Four for Capitalist
New first season sire winners
Capitalist
Mozzarella (2 f ex Parmalove by Snitzel) provided Newgate Farm’s Capitalist (Written Tycoon) with his fourth individual winner when she took out an 800-metre two-year-old contest at Riccarton Park on Saturday. Trained by Nick Wigley and Kayla Milnes, Mozzarella was having her third start after two previous unplaced runs but effortlessly landed Saturday’s contest. Sent off at $2.60, Mozzarella cruised to a one and a quarter length win over favourite Mackenzie Lad (Vespa), with Emanon (Burgundy) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third. Winner of the 2016 Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m), Capitalist served a full book at $44,000 (inc. GST) at Newgate Farm in 2020.
Sooboog
Kitchwin Hills’ Sooboog (Snitzel) became the fourth of this year’s first season sires to reach three Australian winners on Friday when Birdsville (2 g ex Charego by Charge Forward) scored at start one at Werribee. Heavily backed from $7 into $4 second favourite, the Peter Moody-trained Birdsville was slow to begin but seemed to relish the heavy going to score by a length and a quarter over Turnstar (Star Turn); Who Shot Suzy (Shooting To Win) was a further three and three-quarter lengths away in third. Withdrawn from his intended spot at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale last year, Birdsville is the first foal out of the unraced mare Charego (Charge Forward). Third dam McHappy (Rory’s Jester) is a half-sister to the almighty Scandinavia (Snippets), whose descendents include Magnus (Flying Spur), Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), All Too Hard (Casino Prince) and Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon). Sooboog stood at Kitchwin Hills for $13,200 (inc GST) in 2020.
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Foxwedge
Run Fox Run (6 m ex Victory Cry by General Nediym) held off the late challenge of Rio Querari (Querari) to take out the Cape Flying Championship (Gr 1, 1000m) at Kenilworth on Saturday, providing Foxwedge (Fastnet Rock) with his fourth elite-level winner. The Brett Crawford-trained mare finished runner-up on her previous effort in Group 1 company in the South African Fillies Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) last year but went one better here under Anton Marcus, who drove Run Fox Run to the lead with around 200 metres to run. She denied the stern challenge of Rio Querari by three-quarters of a length, with Celtic Sea (Captain Al) a further three lengths back in third. Run Fox Run is the fourth foal out of Victory Cry (General Nediym), who is also the dam of Listed winner Guard Of Honour (Northern Meteor). Foxwedge, the sire of 20 individual stakes winners, stands at Woodside Park Stud in Victoria for a service fee of $11,000 (inc. GST).
New stakes winners
Brazen Beau
General Beau (2 c ex Phosphorescence by Lonhro) took at the Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) (Listed, 1000m) at Caulfield on Australia Day to earn Brazen Beau (I Am Invincible) his 11th individual stakes winner. The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained juvenile defeated runner-up Extreme Warrior (Extreme Choice) by half a length, with Gulf Of Suez (Fighting Sun) a further length back in third. General Beau provided Darley’s Brazen Beau with his second stakes-winning juvenile in four days after On The Bubbles landed the Karaka Million 2YO (RL, 1200m) on January 23. Brazen Beau stood for $49,500 (inc. GST) at Darley’s Northwood Park in Victoria last year.
Bryannbo’s Gift
The late Bryannbo’s Gift (Zabeel) only produced 76 live foals during his nine seasons at Shipton Lodge, but his three meetings with the Commands (Danehill) mare Horshoe have now resulted in two stakes winners. The first, Steel Frost, was a two-time Listed winner in Adelaide who finished a handy sixth in The Goodwood (Gr 1, 1200m) in 2018. The other, Emerald Kingdom, took out Saturday’s Sunshine Coast Cup (Listed, 1400m), defying top-weight to take the prize. Sent out the $2.90 favourite, the Rob Heathcote-prepared Emerald Kingdom fought on very gamely under Michael Rodd to hold off Splendoronthegrass (So You Think) by a long head with Sofie’s Gold Class (Hard Spun) a further nose away in third. The well-bred Bryannbo’s Gift, a stakes-placed blueblood, died in 2019.
