Irish Sequel Toughs It Out in Brisbane Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday June 11

It was the battle of the Irish in Saturday’s $400,000 Group II Brisbane Cup (3200m), with Irish Sequel (IRE) edging out the rallying Through Irish Eyes.

Ridden by James McDonald for Chris Waller, Irish Sequel (IRE) defeated Through Irish Eyes (Tavistock) by a head, with the veteran Sweet Thomas (GER) (Dylan Thomas) a length back in third.

Irish Sequel does just enough (image Grant Courtney)

It was the second consecutive stakes win for the imported son of Invincible Spirit after the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.

Stable representative Damien Fitton said the ride won the race.

Advertisement

 “It was a great win last start at Rosehill over 2400, and the query was stepping up to two miles today, but we switched him off at the back of the field and came with one last run,” Fitton said.

“It was a greatly-timed run by James today, and now we know he can run two miles.

“He got a lot of confidence coming up here after his first prep in Melbourne, and he’s continued on with his winning ways. I’m sure the owners are very happy and that was a great win today.

 “We’ll just see how he comes through the run and let Chris make a plan, but now we know he can run the trip, he might be a Sydney Cup horse.”

James McDonald said the 6yo son of Invincible Spirit appreciated being on top of the ground.

“It was a bit of a slogfest the last little bit, but my horse has been racing in some good company down in Sydney, the horse appreciated being back on top of the ground, and he won well,” he said.

Some familiar faces in the winner's circle (image Grant Courtney)

“We were just minding our own business back in the ruck and chimed in when we needed to. He was strong, I was really proud of his efforts because it was a bit of a fight there.”

A €50,000 by Waller from the Aga Khan Stud consignment at the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Irish Sequel advances his record to seven wins, four seconds, and one third from 20 starts with earnings of $557,252.

He is the best of five winners from six to race out of the Group III Leopardstown One Thousand Guineas Trial winner Baliyana (Dalakhani) a three-quarter sister to Balankiya (dam of Group 1 winner Bayrir), and a  half-sister to Group II Royal Ascot King Edward VII Stakes winner Balakeri (Theatrical).

Advertisment

Race Result - XXXX Brisbane Cup Gr2 3200m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 3:22.24
1
Irish Sequel
- 6g Invincible Spirit (IRE) x Baliyana (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
2
0.2
Through Irish Eyes
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Zapurple (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jamie Kah 53
3
1.2
Sweet Thomas
- 10g Dylan Thomas (IRE) x Sworn Pro (GER) (Protektor (GER))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Rachel King 54.5
4
3.2
Lunasnit
- 5m Star Witness (AUS) x Lunar Snitzel (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: B J Lockwood Rdr: S T Collett 53
5
5.7
Marakopa
- 5g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Viennetta (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Robert Quinn Rdr: W Pike 53
6
7.9
Pappalino
- 6g Makfi (GB) x Bartira (GB) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: J R Collett 54
7
8.3
Splendiferous
- 4m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Magical Mist (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
8
12.6
Traduce
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Villifye (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms M Brosnan Rdr: Jaden Lloyd 53
9
13.8
The Fearless One
- 4g The Bold One (NZ) x Lou Sea (NZ) (Postponed (USA))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 53
10
14.6
King Of Leogrance
- 7g Camelot (GB) x Amourette (FR) (Halling (USA))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: John Allen 59
11
44.1
Balmaurice
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Bal Du Siecle (GB) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Rex Lipp & Nick Hahn Rdr: Ben Thompson 53
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Flying Artie 2YO Wins by Four!
Blue Gum Farm have an appealing roster of three sires for this spring and while it’s all in front of Sejardan and Oxley Road, proven favourite Flying Artie remains unbeatable value and the G1 sire produced a four length 2YO winner on Thursday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Heads Vibrant Weanling Sale
The  2025 National Weanling Sale saw its first dual-code weanling session in play at Karaka, with a total aggregate of $2,410,000 outlaid across 84 lots by a strong domestic buying bench plus international support from Australia, Hong Kong and China.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast.