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With the decision by Godolphin to stop shuttling up-and-coming sire sensation Too Darn Hot (GB), Australian breeders will have an opportunity to breed to a stallion with a very similar profile in Henry Longfellow, both being Group 1 juvenile winning sons of Champion Sire Dubawi (Ire).

Too Darn Hot won all his four starts at two including the G1 Dewhurst Stakes, while Henry Longfellow won all his three starts at two including the G1 National Stakes.

“If ever there was a colt bred destined for greatness, it is Henry Longfellow” said Rosemont Principal Anthony Mithen, who will stand the colt in conjunction with Coolmore.

“Like Too Darn Hot, who we have strongly supported in 2024, he is a highly rated, Group 1 winning 2-year-old by the world’s number one sire of sires Dubawi and from a phenomenal female family.

“Sons of Dubawi have really set the industry alight and his legacy as a breed-shaping stallion is proving every post a winner with eight of his sons having already sired Group 1 winners of their own including Night Of Thunder, Too Darn Hot, Zarak and New Bay.

“Given the 2-year-old impact stallions such as Too Darn Hot and Night Of Thunder, who is also from a Galileo mare, have had in Australia, particularly with Danehill line mares, it made sense for us to target a high-quality 2-year-old son of Dubawi to stand in Victoria.”

A race record to suit Australia

With Australian breeders keen to have stock that jumps and runs early, Henry Longfellow’s race record is noteworthy. He debuted as a July juvenile (equivalent to a January juvenile here) winning over 1400 metres. He returned to the Curragh three weeks later for the G2 Futurity Stakes.

Sat behind the leader for most of the trip, Henry Longfellow exploded clear with a furlong to go, stretching out the field behind him to win by nearly 3l.

Three weeks after that, he faced just three rivals in the G1 National Stakes including last start G1 Phoenix Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Ridden by Ryan Moore, Henry Longfellow sat quietly in third for most of the 1400-metre journey, and then in a repeat of his last start, he accelerated quickly at the final furlong to sprint past the leaders and win by several lengths.

At three, he was given five starts, all in Group 1 company and all at a mile, and he placed on two occasions including second in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes to Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) who had won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at two and went on to also win the G1 2000 Guineas.

He was third in the G1 Prix Du Longchamp to Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}) and Charyn (Ire). Henry Longfellow also ran fourth in the G1 Sussex Stakes.

“A homebred for Coolmore, he was identified early as a quality individual with juvenile potential. Physically he’s a very Australian style of stallion, huge hip, a tick over 15.3hh, with superb quality and movement and balance. He’s the type of horse that clearly works here, and we think his phenomenal pedigree and profile is hugely exciting,” said Ryan McEvoy.

“You couldn’t help but be impressed with him at the conclusion of his 2-year-old year. He was undefeated, and a big margin Group 1 winner with a high Timeform rating. We engaged in discussion with Coolmore about him in the latter part of last year, stating that we’d be keep to explore standing him in Victoria.”

He is the first horse that Rosemont Stud has stood in conjunction with Coolmore since Starspangledbanner.

“He’s terribly exciting and joins Too Darn Hot as the only other juvenile Group 1 winner by Dubawi to stand here. That appealed to us, especially given our support of Too Darn Hot. We are big fans of Too Darn Hot and currently have six mares in foal to him in the Northern Hemisphere.”

A simply outstanding pedigree

A son of triple Group 1 winner Dubawi (Ire) who is a Champion Stallion with 293 stakes winners, and sons at stud such as the aforementioned Too Darn Hot with 24 stakes winners, Night Of Thunder (Ire) with 61 stakes winners, Makfi (GB) with 48, Zarak (Fr) with 28, Poet’s Voice (GB) with 23 and the young stallion New Bay (GB) who already has 19 stakes winners and stands at Ballylinch Stud (IRE) for €75,000 (AU$124,000).

Henry Longfellow is the second foal of 2016 Horse Of The Year Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who won seven Group 1 races including the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Oaks. Minding is one of four stakes winners for dual Group 1 winner Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).

The others are dual Group 1 winner Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Group 3 winner Kissed By Angels (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Another full sister, winning mare Heaven On Earth (Ire) is the dam of 2024 Group 3-placed Mother Nature (Ire) (Justify {USA}).

“He’s out of a phenomenal mare, who was the best daughter of Galileo and the best mare trained by Aidan O’Brien. His second dam is by Danehill Dancer but we feel his pedigree is open enough for breeders to send him anything without feeling restricted,” McEvoy said.