Candy Ride
The step up into Graded company proved no problem to White Frost (3 f ex Miss Frost by Curlin) as she took out the Sweetest Charm Stakes (Gr 3, 1m) on the Gulfstream turf on Saturday and in the process provided Candy Ride (Ride The Rails) with his 95th individual stakes winner. Gainesway Stable’s homebred posted her second win in four starts as she beat Con Lima (Commissioner) and Domain Expertise (KItten’s Joy) by a length and the same. White Frost is the second foal out of the multiple stakes-winning Curlin (Smart Strike) mare Miss Frost, whose first foal is multiple stakes-placed Torres Del Paine (Karakontie ). Miss Frost is also the dam of a two-year-old Union Rags colt, a yearling Empire Maker (Unbridled) colt and was bred to Frosted (Tapit) for 2021. Candy Ride stands at Lane’s End for a fee of US$75,000 (approx. AUD$98,150).
Dubawi
Darley star Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) edged closer to siring a double century of individual stakes winners when a double on Meydan’s card on Thursday evening took his tally to 195.
Ya Hayati (4 g ex Wedding Toast by Street Sense) led home a 1-2 for his sire when running on well to take out the Zabeel Turf (Listed, 2000m) on his first start for 224 days. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona for Charlie Appleby, the gelding beat stablemate Bright Melody (Dubawi) by a length and a quarter with another Appleby trainee, Star Safari (Sea The Stars), a further two and three-quarter lengths behind in third. Ya Hayati is the first foal to race out of Godolphin’s dual Group 1 winner Wedding Toast (Street Sense). Later on the card, Soft Whisper (3 f ex Placidia by Sea The Stars) proved to be a cut above her rivals when running away with the UAE 1,000 Guineas (Listed, 1600m). Ridden by Frankie Dettori for Saeed Bin Suroor, she stretched seven lengths clear of nearest pursuer Mnasek (Empire Maker) with Super Chinati (Super Saver) a further two and a quarter lengths adrift in third. Soft Whisper, who has now won four of her six starts to date, is out of the winning Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) mare Placidia, a half-sister to multiple Group 2 winner Policy Maker (Sadler’s Wells) and fellow Group 2 winner Puskin (Caerleon). They are from the family of three-time Group 1 winner Persian King (Kingman). Dubawi will once again stand at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for a fee of £250,000 (approx. AUD$447,000) this year.
Elusive Fort
Kommetdieding (3 c ex Adorable by Captain Al) maintained his unbeaten record on his first attempt in stakes company when taking out the Politician Stakes (Gr 3, 1800m) at Kenilworth on Saturday, earning Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) his 13th individual stakes winner. Making the step up in class on his fourth start, Kommetdieding took up the lead down the straight and held on bravely to defeat Legitimate (Dynasty) by a length and a half, with Rascallion (Vercingetorix) a further one and a quarter lengths back in third. Kommetdieding was bought for just R55,000 (approx. AUD$4,750) from the 2019 Klawervlei Stud Yearling Sale and has proved a bargain for connections. Having stood for half a dozen years at Klipdrif Stud, Elusive Fort moved to Black Swan Stud last year and stood for a fee of R10,000 (approx. AUD$865).
Exceed And Excel
Darley’s Exceed And Excel (Danehill) made it 181 individual stakes winners on Saturday when Zethus (2 c ex Melpomene by Elusive Quality) prevailed in a photo finish to Rosehill’s Canonbury Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m). The James Cummings-trained colt built on his debut promise by edging out Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) and Sing A Love Song (Your Song). Exceed And Excel, who is not shuttling to Europe this year for the first time since he began his stallion career in Australia in 2004, stood for $132,000 (inc GST) at Darley’s Kelvinside farm in 2020.
