Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Tommy Stokes updated The Thoroughbred Report on plans for the stable's established stars and promising 3-year-olds. He also offered insight into the next generation, including four newly turned 2-year-olds, who could be ones to watch out for later this season.
Tommy Stokes | Image courtesy of Phillip Stokes Racing
Older horses
Deakin (Fr), 6-year-old gelding (Australia (GB) x Dealbata (Ire) {Dubawi {Ire}})
“Golden Ticket holder into this year's Melbourne Cup. He will head to the Turnbull, then Caulfield Cup, before hopefully peaking for the Melbourne Cup.
“He’s acclimatised now, and with a good spell and pre-training under his belt, we expect significant improvement this prep.”
Deakin | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Stretan Angel, 5-year-old mare (Harry Angel (Ire) x Sretan {Bernardini {USA}})
“Consistent mare that deserves a Group 1 to be added to her CV.
“She will be targeting the Champions Sprint down the Flemington straight, and will try to go a few better than last year, where she went oh so close in.”
Stretan Angel | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Athanatos, 4-year-old gelding (I Am Immortal x Mumbeilly (NZ) {O'Reilly {NZ}})
“He is building a great resume this horse, and we still don’t know what his ceiling is. “He will be aimed at the Toorak Handicap this prep, and you never know, he could end up in a Golden Eagle if he were to keep improving.”
Athanatos | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
3-year-olds
Ferivia, 3-year-old filly (Astern x Streetcar Express {Not A Single Doubt})
“She already has a Group 3 under her belt after winning the Quezette a few weeks ago. She’s going to tackle the Atlantic Jewel this Saturday, with a potential Caulfield/Thousand Guineas target in mind.
“Lovely filly with good size and strength. We are positive she will improve into the autumn and onwards.
Ferivia | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Bold Secret, 3-year-old gelding (Brazen Beau x Private Nancy {Soldier's Tale {USA}})
“Untapped 3-year-old with the Group 3 Blue Sapphire 1200m in his sights. Still so green and raw, but he showed everyone there is plenty of potential there after his debut third at Flemington.
“He’s at our Garfield Farm now pre-training, and looks a treat. He has thickened up throughout his time out.”
Matahga (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tivaci x Mohegan Star (NZ) {Reliable Man {GB}})
“A stakes winning colt at two, already with sights on the Sandown Guineas and Melbourne Classic this prep.
“He’s been ticking along great at this stage, and will look to trial in the next three or four weeks. Potential South Australian Derby prospect in the autumn.
Matahga (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Regal Award, 3-year-old gelding (Ole Kirk x Sovereign Award {Shamus Award})
“Still a maiden after two career starts, but we have a lot of time for him.
“Still very green and raw, the ability is there, but he just needs time to mature, and I’m sure you’ll see him in some nice races in the back end of the spring.
2-year-olds
Our Brave Boy, 2-year-old gelding (Brave Smash (Jpn) x Lucy Rose {I Am Invincible})
Purchased by Phillip Stokes Racing and Rick Connolly Bloodstock for $180,000 from the draft of Lucas Bloodstock at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“Had his first in-house jumpout last week in Adelaide. Looks early, and by a stallion, we have got a lot of time for in Brave Smash.”
Our Brave Boy as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Unnamed, 2-year-old colt (New Bay (GB) x Dusky Queen (Ire) {Shmardal {USA}})
Purchased by DGR Thoroughbred Services (FBAA) for $180,000 from the draft of The Chase at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“Lovely colt doing all the right things at this early stage by a boom stallion in New Bay.”
New Bay (GB) x Dusky Queen (Ire) colt | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Unnamed, 2-year-old colt (Wild Ruler x Sretan {Bernardini {USA}})
Purchased by Stokes Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) for $220,000 from the draft of Willow Park Stud at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
“Half brother to Stretan Angel. He has had a couple of preps at our Pakenham base, and is showing all the right signs.”
Wild Ruler x Sretan colt | Image courtesy of Inglis
Unnamed, 2-year-old filly (North Pacific x Tahnee Tiara {Commands})
Purchased by Stokes Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) for $200,000 from the draft of Milburn Creek at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
“Our Easter filly has been in for a couple of preps now, and continues to please.”
North Pacific x Tahnee Tiara colt | Image courtesy of Inglis
