Giant Weanling Becomes G1 Winner

Media Release - Saturday August 29

Laurence and Linda Monds celebrated their first G1 winner as proprietors of Tyreel Stud when ‘the big horse’ Behemoth powered away to win the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Behemoth (All Too Hard x Penny Banger) – named after his imposing physical appearance – was given the run of the race by leading jockey Craig Williams, securing his maiden G1 in a most comfortable fashion.

Behemoth wins the G1 Memsie Stakes - image Racing Photos

Today was Behemoth’s third attempt at a G1, having previously run second in last year’s Goodwood Handicap.

He became the 49th G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018, 81% more than the next best auction house.

Linda Monds foaled Behemoth down and recalled that while he was a big foal, he was also unique.

“I love him, he was full of character, he really had such a big personality,’’ Monds said.

“He was such a giant weanling, that’s why we put him through the Great Southern Sale early on and while he kept growing after that, boy can he run.

“He was absolutely one of the biggest weanlings we’d had but that said, we’d had big before so it just proves again that Group 1 winners can come in all shapes and sizes.’’

Paul Guy’s Heritage Bloodstock purchased Behemoth for $120,000 from the Tyreel draft at the 2016 Great Southern Sale.

Behemoth as a weanling

Today’s win was his sixth from 16 starts and took his prizemoney to in excess of $1.3m.

It was a monumental occasion for the Monds’, who not only bred Behemoth but also Academy (winner of R3 at Rosehill today) and provided one-third of the field in the G3 San Domenico Stakes.

Advertisement

“I really can’t believe it, it’s huge, what a day,’’ Monds said.

“With Behemoth and Academy and then you look and we sold Osamu and Every Rose which both ran in the 3YO feature race, as well as Spiritual Pursuit later in the day and for a farm that only foals 25-30 foals a year, I’m pretty proud of that.

“We’ve got some pretty special yearlings coming into the sales next year too and if people can just watch what our graduates are doing on the track, I would like to think they would buy with confidence from our brand.

“It doesn’t matter what they look like, they’ll show everyone they can run. I think I’ve invested very well in our broodmares and it’s paying dividends on many fronts for us and our clients.’’

Earlier in the program, outstanding mare Diamond Effort (Mossman) returned from a spell a winner and in doing so made it five consecutive victories with success in the G3 The Heath.

Domenic Romanelli purchased Diamond Effort for $140,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where Cornerstone Stud offered her.

Today’s win was her eighth from 14 starts and took her career prizemoney to almost $500,000.

Winning trainer Clinton McDonald said: “She’s just a ripping mare. We were really confident coming into today and she got the job done. I must thank Domenic Romanelli and all the crew. She’s a good mare, she’s going places. We feel she’s improved this time in and it was a great effort today.’’

Inglis Release

Advertisment
More Reading...
Brendan Lindsay honoured - Knights of the Cambridge Stud roundtable
The Cambridge Stud legacy continues to grow, with current co-principal Brendan Lindsay appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours for his services to business and philanthropy.
Almanzor Colt Wins G2 Italian Derby
Wootton Bassett sired the winner of the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Sunday in Camille Pissarro and then overnight his champion Cambridge Stud based son Almanzor (Fr) produced the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano (2200m).
In-Demand Stallions Feature in NZB Weanling Sale Catalogue
The catalogue for the 2025 NZB National Weanling Sale features the progeny of a broad range of sires, from proven topliners to exciting up-and-comers as well as the brand-new kid on the block, Profondo.
One to Watch – Echuca
Twin Hills Stud’s Peltzer had an impressive winner at Echuca on Tuesday for his breeder Olly Tait.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.
Williams honoured with Damehood
Two thoroughbred industry stalwarts have been bestowed one of New Zealand’s highest honours in the King’s Birthday honour list, including Catriona Williams, who has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 2
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
French Derby Winner for Wootton Bassett
The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.