First Samurai
Shivaji (6 h ex Indian Bay by Indian Charlie) provided First Samurai (Giant’s Causeway) with his 30th individual stakes winner when he took out the Silk Road Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Chukyo on Sunday. The Kenji Nonaka-trained entire defeated Right On Cue (Shamardal) by one and a quarter lengths, with Lauda Sion (Real Impact) a further head behind in third. First Samurai, the sire of top-level winners Lea, Justin Phillip and Executiveprivilege, stands at Claiborne Farm in the US for a fee of US$15,000 (approx. AUD$19,630).
Great Britain
Whorly Whorly (6 g ex Swingtime by Joshua Dancer) took out the Wolf Power 1600 (Listed, 1600m) at Turffontein on Saturday to earn Great Britain (Green Desert) his fifth individual stakes winner. The six-year-old stepped up to Listed level with a one and three-quarter length victory over Pack Leader (Philanthropist). Golden Pheasant (Antonius Pius) was a further length behind in third. Great Britain, the sire of two Group 3 winners in Al Mariachi and Wrecking Ball, previously stood at Southford Stud but is no longer active.
I’m All The Talk
All Banter (3 f ex Bantry Bay by Tale Of The Cat) provided Darling View Thoroughbreds’ I’m All The Talk (Stratum) with his second individual stakes winner on Tuesday when she took out the W J Adams Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Caulfield. The Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained filly led her rivals turning for home under Craig Williams and she dug in bravely to hold off the ever-closing Causeway Girl (Shamus Award) by a short-head, with Riding The Wave (Malibu Moon) finishing a further length and three-quarters back in third. The Oakleigh Plate (Gr 1, 1100m) back at Caulfield next month is now firmly on the agenda for the daughter of Tale Of The Cat (Storm Cat) mare Bantry Bay, who has six winners from her seven foals to race. I’m All The Talk, who is also the sire of Western Australian Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) winner Watch Me Dance, stands at Darling View for $7,700 (inc. GST).
Jess’s Dream
Jess’s Dream (Curlin), the first foal out of the brilliant Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia D’Oro), registered a first of his own on Saturday when a victory by Chess’s Dream (3 c ex Achalaya by Bellamy Road) in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes (Gr 3, 1m) on the Gulfstream turf provided him with his breakthrough stakes winner. Chess’s Dream made it two wins in five starts when downing the hot favourite Never Surprised (Constitution) who just edged out Original (Quality Road) in the battle for second. He is the second stakes winner out of the Bellamy Road (Concerto) mare Achalaya. Jess’s Dream stands at Ocala Stud for a fee of US$4,000 (approx. AUD$5,265).
Maxios
Skymax (5 g ex Set Dreams by Galileo) landed Tuesday’s Australia Day Cup (Listed, 2400m) at Warwick Farm to earn Maxios (Monsun) his eighth individual stakes winner. Skymax, who was trained by Ralph Beckett in Britain before joining Mark Newnham’s yard in the spring, was taken to the lead mid-race by Robbie Dolan and gamely held off Wolfe (Novellist) by a head, with Kaapfever (Sufficient) a further three lengths back in third. Coolmore’s Maxios will stand at Castlehyde Stud in Ireland for €7,000 (approx. AUD$11,000) in 2021.
Not A Single Doubt
Arrowfield Stud stalwart Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice) brought up his 75th individual stakes winner on Saturday when Mallory (2 f ex Panorama Ridge by Empire Maker) – fittingly carrying the Arrowfield colours – took out the Widden Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Rosehill. Trained by Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou, the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) runner-up beat Total Babe (I Am Invincible) by a length. Vianello (Teofilo) was another half a length away in third. Not A Single Doubt was pensioned after the 2019 season.
