Aloisia creates Group I fairytale for Purcell in Thousand Guineas

Ben Dorries - Saturday October 14

Aaron Purcell became a Group I winner and has the new VRC Oaks favourite but surprisingly he did not rate Aloisia's Thousand Guineas romp as his biggest moment in racing.

Advertisement
Aloisia gave Aaron Purcell his first Group I in the Thousand Guineas and she is now the $4 VRC Oaks favourite Photo: Darryl Sherer

The former Kiwi filly zoomed from a $7 Oaks chance into $4 favourite after her 1¼ length romp over 1600m at Caulfield with her suspended trainer Ciaron Maher excitedly jumping up and down as he watched on.

Maher developed Aloisia before he was suspended for six months and fined $75,000 after pleading guilty to charges stemming from Peter Foster's ownership of five horses in his stables.

But it is Warrnambool trainer Purcell who now has the care of Maher's horses and who claimed the spoils of Aloisia's win as he soared into racing's Group I club.

It is onwards and upwards to the VRC Oaks for Aloisia but Purcell, incredibly, did not rate becoming a Group I winning trainer as his biggest career thrill.

That place in his heart is still kept by training 2008 Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Ginolad.

"There are a lot of Group 1s but there is only one Grand Annual," Purcell said.

"I've been around the traps a while but it is good to get a Group I.

"The last while (taking over Maher's stable) has been a whirlwind, a lot of these horses are new to me and I have only known them from afar.

"Ciaron has put a lot into Aloisia and he deserves a big pat on the back."

Luke Nolen rode a perfect race on Aloisia ($14) has he sat back off the speed and picked a perfect path along the inside to knock off second-placed Shoals ($4.40).

"I think the Oaks was the target this prep, so it's bloody awesome," he said.

Favourite Alizee ($2.15) ran on for third but never looked like getting close to Aloisia.

"She enjoyed a lovely run but just didn't have the ping today," Alizee's jockey Glynn Schofield said.

Purcell has his maiden Group I but there could more on the way soon and the Oaks over 2500m looks ideal.

"Everything she has done has been aimed towards the Oaks, and we've grabbed the Guineas on the way through," Purcell said.

"She has always been aimed towards the Oaks and we are definitely going to keep pushing on."

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
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.
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.
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!
$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.
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.
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. 
First Winner for Australian Derby Winner Levendi
Blueblood Pierro colt Levendi won the Group I ATC Australian Derby for the Gelagotis stable back in 2018 and is now on the board as a sire having produced his first winner on Friday.
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. 
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.