Cover image courtesy of Sportpix

Aeliana beats the boys in the Derby

She’s just playing the boys’ games all season, and on Saturday, it was finally Aeliana’s (NZ) (Castelvecchio) turn to cement her place amongst the elite staying ranks with victory as the only filly in the field of the G1 Australian Derby.

A last-start second by a hair’s breadth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas to Broadsiding (GB), Aeliana comfortably stepped up to the 2400 metres, travelling a pair back from the leaders until she hit the last 400 metres, where jockey Damian Lane let her stride forward. As she hit the front, she was clearly going to be impossible to catch, crossing the line 5.16l in front of runner-up Firm Agreement (Yes Yes Yes). On pulling up, Damian Lane called the Chris Waller-trained filly “extraordinary”.

“It was a great performance and all credit to her,” said Waller. “She’s had a couple of near misses in Group 1s but she’s got her own, and she’s got it in good style.

“We’ve got some good fillies in the fillies’ races, so it just seemed logical. But when she was brave in the Randwick Guineas, the Rosehill Guineas she got beaten a whisker by Broadsiding who is a very, very good 3-year-old colt, and she’s done it herself today.

It was a well-deserved victory for the talented filly, and Waller was unsure if she would back up into the G1 Australian Oaks, where she would have to clash with boom filly Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express).

“My job is to look after her,” Waller said. “It would be unlikely that she would back up. But, wow, I can’t wait for the next chapter because she’s a rising star.”

“She left the barriers well, just travelled great from the outset and felt a winner a long way out,” Lane said.

“I’m not riding in the best form of my life, I’ve ridden well for a long time. You just slowly build up to these opportunities. Doesn’t matter how good you ride, if you don’t have the horse underneath you, you can’t produce.”

Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds paid NZ$180,000 for the daughter of Castelvecchio at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, and returned to Karaka this year to pay NZ$300,000 for her half-sister by Proisir. She is the second Group 1 winner for Arrowfield Stud-based Castelvecchio, whose oldest crop is just three.

Briasa shakes up sprint ranks in TJ Smith

The changing of the guard amongst Sydney’s sprinting ranks has been inevitable, and on Saturday, it was Smart Missile gelding Briasa’s turn to secure his place among the short course elite in a defiant G1 TJ Smith Stakes victory. The 4-year-old has now won seven from nine starts, and had taken his first swing at Group 1 level in his most recent start, running an eye-catching fourth in the G1 The Galaxy where he had to explode from the tail of the field.

Settling a pair back from the early leaders I Am Me (I Am Invincible) and Overpass (Vancouver), Briasa and jockey Tyler Schiller patiently stalked the speed around the home turn. Once straightening, they had to dodge a flagging I Am Me to catch up to Overpass - whose first up record dictated he would be a force to be reckoned with - with Briasa lifting off the canvas to score by 0.14l over the 6-year-old. It was a huge performance for the Hawkes Racing trainee.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes has always thought the grey was something special, sharing, “I’ve just loved him from day one. I’m just lost for words. This is the moment that we dream of with a horse like this.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, we’re not big anymore but we’ve got quality.”

Hawkes has respect for the quality of the Group 1’s field; “Let me tell you, the horse on the inside (Overpass) is no easy horse to get past.

“It’s a great race. He’s not Chautauqua, because not many are. But he’s better than Chautauqua though because Chautauqua is not here.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Retained by his breeders, Briasa is the penultimate foal from Mary’s Grace (Twining {USA}), whose seven wins include the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes. Her extended family includes newly minted Group 3 winner North England (Farnan) and G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner Overreach (Exceed And Excel). Briasa becomes the second Group 1 winner for Twin Hills Stud-based Smart Missile.

History-making victory for Vinrock with Sires’ double

When Matt Laurie-trained 2-year-old colt Vinrock (I Am Invincible) headed into the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes as an unbeaten winner of two races with a last start victory in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produces Stakes, he needed to break a 44-year-old hiatus with the last winner of the double coming in 1981 with Full On Aces (Kaoru Star).

In the end it was a blanket finish with less than 1l covering the first five home, with Vinrock taking the shortest run up the rail for jockey Mark Zahra and winning by 0.21l from Ciaron Maher-trained colt State Visit (Wootton Bassett {GB}) with David Atkins-trained gelding Buffalo (Written By) in third.

“Lost for words. Incredible. Great performance from the horse. Last race they really got out wide and they were smacking the line, I was a bit worried about the inside draw but he's tough as nails,” said Laurie, who won the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes last weekend with Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express).

