Group Double for Magnus at Caulfield

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 2

The loss of much missed Victorian favourite sire Magnus was highlighted on Saturday when he had a race to race Group double at Caulfield with Just Folk landing the Group III MRC Eclipse Stakes (1800m) followed by King Magnus in the Group III MRC Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m).

King Magnus wins the G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes - image Grant Courtney

The Robbie Griffiths and Matt de Kock trained King Magnus won the Listed Cranbourne Cup in 2021 and has been racing consistently this year with this victory his third for 2023.

Advertisement

King Magnus came with a well timed run to chime in at the 100m and go on to win by a length under Thomas Stockdale.

Robbie Griffiths was full of praise for the eight year-old gelding, who has won 10 of 34 starts with eight placings earning over $1.1million in prizemoney.

"He is like an ATM, that's what we always say about Magnus, Magnus means money and he keeps delivering 'The King', a good day to do it, it's my anniversary today,” said Robbie Griffths.

"It's a great race to win because Kevin Heffernan was a dear friend and we've tried a few times to win this and run second so to win with The King and in partnership with Matt and on my anniversary, it's a pretty special day."

King Magnus has won over $1.1million  - image Steve Hart

King Magnus was bred by John Pratt and is the best of three winners from Influential Miss, a winning Carnegie (IIRE) mare from a big European family featuring Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (IRE).

Magnus passed away earlier this year and his last crop of foals are being born this spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Kevin Heffernan Stakes Gr3 1400m

Caulfield Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:26.66
1
King Magnus
- 8g Magnus (AUS) x Influential Miss (AUS) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 59
Magnus
2
0.8
Unusual Culture
- 5m Unusual Suspect (USA) x Cultured Pearl (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Craig Williams 57
3
0.9
Vilana
- 5h Hallowed Crown (AUS) x Retsina (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Jamie Kah 59
Hallowed Crown
4
1.9
Glint Of Silver
- 4g Rubick (AUS) x Blue Ruby (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: David Pfieffer Rdr: M Zahra 59
5
2.6
Not An Option
- 6g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Chintz (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: M J Dee 59
6
3.1
Crosshaven
- 6g Smart Missile (AUS) x Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 59
7
3.5
Pascero
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Pass The Parcel (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: John Allen 59
More Reading...
What Stallions Can Step Up in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong racing season is over for another year, so a look at their sire tables by earnings and winners is always interesting and there is no surprise at the top with now pensioned Deep Field claiming his fourth consecutive champion sire title, but given he is now out of the picture the big question is what sires will replace him?
Big Investment Begins Paying Off
A big investment by Rosemont Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in purchasing Group III winning mare Khulaasa for $1.35million produced a dividend on Friday, but that’s just the beginning!
Smart Winner for Hanseatic
Rosemont Stud’s Hanseatic added a fourth winner to his tally on Thursday at Kembla when the John Thompson trained gelding Sea Admiral opened his account.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 18
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Filly a New Stakes-Winner for Ghaiyyath
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) is not returning to Australia this year after four seasons at Darley Victoria, but he was in the news overnight with a new stakes-winner after his unbeaten three year-old filly Al Uqda won the Listed Vichy Prix Madame Jean Couturie (2000m).
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Farnan Filly Impresses at Kembla
Selected as a foundation sire for Kia Ora Stud, Golden Slipper winner Farnan has provided a dream start for the Hunter Valley farm with a slew of smart winners from his first crop this season including Commanding Belle, who became his 11th winner on Thursday.
Another Aussie Stakes-Winner for Lope de Vega
It’s just as well Australian owners are keen on bringing in imported tried horses to Australia or the $200,000 Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday would have looked a very skinny event, but as it happened there was a promising young stayer on top in Don Diego de Vega (Fr).
King Magnus Strikes for the Locals in Cranbourne Cup
A tough, grinding drag it out finish on a heavy track played into the wheelhouse of King Magnus, who bounced back from troubled fifth in the Group 1  Kennedy Cantala Stakes to claim Saturday’s $500,000 Listed TAB Cranbourne Cup (1600m).
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 17
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.