Ellsberg Has a Half-Sister Catalogued for the Magic Millions

Mark Smith - Saturday November 27

The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained Ellsberg bounced back from his seventh in the Golden Eagle with a dominant performance in Saturday’s Group III Festival Stakes at Rosehill.

No sweat for Ellsberg (image Steve Hart)

Given a positive ride by Rachel King, the 4yo son of Spill The Beans dispatched the leader Prime Candidate at the 300m before holding the fast-finishing Stockman (Tavistock) by one and a quarter lengths with Bandersnatch (Casino Prince) a further two lengths back in third.

The winner of the Listed South Pacific Stakes at Randwick in April, Ellsberg advances his record to five wins, four seconds, and two thirds from 13 starts, with earnings of  $613,850.

“I was happy when he was in the position he was when they settled down," Alexiou said.

“That inside barrier may have cruelled him in the Siver Eagle the other day because he does not like to be cluttered up.

“He is still learning. He wanted to hang out on the bend today. He will hopefully iron that out in time.

“He is a very progressive horse.

“The Villiers is definitely on the table. We will sit down and work out whether we still go there or not. Autumn comes around pretty quick. There is a bit of water to go under the bridge yet. We will just see what happens.”

“If he could get in to a race like the Doncaster, races on the speed and down in the weights, a lot of big Randwick miles have been won like that.   

Advertisement

“If not, those Doncaster Preludes and Scone Cups, even on to a Stradbroke with a light weight – I’m not sure, but he is on the way up.”

Ellsberg (image Steve Hart)

Few would have been more excited by the win of Ellsberg than Lime Country Thoroughbreds, who offer a half-sister by Divine Prophet at the Magic Millions. (Lot 220)

Bred by Hillside Downs, Ellsberg is a two-time veteran of the sales ring. He was a $50,000 pinhook by Segenhoe Stud out of the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2018 National Weanling Sale.

He then became the most expensive yearling by his short-lived sire Spill The Beans when bought by Gerald Ryan Racing for $280,000 out of the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Ellsberg is the only winner from three to race out of winning General Nediym mare Lady Liberty, sold by Aquis Farm last year for $8,500 Inglis 2020 June (Early) Online Sale.

Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/Gerald Ryan Racing went to $160,000 to secure a full-sister to Ellsberg out of the KBL Thoroughbreds draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Love Of Liberty was covered by Shamus Award in December last year.

Advertisment

Race Result - Petaluma Festival Stakes Gr3 1500m

Rosehill Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:32.04
1
Ellsberg
- 4h Spill The Beans (AUS) x Love Of Liberty (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Rachel King 53
Spill The Beans
2
1.3
Stockman
- 5g Tavistock (NZ) x Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J Ford 54.5
3
3.3
Bandersnatch
- 5g Casino Prince (AUS) x Divine Faith (AUS) (Falbrav (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: J Parr 58.5
Casino Prince
4
3.7
Brutality
- 5g Shamus Award (AUS) x Star Salute (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 53
5
4.0
Mubariz
- 6g Dansili (GB) x Could It Be (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: A B Collett 53
6
4.5
Prime Candidate
- 7g Denman (AUS) x Coolroom Candidate (AUS) (Mister C. (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
7
5.7
Gem Song
- 6g Your Song (AUS) x Beautiful Gem (AUS) (Peintre Celebre (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: N Rawiller 59
8
5.8
Order Again
- 8g Iffraaj (GB) x Glass Half Full (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
9
6.1
Al Mah Haha
- 7g Al Maher (AUS) x Street Lass (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Tash Burleigh Rdr: J Mallyon 53
10
12.3
Pandano
- 5g Dundeel (NZ) x Milanesa (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: P M Perry Rdr: Brock Ryan 53
11
13.1
Art Cadeau
- 5g Artie Schiller (USA) x Jewelled Gate (AUS) (Hurricane Sky (AUS))
Tnr: T J Robinson Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
More Reading...
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
Top Priced Spill The Beans Colt Opens Stakes Account
Making his first start since finishing third at Randwick on Boxing Day, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Ellsberg made every post a winner in Saturday’s Listed Bisley Workwear South Pacific Stakes (1400m) to become the second stakes-winner for his deceased sire Spill The Beans.
Ellsberg Wins Inaugural Five Diamonds
A huge payday for the honest Spill The Beans gelding Ellsberg following a course record-breaking win in the $2,000,000 Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
Ellsberg a Class Above in Liverpool City Cup
Tim Clark was happy to stick to the fence on hot favourite Ellsberg, who railed like a greyhound when capturing Saturday’s Group III Cellarbrations Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick with a minimum of fuss.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.