“He's a ripping colt. He's got a good brain, he's fantastic to ride, he's got great recovery and he's just tough. You put it to him, I mean he was under siege there and he just kept coming. Incredible effort to do all this in his first preparation.”

Unbeaten in three starts, Vinrock becomes just the second juvenile Group 1 winner for Champion Sire I Am Invincible, who sired G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Move To Strike in New Zealand last season. I Am Invincible, also known by his nickname Vinny, took his record to 16 Group 1 winners with 117 stakes winners over all.

Purchased by his trainer and Wilannah Park Bloodstock for $300,000 from Rosemont Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft, Vinrock is the third live foal of G2 Matriarch Stakes winner Girl Gone Rockin’ (Redoute’s Choice) whose first two foals are both winners, and she has a yearling filly by Pierro.

Girl Gone Rockin’ is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Syreon (Flying Spur) and both are out of G2 Queen Of The Turf winner Sorrento (NZ) (Just A Dancer {NZ}) whose seven wins included five at stakes level. Sorrento is a half-sister to three other stakes winners and this is the family of recent Group 2 winner Jamaea (Headwater).

Stefi makes Baker’s dreams come true in magical Doncaster Mile

A year on from when she burst into the elite levels of racing with victory in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap, Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) struck again with victory in the G1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick on Saturday.

A capacity field let loose for the 1600-metre Group 1, spreading across the track as they entered the straight - the game 4-year-old mare almost disappeared amid the spread, but she dug deep within the last furlong to power home, stretching her neck out to defeat Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) by a 0.14l margin. It was a huge blanket finish with 10th place finisher Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) just 1.27l back.

“I had to win an iconic Sydney race,” trainer Bjorn Baker said, admitting that the win was a dream come true. “I’ve won Group 1 races here like the Winx Stakes and the Tancred Stakes but I needed one of these majors.

“The Doncaster is one of those big Group 1 races every trainer wants to win. It’s a great race and this has been a special day for my family.”

It was a particularly special day considering the success his father Murray Baker has had at this same meeting.

“I remember being here in 2008 when Murray won the Derby with Nom De Jeu and Chris Waller-trained his first Group 1 winner with Triple Honour in the Doncaster and it has always been a goal of mine to win a big one on this day.

“My father won five (Australian) Derbies on this day so it means a lot to me to win the Doncaster.

“Murray’s retired now but he still watches all the races and he still gives me plenty of advice. He tells me how I can do things better. No one has been more influential to my career than Murray – he would be very proud today.”

He credited the toughness of the All Too Hard mare for her victory, as well as the expert steer of Jason Collett, who collected his 112th win for Baker.

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

It was Stefi Magnetica’s first victory since her Stradbroke win last year in June. Her dam Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force), who also won the Stradbroke, delivered a full brother in the spring.

Pizzazz takes out PJ Bell

She’s Got Pizzazz (Zoustar) has always been a classy filly, and the Dorrington Farm-bred and owned 3-year-old had that on full display in the G3 PJ Bell Stakes on Saturday at Randwick.

The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly camped near the back of the field and seemed to drift even further back coming into the home straight - but there never need to fear as she unleashed a devastating turn of foot once straightening to deny Flying For Fun (Spieth) by 0.26l.

“She’s got a wonderful family,” Moody said. “Bred and retained by Rob Crabtree, and it’s a family that he’s developed for a lot of years. This was a little target race for us. We thought she was unlucky at Caulfield the other day so it was well deserved, I think.

“I love seeing them hungry at the end of the day when they haven’t had a lot of success. I reckon the last time I was at Randwick at 5:50pm was about 15 years ago with a mare the same colour (Black Caviar) and she won a TJ.

“You might see her back here in a couple of weeks in the JB Carr. Crabby has got a big goal to win that. I’d love to see her in Brisbane for a Stradbroke. So if she’s here in two weeks, you’ll know the owner has won the battle.”

Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

She’s Got Pizzazz is a full sister to G1 Canterbury Stakes winner Mizzy (Zoustar), out of Listed James HB Carr Stakes winner Missy Cummings (Magnus). Missy Cummings’ yearling Piazza (So You Think {NZ}) has been retained to race by Dorrington Farm, and she was served by Ozzmosis in the spring.

Belle Detelle denies favourite in brave Adrian Knox victory

Spring saw several 3-year-old fillies rocket to stardom within their first few starts, and it was the same story for Chris Waller’s Belle Detelle (Zed {NZ}) on Saturday at Royal Randwick, who made a victorious first leap into stakes company at her fifth start in the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes. Breaking her maiden at just her previous start at Sandown, the 3-year-old filly had to overcome being shuffled to the outside of the field - despite drawing barrier 3 - and entering the home straight as almost the widest runner on the track.

