Could this Vancouver Colt be a Classic Condender in the Spring?

Mark Smith - Saturday June 20

Making just his second trip to the races, the progressive Vancouver colt Exhibition opened his winning account in Saturday’s Magna Grecia New To Coolmore Hcp (1500m) at Randwick to ring up winner number seven for his Golden Slipper winning sire.

Exhibition in the middle scores a narrow victory - image Steve Hart

Ridden by Andrew Adkins for Richard and Michael Freedman,  Exhibition was one of the first to come off the bridle, however he answered Adkins every call in the straight to worry out the favourite Angel Helena (More Than Ready) by a short-half-head with the filly Silhouette (Teofilo)  long-neck back in third.

“He is going to go on to bigger and better things,” Adkins said.

“He might need a bit of headgear to switch him on a bit. I was positive early but when I brought him back all he wanted to do was relax.

“A mile to 2000 metres should be right up his alley.”

Co-trainer Michael Freedman said the stable will up it sights for Exhibition in the spring.

“He is a very tough colt, still very much a work in progress,” Freedman said.

“He’s done a very good job to go straight from 1200 metres to 1500 metres on a pretty heavy track today.Exhibition failed to make his $100,000 reserve as a yearling

“He is a bit different to his half-brother Japonisme, who was obviously a speed horse, this bloke looks as if he will get plenty further.

Advertisement

“Richard and I will have a chat about it, but we might give him a bit of a break now and aim at some of the better staying races in the spring.

“He was a $75,000 pass-in at Karaka so I’m glad to have had a chat with Coolmore after the sale.

Purchased by James Bester Bloodstock for $80,000 when offered by Coolmore Stud at the 2018 National Weanling Sale, Exhibition failed to make his $100,000 reserve when consigned by Hallmark Stud to Book 1 of the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.

A half-brother to Choisir’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Japonisme, Exhibition is the fifth winner from six to race out of the Encosta De Lago mare Haiku who was purchased by Coolmore Australia / China Horse Club for $580,000 2016 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale.

Haiku is a half-sister to the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks heroine Tapildo (Rhythm) and Group II STC Silver Slipper Stakes winner Plagiarize (Stravinsky).

Five of Vancouver’s six winners in Australia have won in the metropolitan area and the sixth is Group III Breeders’ Plate runner-up Postcode who is one of three stakes performers for the son of Medaglia d’Oro (USA).

Vancouver also had a recent winner in South Africa when mount Pleasant scored at Turffontein for Mike de Kock.

Advertisment

Race Result - Magna Grecia To Coolmore Hcp 1500m

Randwick Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:33.47
1
Exhibition
- 2c Vancouver (AUS) x Haiku (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: A Adkins 55
2
0.1
Angel Helena
- 2f More Than Ready (USA) x Planet Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
3
0.5
Silhouette
- 2f Teofilo (IRE) x Cameo (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
4
7.1
Zakspeed
- 2g Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Keep The Change (AUS) (Dash For Cash (AUS))
Tnr: Ms W Roche Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 54
5
7.5
Genjiro
- 2g Real Impact (JPN) x Graphitic Gaga (AUS) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: Rachel King 54
6
7.7
Desert Flame
- 2f Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Daisy Lane (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: J R Collett 54
More Reading...
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.