Cover image courtesy of Bhima Thoroughbreds
Jonthan Munz's GSA Bloodstock have had much to celebrate in their long association with Mike and Kate Fleming's Bhima Stud, from million dollar yearlings in the ring to champions on the track, both in Australia and internationally.
Formally established in 1953, Bhima has had a rich history intertwined with the thoroughbred, standing the breed-shaper Biscay when he entered stud in 1969 until he was laid to rest on the property in 1987. The Flemings purchased the site in 2015, having previously been based at Broadwater Farm, and GSA Bloodstock have been one of their longest clients.
A wonderful partnership
“Kate and I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the longstanding support of Jonathan Munz and Dean Hawthorne since before Bhima’s very first season,” Mike Fleming, who owns and manages Bhima with his wife Kate Fleming.
Fleming’s relationship with GSA Bloodstock stretches back to working under Norm Hawthorne, Dean Hawthorne’s father, at Paramount Lodge. The association led to Munz coming on board as a client when the Flemings moved to Brooklyn Lodge (where Newgate Farm is now located) in 2001, before opening their own property at Broadwater Farm, the precursor to Bhima.
Mike Fleming | Image courtesy of Inglis
“For a farm starting out, having clients like GSA Bloodstock back your vision is something you never forget. Their commitment and support helped us establish Bhima as a farm renowned for raising elite racehorses, and for that we’re genuinely grateful.”
“For a farm starting out, having clients like GSA Bloodstock back your vision is something you never forget.” - Mike Fleming
Perhaps the most well known of Munz’s performers to be raised at Bhima is Everest champion and dual Group 1 winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick); born at Arrowfield Stud, then home of his sire Scissor Kick who Munz also bred, Giga Kick arrived as a weanling to grow out in preparation for the following year’s Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale.
After narrowly escaping a serious bout of colic the previous October, Giga Kick was ultimately withdrawn from the sale to race for Munz’s Pinecliff Racing. The rest, as they say, is history.
Giga Kick | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Another Bhima-raised GSA Bloodstock-bred is Zloties (Snitzel), who was retained to race. The 5-year-old mare had the tenacity to debut as an autumn 2-year-old, but was sidelined by injury for over two years before making a winning return as a 4-year-old last August. This autumn, she progressed through the levels to secure a well deserved stakes victory in the G2 Queen Of The South Stakes at Morphettville.
Injury earlier this month ended plans for a fairytale G1 Tattersall’s Tiara swansong, with trainer Grahame Begg confirming the mare would head to the breeding barn this spring.
Bhima have been Munz’s primary sale vendors in Australia since the partnership started, and Giga Kick isn’t the only yearling they have prepared that has gone to glory in the Pinecliff Racing colours. Dual Group 2 winner Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel) and G3 Angst Quality Handicap winner Emeralds (Sebring) both passed in before going onto Group success.
Success in the ring
On the other side of the coin, Munz and Bhima have achieved success at the upper echelons of the sale; the third million dollar yearling ever sold by Bhima was GSA Bloodstock-bred Rome (Pierro) in 2018, a grandson of Listed-winning stakes producer Volcada (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), who was also bred by Munz.
The following year, Bhima offered dual Group 3 winner Prague, who now stands just a stone’s throw away at Kia Ora Stud, whose stallion complex is built on what used to be Broadwater Farm. A three-quarter-brother to dual Group 1-winning stallion Stratum Star, Prague commanded $1.6 million when he walked through the Magic Millions Gold Coast ring.
Prague | Standing at Kia Ora Stud
“It’s been a wonderfully successful partnership - professionally and personally - and while all good things eventually come to an end, we part on good terms and wish Jonathan, Dean and their team every success in the next chapter of their breeding journey,” Fleming said.
“It’s been a wonderfully successful partnership, and while all good things eventually come to an end, we part on good terms.” - Mike Fleming
Knocked down for $550,000 when offered by Bhima at the Gold Coast in 2022, Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) remains one of the greatest modern graduates to be bred by Munz; born at Haunui Farm, Militarize crossed the Tasman to be secured by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, and Trilogy Racing for their colts partnership. An electric, dual Group 1-winning juvenile, the son of Arrowfield Stud's Dundeel (NZ) became the first New Zealand-bred winner of the G1 Golden Rose Stakes in 2023.
Militarize (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Pinecliff Racing remain in the ownership of the three-time Group 1 winner who returned to racing this season after a brief stint at stud, coming within a length and a quarter of winning the G1 Doncaster Handicap and finishing fourth in the G1 Doomben Cup.
The way forward
In the words of Fleming, with change comes opportunity, and Mike expressed excitement about what the future holds looking towards the 2025 breeding season.
“The departure of GSA Bloodstock opens up space at Bhima for the first time in years,” he said. “We’re now in a position to welcome a small number of new clients, something we haven’t been able to offer openly in recent times due to capacity.”
The 2025 sales season has closed out successfully for Bhima yet again, with two colts breaking the $500,000 barrier. The Bhima brand has been carried to victory this season by the likes of G2 Shannon Stakes winner Amor Victorious (Caravaggio {USA}) and G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint winner Enriched (I Am Invincible).
Amor Victorious | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We’re excited about the future. We’ve got a great team, a great farm, and we look forward to building the next wave of partnerships and raising the next crop of exceptional racehorses from Bhima.”
The GSA name has been one of a number of successful breeders to produce Group 1 winners on the Scone flats of Bhima.
“Imperatriz, Forbidden Love, Manzoice, and many others, all come from a wide range of breeders who’ve trusted us to do the job well,” Fleming said, “and we’re proud of our track record."
“Imperatriz, Forbidden Love, Manzoice, and many others, all come from a wide range of breeders who’ve trusted us to do the job well.” - Mike Fleming
As mentioned by Fleming, other Bhima graduates from recent sales include G1 Victoria Derby winner Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}), three-time Group 1 winner Forbidden Love (All Too Hard), G1 Myer Classic winner I Am A Star (I Am Invincible), G2 Villiers Stakes winner Brutality (Shamus Award), Group 3-winning stallion North Pacific, and G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes winner Caballus (I Am Invincible).
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
That is not to forget, of course, Imperatriz (I Am Invincible). Knocked down to Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis CZNM for $360,000 when offered by Bhima on the Gold Coast in 2020, the 10-time Group 1 winner is emblematic of the care put into the horses that Bhima raises and prepares for sale.
For Imperatriz’s breeders Raffles Dancers, Bhima has also consigned G1 Australasian Oaks winner Glint Of Hope (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Bhima is the only Magic Millions vendor to have consigned a Group 1 winner in four consecutive drafts, all by four different breeders; Forbidden Love in 2019, Imperatriz in 2020, Manzoice in 2021, and Militarize in 2022.
“Raising future champions is what we’re here to do, and that mission has always been the anchor of Bhima.” - Mike Fleming
“Raising future champions is what we’re here to do, and that mission has always been the anchor of Bhima," said Fleming.