You Wahng (So You Think {NZ}) took the plunge first once straightening, pushing to the front, with ante-post favourite Polymnia (Dundeel {NZ}) hot on her heels. Still, it was Belle Detelle that let down most impressively out of the three, pushing past the pair to hold on by 0.35l for victory, even with Polymnia fighting hard beside her.

“It’s very special,” Waller said. “We’ve always had a soft spot for her and we knew when we got her to 2000 metres, she would start to excel because of that pedigree. But until you do it on race day, it’s easier to talk about it than do it, so it was great to see.”

The race hung in the balance at the 400 metres with jockey Damian Lane - who rode a stakes double - having to urge the filly into the running, but Waller was full of praise for how she closed off the event, saying, “she was really strong the last 100 metres.

“Look, she’s had a long prep, she’s going to be fit enough if we decide to, but at the same time, do we back off and go to Queensland for a Queensland Oaks? I’ll have a talk to Damian and see what he says.

“It’s (this race) always been a target for the last month or so, where we got to from here wasn’t so much in the sights. So today was the target.”

The daughter of Zed (NZ), sire of the great Verry Elleegant (NZ), was bred and has been retained to race by Nicholas Bishara and associates, who paid NZ$2000 for her dam Black Lace (NZ) (Towkay) in 2012 as a yearling. Black Lace is herself a winning half-sister to Verry Elleegant and her 14-time winner brother Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed {NZ}). She has yearling and weanling colts by Dundeel (NZ) to follow, and visited Admire Mars (Jpn) in the spring.

Evaporate scorches his competition in Carbine Club

The NZ$3.5 million NZB The Kiwi runner-up Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) reminded everyone of his talent on Saturday at Randwick with a scintillating 2.16l victory in the G3 Carbine Club Stakes. The Lindsay Park-trained 3-year-old patiently sat in second spot eventual third placegetter Depth Of Character (Deep Field) for the majority of the 1600-metre trip, allowing the Hawkes Racing trainee to set a comfortable pace out in front, before making his move.

Once the pack straightened, the son of Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto (USA) launched his attack under Blake Shinn, speeding past a game Swiftfalcon. It was too good a performance for the rest of the pack, and the gelding sailed home unchallenged with Swiftfalcon (Exceedance) bolting home into second from the rear of the field.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes has believed in the horse from the start, and was delighted to secure another victory with him; “He’s a horse that we’ve always had a high opinion of. He ran in a Cox Plate, he ran third in a Caulfield Guineas, and this prep, he hadn’t had much luck.

“His first three runs, he had excuses. He got caught three-wide in the weight-for-age Group 1 and over in The Kiwi, we were a little bit unlucky, we got shuffled back, where today in a smaller field Blake (Shinn) was able to get him into a great rhythm.

“He just gave Swiftfalcon too much to do and he was strong to the line - but he was carrying the two extra kilos and he won quite convincingly, so we’re thrilled.

“I’m thrilled for the whole team. Will and JD, they’ll be very happy in Melbourne.”

Plans turn to the gelding’s spring and Hayes already has a plan of attack, saying, “he’s going into his 4-year-old year and there’s a really nice race in Sydney called the Golden Eagle.

“If we could get him to a race like that - we haven’t mapped out a path or anything, or I haven’t spoken to my brothers - but that would be a grand final kind of race to get to, and he’s done a great job this prep.

“He’s travelled to New Zealand, travelled back, and he’s just thrived. He looks to have pulled up fantastic.”

“He felt amazing,” Shinn shared. “This is a really good horse. He’s proven that he’s on the cusp of Group 1 level.”

A $330,000 purchase for his trainers from Sledmere Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Evaporate is the third foal from Savanna (NZ) (Animal Kingdom), a half-sister to Group 3 winner Belluci Babe (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), whose first foal by Zoustar sells this weekend in the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 297. Savanna is a close relation to two further stakeswinners by Per Incanto - Magnum (NZ) and Pure Incanto (NZ) - as well as G2 Chairman’s Handicap winner Philosophe (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

Cover image courtesy of Yarraman Park

Juvenile stakes double for Vinny

Champion sire I Am Invincible enjoyed a juvenile stakes double on Saturday with unbeaten colt Vinrock winning the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick, while at Morphettville trainer Clayton Douglas debuted Pinecliff Racing’s filly Blue Hotel in the Listed Dequetteville Stakes for juvenile fillies, and she bolted in by 1.63l for jockey Todd Pannell. Second went to Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained Boa Vista (Snitzel) with 0.5l back to Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Sisstainable (I Am Invincible).

