sire now retired, the 2-year-colt will be sought after by breeders when he retires to stud. High Octane won on debut in January, in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) and had two more starts this season.

Kia Ora Stud and TFI invested in their broodmare band when purchasing Eneeza (Exceed And Excel) for $1.1million from Silverdale Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. She rewarded their commitment with a win on debut in the G3 Ottawa S, followed by a win in the Listed Merson Cooper S. Fourth in the G1 Blue Diamond, Eneeza returned in the autumn to win G2 Percy Sykes S and finish her juvenile season with three wins from seven starts with earnings over $1.16million.

Clean Energy (Zoustar) was the second most expensive yearling sold in 2023, purchased by Yulong Investments for $2.6million from Widden Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale draft.

Trained by the Waterhouse/Bott team, she is unbeaten in two starts including the Listed Bill Carter S.

The current crop of juveniles also includes Group 2 placed winner Too Darn Lizzy (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and stakes placed Altermatum (Zoustar) and five other winners, proving that this group of horses is already incredible and they aren’t even three yet.

The next crop of million dollar horses

As we head into the next season, there are high hopes for the next crop of 41 millionaires who are now rising 2-year-olds, six of them are already named, and all bar three have a Golden Slipper nomination. The odds are that there’s at least one horse who will win a stakes race and stand at stud among them – the trick is figuring out which ones.

“The yearling Boa Vista is a sister to Summer Loving that sold online the other day. She’s been educated and is spelling with the aim of joining Mick Price’s stable on September 1,” said Mills of rising 2-year-old filly Boa Vista (Snitzel) who he purchased from Newgate Farm at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $1.25million.

“The glass ceiling has been broken in Australia. A few years ago, it was very difficult for a retired Group 1 winning mare to make more than a million.

“With recent sales for race fillies, we’ve seen that there are a couple of players in the game that are willing to stretch to whatever it takes to buy a horse like that. It’s hard to purchase that standard of bloodstock but it is a sensible choice if you can afford to do it.

“It’s important that all levels of the industry are nurtured, and the people who play at the top shouldn’t be scoffed at for ‘throwing money away’. Most of those people are pretty smart and they do it for a reason. And the stats back that up. Opinions can be objective but stats don’t lie.”

Zoustar on a roll

The good times continued to roll for Widden Stud’s Zoustar, as the outstanding sire's son Xidaki had to dig deep to defeat his paternal sister Miss Aria, while Know Thyself (The Autumn Sun) finished third in the G3 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast.

Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Xidaki was ridden to success by Vlad Duric. The 3-year-old gelding came into the rescheduled Group 3 after placing at Randwick on Heavy 9 behind War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro), who franked the form on Saturday, recording his fourth career victory.

Co-trainer Peter Snowden told Racingnewsandsport, “It has been a bit stop and start with him but he’s just such a genuine racehorse. He’s a real giver, he’s a real trier and those sort of horses get these wins.

“The preparation I gave him, I’ve been doubting myself all week and when we didn’t front up last week I thought it would be too hard a job but the horse that beat him I think has two since then.

“It is a tremendous effort. Good effort by the team again to come up and keep him up. I’ve got to say that I was worried. They weren’t the instructions we gave before the race, to get that far back but he rounded them up quick and he was strong late.

Duric added, “He didn’t have any favours early from the wide draw so I just took my medicine and went right back on him. Geez, he travelled very keenly in the run. When I peeled out I was trying to wait on him as long as I could but to his credit, he won the race. When he was challenged he wouldn’t let that horse pass him.

“Credit to the horse and to Peter today (Sunday) for producing him.”

Xidaki is raced by A Pippos and N Amarandos. The G3 Winx Guineas is his most significant success to date, having previously won the Listed Canberra Guineas from nine starts. The son of Zoustar is the fourth foal from the General Nediym mare Athanea, who won twice and is also the dam of the Shamus Award pair Mufasta and Lady Appleton, both multiple winners.

Athanea has an unraced gelding by Brutal (NZ) named Homeric and foaled a filly by Trapeze Artist in the spring. She was served by Widden Stud’s G1 Oakleigh Plate victor Portland Sky.