“We’ve already identified many of our own mares for him, and Coolmore is supporting him with several mares being sent to Victoria for him. There’ll be plenty of support across the board for him.”

And those already planning for names – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a poet who socialised with the actress Lillie Langtry and King Edward VII.

Henry Longfellow will stand at Rosemont Stud for $22,000 inc GST (Payment On Live Foal).

Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

Group-placed colt a tough winner at Rosehill

Classy I Am Invincible colt President fought hard to the line to claim his maiden victory in the first race at Rosehill Gardens on Wednesday. The 3-year-old colt emerged from the pack at the head of the straight with a careful steer from James McDonald, and chased early leader Lyles (Exceed And Excel) as the latter let down towards the finish line. Matching him stride for stride, President got the better of the 3-year-old gelding at the line, getting his nose in front at the right moment to win by 0.02l.

Third on debut as a juvenile, the Chris Waller trainee put in a strong finish in the G2 Champagne Classic to finish third behind the late Bittercreek (Snitzel) by 0.78l. Such a performance had President high in the betting for the G1 JJ Atkins Stakes, but was struck down by a serious illness, meaning he missed both the Atkins and the spring.

“A narrow win, but a good win,” Waller told SKY Racing. “He’s been off the scene for a while, so he’s a little bit soft.”

Waller hasn’t mapped out the horse’s preparation yet, saying he just wants “to get him back on track”. He described President having been “very sick” for a long time last year.

“It’s just good to have him back and see what improvement he can take from today,” he added.

Purchased from Kitchwin Hills at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $950,000 by China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock, and Trilogy, President is the second named foal from G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes Serene Majesty (Fastnet Rock), a half-sister to G3 Carbine Club Stakes winner Ducasse (Trapeze Artist) and Listed-winning Curdled (All Too Hard). North Bloodstock will offer a half-sister by So You Think (NZ) to the colt at Easter this year, as Lot 152.

Imperial forces his way to victory

Bjorn Baker-trained Imperial Force (Snitzel) vindicated Darby Racing’s decision to purchase him in an Inglis Digital auction last September with his first run for the team, putting in a devastating performance at Rosehill on Wednesday. The 3-year-old colt sat a pair back, travelling comfortably round the turn until Tim Clark pressed the accelerator once straightening, flying home to win by 2.95l over early leader Zouprince (Zoustar). It was his second win from six starts and gave Baker a double for the day after Deal N' Dash (Dundeel {NZ}) streaked home earlier in the card.

Originally a $1.6 million Easter purchase for Coolmore Australia from Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ draft, Imperial Force was offered online after an eighth-placed finish in the G3 Ming Dynasty Stakes, where he was bought by Darby Racing for $285,000.

He is out of Listed Gosford Slipper winner Ultimate Fever (Gold Fever {USA}), making him a full brother to G3 DC McKay Stakes winner Sprightly Lass and Listed Canterbury Classic winner Le Cordon Bleu.

Fancy footwork from Kilonova gets the win on debut

Chris Waller claimed a double in the first two races - becoming a treble with Island Dream (Divine Prophet) in the fourth race on the card - with a top line performance from debutant Kilonova (Zoustar) and Nash Rawiller to claim the win.

Debuting off of the back of a solid trial win earlier this month, the 3-year-old filly found herself trapped on the rail behind a flagging Yes Yes Boss (Yes Yes Yes) heading for home. Once eventual third place finisher The Stars (Zoustars) shifted out, Rawiller was able to weave the filly between the two runners and let her stride out properly, after which she put in a big finish to win by 0.34l over a rapidly looming Fleeting Spirit (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).

Widden Stud offered Kilonova at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where she was a $130,000 purchase for Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) and G1 Goldmine. She is the first foal from city-winning Soul Star (Hinchinbrook), whose dam, the Listed-placed Brave Soul (More Than Ready {USA}), is a half-sister to well-known stakes-producing Solar Charged (Charge Forward). Blue Gum Farm have withdrawn the three-quarter-brother to Kilonova by Zousain at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale this week.

Benita shows them who’s boss at Sandown

Mornington trainer Michael Mehegan brought one runner to the Sandown Hillside track on Wednesday and went home with one winner after Bossy Benita (So You Think {NZ}) flew home over the 1300 metres in the third race on the card.

Off of the back of two improving placings and with Craig Williams taking the reins, the 3-year-old filly proved too quick for her rivals, dashing home to win by 3.5l over the favourite, El Tercero (NZ) (Super Seth).

