One To Watch - Ballarat

Mark Smith - Sunday May 8

Placed at his first two starts at Newcastle and Warwick Farm and a last start fourth at Canterbury, the $1,800,000 Easter Yearling Sale-topper Naval Seal, ventured to Ballarat on Sunday to break his maiden over 1600m.

That's the way to break the maiden (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Craig Williams for Chris Waller, Naval Seal tracked the leader For Ari before taking control of the race on the home turn.

The favourite Jenniferenti (Fiorente) chased in vain and could get no closer than five and a half lengths at the finish with a further on and three-quarter length back to Americain Heart (Americain) in third.

Advertisement

Carrying the colours of Coolmore’s Derick Smith and racing for a group of prominent breeders, Naval Seal has already been gelded.

The son of Snitzel is the first foal of Fastnet Rock’s Champion Female Sprinter 2015 -15, First Seal.

Craig Williams said the blueblood is in at the right time of year.

“He is bred in the purple and has obviously been a work,” Williams said.

“He has nice ability but is very raw. I could feel that today. I saw it in his replays, but there is no doubt he will derive a good deal of confidence from a win.

“He is still developing and has more in store, especially for a 3yo at this time of year.

“He can handle cut in the ground but has never been on a firm track. I believe they are looking forward to seeing him start on a firm track, and I don’t believe he is just a wet tracker.

“He is an exciting horse for the future.”

Naval Seal a $1.8million Easter Yearling sale-topper

Tom Magnier had the final say at $1,800,000 for Naval Seal when consigned by Sledmere Stud to the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Bred by China Horse Club, Naval Seal is the first foal of First Seal who carried the China Horse Club colours after her purchase by Bart Cummings for $700,000 from the Curraghmore Stud draft at Karaka in 2013.

Trained by John Thompson, the daughter of Fastnet Rock defeated Winx in the Group 1 ATC Flight Stakes and Winx and Earthquake in the Group II Tea Rose Stakes.  

She also had Group II wins in the Surround Stakes and Tristarc Stakes, and the Group III Millie Fox Stakes while banking $1,259,060.

Hawkes Racing bought an I Am Invincible colt out of First Seal for $500,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

He has been named Golden Age and will carry the colours of Allen Bell and is another that has been gelded early.

After foaling a Zoustar colt last spring, First Seal visited Snitzel. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Global Turf Mdn Plate 1600m

Ballarat Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:42.02
1
Naval Seal
- 3g Snitzel (AUS) x First Seal (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 59.5
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $300,000
Seller: The Chase, Sutton Forest
Buyer: First Light Racing / Busuttin Racing
2
5.5
Jenniferenti
- 3f Fiorente (IRE) x Luisa Maree (AUS) (Big Brown (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jye McNeil 57.5
3
7.3
Americain Heart
- 4m Americain (USA) x Pressure Down (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Mitchell Freedman Rdr: Tahlia Hope 57.5
4
7.4
Calmsir
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x Inner Peace (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Shea Eden Rdr: A Lynch 59.5
5
8.8
Lady Whistledown
- 3f Unencumbered (AUS) x Lady Slevoir (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: S V Brown Rdr: M Aitken 57.5
6
10.3
Cesar Bessan
- 3g Nostradamus (AUS) x She's Commanding (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: B M Cole Rdr: Bruno Neto 59.5
7
12.8
Kyteler
- 3g Shamus Award (AUS) x Unforgivable Woman (AUS) (Belong To Me (USA))
Tnr: G A Osborne Rdr: Alana Kelly 59.5
8
15.1
For Ari
- 3g Astern (AUS) x Pure Joy (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: J P Salanitri Rdr: Patrick Moloney 59.5
More Reading...
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.