The two fillies in her wake picked up black type to go with their big price tags; Boa Vista was a $1.25 million graduate from Newgate Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, and Sisstainable cost $450,000 from Widden Stud’s draft at the same sale.

Blue Hotel is a homebred for Pinecliff Racing and became stakes winner number 117 for her champion sire. A half-sister to G3 Southern Cross Stakes winner Kaepernick (Fastnet Rock), who won eight races and $800,000, Blue Hotel’s dam Volcada (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) won the same race, the Listed Dequetteville Stakes, as her daughter.

Volcada's first foal, Dance Card (Exceed And Excel) was also a winner at two and is now the dam of G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes and G3 Black Opal Stakes placed Rome (Pierro). Group 1 winner Spright (Hinchinbrook) is descended from Volcada’s stakes placed half-sister Royal Harmony (Marscay).

Quinella for Farnan in G3 Kindergarten Stakes

The victory of 2-year-old colt North England (Farnan) in Saturday’s G3 Kindergarten Stakes was redemption for his trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott who had picked him out as their Golden Slipper hope from very early in the season. Winner of the Golden Gift in the spring, North England ran sixth in the G1 Golden Slipper last start.

“It's really satisfying. It's been a very frustrating campaign with him. The horse has got so much talent and things haven't necessarily gone right for him throughout the campaign, so to capitalise and finish on a good note, I guess, is very satisfying for the owners and connections,” Bott said.

In the Kindergarten, North England was ridden by Tim Clark and won by 0.22l from Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained colt King Of Pop (Farnan) who survived a protest from third placed colt Beskar (Snitzel) to retain the placing over the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained juvenile.

North England has earned $826,000 in a long campaign that has covered two wins from five starts since he first placed in the G3 Breeders’ Plate back in October. “He's got the great temperament for it. He's just a naturally precocious horse, which he's shown from early days. He's got the mindset and constitution to be able to keep up and sustain that sort of preparation. I think he'll train on as well,” Bott said.

“We'll tip him out now, most likely, get him set for a 3-year-old campaign and hopefully we can have a smooth run at things and he can show his talent. He's been one of our most talented 2-year-olds all the way through and it's unfortunate that this has probably been a bit of a frustrating campaign for him, where things haven't necessarily gone right in the lead-up, so today we were sort of capitalising on the campaign and I think we were able to consolidate with a nice win. I think he was very deserving of that.”

With the Golden Gift not carrying black type status, the Kindergarten was North England’s first black type win and he becomes the third stakes winner for Farnan’s first crop, following King Of Pop and Recuperato.

Purchased by China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, Trilogy, and Go Bloodstock at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $280,000 from Valiant Stud, North England is the third foal of four-time winner Our Belisa (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who ran fourth in the Listed Dulcify Handicap. She has missed both seasons since North England was born and was covered by Stay Inside in 2024.

North England is the first stakes winner in three generations in his family, with his fourth dam, Clowning (Rory’s Jester) producing Listed winner Chuckle (Danehill {USA}), the dam of Group 2 winner Crack Me Up (Mossman) and Group 3 winner Hoofit (Mossman).

Scenic Point continues Written Tycoon’s massive season

Lindsay Park’s 2-year-old filly Scenic Point (Written Tycoon) not only gave her stable a second successive win in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes after they won with Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau) last year, she also become her sire’s fourth juvenile stakes winner this season.

Unbeaten in both her starts, Scenic Point won by 1l for jockey Daniel Stackhouse, with Godolphin’s colt Aleppo Pine (Blue Point {Ire}) getting promoted to second after originally finishing third, just behind the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained colt Mednyi (Capitalist) after striking clear interference reasonably close to the line.

“We didn’t produce her early for the 2-year-old races on purpose, so it might be the best thing for her to put her away,” co-trainer Will Hayes said.

“I think she’s a Thousand Guineas horse. She’s probably one of those hamburgers with the lot at this stage, I think she can sprint and might get the middle distance as well. It’s all upside and it’s based on potential, but what we are dealing with is a very talented galloper.”

Written Tycoon has had a massive season with G3 Pago Pago Stakes winner Skyhook, G3 Ottawa Stakes winner Military Tycoon and G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Tycoon Star who also placed in the G1 Blue Diamond. Scenic Point’s victory took Written Tycoon to 75 stakes winners.

“She’s certainly on a learning curve and I thought what she did today was on raw ability and there’s plenty of upside. The sky’s the limit for her. We will be guided on how she pulls up. The way she won today, you wouldn’t hesitate going to Sydney, but you also wouldn’t hesitate to go to the paddock,” Hayes continued.