Power
Force Of Will (3 f ex Sade by Savabeel) continued her winning sequence when landing the Desert Gold Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) at Trentham on Saturday, providing her sire Power (Oasis Dream) with his 15th individual stakes winner. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly arrived at Trentham off the back of consecutive wins at Tauranga, including a three and a half-length success against the older horses over 1400 metres at her previous start. Stepped up to the mile against her own age and sex this time, Force Of Will drove clear in the final 200 metres under Craig Grylls to score by one and a quarter lengths from a brave Victorem (Shooting To Win), who fought hard after leading into the home straight, with Passione (Proisir) a further half-length back in third. A dual Group 1 winner in Europe for Aidan O’Brien, Power stood at Oaklands Stud in Queensland for a fee of $11,000 (inc GST) in 2020.
Power Broker
American Power (6 h ex Catch The Spirit by Fusaichi Pegasus) kept his winning run going with a victory in the Toboggan Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Aqueduct on Saturday, which provided his sire Power Broker (Pulpit) with a third stakes winner. The six-year-old was winning for the tenth time in 29 starts as he marked his return to stakes company for the first time in more than a year by beating Pete’s Play Call (Munnings) by half a length. Favourite Share The Ride (Candy Ride) was another two and three-quarter lengths away in third. Bred in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West Stables, American Power is the first stakes winner out of the Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr Prospector) mare Catch the Spirit. Grade 1 winner Power Broker was sold to Saudi Arabia in 2018.
Protonico
Grade 2 winner Protonico (Giant’s Causeway) sired his first stakes winner when his son Medina Spirit (3 c ex Mongolian Changa by Brilliant Speed) came out on top in a tight finish to the Robert B Lewis Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Santa Anita on Saturday. Now the winner of two races from three starts, Medina Spirit edged out Roman Centurion (Empire Maker) and Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) by a neck and a nose. Bred in Florida by Gail Rice, Medina Spirit was a US$35,000 purchase by bloodstock agent Gary Young for owner Zedan Racing Stables from Ocala last year. Medina Spirit became not only the first black type winner for Clark Handicap (Gr 1, 9f) runner-up Protonico but also for his dam Mongolian Changa (Brilliant Speed). Protonico stands at Castleton Lyons for a fee of US$5,000 (approx. AUD$6,540).
Street Sense
Shadwell homebred Zaajel (3 f ex Asiya by Daaher) became the 76th individual stakes winner for Street Sense (Street Cry) when she stretched her unbeaten record to two with victory in the Forward Gal Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Gulfstream on Saturday. A runaway winner on her debut at the same venue in December, Zaajel stayed on strongly to beat Lady Traveler (Quality Road) by a length and a quarter with Wholebodemeister (Bodemeister) another half a length away in third. Bred in Kentucky out of the winning mare Asiya (Daaher), Zaajel is a half sister to Grade 2 runner up Ajaaweed (Curlin). Her dam has produced four winners from four starters, with Zaajel being her first Graded winner. Street Sense stands at Darley’s US base for a fee of US$60,000 (approx. AUD$78,500).
Tapit
Greatest Honour (3 c ex Tiffany’s Honour by Street Cry) emerged as a genuine contender for the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) when he slammed his rivals in Holy Bull Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Gulfstream on Saturday, a victory which provided his sire Tapit (Pulpit) with his 141st individual stakes winner. Stepping up in grade after a maiden victory over the same track and trip last start, Greatest Honour finished five and three-quarter lengths in front of his nearest pursuer Tarantino (Pioneerof The Nile). Favourite Prime Factor (Quality Road) was a further three and three-quarter lengths adrift in a well stretched out field. Greatest Honour’s dam Tiffany’s Honour (Street Cry) is a half sister to the Belmont Stakes (Gr 1, 10f) winners Rags to Riches (A P Indy) and Jazil (Seeking The Gold). Tapit stands at Gainesway for a fee of US$185,000 (approx. AUD$242,100).
