Getafix (GB)
2 c Calyx – Grisaille by Helmet
O: C E Holt, R L McKay, J Crocker, P A Clarke, R Clarke, P A Milner, T Papley, C L Lawson, P Laurence, N D Short, J C Sampson, D McGrath, P McCartin, Nyngan Boxing Shed (Mgr: J P Byrne) & Cheers & Beers (Mgr: M J Robertson)
B: Meramie Ventures
T: John O’Shea
S: 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale V: Coolmore Stud P: John O’Shea / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), $100,000
W: Earthlight First Yearlings Maiden Plate, 1250m, January 31, Randwick-Kensington
Former Coolmore shuttler Calyx (Kingman) sired his first southern hemisphere-bred winner on Wednesday as Getafix scored an impressive win at the first time of asking in a 1250-metre maiden at Randwick-Kensington.
Ridden by Nash Rawiller, the John O’Shea-trained colt was sent off a $5 chance and showed a smart turn of foot in the home straight to comfortably beat Zealously (Harry Angel) by a length at the line, with Cinsault (Brazen Beau) a further two lengths behind in third place.
“This is a perfect example – a $100,000 horse,” O’Shea said. “You don’t need to spend a lot to be effective and that’s the great thing about our game, everyone can be a participant and have a bit of luck.”
“It was very good for a young two-year-old to bullock his way through. He had plenty to offer, it was just a matter of getting the right run, so we’re really proud of him.
“We’ve also felt he will be better suited at 1400 [metres] to a mile, so I’ll probably give him a little break now and then come back at the latter part of the autumn.
“He’s got himself on the board, he’s had a good day out and when the races get a little bit longer, we will probably see him to effect there.”
Getafix was a $100,000 purchase for O’Shea and Suman Hedge Bloodstock when consigned by Coolmore at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, while his breeder Bob McKay also retains a share in his ownership.
He is the second winning foal out of the winner Grisaille (Helmet), herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Seaside (Redoute’s Choice).
Grisaille had a filly by King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) last spring and is now in foal to Home Affairs (I Am Invincible).
Calyx, who has had just three starters in the southern hemisphere, stood the 2020 and 2021 seasons at Coolmore’s Jerrys Plains Farm but did not return in 2023. Globally, the stallion has sired 30 winners and they include three stakes scorers.