“She wasn’t ready early. She has a big frame and is beautiful physically and she screams three-year-old type and so what she’s done now is an absolute bonus. She wasn’t ready for the Diamond and the Slipper, and she told us when she was ready.”

Owned by Judy Wanless, Scenic Point was sold as a weanling in the Edinburgh Park dispersal sale at the Magic Millions National Sale where she was purchased by James Bester and Ridgmont Farm for $190,000. Ridgmont pinhooked her to the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, where she made $450,000 to the bid of KPW Bloodstock.

With her two wins from two starts, Scenic Point has earnings over $127,000 with plenty ahead of her. Her dam, the placed mare Ludicrous Mode (Snitzel), was purchased by Yulong at the same dispersal sale as Scenic Point for $160,000. Her 3-year-old filly Spaceballs (Dundeel {NZ}) is a winner and her yearling colt by Harry Angel (Ire) was purchased by Kelly Schweida Racing for $100,000 from Stonehouse Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, who pinhooked him from Yulong as a weanling for $40,000.

Ludicrous Mode is a half-sister to Group 2 winner and young sire Glenfiddich, who placed in the G1 Champagne Stakes and the G1 Memsie Stakes. This is the family of $2.4 million earner Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) who won the R. Listed Magic Millions Cup twice.

Thee Creek has a bright future

After placing second on debut and fourth in the QTIS 2YO Jewel at his second start, Peter and Will Hulbert-trained 2-year-old gelding Thee Creek (Better Than Ready) put it all together at Eagle Farm on Saturday, winning by 1.25l over 1300 metres for jockey Mark Du Plessis. In second was the Paul Shailer-trained filly On Point Pixie (Heroic Valour) and the Lee Freedman trained filly Profoundly (Farnan) was 1l further back in third.

“This colt is just such a cool dude, nothing fazes him. He was born a good sort, he looks a hell of a lot like his dad (Better Than Ready),” said Will Hulbert.

“All the data we have got off his track work says he will run a mile, in time, so we have just got to teach him to relax. It was a good effort today, he carried a lot more weight than the rest of them and was too good for them.”

Purchased by his trainers for $140,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Thee Creek took his earnings to $100,800 from his three starts. He is the third juvenile winner for Better Than Ready this season, who has 111 2-year-old winners in his career which, so far has netted 14 stakes winners and 397 winners.

A full brother to 3-year-old gelding The Hamo, who was a winner at two last season, Thee Creek is out of unraced News Release (Press Statement) who has a 2024 colt foal by Barbaric. News Release is a half-sister to Listed Debutant Stakes winner Moonlight Hussler (Hussonet {USA}).

Unbeaten Snitzel filly makes it two at Ascot

Trainer Adam Durrant looks to have a very exciting juvenile filly with Snitzalatte (Snitzel) who stayed unbeaten at her second start with a strong 1.49l victory for jockey William Pike over the Ashley Maley-trained filly Hard Solo (All Too Hard) with the Neville Parnham-trained colt Statewide (Tassort) in third.

Video: Watch the Snitzalatte race replay, video courtesy of Racing WA

A homebred for Oakland Park Stud, Snitzalatte becomes the 17th juvenile winner for Snitzel this season, led by G1 Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, G1 Sistema Stakes winner Return To Conquer and the G3 Cannonbury Stakes winner Blitzburg.

Snitzalatte is the fourth winner for Macchiato (O’Reilly {NZ}) who is a half-sister to $1.1 million earner and Group 3 winner Grand Nirvana (Scenic {Ire}) whose ten wins were all in stakes class. Macchiato and Grand Nirvana are out of the G3 WATC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Park Paradise (Bletchley Park {Ire}).

Wyndstorm promises a big future

Lightly raced 2-year-old gelding Wyndstorm (NZ) (Wyndspelle {NZ}) had placed third on debut coming into Saturday’s Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series over 1200 metres at Ellerslie, and punters backed him from $16 into $7.80. Ridden by Ryan Elliot for trainer Hollie Wynyard, he came from a wide gate, covering more ground than his rivals, but on straightening, he showed plenty of ability and toughness to win by 0.3l from the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained favourite Steezy (Russian Revolution) with the Lance Noble-trained Heloisa (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) running third.

“He’s a nice, big, lovely horse. He’s big and strong, but he’s still a big baby. He drew wide at Waverley, got back, then ducked in and did a lot wrong. But he still went to the line really strongly in that race, so coming into today, he was always going to do something,” Elliot said.

“When I let him stride forward today, he did the rest. He’s such a big, strong horse and he just took me away from them. He’s still on the way up. He’s only going to learn from this and is going to get better.”

