As a $1,150,000 half-brother to Profondo, Custodian carried the weight of expectations when making his career debut in the Group III Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on March 13.
After eyeballing the eventual winner Queen Of The Ball, Custodian ran out of puff to finish sixth at what proved to be his only run at two.
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, the son of Shalaa (IRE) made his 3yo bow in an 1100m maiden at Sale on Sunday and won with a degree of authority.
Ridden by Ethan Brown, Custodian travelled sweetly from an inside barrier. Once balanced up in the straight, he lengthened impressively to defeat the Written Tycoon gelding Cannon by a length and a half with the Reward For Effort mare Chaichna a further three lengths back in third.
Ethan Brown said Custodian still has a bit to learn but accelerated impressively when asked for an effort.
Bred by Arrowfield stud, Custodian is a $1,150,000 purchase for James Harron Bloodstock at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
His half-brother Profondo was the $1.9 million sale topper at the same venue in 2020. The son of Deep Impact (JPN) won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last spring.
Their dam Honesty Prevails made it three consecutive seven-figure lots when her Dundeel colt was knocked down to Hawkes Racing for an even $1,000,000 at Inglis Easter in April. He has been named Sekani.
A daughter of Redoute’s Choice, Honest Prevails won the Group III Widden Stakes at Rosehill at her career debut for Rick Worthington, who had secured her for $750,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Honesty Prevails is a half-sister to stakes-placed Aerobar (Flying Spur) out of the Hussonet (USA) mare Flavoured.
After missing in 2020, Honesty Prevails was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.
Custodian is the highest-priced son of Shalaa (IRE) sold at public auction. The dual Group 1 winning son of Invincible Spirit stands at a fee of $33,000 at Arrowfield Stud this spring.
