Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Thursday June 24

There are few more intriguing races for the two-year-olds on Saturday than the opening event, the GH Mumm Maiden Plate (1100m), at Morphettville.  A debutant crossing the border from Victoria is the Ben and JD Hayes-trained Extreme Choice filly Extreme Step.

At the time of writing, the newly formed partnership of the Hayes brothers has yet to put a winner on the board, although they have several chances to get off the mark on Thursday and Friday.

Extreme Step was the poor relation of the four yearlings by Extreme Choice to sell at the 2020 Easter Yearling Sale.

The top three went for $340,000, $260,000 and $255,000. The star has been the Group II BRC Sires Produce Stakes winner Tiger Of Malay, who has turned his $255,000 purchase by China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock into an $826,000 windfall with the promise of more to come.

By contrast, Extreme Step sold for $70,000, with Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock having the final say.

Extreme Step a $70,000 Easter Yearling

Consigned by Newgate Farm, the chestnut filly carried the confidence of Henry Field, who described her as a 'quality, well put together filly with a great shoulder and hip'.

There is also a lot to like on the dam's side. She is the third foal and first in Australia, out of the stakes-placed Giant's Causeway (USA) mare Magical Steps (USA).

The first two foals of Magical Steps (USA) have hardly set the world on fire. Her first foal Red Centre (Australia), is off hurdling and has yet to break his maiden in nine starts. Second foal Magic Mojo (Uncle Mo) remains a maiden after five starts, although he has placed twice at Saratoga.

Advertisement

A sister to the stakes-placed and Grade 1 American Oaks fourth Magic Affair, and a half-sister to stakes-winner Mystic (Unbridled's Song), Magical Steps was purchased by SF Bloodstock for $350,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale when carrying Magic Mojo.

The dam of Magical Steps, Mayville's Magic (Gone West), is a half-sister to Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Gay Gallanta (Woodman) and Group II Gallinule Stakes winner Sportsworld (Alleged).

Gay Gallanta is the dam of Group II Mille Reef Stakes winner and Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up Byron (Invincible Spirit), the sire of cult hero Gordon Lord Byron.

This is a family that has flourished in Australia. Mayville's Magic's dam, the Group 1 Prix Morny runner-up, Gallanta (Nureyev) is a three-quarter sister to Wolfhound and Fotitieng, and a half-sister to Weekend Surprise, Foxhound (USA), Al Mufti, Spectacular Spy (USA) and Lassie's Lady, the dam of Bite The Bullett (USA).

Weekend Surprise is the dam of AP Indy, Summer Squall, Eavesdropper (USA), Honor Grades (USA) and Saithor (USA).     

Magical Steps has a yearling colt by Flying Artie. Sadly it is her final foal. The daughter of Giant's Causeway died in 2019, not long after being covered by Capitalist.

Despite his limited representation, Extreme Choice maintains a $200,000 lead over his Newgate farm barn mate Capitalist in the race for Champion First Season sire and Champion 2yo Sire.

Extreme Choice

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
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.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
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.
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.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.