Bred to get better with age, he is the third winner for Wyndspelle (NZ), a Group 1 winning son of Iffraaj (GB) who was a winner and Group 1 placed at two but really came into his own as an older horse, winning the G1 Captain Cook Stakes as a 6-year-old. He has 31 foals in his first crop who are 3-year-olds and so far includes two winners, while his current crop of 2-year-olds numbers 25 foals. He has 21 yearlings from his final New Zealand crop, and currently stands in Victoria at Wyndholm Park.

A homebred for Jen Campin, Wyndstorm is the ninth foal and sixth winner of Brambling (Redoute’s Choice), a half-sister to Group 2 winner and three-times Group 1 placed Tangled (Snitzel), Singapore Listed winner Sebrose (Sebring), and a full sister to Listed Randwick City Stakes winner Mauled. Their dam is G1 NZ Oaks winner Bramble Rose (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}).

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

The Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale is upon us, and the cream of the Australasian foal crop have congregated at the Riverside Stables complex in Sydney ahead of the kick-off of trade on Sunday. A total of 421 lots have been catalogued across two days of selling, split into 234 colts and 187 fillies, from some of the finest families in the studbook.

Yearlings will be offered by 48 individual vendors, with Arrowfield Stud presenting the largest draft, having catalogued 42 lots in the book. This is a much more select draft than they brought to last year’s sale, where the number of yearlings catalogued by the Hunter Valley nursery was 62. Coolmore Stud have the second largest draft at 39, which is the same number that they entered in last year’s sale, followed by Sledmere Stud, whose draft swells to 24 from last year’s 15 offerings.

Table: Top five vendors by size of draft before withdrawals in the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale

“Statistically, Inglis Easter is the sale most likely to produce (for) buyers a top class racehorse and that’s what everybody is looking for,” Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said ahead of the sale.

“The Easter Yearling Sale is the sale most likely to produce a Group 1 winner, more likely to produce a 2-year-old Group winner, and has comfortably the best stakes winners to runners ratio than any of the Southern Hemisphere yearling sales.”

A sale that has always garnered an international buying bench, the 2024 edition of the sale saw buyers from seven racing jurisdictions outside of Australia, including New Zealand, Hong Kong, the United States, and Japan. An 82 per cent share of the catalogue was sold to Australian buyers across all states and territories in the country aside from the ACT.

Best of the best

The 2025 edition of the Easter sale has been hailed already as a particularly select version of the sale, living up to its “best of the best” tagline, and that is evidenced in the number of yearlings that have made the cut. The 421 catalogued this year is 79 less than last year; a significant decrease of 15.8 per cent in catalogue size. The smallest catalogue from the previous five editions was in 2023, where 36 more yearlings than this year were accepted into the sale.

Table: Aggregate, average, and clearance rates over the last five editions of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale

This has little correlation with clearance rates, which have remained above 80 per cent for the last four sales. Pandemic restrictions and economic uncertainty had a profound effect on the sale in 2020, but trade returned the year after in fine form, with the aggregate for the 2021 sale almost doubling that of the year before (please note that the data here does not include the Inglis Australian Easter Sale Round 2 that was held in July 2020).

Top lots have always had a profound effect on the average; the sale of Winx’s (Street Cry {Ire}) filly by Pierro last year is no doubt a large contributing factor to the average price per lot rising above $400,000. Her sale was also a large contributor to the sale's aggregate, accounting for approximately 6.6 per cent of the total. Subtracting her total from last year's sale leaves a difference of just over $2.5 million between the 2024 and 2023 sale aggregates.

Otherwise, the average has largely remained above $350,000, with a peak of 26 yearlings selling for $1 million or more in 2023 and the sale of $3 million colt Kandinsky Abstract (Zoustar) in 2022 contributing to a higher average, despite there being six less $1 million yearlings than the year after.

Chart: Number of million dollar yearlings in the last five editions of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale

Champion sires to the fore

A refined 61 sires are represented in the catalogue, with four-time Champion Sire Snitzel leading the way by representation. He has 45 offspring in the catalogue, accounting for 39.8 per cent of his 2023 foal crop and a massive 10.7 per cent of the whole Easter book.

Table: Top 10 sires by number of offspring in the catalogue in the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, service fees inc GST

Amongst his most exciting lots is Lot 76 from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, a full brother to G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland, who is destined to join the Coolmore Stud roster at the conclusion of his career. Kia Ora Stud will offer Lot 396, a full sister to Newgate Farm’s young sire Wild Ruler, who has his own first entrants into the Easter catalogue this year.

