Another Royal Ascot Contender for Caravaggio

Tara Madgwick - Monday April 26

Australian yearling buyers have been impressed this year with the first and only Australian crop by dual Group I winning sprinter Caravaggio (USA), who unleashed his third winner overnight with an impressive debut victory at Naas for Contarelli Chapel.

A homebred for Coolmore partners trained by Aidan O’Brien, Contarelli Chapel travelled on the pace and sped clear of her rivals to win the six furlong maiden by five and a half lengths.
 



“She was never let off the bridle at home and we knew that she would be very green when he did drop her, but she was very impressive,” O’Brien said.

“I would imagine she is an Albany (G3 at Royal Ascot) type filly. She might have a run before it.”

Contarelli Chapel is bred to be a star being a half-sister to Group I winner Fancy Blue and stakes-winners Casterton and Smugglers Cove.

She is the seventh winner from top producer Chenchikova, a full sister to champion racehorse and sire High Chaparral.

Caravaggio has three winners on the board in the Northern Hemisphere.

Now standing at Ashford Stud for Coolmore in North America, Caravaggio had 47 yearling sell at all sales here this year at an average $88,159 including 13 that sold at Magic Millions at an average $105,769.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Applications open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship
Young professionals in the thoroughbred breeding industry have a unique opportunity to enhance their careers, with applications now open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship.
The Instructor Delivers a Lesson in Listed Hareeba
Winner of the Listed MRC Blue Diamond Preview at two, four year-old Russian Revolution gelding The Instructor has had some lengthy spells in his career to date, but has been at his best since returning to racing this year and gave everything he had to cling on and win the $200,000 Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m).
Kiwi bred Jimmysstar Wins Crackerjack G1 All Aged
Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar has stamped himself as one of the most exciting sprinters in Australia with a brilliant victory in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Doctor Askar Wins G3 Easter Handicap
Saturday’s Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie capped a rapid and popular rise to stardom for Waverley visitor Doctor Askar.
Too Darn Hot SW for Legend Racing
The colours of Bon Ho and his Legend Racing were in the winner’s circle in the UK overnight with three year-old Too Darn Hot (GB) gelding Glittering Legend taking out the Listed Burradon Stakes (1m) at Newcastle.
Gilgai Farm Bred and Sold Nepotism Another Inglis G1 Star
Outstanding colt Nepotism (Brutal) scored one of the most remarkable G1 wins by a 2YO on an Australian racetrack in recent memory, coming from last to secure a last-stride victory in today’s Champagne Stakes at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Thursday April 17
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Bred Bankers Choice wins Mornington Cup
Versatile Kiwi-bred galloper Bankers Choice has provided himself with a shot at one of the biggest prizes on the Victorian spring racing calendar with victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).
Consecutive Hall Mark Stakes Wins For Mazu
Taking his earnings past $9m for Triple Crown Syndications, the Joe Pride trained Mazu (Maurice) hasn’t won since this meeting last year but put the writing on the wall at his last two starts before going back-to-back in the Group 3 ATC Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
One to Watch – UK 2YO
Super interesting winner at Newmarket on Thursday was a Godolphin homebred two year-old colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) that won on debut and is on track for Royal Ascot.