Under new ownership since 2021, Middlebrook Valley Lodge is rebuilding their client base. One of those clients snagged a bargain when he bought Gleaming (Deep Field) online last year, and now she’s produced a stunning Hellbent colt this spring.
“She has a very nice Hellbent colt on the ground, and has had a positive scan to Ole Kirk, so all round it's been a great little pick up for the client,” said Bernie Kane at Middlebrook Valley Lodge.
Gallery: Hellbent x Gleaming colt, born at Middlebrook Valley Lodge
Hellbent is having a strong season. His Group 1-winning daughter Magic Time ran second in the G1 Champions Sprint to a resurgent Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) on Saturday. Savvy Hallie won the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes in August, and Fully Lit ran into unbeaten super star Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) when second in the G1 Epsom Handicap.
Hellbent had a double at Randwick on Saturday with Five Diamonds winner Vivy Air, who took her earnings over $2.8 million, and Golden Gift winner Revengeance.
Hellbent | Standing Yarraman Park
Timing is everything
The purchase of Gleaming quickly paid off with a pedigree upgrade coming only a few months later. “We found her online last year and managed to grab her for $6500 on behalf of a good client.”
Gleaming | Image courtesy of Inglis
Gleaming was purchased by Christopher White for $6500 through Inglis Digital in August 2024. At the time, her half-brother Robusto (Churchill {Ire}) had won six races and had run in eight stakes races, running third in the G3 Newcastle Spring Stakes.
A month after Middlebrook Valley Lodge’s client purchased Gleaming, Robusto also went through an Inglis Digital Sale with Ingham Racing selling him for $160,000 to Darby Racing. “Her half-brother Robusto was with Waller when we bought her, but then changed hand to clients of Bjorn Baker, and he’s won $1.5 million and a Group 2 race since then, with the promise of more to come.”
Robusto became a pin-up horse for Inglis Digital when he won the G2 The Ingham in December 2024, only a couple of months after his sale. Since then, he’s taken his record to eight wins and 12 placings with earnings over $2.1 million.
Robusto | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Plenty of upside
One of the big appeals around Gleaming was that she was bred by Ingham Racing. “It's great picking up these mares from quality breeders like the Inghams as you know the family are being bred up and trained by Chris Waller mainly, so there's always upside.
“That's what I'm trying to achieve for clients now, quality over quantity.”
“That's what I'm trying to achieve for clients now, quality over quantity.” - Bernie Kane
Gleaming, a 5-year-old mare, was trained by Chris Waller and achieved three second placings in six starts. Her dam, She’s Clean (Redoute’s Choice) was also trained by Waller and won the G2 Newcastle Tibbie Stakes, two Listed races, and 10 races in her career. She’s Clean is closely related to G1 South Australian Oaks winner Abbey Marie (Redoute’s Choice).
This is also the family of dual Group 1 winner Nettoyer (Sebring) and recent Listed winner Slipper Island (No Nay Never (USA}).
She’s Clean’s 3-year-old filly Artgirl (Flying Artie) ran third on debut for Waller in mid-October, while her 2-year-old filly Movie Star (Maurice {Jpn}) is unraced. She has a Justify (USA) yearling colt and wasn’t served in 2024 for this spring.
“This client has eight mares that he has bred this season now, and they're in foal to Ole Kirk, Alabama Express, Stay Inside, Switzerland etc. It all started with a couple of retired fillies off the track last year, and some weanlings by Shalaa and Showtime.”
With the Australian foal crop falling, it is lovely to hear about an enthusiastic new breeder who is in expansion mode.