Closing on him is Widden Stud’s Zoustar with 36 entries into the catalogue, accounting for 29.5 per cent of his foal crop, which is the last of his progeny to be conceived at a stud fee under $200,000.

Widden are proud to present Lot 198 from Zoustar’s 2023 crop, a full brother to freshly minted Group 1 winner Schwarz, who captured the G1 William Reid Stakes in March en route to taking his place on the Rosemont Stud roster. Milburn Creek offer another of his enticing sons in Lot 363, the first foal from the G3 Gimcrack Stakes and G2 Light Fingers Stakes winner Every Rose (Choisir).

After Snitzel, the sire within the top 10 by number of offspring catalogued to have the largest percentage of his crop in the Easter catalogue is Extreme Choice, who has 31.7 per cent of his foal crop heading to the ring this weekend. With his incredible statistics - his Group 1 winners to runners strike rate of 4.27 per cent is currently the best in the world - it is no surprise that his stock are highly sought after.

Ridgmont’s draft includes Lot 325 out of multiple Group winner Chintz (NZ) (Savabeel), making this yearling a three-quarter-brother to G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes winner Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt).

There is a distinct international flair to the Easter catalogue; just outside of the top 10 sires by number catalogued is influential British sire Frankel (GB) with 12 yearlings, conceived off of a £200,000 ($410,000) service fee. His progeny are joined by one lot each for Siyouni (Fr), Justify (USA), and Camelot (GB), as well as two lots for rapidly rising American sire Gun Runner (USA). Former shuttler Too Darn Hot (GB) is represented by 18 of his progeny, just one more than Coolmore’s premier shuttle stallion Wootton Bassett (GB).

High performing stallions lead by average

The order of last year's top 10 leading sires by average (three or more lots sold) is likely to see a shuffle in this year's edition of the sale. A prominent feature last year, Justify did not shuttle in 2022 so only has limited offerings in Australia this sales season. Given the exploits of his offspring over the last two racing seasons, his single offering in 2025 is likely to attract a lot of attention.

Table: Top 10 sires by average (three or more progeny sold) at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, excluding the presence of Pierro x Winx '22

This is the first of Extreme Choice’s crops to be conceived off of a $275,000 (inc GST) service fee, significantly raising the quality of mare he would have served - and, having added the G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Blue Diamond Stakes to his record this season, he is likely to be in high demand again, particularly his colts. Of his six $1 million yearlings, five were sold in 2024 (two at Easter) and all are colts.

Snitzel, I Am Invincible, and Zoustar all continue to be popular, with all three being heavily represented across Group 1 races nationwide; so far this season, Snitzel clinched his third G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner and I Am Invincible received his first juvenile Group 1 winner on Saturday with Vinrock in the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Note that Pierro has been excluded from this tabulation as $10 million of his $11.6 million is attributable to the one lot.

Final opportunities

Lastly, there are several eras that conclude at this year’s Easter sale. The final crop of Champion Hong Kong Sire Deep Field featured just six foals, one of which has since deceased, and the final two will be offered this weekend. Yulong offer a filly, Lot 38, that is the second foal of Group 3-winning Macroura (Snitzel), a three-quarter-sister to dual Group 1 winner Sunshine In Paris (Invader).

Gallery: Yearlings from the last crops of sires Deep Field and Fastnet Rock that will be offered at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, images courtesy of Inglis

There are also two yearlings from the last confirmed crop of Coolmore stalwart Fastnet Rock. While he did cover a small number of mares in 2023, all are recorded as having visited another stallion after him, which effectively makes his 11 foals born in 2023 his last crop. Willow Park Stud will offer one of his colts, Lot 5, that is a full brother to multiple Group winner Formality.

Spotlight on first season sires

Nine first season sires have representatives from their first crops in the Inglis Easter catalogue, with Coolmore’s Home Affairs leading the way by numbers, having 28 lots in the book. He is the most expensive service fee on the first season sires’ list at $33,000 more than Stay Inside, who is the second most represented as well as the second largest service fee among this group.

Table: First season sires by number of offspring catalogued in the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, service fees inc GST except for Noverre (NZ)

Home Affairs was one of three graduates in this cohort from an Inglis Easter sale; a $875,000 graduate of the 2020 sale, he was purchased from Torryburn Stud by Tom Magnier. He was withdrawn from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to be sold here instead, and he dually rewarded Magnier’s investment with victories in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, and the G1 Lightning Stakes.

Amongst his offspring is Lot 405 out of Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), making that yearling a half-sister to fellow first season sire Acrobat, who has two offspring in the sale. Acrobat passed in here in 2020 and was retained by his breeder, Coolmore.

