One to Watch – Canberra

Tara Madgwick - Friday May 21

Gilgai Farm have been making news at the Magic Millions Weanling Sale this week selling an I Am Invincible colt for $1million, but the horse we’ve chosen as a ‘One to Watch’ was bred and sold by them for a lot less money selling for just $6,000 at the 2019 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.

Prepared by Greg Hickman, two year-old Star Witness gelding Humble Star won his debut at Muswellbrook last month and then went two for two at Canberra on Friday when winning as a well backed favourite.

Humble Star had the run of the race tucked behind the leader on the fence and when angled into clear running powered to the line to win the 1200m  open juvenile event by a length and a half with ears pricked.

Humble Star as a yearling.

Humble Star was bred by Gilgai Farm and after being sold as a weanling was re-offered at the Magic Millions Book 2 Sale where he made $14,000 when bought by Michael Appleby from the Grandview, Peak Crossing draft.

Humble Star is the first winner for Group III winning Niello mare Nautical.

He is one of six two year-old winners this season for Star Witness, who moves to Widden Stud Victoria this spring and stands at a fee of $16,500. His progeny this season have won over $6 million and include four Australian stakes-winners.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Itp's Gone Wild Hcp 1206m

Canberra Acton Track: Synthetic Time: 1:10.41
1
Humble Star
- 2g Star Witness (AUS) x Nautical (AUS) (Niello (AUS))
Tnr: G D Hickman Rdr: J Mallyon 59
2
1.5
Khumbu
- 2g Denman (AUS) x Wistful Smile (AUS) (Beautiful Crown (USA))
Tnr: J A Steinmetz Rdr: J Penza 57
3
1.6
Easy Rosie
- 2f Super Easy (NZ) x Mezzaluna (NZ) (Guillotine (NZ))
Tnr: Anthony Warren Rdr: B Mc Dougall 55
4
6.3
Encyclopedia
- 2g Divine Prophet (AUS) x Info Miss (AUS) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: Todd Smart Rdr: Damon Budler 55
5
6.7
Super View
- 2g Super One (AUS) x Marview (AUS) (Marwina (AUS))
Tnr: M D Kelley Rdr: Aaron Sweeney 55
6
15.2
Schwarzenegger
- 2g Flying Artie (AUS) x Fleur De'here (NZ) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: Robert Quinn Rdr: Tyler Schiller 57
More Reading...
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?