Studmasters with an eye to the future will no doubt have been taking stock of the performance of quality colts during the spring carnivals that offer stallion potential for the future so we thought we’d go through and take a look at some of the best prospects to win stakes races since August 1.
2YO’s
There have been seven Group and Listed two year-old stakes races contested so far this season and just two of them have been won by colts.
Sejardan
The Gary Portelli trained Sebring colt Sejardan was a $160,000 Inglis Classic purchase and has been a clear standout with wins in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate and $1million ATC Golden Gift at his only starts.
He has a big ownership group that does not involve any major studs so is a colt that will be on everyone’s radar if his dominance extends to the autumn.
Brereton
$1million Magic Millions purchased Zoustar colt Brereton was bought by the Victorian Stallion Alliance as a future sire prospect and has achieved an immediate result with a win in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate, a second in the Listed MRC Debutant Stakes and a fourth in the Listed MRC Merson Cooper Stakes.
How strong that form is remains to be seen, but he’s now a precocious stakes-winning son of a champion sire and that seems enough these days to guarantee you a shot at a stud career.
3YO’s
Anamoe
Godolphin homebred that won the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes last season and has remained at the head of his peer group winning the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas and finishing a brave second in the Cox Plate.
Anamoe may well be the best horse Godolphin have ever bred in Australia.
Home Affairs
$875,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Tom Magnier, I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs won the Group II ATC Silver Slipper last season and has gone ahead in leaps and bounds to win the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes with authority.
Has pedigree, type and performance befitting of a stallion that will one day stand at Coolmore.
In the Congo
$350,000 Inglis Easter for the Newgate China Horse Club stallion partnership and stamped his ticket to a stud career beating Anamoe to win the Group I ATC Golden Rose before an out of character last in the Coolmore Stud Stakes
Has already done enough to earn a slot on the Newgate Farm roster and could easily enhance his record in the autumn.
Profondo
$1.9million Magic Millions sale-topper bought by Galletta Constructions from the Arrowfield draft and would be tough not to see him ultimately retiring to Arrowfield Stud in the future.
By Deep Impact from a speedy daughter of Redoute’s Choice, Profondo has been handled brilliantly by Richard Litt with his victory in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes giving the impression of being the tip of what might be a large iceberg.
Hitotsu
$100,000 Magic Millions purchase Hitotsu is the first Australian G1 winner for Japanese sire Maurice (Jpn), who is doing some pretty good things which puts this Victoria Derby winner well and truly on the radar.
Hitotsu might have won the Derby at 2500m, but the form he showed in shorter races would indicate this Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained colt could easily be effective in Guineas races in the autumn and his ownership group does not involve a major stud so his progress will be keenly observed.
Hilal
A blue-blooded Fastnet Rock colt from the family of Redoute’s Choice, Emirates Park homebred Hilal was Group I placed twice last season finishing second in the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes, but was slow to get going at the start of spring.
His first three runs were lacklustre, but then he redeemed himself for Team Hawkes winning the Group II ATC Stan Fox Stakes and $1million ATC Bondi Stakes.
If Hilal chooses to race to his best in the autumn, he can win a Group I and may entice Emirates Park back into the business of standing their own stallions.
Bruckner
A $725,000 Inglis Premier purchase for Aquis with Widden Stud also in his ownership, Bruckner won the Group III MRC McNeil Stakes beating Blue Diamond winner Artorius and finished second in the Coolmore Stud Stakes to Home Affairs.
Expensive son of champion sire Snitzel that is showing good potential and if he makes the sort of improvement he made from two to three into the autumn then Bruckner could easily enhance his record.
Three Group I winning colts from last season in Artorius (Flying Artie), Captivant (Capitalist) and Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) failed to win during the spring carnivals, but the first two did race successfully.
Captivant and Artorius filled the minor placings in a vintage Caulfield Guineas won by Anamoe, while Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside failed to flatter in two starts, but in reality has done his job in any case as Champion 2YO.
All three are destined for Newgate Farm, who stand their respective sires Capitalist, Extreme Choice and Flying Artie.
Given the fertility issues of Extreme Choice and his remarkable stats to date, 19.4% stakes-winners to runners, his stakes-winning sons all come under notice as sire prospects and in addition to Stay Inside, he has had three stakes-winning sons this spring in Tiger of Malay, Extreme Warrior and Extreme Flight.
Older Stallions
Wild Ruler
A $525,000 Inglis Easter purchase, Snitzel four year-old Wild Ruler is another in the Newgate China Horse Club camp and cemented his credentials as a quality sprinter when winning the Group I MVRC Moir Stakes.
Mo’Unga
A $325,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for Aquis, Savabeel four year-old Mo’Unga won the Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas at three and then the Group I ATC Winx Stakes this spring before acquitting himself admirably in the big G1 races Makybe Diva, Epsom, Cox Plate and Mackinnon.
Jonker
A $45,000 Magic Millions Book 2 purchase, Spirit of Boom six year-old Jonker is very much like his sire in that he has gotten better and better with age.
He won the Group I MVRC Manikato Stakes at WFA taking his earnings in excess of $2million.
A fast precocious two year-old that won his first two starts and then contested the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, where he suffered severe interference and was virtually knocked out of the race, Jonker is the best to date for his sire Spirit of Boom.
