One to Watch - Ireland

Tara Madgwick - Thursday July 7

A field of blue-blood two year-old fillies lined up in the seven furlong maiden at Leopardstown overnight with victory going to a first starter by promising young sire Saxon Warrior (Jpn), who returns to Australia this spring.

Thornbrook wins a hot maiden at Leopardstown - image Coolmore

Trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Declan McDonogh, Thornbrook settled back early and hit the line full of running to win by a length and a quarter with race favourite Dame Kiri, a daughter of justify, finishing third.

Advertisement

“Declan got shuffled back so had to sit where he was, and she travelled lovely,” said Brendan Powell, assistant to Joseph O'Brien.

“He said he probably didn't want to commit her as soon as he did, but he had to when the gap came. Declan felt she had a look in front, loved the ground and that there's improvement in her. I think she's quite smart and will definitely go for a stakes race next time.”

Bred by Peter Henley, John Connolly and Pattern Bloodstock, Thornbrook holds an entry for the upcoming Group I Moyglare Stud Stakes.

She was retained to race and is a half-sister to stakes-winners Magnanimous and Seisai as well as Group III placed Mirco Manage being the sixth winner from six to race out of terrific producer Lillebon.

By renowned broodmare sire Danehill Dancer, Lillebon is a half-sister to Group I winner Mont Ormel and to the dam of Group I winner Pyledriver, so she has plenty of pedigree to back her up.

Saxon Warrior (Jpn), click for more info.

Thornbrook is the fourth Northern Hemisphere winner for Saxon Warrior, whose first Australian yearlings sold for up to $400,000 this year.

The dual Group I winning son of Deep Impact returns to Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $19,250.

Visit the profile page for SAxon Warrior

SAxon Warrior in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Breeding To Win - 2025 $10m Golden Eagle
Racing fans and punters love a good debate, but if there's one thing they tend to unite on, it's the view that the retirement of talented young horses from the racetrack to the stud happens far too early for their liking!
Tabitha Ridley-Thomas Joins Magic Millions Bloodstock Team
Australia's leading thoroughbred auctioneer Magic Millions has boosted it's impressive Bloodstock Team with news Tabitha Ridley-Thomas has this week joined the company.
Walker Upbeat Heading into Flemington
Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel, with lightly-tried McWoody also making the field.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Four heats for juveniles run at Warwick Farm on Friday and we saw winners by Trapeze Artist, Tassort, Exceed and Excel and first season sire Wild Ruler, while from a pedigree perspective a Godolphin filly that ran second was the obvious highlight.
Henry Dwyer Secures Top Lot on Day 4 Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Promising Wootton Bassett two-year-old SKIATHOS topped the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at 150,000 guineas with robust trade resulting in a clearance rate of 90% for the session. Turnover for the sale exceeded 33,000,000 guineas for only the fourth time in its history with a fifth and final session still to come on Friday, followed immediately by the Tattersalls Aut
Go Racing Hoping for Big Day at Randwick
New Zealand syndicator Go Racing will be out to plunder the riches on offer at Randwick on Saturday, with their silks to be represented in two of the meeting’s key races.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes
Derby Day! It's the race day for purists, when the biggest and best pedigrees tend to be on show, and their merits are tested over all distances.
MRC locks in leadership as Tanya Fullarton named CEO and Jonathan Munz joins as Vice Chairman
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed two major leadership appointments, naming Tanya Fullarton as Chief Executive Officer and leading business person, owner, and breeder Jonathan Munz as Vice Chairman.
VRC Oaks contender headlines November (Early) Online Sale
An exciting opportunity is presented in the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale next week when a share in a runner bound for Thursday’s $1m G1 VRC Oaks is offered.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 29
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.