Teofilo
Glorious Dragon (6 g ex Tipperary Honor by Highest Honor) brought up Teofilo’s (Galileo) 95th individual stakes winner on Sunday when he took out the Centenary Vase (Gr 3, 1800m) at Sha Tin. The Francis Lui-trained gelding avenged his defeat in the race last year by reversing the placings with Exultant (Teofilo), who finished a length and three quarters behind in second. Favourite Furore (Pierro) was a further neck behind in third. Darley’s Teofilo, the sire of last year’s Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Twilight Payment, will stand at Kildangan Stud in Ireland for a fee of €30,000 (approx. AUD$47,650) in 2021.
Union Rags
The highly-tried Express Train (4 c ex I’m A Flake by Mineshaft) provided his sire Union Rags (Dixie Union) with his 19th individual stakes winner when proving too smart for his rivals in the San Pasqual Stakes (Gr 2, 9f) at Santa Anita on Saturday. Already a runner-up in Grade 1 company, Express Train was winning for the third time in eight starts when beating Tizamagician (Tiznow) by three and a quarter lengths. Favourite Idol (Curlin) was another neck behind in third. Bred in Kentucky by Dixiana Farms out of the Mineshaft (A P Indy) mare I’m A Flake, Express Train was a US$500,000 purchase by Mayberry Farm from the Lane’s End consignment at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and is the first Graded winner for his dam. His second dam, November Snow (Storm Cat), won the Test Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) and Alabama Stakes (Gr 1, 10f) in 1992. I’m A Flake foaled an Accelerate (Looking At Lucy) colt in 2020. She was bred back to Union Rags for 2021. Union Rags stands at Lane’s End for a fee of US$30,000 (approx. AUD$39,250).
Vercingetorix
Ambiorix (2 c ex Darling Moon by Indigo Magic) made an eye-catching debut at Kenilworth on Saturday for Vaughan Marshall, taking out the Summer Juvenile Stakes (Listed, 1000m) with ease to earn Vercingetorix (Silvano) his ninth individual stakes winner. Ridden by Luke Ferraris, Ambiorix was always towards the head of affairs and scooted clear of his rivals inside the final stages to defeat Barzalona (Pomodoro) by two and a half lengths, with High Hosanna (Trippi) a further length behind in third. Ambiorix is the first foal to race out of Darling Moon (Indigo Magic), who was a Listed winner on the track. Vercingetorix, the sire of July’s Allan Robertson Championship (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Vernichey, stands at Maine Chance Farms for a fee of R55,000 (approx. AUD$4,750).
Worthy Cause
Hinged (2 f ex Tints by Tycoon Ruler) provided first season sire Worthy Cause (Choisir) with his second individual winner when she impressively took out a 1200-metre maiden on debut at Toowoomba on Saturday. Trained by Michael Nolan, the two-year-old was sent off at $17 but emphatically defeated her seven rivals, putting three and a half lengths between herself and runner-up Stirling Diva (Wandjina). Commit To Success (Spill The Beans) was a further three-quarters back in third. Winner of the 2015 running of the Gunsynd Classic (Gr 3, 1800m), Worthy Cause has got his career as a stallion off to a flying start with two winners from his first three runners. He stood at Clear Mountain Fairview for a fee of $5,500 (inc. GST) in 2020.
Zed
Waisake (6 g ex Kincia by Kinjite) took out the Wellington Cup (Gr 3, 3200m) at Trentham on Saturday to notch his first win in stakes company on his 23rd start. Ridden by Samantha Collett, the six-year-old gelding was sent off at $3.20 and justified favouritism to defeat rank outsider Bluey’s Chance (Remind) by a half-length to provide Zed (Zabeel) with his 14th individual stakes winner. Justamaiz (Guillotine) finished a further one and a half lengths back in third. Zed, the sire of six-time Group 1 victor Verry Elleegant, stands at Grangewilliam Stud.