The G1 Moir Stakes-winning Wild Ruler, who has two in the catalogue, was also a graduate of this sale; he was a $525,000 purchase from Kia Ora Stud for China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, and Winstar in 2019. Willow Park Stud present Lot 185 from his first crop of foals, a half-brother to Group 1 performer Stretan Angel (Harry Angel {Ire}).

Representatives and influences through the catalogue

In an extraordinary breadth of opportunity, 228 yearlings in the catalogue are either the progeny of stakes-winning mares or siblings to stakes winners, accounting for 54.2 per cent of the yearlings accepted into the sale before withdrawals. Of this number, 39 are the progeny of Group 1-winning mares, a further 32 are out of Group 2 winners, and 43 are the foals of Group 3 winners.

Chart: Number of yearlings catalogued by dam's best racetrack performance, where SW stands for stakes winner

There are 36 yearlings that are siblings to a total of 38 Group 1 winners, who have amassed 58 Group 1 wins between them, including half or full relations to Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel), Stronger, Ozzmosis, Artorius, Super Seth, Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun), and Sunshine In Paris.

Between this elite group, they have won seven G1 Oaks races, seven juvenile Group 1 races, four G1 Surround Stakes, five G1 Guineas races, three G1 Robert Sangster Stakes, a G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes, a G1 Golden Rose Stakes, and a G1 Hong Kong Centenary Sprint Cup - to name but a few.

The continual influence of the great mare Dancing Show (USA) (Nijinsky {Can}) is still prevalent through the Easter catalogue, but a more recent presence that can be felt strongly is that of the late Redoute’s Choice. He has 61 lots by his sire sons, and a further 30 by his grandsons. He also appears as the damsire 15 times, and a further 17 times as the second damsire - and this does not count all the other places he appears in pedigrees.

“Year after year, (Inglis Easter) is the ‘best of the best’ – the best breeders showcasing their best yearlings at the best venue in the world to offer horses,” Hutch said.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

The catalogue for the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale was released on January 10, 2025. Since then, several yearlings set to go under the hammer at Riverside Stables have seen their pedigrees strengthened by recent racecourse performances, adding even more appeal for buyers and vendors ahead of Australia’s most prestigious yearling auction.

Lot 187 - Maurice (Jpn) x Star Pupil (Starcraft {NZ}), colt - on account of Arrowfield Stud

This is a page that needs little introduction or addition to be impressive, but this lot’s half-sister Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) couldn’t stop at just the one Group 1. Returning for the autumn of her 3-year-old season, she has been unbeaten in three starts, taking all before her in the G1 Coolmore Classic, G1 Surround Stakes, and G2 Light Fingers Stakes. She had to fight hard for the Surround, but has proved too good again and again against fields of the country’s best fillies. Chris Waller has elected to tip her out and let her get a good rest ahead of what is sure to be a fruitful spring.

Across the Pacific, this colt’s half-sister Tiger Silk (All American), has been busy improving the page as well. Her now 4-year-old Dashingly (USA) (Liam’s Map {USA}), already a stakes-placed dual winner, has collected two more wins and another game second at Listed level since the catalogue went to print, and her 3-year-old colt Tawaafeeq (USA) (Collected {USA}) broke his maiden at Al-Janadriah in March.

Lot 198 - Zoustar x Summer Sham (Not A Single Doubt), colt - on account of Widden Stud

This colt was already going to be a headturner, but his full brother Schwarz (Zoustar) has been busy updating and expanding his part of the pedigree. Already a dual Group winner when the catalogue was put together, the 4-year-old entire has since added the G2 Australia Stakes and the G1 William Reid Stakes to his record - the latter of which is his all important first Group 1, further securing his place on the Rosemont Stud stallion roster once his racing career concludes.

Schwarz was understandably a $1.25 million yearling - he has now earned $1.3 million back on the track for his connections. Another full brother, the 2-year-old Tuscany (Zoustar), was a $1.55 million graduate of this sale last year as well, so this colt’s time in the ring will be highly anticipated by many.

Lot 260 - Zoustar x Workdrinks (Fastnet Rock), filly - on account of North Bloodstock

This filly comes from a lovely, active family, and it is her full sister Inhibitions who provides the biggest update to her page. Already twice placed at Group level - including as a juvenile - Inhibitions (Zoustar) finally broke through with her first stakes win in February, taking out the G3 Triscay Stakes over the impeccably bred Clear Thinking (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and subsequent G3 Wenona Girl Stakes winner Commemorative (I Am Invincible). It was a well earned victory after several close calls in stakes company.

Half-brother Lubrication (I Am Invincible) has added a few more placings to his record, including a good second in the Country Championships Wildcard at Scone.