One to Watch – Balaklava

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday September 16

A Group I winner bought for $825,000 by China Horse Club at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2016 got her stud career off to the perfect start when producing an impressive debut winner on Wednesday as her first foal.

Three year- old filly Vancity Gem was well fancied in the 1050m maiden at Balaklava and the Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained daughter of Vancouver saluted in style.

She raced on the pace for Barend Vorster and forged clear to win by two lengths.



Bred by China Horse Club, Vancity Gem is the first foal from Group I SAJC Robert Sangster Classic winner Precious Gem, an Econsul mare from a Big Black type family that includes Group I winners Alynda, Turffontein, Penny Gem and Hit the Roof.

Vancity Gem as a yearling

Vancity Gem was a $130,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Sledmere Stud draft and Precious Gem’s next foal, a Pride of Dubai colt, made $125,000 at Inglis Premier this yer.

Precious Gem had a year off in 2018 and is due to foal to Russian Revolution this spring.

Vancity Gem is another smart prospect for her sire Vancouver and is his fifth Australian winner this season.

A Golden Slipper winner by Medaglia D’Oro (USA), Vancouver stands at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $30,250.




 

Advertisment

Race Result - Adel. Galvanising Indust. Mdn 1050m

Balaklava Track: Good(4) Time: 1:01.43
1
Vancity Gem
- 3f Vancouver (AUS) x Precious Gem (AUS) (Econsul (NZ))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: B Vorster 54
2
2.0
Terelli
- 4m Terango (AUS) x English Raja (AUS) (Devaraja (NZ))
Tnr: B J Jones Rdr: Jessica Eaton 56
3
4.0
The Big Goodbye
- 3g Host (CHI) x Penny Opera (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: R & C Jolly Rdr: Jacob Opperman 54
4
5.2
Verses
- 3g Poet's Voice (GB) x Suite Academy (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Candy Michaelis Rdr: K H Zechner 56
5
6.1
Aston Rapova
- 3g Nicconi (AUS) x Our Sharapova (AUS) (Fasliyev (USA))
Tnr: W F Francis & G Kent Rdr: P Gatt 56
6
6.8
Time Flies By
- 4m Good Journey (USA) x Stella Jeune (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: P A Jones Rdr: J Holder 56
7
11.7
Garden Party
- 4m Adelaide (IRE) x Lalonde (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Chris Bieg Rdr: D Caboche 56
8
19.1
Koruto
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Avon Park (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Jake Toeroek 56
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup
Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.