Offered by Springmount at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, Bossy Benita was a $85,000 purchase for MJM Racing & Bloodstock. She is a granddaughter of Madam Tracy (Encosta De Lago), a half-sister to Australian Horse Of The Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom) and multiple Group 1-placed Kylikwong (Red Ransom), grandam of seven-time Group 1 winner Alligator Blood (All Too Hard).

Treble for Walker and Bergersen at Taupo

Mark Walker and Sam Bergersen trained a treble at the Taupo metropolitan meeting on Wednesday, with 3-year-old filly Shockabella (NZ) (Shocking) taking out the first race on the card, and 4-year-old mares Lady Of Court (Savabeel) and Court Of Appeal (NZ) (Eminent {Ire}) collecting wins later in the day.

Shockabella was having her fourth start from the team in the 1800-metre maiden, and found her feet once getting out the distance, having gone unplaced at a mile at her last start. Craig Grylls was on board to guide her to a 1l victory over Pacific Princess (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Rich Hill Stud initially offered Shockabella at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, where she sold to Riversley Park for $90,000, who onsold her to DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) for $180,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale later that year. Her dam My Isabella (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is a half-sister to juvenile Group-placed Charma (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Vale The Inevitable

One of Tasmania’s best gallopers The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) died during the Listed Hellova Street Stakes on Wednesday, with Star Thoroughbreds’ Denise Martin paying tribute to him during the winner’s presentation to her horse Durazzo (Needs Further).

“We want to acknowledge the great horse and the immense feeling of loss over The Inevitable. It was very distressing,” Martin said.

From the first crop of Dundeel (NZ), 9-year-old gelding The Inevitable won 18 of his 44 starts with earnings over $2 million. Trained by John Keys, he won the G3 CS Hayes Stakes and Listed Tasmania Guineas at three, and in total 11 black type races.

Unbeaten juvenile wins Gold Sovereign

Star Thoroughbreds’ unbeaten 2-year-old filly Sanniya (Stratosphere) made easy work of the Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes at Launceston on Wednesday, cruising to the lead for jockey Craig Newitt, and kicked away on the bend to win by 3l in a good time of 1:10.12 for the 1200 metres.

Trained by Barry Campbell, she won from Stuart Gandy stablemates filly Crack The Shutters (Alpine Eagle) and filly Zany Girl (Needs Further).

“What a great day for Star. We had owners from all over Australia visiting for probably the best raceday in the state. When she won the Magic Millions, Craig Newitt thought she would take a power of beating in the Gold Sovereign today. She ran a fantastic time last start, and again a very fast time today, faster than the open race,” said Martin.

“She’s not quite a push button horse but nearly and for a new-to-the-races filly, she’s very tractable. She'll go for a spell at Armidale Stud for at least a month and we will work out plans later. The fillies races look in her grasp, and maybe she’ll take the same path as Geegees Mistruth. She’s a filly with a very good future.

“I’d like to thank Brett Howard from Randwick Bloodstock. He said she was the best filly in the sale, and we didn’t pay an enormous amount. Her half-brother had won at Moonee Valley, and a mare who can produce Melbourne form suggests plenty.”

Winner of the Magic Millions Tasmania 2YO Classic on debut, Sanniya has earnings over $144,000 from her two wins. Purchased at the 2024 Magic Millions Tasmania Yearling Sale by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock (FBAA) for $67,500 from Grenville Stud, Sanniya is the second stakes winner for Snitzel son Stratosphere, who was second in the G3 Canonbury Stakes at his only start.

Sanniya is one of only 25 foals in his third crop, while his other stakes winner Greatham Boy came from his first crop of just 53 foals. Greatham Boy has done all his racing in Singapore and has recently been imported back to Australia where he’ll be trained by Tim Fitzsimmons.

Sanniya is the first stakes winner for unraced mare Lady Writer (Written Tycoon) who has produced three other winners, including War Correspondent (Time For War) mentioned by Martin, and has a yearling full sister to Sanniya. Lady Writer is a daughter of Listed Tasmania Oaks winner Wavishing (Ark Regal {NZ}) who also produced Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes-placed Emily’s Girl (Genuine {Jpn}).

Heartbreaking victory in Listed Hellova Street

Star Thoroughbreds’ 4-year-old gelding Durazzo (Needs Further) won an emotional Listed Hellova Street Stakes for trainer Barry Campbell by 1.5l over Glenn Stevenson trained First Accused (Turffontein) and Nick Ryan trained Munhamek (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

“When you win a wonderful race like that and tragedy unfolds, your heart is drawn to the owners who lost their hero,” said Martin about the loss of The Inevitable. “Every racegoer in the state admired him greatly, he raced until he was nine and it was such a tragic end. We left the track thinking of him, while being thrilled with our horse.