Xidaki is from the family of the Champion Sire Zabeel (NZ) and the Group 3 winner Needs Further, also a Group 1-producing sire.

Zoustar has enjoyed a productive 24 hours. In addition to Xidaki’s Group 3 victory, his Group 3-winning son Starlust (GB) was successful in the Listed City Walls S. at York.

Freedman gelding takes out Glasshouse

Anthony and Sam Freedman’s Punch Lane (So You Think {NZ}) was a dominant victor of the Listed Glasshouse H. on Sunday.

Ridden by Kyle Wilson-Taylor, the 4-year-old had 2.8l to spare on the in-form At Witz End (Epaulette), while Wategos (Capitalist) was over 3l away in third. The Listed Glasshouse H. is the first stakes success for Punch Lane, and provided his sire So You Think (NZ) with his 57th stakes winner.

Punch Lane is the sixth foal from Cybercyn (Staaraq), who won six races, including the Listed CS Hayes Memorial Cup. Five of her six foals to race have been winners, including Headphones (Headwater), a winner of six races and Lianne (Smart Missile), who also saluted in six.

The son of So You Think (NZ), however is the best performer from Cybercyn. Punch Lane was a $220,000 purchase by Bahen Bloodstock and William Street Syndicate from the draft of Bombora Downs at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Cybercyn’s full sister to Punch Lane, was sold to Tipperary Pastoral at this year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She foaled a filly by Rubick last spring, and then was served by Yulong’s Alabama Express.

Mission accomplished in Caloundra Cup

John Symons and Sheila Laxon were double-handed in Sunday’s Listed Caloundra Cup, with much attention falling on their 4-year-old Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice). However, it was the duo’s second runner, Mission Of Love (The Mission), who held on to secure the win in the Cup.

The 4-year-old mare, partnered by rising star Angela Jones, maintained her position in the 2400-metre feature, finishing ahead of the in-form Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}) and Warp Speed (Star Witness).

Symons told Racingnewsandsport, “She’s an exciting horse but we just haven’t been able to get her to the races and the last two times she’s been at the race she’s been right.

“Mission Of Love had terrible trouble with her feet but hopefully we’re past all that now. She’s going to stay all day and I think that might have been the plan from the training partner (Sheila).

Speaking on Knight’s Choice, who won the G3 Winx Guineas last year, Symons added, “They’ll both go to the paddock now. I don’t think Knight’s Choice handles the heavy ground and we’ll get them to Melbourne for the spring and see where we end up.

“We’re not sure which races but we’ll get them down there and see where we end up. It’s terrific to be running in and winning these races. We haven’t got a big stable. We don’t try and win Premierships but we do try and win these races. We’ve been knocking on the door all carnival and it is our turn today (Sunday).”

This victory marked the third win from 13 starts for Mission Of Love, who was a last-start fourth in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown behind the now-retired Princess Rhaenys (Iffraaj {GB}).

Mission Of Love was a $120,000 purchase by Michael Kirby and John Symons from the draft of Lyndhurst Stud Farm at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale. She is the first stakes winner for the unraced High Chaparral (Ire) mare Hanaan.

Hanaan is the granddaughter of Phone Chatter (USA) (Phone Trick {USA}), the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in North America, winning the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies S. and the G1 Oak Leaf S.

She is closely related to the G1 Spinster S. victress In Lingerie (USA) (Empire Maker {USA}) and the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas winner Mongolian Falcon. Hanaan has a 2-year-old filly by Better Than Ready named Attentive and foaled a colt by The Mission last spring before being served by Encryption.

Mission Of Love is the second stakes winner for The Mission, who stands at Aquis Farm.

Progressive filly promises future

Promising filly Termagant (Deep Field) took her record to three victories from four starts on Sunday, when she made back-to-back wins at the Sunshine Coast.

The daughter of Deep Field won her maiden at the track over 1000 metres in February last year. In June, she took on BM58 company and saluted before Sunday’s success.

Termagant is trained by Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted, who are set to end their successful partnership at the conclusion of the season, with Hoysted to take the reins over solo.

The filly is the second foal from the late Sebring mare Candika, a victress of the Listed Princess S. and placed in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Termagant was a $260,000 purchase by Proven Thoroughbreds and O’Dea Hoysted Racing from the draft of Kia Ora Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Candika’s final foal is a 2-year-old filly by Zoustar, who has been named Zunna and has been retained to race by Kia Ora. She is currently spelling for the Philip Stokes stable.

