Fourth Stakes for Headwater's Mileva

Mark Smith - Saturday July 9

There are few more likeable mares around than the Headwater 4yo Mileva, who earned a fourth stakes success when pulling the Group III Neds Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) out of the fire at Caulfield on Saturday.

She's a winner (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Daniel Moor for Phillip Stokes, Mileva speared between runners to defeat the 5yo Street Boss mare Bless Her by a short-head with the 5yo Brazen Beau gelding Sartorial Splendor a half-length back in third.

Purchased by Dan Clarken and Oopie Macgillivray for $42,000 from Little Hills Pastoral draft at the 2019 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Mileva advances her record to seven wins, a second, and two thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $543,635.

The daughter of Headwater made her first nine starts for Clarken and Macgillivray before being bought by South Australian owner and breeder Michael Birchall who transferred her to Stokes.

“It’s very satisfying – the team has done a great job with her, she spelled well and presented beautifully here today,” Stokes said.  

“Daniel Moor gave her a lovely ride. She’s OK in this going, but would not like to see anything heavier.

Advertisement

Mileva has the looks (image Grant Courtney)

“The 1200m of the Bletchingly Stakes is the question mark. She is proven at 1100m, but is a bit stronger, so we might have a throw at the stumps.”

Little Hills purchased Mileva’s dam Lady Einstein off Vinery for $30,000 at the 2017 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale when carrying the future 4-time stakes-winner.

A winner at Geelong and Cranbourne in a light career of five starts, Lady Einstein is a half-sister to the Group II MRC PB Lawrence Stakes winner Second Effort (Mossman) and the Group III MRC Heath Stakes winner Diamond Effort (Mossman).

Lady Einstein has a yearling colt by Showtime that was purchased by Andrew Bobbin for $100,000 out of the Little Hills Pastoral draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale

Lady Einstein was covered by Headwater again last spring.

Headwater

Advertisment

Race Result - Neds Sir John Monash Stakes Gr3 1100m

Caulfield Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:05.49
1
Mileva
- 4m Headwater (AUS) x Lady Einstein (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: D Moor 56.5
Headwater
2
0.1
Bless Her
- 5m Street Boss (USA) x Blessit (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: D W Stackhouse 56.5
3
0.6
Sartorial Splendor
- 5g Brazen Beau (AUS) x Personal Ensign (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: J Mott 58.5
4
0.9
Outlaws Revenge
- 4g Reward For Effort (AUS) x Wings Of Alice (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: Ryan Balfour Rdr: Craig Williams 58.5
5
1.0
William Thomas
- 7g Nicconi (AUS) x Girls Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: J W Price Rdr: Ethan Brown 58.5
6
1.7
Aysar
- 4h Deep Field (AUS) x Miss Interiors (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: B Mc Dougall 58.5
7
1.9
Oxley Road
- 4h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Bonnie Mac (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: L Nolen 58.5
8
2.7
Felicia
- 5m Unencumbered (AUS) x Los Feliz (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: D Binaisse Rdr: Jye McNeil 56.5
9
4.4
Ashford Street
- 4g Moshe (AUS) x Magic By Gosh (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: K M Elford Rdr: Teodore Nugent 58.5
More Reading...
$1.2million Snitzel Colt to James Harron Bloodstock
When legendary sire Snitzel passed away last year it always meant his yearlings would be in hot demand at sales in 2026 and that is playing out at the Gold Coast with his third individual million dollar colt arriving late on Wednesday at Magic Millions.
$2million Extreme Choice Colt Stars on MM Day 2
An outstanding colt by Newgate Farm's superstar sire Extreme Choice has sold for $2 million and now shares top spot on the leaderboard after a red hot second day of the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on Wednesday.
Yulong Purchase $2million Extreme Choice Colt
Yulong have already hit the jackpot with an expensive Extreme Choice colt, purchasing Group I MRC Blue Diamond winner Devil Night at Magic Millions in 2024 for $1.4million and they upped the ante on Wednesday.
$800,000 Anamoe Filly Delivers Big Pinhook Win for Lime Country
The first yearlings by Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe have generated huge interest at Magic Millions and a filly from Eawase hit the target on Wednesday when selling for $800,000.
Group One Goals for Headwater's Mileva
The family of the Phillip Stokes-trained mare Mileva has a rich history in the Listed Kensington Stakes, a race won by Mileva’s sire Headwater, while Headwater’s dam River Dove was second in 2003.
$1.2million Invincible Filly to Gai and Adrian
Champion sire I Am Invincible had the top filly in the opening session of Magic Millions on Tuesday and followed up with the same on Wednesday when his glorious filly from Key sold for $1.2million.
Hot Lots Day Three – Magic Millions
With Extreme Choice having seven sold through the ring so far averaging $840,000 highlighted by a sales equalling top price of $2m for Kingstar Farm’s colt, the Newgate Farm based stallion only has three to sell on Thursday, which could see Snitzel or I Am Invincible hit the lead on averages.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 14
Here is the full list of 43 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
People at Magic Millions Day Two
New records, famous families, emotions, hungry horses, farm favourites and Baby Amy - it was all happening on Day Two at Magic Millions as Maree McEwan found out on her travels.
Best On Breeding
Catalogued to sell under the Mill Park banner at next month's Inglis Chairman's Sale, Mileva will contest Saturday's Group III RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville Parks in what could be her last hurrah for owner Michael Birchall and trainer Phillip Stokes.