Here Comes Headwater

Mark Smith - Sunday July 5

It is getting to sound like a broken record of late, the fourth winner in a week for the sire on fire Headwater, but this one came with a twist.

Following a luckless debut at Scone on June 9, the Kris Lees-trained filly Sequana made the trip to Mudgee on Sunday in an open age maiden over 1200 metres.

Advertisement

We have been getting used to the Headwaters showing plenty of toe, however Sequana trailed the 11-horse field early and still had plenty to do when turning for home.

By t

he 200 metres she had them covered and raced away under Andrew Gibbons to defeat Council (Krupt) by two and half lengths with a short-neck back to Microna (Choistar) in third.

Sequana was a $20,000 Magic Millions weanling purchase who made $65,000 to the bid of Australian Bloodstock at the 2019 National Yearling Sale.

Headwater (Mark Smith)

She is the third foal of the very smart Magic Albert mare Leviosa who was a stakes-placed 4-time winner.

Leviosa’s dam Seena Baleena (Zoffany) is a sister to the Group II MVRC Diamond Jubilee Stakes winner Burning Embers and the Group II STC Todman Slipper and Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Clan Sullivan who was runner-up in a Golden Slipper.

Sequana becomes the tenth first crop winner for Vinery Stud’s Headwater (Exceed And Excel), which matches Pride Of Dubai and is two behind Spill The Beans.

It proved a timely win for Coolmore Stud who will offer a Vancouver filly out of Seena Baleena at the upcoming Inglis Australian Easter Weanling Sale.

  

Advertisment

Race Result - Alfabs Mdn Plate 1200m

Mudgee Track: Good(4) Time: 1:11.78
1
Sequana
- 2f Headwater (AUS) x Leviosa (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: A Gibbons 54.5
2
2.5
Council
- 3g Krupt (AUS) x Sister Swank (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: M D Griffith Rdr: Mitchell Bell 59
3
2.7
Microna
- 3g Choistar (AUS) x Canley Cares (AUS) (E Dubai (USA))
Tnr: J A Steinmetz Rdr: Ms R Murray 59
4
3.3
Giselle Anne
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Tango (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: L W Curtis Rdr: J Ford 57
5
7.7
Listen To The Band
- 5g Tickets (AUS) x Fuji Girl (AUS) (Fuji Kiseki (JPN))
Tnr: Ms G Williams Rdr: G Buckley 59
6
8.1
Confinement
- 3f Star Witness (AUS) x Encapsulate (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Cameron Crockett Rdr: A Layt 57
7
8.5
Lord Of Helicon
- 3g Excelebration (IRE) x Star Of Helicon (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: Kylie Kennedy Rdr: K Dunbar 59
8
9.4
Galaxy Rock
- 3f Stratum (AUS) x Cosmic Debris (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: Cameron Crockett Rdr: A Cavallo 57
9
11.1
Oybusta
- 3g Verrazano (USA) x Black Friday (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: D R Mirfin Rdr: C Lever 59
10
12.9
Rewarded Princess
- 4m Reward For Effort (AUS) x Shanghai Princess (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Ms D Prest Rdr: Ms K Bell-Pitomac 55.5
11
16.3
The Drover
- 3g Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Purrpurrperam (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: Roy L McCabe Rdr: Ms A Stanley 57
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud Celebrate Ceolwulf Victory
Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.
Delacroix Brings Dubawi Outcross to Coolmore Roster
Blueblood 3YO Dubawi colt Delacroix has been retired and the dual Group I winner will stand at Coolmore in Ireland in 2026.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
2025 G1 Cox Plate Field and Barrier Draw
A field of nine has been finalised for the 2025 Cox Plate with favourite Via Sistina drawing gate seven for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while one three-year-old has accepted to run in Nepotism.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 20
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.