Toronado filly flies on debut

Miss Toronado (Toronado {Ire}) was a classy debut winner at Ballarat on the synthetic on Sunday. The Tom Colan-trained 2-year-old was an emergency for the 1000-metre maiden, but thankfully for her connections, she was able to gain a start after several scratchings.

With Alana Kelly in the saddle, Miss Toronado was a 1.25l winner over Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Good Boy Carlo (Magnus).

Speaking to Racing.com, Colan said, “I was rapt with how Miss Toronado finished off the race because she’s got a lot of improvement.

“Her fitness, manners, and everything will all improve because she’s still very inexperienced. I was a little bit worried in the straight, but I saw Alana (Kelly) had a bit of horse underneath her, and I regained some confidence.”

Colan added, “I’m not sure where we will go with Miss Toronado next. I really just wanted to get her maiden out of the way and see how she went because I had a feeling she’d do a little bit wrong.”

Kelly was also impressed with the filly, telling Racing.com, “She did a little bit wrong early, but I just loved that she kept kicking late. I ride her at home, so I know what she can be like, and I just had the plan of keeping Miss Toronado happy and in a rhythm.

“She carries on a bit (immaturely), but she put them away today (Sunday). Miss Toronado got plenty of confidence from the synthetic surface, and she’s a nice filly going forward.”

Miss Toronado was a $105,000 purchase by Intel Bloodstock from the draft of Springmount at the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Sale. She is the third foal from the Exceed And Excel mare Langoustine, who won twice.

Langoustine is also the dam of the talented Tiger Shark (Rich Enuff), who has won five races, including the Listed Mick Dittman Plate. Her Frosted (USA) colt was sold for $1000 to Colac Rural at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale.

Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (Ire) was also represented by another juvenile winner at Wodonga when the Dominic Sutton-trained Detroit City, was a 4l victor over Milbrae (Hellbent) in the Bet365 Jack Maher Classic.

Detroit City was a $200,000 purchase by McKeever Bloodstock and Dominic Sutton from the draft of Twin Hills Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

The gelding is from the family of The Everest and the G1 Stradbroke H. winner Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) and Sky Field (Deep Field), a winner of the G1 Hong Kong Sprint.

Moore gelding translates trial form

The James Moore-trained The Sun Dance (Wandjina) translated his trial form into a successful debut at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. Ridden by Robbie Dolan, The Sun Dance was sent out as a $17 chance in the Vale Don Jackson Mdn Plate over 1000 metres.

Dolan guided the gelding from a midfield position to striking distance at the 100-metre mark, with The Sun Dance's ears pricked as he put 0.50l over Tell No Gossip (Flying Artie) and Warrior Head (Headwater).

The Sun Dance is the sixth foal from the Beautiful Crown (USA) mare Hilldale, who won once over 900 metres. The gelding was purchased for $65,000 by J Liu from the draft of Collingrove Stud at the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.

He hails from a distinguished family, including the Australian Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Research (Imperial Prince {Ire}), the G2 Light Fingers S. winner Street Smart (Lion Hunter), and Blazing Saddles, a G1 Blue Diamond S. victor.

Hilldale’s Fierce Impact (Jpn) filly was sold for $3000 to B Madden at this year’s Inglis Great Southern Sale and was served by Kermadec (NZ) last spring. The Sun Dance’s sire, Wandjina, is standing at Larneuk for $6600 (inc GST).

Cover image courtesy of Blue Gum Farm

In 2022, the outstanding Victoria-based Blue Gum Farm entered a new chapter when Phillip and Patti Campbell passed the keys to Jason and Melanie Stenning’s Trilogy Rural and Caithness Breeding operators Sean and Cathy Dingwall. The new group is committed to continuing the proud heritage of the Euroa property.

The Thoroughbred Report spoke with Sean Dingwall about the anticipation surrounding the first foals of the local stallion Sejardan, the reception to the new stallion Oxley Road, and some of the farm’s mares.

