Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
While Leon Corstens was working as the late Bart Cummings’ foreman for 25 years, the legendary 12-time Melbourne Cup winner gave him a brief but profound piece of advice: “Patience is a virtue”.
And Corstens called upon this phrase when his son and co-conditioner Troy, Malua Racing staff and ownership syndicate Bennett Racing waited for Baraqiel (Snitzel) to finally make his debut as a 5-year-old.
Displaying patience was indeed a virtue, because the gelding saluted by a remarkable 2.75l under jockey Ben Allen in the $300,000 G2 McEwen S. at The Valley last Saturday.
Baraqiel has now had eight starts for six wins – all this year.
The now 6-year-old has come a long way from the persistent injuries and soreness which kept him on the training paddock under Troy's care, along with fellow trainer Will Larkin, at Malua Racing’s Flemington base.
“I think the patience the boys have shown at Flemington has been unbelievable. I think the horse has done terrific,” Corstens, based at Geelong, told The Thoroughbred Report.
“I thought it (winning the McEwen S.) was amazing, really.
Leon Corstens and Bart Cummings
“Quite a lot of them (owners) were understanding. But a lot of credit has got to go to Nathan Bennett for keeping them (owners) interested and making sure everything was very composed.
“I remember working for Bart (Cummings) and he said, ‘Patience is a virtue’.”
“I remember working for Bart (Cummings) and he said, ‘Patience is a virtue’.”
Bred at Arrowfield Stud, Baraqiel became Champion Sire Snitzel’s 151st stakes winner when he saluted on Cox Plate Day.
A $150,000 purchase for Bennett Racing/Anthony Freedman Racing/Blue Sky Bloodstock P/L (FBAA) from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Baraqiel is a three-quarter brother to G1 ATC Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) out of the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Angel Of Mercy (Hussonet {USA}).
Baraqiel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
A $575,000 buy for Katsumi Yoshida at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Angel Of Mercy has a 2-year-old filly by The Autumn Sun and a yearling colt by Maurice (Jpn). She is due a foal by Hitotsu over the next few months.
Autumn Angel was bought for $1.225 million with the 38th bid from Walnut Farm at the 2024 Inglis Digital Autumn Angel Sale, after a tendon injury ruled her out of the current spring campaign.
“I think she’s been extremely well bought on the market. She’s an elite stakes performer,” Yulong’s General Manager, Vin Cox, told The Thoroughbred Report at the time.
A long-awaited start
With such a strong pedigree, it was no wonder Malua Racing was prepared to wait such a long time for Baraqiel’s debut, the gelding comprehensively saluting by 4l in start number one – a maiden over 1105 metres at Sale on May 5.
“I’ve been very lucky to have been involved with some very good horses, and it’s always hard to adjudicate them,” Corstens said.
“I had quite a bit to do with him early doors here at Geelong, and he was always sore.
“I do think this horse has come a long, long way. And most of the credit has got to go to Troy – he’s shown an unbelievable resilience in the horse.
“I do think this horse (Baraqiel) has come a long, long way. And most of the credit has got to go to Troy (Corstens) – he’s shown an unbelievable resilience in the horse.” - Leon Corstens
“He’s waited his time with the horse and I think all the credit has got to go to him, really.”
After suffering multiple pre-debut injury setbacks, it was Troy who paid for Baraqiel’s rehabilitation out of his own pocket.
Troy Corstens and Ben Allen | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
It was an unselfish act which kept the ownership group on board, but Corstens said his son had so much faith in the talented sprinter that he never thought twice about it.
“I think it just goes to show the confidence he had in the horse,” Corstens said. “I don’t think he had any second thoughts whatsoever. Once Troy sets his mind to something, that’s it.
“I never asked him (how much it cost) because he might’ve wanted to borrow some off me.”
Resilient Baraqiel eyes G1 Champions Sprint
Malua Racing is now aiming Baraqiel at the $3 million G1 Champions Sprint at Flemington over 1200 metres on November 9. He sits third on the line of betting at $6 to win, behind stars Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) and Overpass (Vancouver).
Connections of Baraqiel after winning the G2 McEwen S. at Moonee Valley | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Corstens said it was remarkable to think that Baraqiel could compete in elite company after overcoming a raft of health setbacks, and that his best was still yet to come.
“I think he had every injury known to mankind. He was just sore all the time,” he said.
“And sometimes it just goes to show that bit of maturity, he seemed to get over it. He must’ve been a pretty resilient horse to cop all of what he did.
“It (starting in the G1 Champions Sprint) would be unbelievable. Even to think that he could compete with them is unbelievable. He’s come a long way, that’s for sure.
“I think he (Baraqiel) had every injury known to mankind. He was just sore all the time. It (starting in the G1 Champions Sprint) would be unbelievable. Even to think that he could compete with them is unbelievable.” - Leon Corstens
“As Troy said to me, he thinks he still hasn’t reached his top yet.
“So when he does, he’s going to be a pretty good horse.”
