All Courage - Mr Brightside Goes Back To Back in Doncaster Mile

Mark Smith - Saturday April 1

Fresh off his win in the $5,000,000 All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley, the courageous Mr Brightside defended his title in the $4,000,000 Group 1 Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.

He's a winner (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by Zac Purton for Ben and JD Hayes, Mr Brightside (Bullbars) needed to did deep to hold the Dubawi import My Oberon (IRE) by a head with Australian Bloodstock’s Siyouni import Nugget three-quarters of a length back in third.

A 5yo gelded son of Bullbars, Mr Brightside advances his record to eleven wins, two seconds, and two thirds with earnings of $8,242,137,

“Last year for Ben and I and the team at Lindsay Park, what this horse did to win it and then go back-to-back it puts him in rare air,” JD Hayes said.

Advertisement

“He’s a very special horse, we’ve known it all along, but he’s now a very special horse in his own right doing something like that. Couldn’t be happier.”

Ben Hayes said the NZ-bred gelding had been life-changing.

“He a special horse we’ll never forget him but he’s got so much to go which is exciting,” he said.

“He’s only turning six. We actually weren’t sure he’d won; we were holding our breath. What a ride by Zac (Purton) ten out of ten. Congratulations to everyone at the farm, it’s a team effort to get it done. Just so excited.”

Zac Purton said he has achieved a good deal of success for ben and JD’s father David Hayes in Hong Kong.

“The connection I have with David in Hong Kong and getting to know his boys after having a bit of a drink and a laugh about this horse in this race a few weeks back, I won’t tell you what was said,” Purton revealed.

A third Doncaster for Zac Purton (image Steve Hart)

“We just drew the perfect gate and had the perfect run. It’s not easy to win one Doncaster, it’s very hard to win two, especially on testing ground like this. All the credit has got to go to the stable.

“When I gave him a squeeze he got there too quick, I had to idle him down a little bit again. He was laboring in the ground, but he’s so honest his class got him through.

Purchased privately after a luckless fifth at Matamata on debut in February last year, Mr Brightside was a $22,000 purchase for Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the Phoenix Park draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka May Sale. He failed to find a buyer willing to pay his $50,000 reserve when reoffered at the 2019 NZB Ready To Run Sale.

The son of Bullbars is the best of two winners from the Tavistock mare Lilahjay whose dam Keepable (Keeper) is a half-sister to Group 1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas and Group 1 WRC Captain Cook Stakes winner Foxwood (Centaine) and Group III AJC Frank Packer Plate winner Rockwood (Rock Of Gibraltar).

Advertisment

Race Result - The Star Doncaster Mile Gr1 1600m

Randwick Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:38.76
1
Mr Brightside
- 5g Bullbars (AUS) x Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: Z Purton 55.5
2
0.2
My Oberon
- 6g Dubawi (IRE) x My Titania (IRE) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: John Allen 54
3
1.0
Nugget
- 6g Siyouni (FR) x Gemstone (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: A Gibbons 51.5
4
1.4
Hope In Your Heart
- 4m Dundeel (NZ) x Hayaat (AUS) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: K J Parker Rdr: J Ford 50.5
5
1.5
Mustang Valley
- 4m Vanbrugh (AUS) x Cream Of The Crop (AUS) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: R Dolan 51
6
2.0
Osipenko
- 3c Pierro (AUS) x Raskova (USA) (Henrythenavigator (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M J Dee 50
7
2.1
Fangirl
- 4m Sebring (AUS) x Little Surfer Girl (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Moreira 53.5
8
3.4
Duke De Sessa
- 4h Lope De Vega (IRE) x Dark Crusader (IRE) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 52
9
4.4
Zougotcha
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Fast Talker (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 50.5
10
5.2
Communist
- 3g Russian Revolution (AUS) x Cappadocia (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tyler Schiller 50
11
7.3
Gentleman Roy
- 6g So You Think (NZ) x La La Land (AUS) (Last Tycoon (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: Rachel King 52
12
8.2
Protagonist
- 6g Wootton Bassett (GB) x Sagariya (FR) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: W J Haggas Rdr: Ben Thompson 50
13
8.5
Bandersnatch
- 6g Casino Prince (AUS) x Divine Faith (AUS) (Falbrav (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Taylor Marshall 51
14
10.9
Lion's Roar
- 5g Contributer (IRE) x Minnaleo (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: C Newitt 52
15
13.2
Alligator Blood
- 6g All Too Hard (AUS) x Lake Superior (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 57.5
16
13.3
Going Global
- 5m Mehmas (IRE) x Wrood (USA) (Invasor (ARG))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Avdulla 53.5
17
14.8
Lindermann
- 3c Lonhro (AUS) x Self Esteem (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Dean Holland 49
18
18.4
Cepheus
- 6g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Crimson Cheer (USA) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: D Yendall 50
19
26.4
Converge
- 4g Frankel (GB) x Conversely (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: B Prebble 52
20
30.9
Golden Mile
- 3c Astern (AUS) x Calaverite (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Zac Lloyd 51
More Reading...
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.
Kiwi Heavyweight Mr Brightside Claims a Ninth G1 Victory
Champion galloper Mr Brightside notched his ninth Group One victory when winning the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes under a positive Craig Williams ride.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Kiwi Bred Mr Brightside on Target for Cox Plate
Lindsay Park were runner-up in last year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) with Mr Brightside, and they are hoping they can go one better in this year’s edition where they will be represented once more by the Kiwi-bred, as well as his compatriot Evaporate.
Mr Brightside Defends his Crown in Makybe Diva Stakes
Shortly after Melbourne unleased hail and blinding rain, the great foes Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni went toe to toe down the Flemington straight under brilliant sunshine in the $750,000 Group 1 Crown Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Sire Power Highlights Quality MM Horses in Training Catalogue
An incredible selection of the country's best proven and hottest young sires will feature at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale in October.
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.