Understandably, Dingwall has been thrilled with the start Blue Gum Farm has had under the new ownership. This year, the farm presented yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and was well-rewarded with the Snitzel colt from the Lonhro mare Vaujany, selling for $1.3 million to Te Akau Racing's David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ).

“Blue Gum Farm is heading into the new season with amazing results from our yearling crop. We took our first draft to the Magic Millions in January and finished in the top 10 vendors on average. The cream on top was selling a great Snitzel colt for $1.3 million,” Dingwall told TTR AusNZ.

The Euroa-based nursery has always been well-respected and one of the must-inspect drafts at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. That tradition has continued seamlessly under the new ownership, with Blue Gum Farm selling a filly by Snitzel from Jestajingle (Lonhro), the dam of former graduate Bruckner.

Blue Gum Farm also sold another filly by Arrowfield’s four-time Champion Sire to Moody Racing for $650,000.

“We backed those results up at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, topping the sale with a Snitzel filly who sold to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock for $925,000. It’s been an incredible start for the new ownership at Blue Gum Farm.”

Anticipation builds for Sejardan and Oxley

Since taking over the reins, the Dingwalls and Stennings have further bolstered their commitment to the Victorian racing industry with investments in three stallions: Flying Artie, Sejardan, and most recently, Oxley Road, to stand at Blue Gum Farm.

Blue Gum Farm has a proud tradition of standing stallions. It was once the home of Champion Sire Encosta De Lago before his relocation to Coolmore, while Rubiton and Statue Of Liberty (USA) also stood at the farm and were the sires of the great competitors Fields Of Omagh and Hay List.

With great anticipation, Dingwall and the team at Blue Gum Farm are awaiting the arrival of the first foals from the handsome son of Sebring. The Gary Portelli-trained speedster was a talented 2-year-old, remaining undefeated pre-Christmas by winning the G3 Breeders’ Plate and the $1 million Golden Gift.

In the autumn, he further showcased his talent by winning the G2 Todman S., joining an honour roll that includes Champion Sires Written Tycoon and Exceed And Excel, the multiple Group 1-producing sire Pierro, and more recently Farnan and Anamoe. As a 3-year-old, Sejardan emulated Rubiton with success in the G3 Red Anchor S. Sejardan’s dam, Miss Amajardan (Hinchinbrook), was also a talented juvenile, winning twice.

Sejardan served 103 mares in his debut season at a fee of $13,750 (inc GST) and will remain at that fee.

“We really are looking forward to meeting the first foals from Sejardan. He is such a good-looking horse himself, and we all agreed that if we stand a horse, we must support him in the first few years. If we don’t, we can’t ask or expect others to support a horse if we aren’t willing to get behind him.

“Sejardan covered 103 mares in his first season, including around 40 of our own mares. These included mares of the calibre of Group 2 winner Tokorangi, Ancient Girl, a Listed-winning daughter of Turn Me Loose, La Chevalee, a six-time winning Written Tycoon mare, and Lady D’Oro, who won four races, alongside a number of other city-winning fillies and mares.”

This season, Blue Gum Farm added the incredibly fast Oxley Road to its roster. The son of the retired Exceed And Excel was an impressive winner on debut at Flemington and went on to win the G2 Caulfield Sprint and the G3 Zedative S.

Oxley Road was also placed in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, alongside successful sires such as Extreme Choice, Hellbent, Spirit Of Boom, Magnus, Hinchinbrook, and Show A Heart.

He boasts a sensational pedigree; his dam, the Thorn Park mare Bonnie Mac (NZ), was a Listed winner and Group 2-placed. Oxley Road is a full brother to the G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Exceedance, who has made a brilliant start to his stallion career at Vinery. Oxley Road is standing his debut season at $8800 (inc GST).

“We were very excited to add a very fast son of Exceed And Excel in Oxley Road this season. He was a multiple Group winner, claiming the G2 Caulfield Sprint and placing in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, which has been a good benchmark for success in the breeding barn, with the likes of Extreme Choice and Hellbent also placing in the race.

“Our nominations manager, Mark Lindsay, and I are aware this season could be tough, but our stallions have started well, and we expect to see plenty of mares served across all three boys.”

Where are the mares going?