“Durazzo has had a long campaign, having been up since September and has charged through grades quickly. When he ran in (Tasmania) Goodwood, we knew we had a proper horse on our hands.

“We set him for The Carpet Charge, and he won that over a distance that wasn’t suitable for him, then in Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO and he was super impressive, and last time missed in the Thomas Lyon by a short half-head. Two strides past the line he was in front. We believed he’d get the mile and be competitive and he was wonderful today.

“He'll have a spell now at Armidale for a couple of months, then we will have an owners gathering before deciding on the next steps. He’s a marvellous horse, when they perform at that level, you are always thankful to own a horse as special as he is.”

Durazzo has won eight of his 11 starts with earnings over $340,000 and today’s win was his first at stakes level so he becomes the ninth stakes winner for his sire. A $97,500 purchase by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Magic Millions Tasmania Yearling Sale from Armidale Stud, and is the second winner for Arenzano (Not A Single Doubt) who won eight races in Tasmania and was fourth in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas, and she is a distant relative of Super Seth.

Geegees Mistruth wins again

Boom 3-year-old filly Geegees Mistruth (Wordsmith) is unbeaten for this campaign after winning the G3 Vamos Stakes on Wednesday. She won the G3 Mystic Journey Stakes when resuming two weeks ago. A dual stakes winner at two, Geegees Mistruth now has six wins (four at black type) from 11 starts with earnings over $510,000.

Trained by Stuart Gandy, Geegees Mistruth won by 1.5l from Adam Trinder trained 5-year-old mare Jaguar Stone (Spieth {NZ}) with John Blacker trained 6-year-old mare Zewinna (Tough Speed {USA}) in third.

A homebred for Elizabeth Geard Racing, she is one of eight stakes winners for her sire who is a son of Testa Rossa. Geegees Mistruth is a full sister to Listed Elwick Stakes placed 2-year-old filly Geegees Missile, and their dam Miss Mana (Jetball) has produced two other winners, also by Wordsmith. Geegees Mistruth’s third dam is a winning half-sister to G1 South Australian Oaks winner Lady Liberty (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}).

Launceston Cup stays home

Local trainer Paul Luttrell’s 5-year-old gelding Distrustful Award (Shamus Award) vended off the three mainlander raiders in winning the G3 Launceston Cup by 0.5l from Ciaron Maher trained 5-year-old gelding Promises Kept (Cluster) with Imogen Miller trained Kaliuwaa Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) in third.

Winner of the Longford Cup four starts ago, Distrustful Award now has four wins from 20 starts with earnings over $240,000. This was his first black type win, and he becomes the 27th stakes winner for his G1 Cox Plate winning sire who has six Group 1 winners.

Bred by Baree Stud in Victoria, Distrustful Award was originally trained by Paul Preusker, then Grant and Alana Williams, before arriving with Luttrell in October 2024. He was passed in at an Inglis Digital sale in July 2024. Three of his four wins have been with Luttrell.

The first foal of unraced mare Distrustful (Trusting), who has an unnamed 3-year-old full sister, an unnamed 2-year-old colt by Star Witness, and a colt foal by Shamus Award. Her dam, Fandom (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) won twice at two, and this is the family of Casino Prince.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

The catalogue for the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale was released on December 8, 2024. Since then, a host of yearlings that will go through the ring at Inglis Oaklands have had their pedigrees enhanced, which is important information for vendors and buyers alike.

Lot 267 - Star Witness x Leotie (Darci Brahma {NZ}), filly - on account of Maluka Thoroughbreds

Filly is a three-quarter-sister to Listed winner and Group 2-placed Prairie Flower.

Maluka Thoroughbreds present a strong filly out of stakes-placed Leotie (Darci Brahma {NZ}), whose first foal Prairie Flower (Star Turn) is carrying the flag for her dam. A six-time winner with a Listed placing when this catalogue went to print, this filly’s three-quarter-sister has wasted no time further enhancing her page with a stakes win.

Trained in South Australia by Will Clarken and Niki O'Shea, Prairie Flower has picked up two further wins over the summer, including her first win at stakes level when she captured the Listed Durbridge Stakes last month at Morphettville, defeating G3 Hawkes Stakes winner Extremely Lucky (Extreme Choice) by 1.11l. Earlier this month, Prairie Flower made the trip across the border into Victoria, and chased hard in the G2 Rubiton Stakes to finish third behind Rey Magnerio (Magnus) and Insurrection (Russian Revolution).

