C’est Magique delivers Coolmore ripping result at Eagle Farm
C’est Magique (Zoustar) made the best possible start for her new trainer and powerhouse owners as she landed Saturday’s Dane Ripper Stakes (Gr 2, 1300m) at Eagle Farm.
Bred by Neville Begg and raced previously by the Begg family, C’Est Magique was transferred from Grahame Begg to Chris Waller after being purchased by Coolmore Australia principal Tom Magnier for $1.7 million during last month’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale, despite just having a maiden win to her name.
The now four-year-old had hinted that Saturday’s victory was just a matter of ‘when not if’ on plenty of occasions, notably with her 2022 Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) second, 2023 Gilgai Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) third, and runner-up effort in March’s Wenona Girl Quality (Gr 3, 1200m).
Sent off the $5.50 third-elect for Saturday’s Group 2 sprint under James McDonald, the daughter of Widden Stud’s flagship sire Zoustar (Northern Meteor) kicked clear at the 300-metre marker and stayed on well to beat Ausbred Flirt by 1.4 lengths. The Robert Heathcote-trained Abounding (Rich Enuff) ran a further 0.3 lengths behind in third place.
The victory capped off a magical day for McDonald, who had previously ridden Freedom Rally (Rubick), Megastar Heart (Star Turn) and Broadsiding to victory in the Wayne Wilson (Listed, 1600m), Oxlade Stakes (Listed, 1300m), and JJ Atkins (Gr 1, 1600m) respectively earlier on the card.
Following the race, Waller was quick to point out the work of C’est Magique’s previous trainer and revealed the Tattersall’s Tiara (Gr 1, 1400m) back at Eagle Farm in a fortnights’ time is the plan.
“I can’t take too much credit for that, Grahame Begg has prepared her really well throughout her career and Coolmore purchased the horse and entrusted our team to train her,” Waller said.
“The Tatts Tiara is the plan, today was only the entrée, that’s the race she’s been set for.”
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier added: “C’est Magique was presented at the Chairman’s Sale in immaculate condition, which is a great credit to Grahame Begg and his team.
“She’s a beautiful mare and he laid the foundation for her success.
“It’s a great thrill for all the partners to take out the Dane Ripper Stakes on Stradbroke Day, all of whom are involved in our extremely exciting young sire Shinzo who we were lucky enough to purchase in utero from the Chairman’s Sale a few years earlier.’’
C’Est Magique is a half-sister to Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Written By (Written Tycoon), who also stands at Widden Stud, being the second stakes winner among seven winners out of the winning Tobougg (Barathea) mare Yau Chin.
Yau Chin has a yearling filly by Capitalist (Written Tycoon) and is now back in foal to Zoustar after missing to him the previous season.
Zoustar, who was being handed his 55th individual stakes winner courtesy of C’est Magique’s victory, will stand the 2024 season at a fee of $275,000 (inc GST), up from $220,000 in 2023.