Alongside standing three stallions at Blue Gum Farm, the group also holds interests in several outside stallions, including the exciting prospects Jacquinot, who stands at Widden, and the Newgate Farm-based trio, In The Congo, Militarize (NZ), and Ozzmosis.

Blue Gum Farm has retired a number of fillies this year but has yet to decide where they will go. They have also kept several promising prospects in training, who will no doubt be prospective mates for the Blue Gum Farm or outside stallions in coming seasons. Among them is the Group 3 winner Queen Of Dragons (Pierro).

“Blue Gum Farm is at a real advantage. We hold significant stallion equity with shares in a number of stallions standing outside our property. We can diversify our broodmare band and utilise access to horses like the multiple Group 1 winner Jacquinot, the Golden Rose victor In The Congo, and the recently retired Militarize and Ozzmosis.

“We are always trying to improve the quality of our broodmare population and have retired several fillies this year. However, we have kept several in training that we have really high expectations for, including Queen Of Dragons, Spirit Of Camelot, Our Queen, and Celestial Bling.”

Blue Gum Farm has decided on three matings. The high-class mare Chaillot (Testa Rossa) will visit Newgate Farm’s triple Group 1 winner Militarize (NZ). The daughter of Testa Rossa was purchased for $400,000 by Trilogy Racing at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

She won six races, including the G3 Frances Tressady S., the Listed Anzac Day S., the Listed Testa Rossa S., and the Listed Ladies Day Vase, and was placed in the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara S.

“Chaillot is a mare we nearly pulled off a miracle with when she finished third in the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara S. She was served by In The Congo last season but will visit Militarize this season,” Dingwall said.

Proven producer Electric Charge (Charge Forward) only won once on the track but has shown her ability lies in the breeding barn. She is the dam of three winners, including the Trilogy-raced Libertad (Russian Revolution), victor of the G3 San Domenico S. and the G3 Kindergarten S.

She is currently in foal to Russian Revolution and will produce either a full sister to or brother to the talented Libertard.

Electric Charge is set for a date with Ozzmosis, a G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner and son of Zoustar, who has clicked well with daughters of Charge Forward, producing triple Group 1 winner Sunlight.

“Electric Charge is the mother of our good colt Libertad, who has won two Group 3 races, and she will visit Ozzmosis, who is a very exciting prospect,” Dingwall said.

Rounding out Blue Gum Farm’s ‘Matings Mix’ is the Denman mare Kemeri. She won once and is from the multiple Listed winner St Trinians (Black Hawk {GB}), who has shaped up as a fantastic broodmare.

Kemeri is a half-sister to the G2 Matriarch S. winner and G1 Australasian Oaks-placed Affair To Remember (Toronado {Ire}) and Bahamas (Teofilo {Ire}), who was also placed in the G1 Schweppes Oaks. She is the dam of the Group 2 winner Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) and Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}), a victor of the G3 Frank Packer Plate and multiple Group 1 placegetter in Australia and Hong Kong.

The daughter of Denman is set to visit Widden Stud’s Jacquinot, who won the G1 Golden Rose and G1 CF Orr S. Kemeri’s So You Think (NZ) filly was sold by Blue Gum Farm to Moody Racing for $250,000 at this year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Golden Child to return to source of Ascot triumph

Dingwall was pleased to share that Noor Elaine's Akram El-Fahkri-owned Golden Child (I Am Invincible) will return to Flying Artie. It’s a case of ‘Why wouldn’t she?’, after all, the pair have combined to create one of the stories of the year in Asfoora, who became the latest Aussie to triumph at Royal Ascot.

The Henry Dwyer-trained sprinter won the G1 King Charles III S., formerly the G1 King Stand S. Of course, before her ‘Royal’ success, Asfoora was already an accomplished mare, having won the G2 Caulfield Sprint, the G2 Schillaci S., the G3 Furphy Sprint, and G3 The Heath.

Asfoora was also placed in the G1 Oakleigh Plate and the G1 Moir S.

“It really was thrilling for Flying Artie to sire his second Group 1 winner, and at no meeting less than Royal Ascot. Excitingly, Asfoora’s breeder Akram El-Fahkri was very keen to return Golden Child to Flying Artie.”

Flying Artie, a proven sire, will stand at $16,500 (inc GST).