Maluka Thoroughbreds originally sold Prairie Flower through this same sale in 2021 to Henry Dwyer Racing for $120,000. In an Inglis Digital sale last June, she was offered by Dwyer, and sold to the $150,000 bid of Bell View Park Stud.

Lot 359 - Maurice (Jpn) x Notre Dame (Exceed And Excel), filly - on account of Musk Creek Farm

Dam is a full sister to the dam of Listed winner and G1 Blue Diamond Stakes second-placed finisher Tentyris.

Another yearling with exciting close juvenile relations is this granddaughter of Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky), who was an exceedingly impressive race mare, winning four Group 1s amongst eight career wins and collecting numerous stakes placings on her way to stud. Dam Notre Dame (Exceed And Excel) is unraced herself, but Exceed And Excel is hitting goals as a broodmare sire; he sits within the top 10 in Australia for this season and his daughters have produced 119 individual stakes winners in total, including 15 Group 1 winners.

A full sister to this lot’s dam is Deity, and she has been in the spotlight recently with the exploits of her tenacious son Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}). Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman for the Godolphin operation, Tentyris debuted fifth in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes and developed impressively between runs to dead-heat with Shining Smile (Spirit Of Boom) in the Listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington, with a 3l gap back to the third-placed finisher.

Tentyris almost gave the father-and-son operation yet another G1 Blue Diamond Stakes when he backed up a week later at Caulfield, and just couldn't quite catch the speedy Devil Night (Extreme Choice) at the line, going down by 0.2l to finish an incredibly tough second. The Freedmans have indicated they will press on to the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes with a likely stop at the G2 Todman Stakes a week on Saturday as part of his final preparations.

Tentyris has become the third stakes-performing juvenile winner for his dam, alongside Group 3-placed La Pieta (Redoute’s Choice) and Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic-winning Maternal (Street Cry {Ire}).

Lot 515 - Home Affairs x Sybella (Snitzel), colt - on account of Newgate Farm

Colt is a half-brother to recent juvenile winner Steel Knight.

This colt has plenty of black type up close on his pedigree, with his dam being a half-sister to the talented Listed winners Well Sprung (Star Witness) and Tawteen (Stratum). The latter has produced black type herself, being the dam of the precocious Blue Stratum (Blue Point {Ire}), who was a narrow second to Dublin Down (Exceedance) on debut in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate and subsequently just outside the placings in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery. He was fourth in the G3 Vain Stakes in the spring, and is listed as active again in the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable.

Closer to home is where the update arrives; Sybella’s (Snitzel) first foal is Steel Knight (Capitalist), who was a $250,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for Annabel Neasham Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) last year, and he has been quick off of the mark.

Steel Knight was amongst the first batch of September triallers, running third to the talented North England (Farnan) before being put away. He finished ninth in the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut in January, but improved leaps and bounds when heading to Canberra earlier this month to score an easy 1.17l win over Godolphin’s Barbarossa (Too Darn Hot {GB}).

Steel Knight was scratched from the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes last weekend in favour of running the day before at Canberra, where he closed off impressively in the $50,000 Black Opal Preview to finish second by 0.92l behind Farcited (Farnan). His sprint from midfield promises more to come, and this half-brother is built in a similarly strong, forward mould. In addition, there is plenty of juvenile speed in the family, including dual Group 1-winning Tali’sluckybusride (USA) (Delineator {USA}).

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

The Inglis Premier Yearling Sale returns to Oaklands, Melbourne, from March 2-4, featuring top-class prospects. A rare Frankel colt, alongside elite yearlings by Written Tycoon and Zoustar, has buyers buzzing with anticipation.

Rosemont Stud maintains its elite status, with stars like Bella Nipotina (Dubai) and Allibor (All Too Hard) among its graduates. Principal Anthony Mithen highlights their $50 million in prize money from just $22 million in purchases since 2014, proving their stock’s value.

Their stallion Hanseatic is emerging as a budget-friendly standout, with stakes-placed progeny showing promise. “He’s close to becoming Victoria’s top-value sire,” says Mithen, confident in his future success.

The sale also boasts standout fillies, including a Savabeel filly from an Oaks-winning family. With a mix of speed and classic distance types, competition is expected to be fierce.

With Rosemount Stud once again at the forefront and the industry’s leading buyers set to participate, the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale will be an event filled with anticipation and high-stakes bidding. As Melbourne’s premier sale continues to grow in prestige, it remains a must-watch occasion for those seeking the next generation of racing stars.