Proven Thoroughbreds Celebrate Another Big Win with Stockman

Media Release - Saturday December 2

Veteran stayer Stockman produced a remarkable come-from-behind performance to land his fourth black-type win in Saturday’s A$200,000 Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.

Stockman continues the winning run for Proven Thoroughbreds - image Steve Hart

The seven-year-old son of Tavistock has been a grand performer for syndicators Proven Thoroughbreds and trainer Joe Pride, winning nine of his 49 starts and more than A$1.7 million in stakes. He had previously won the Gr.3 Sky High Stakes (2000m), the Listed WJ McKell Cup (2000m) and the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), while his stakes placings include a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Stockman had gone winless for more than a year since his victory in the A$500,000 St Leger (2600m) at Randwick in October of 2022, but he had shown promising signs with a fourth in the A$750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) on November 4. A very firm track at Newcastle tripped him up in The Beauford (2300m) two weeks later, but on Saturday he returned to Rosehill right at the peak of his powers.

Patiently ridden by Reece Jones, Stockman went back from his wide gate and spent most of the race at the tail of the field. Rounding the home turn, he still had only two horses behind him.

But Jones went to work in the straight and Stockman worked through his gears, lengthening stride and gaining ground on the leaders. He and Little Mix strode to the lead together with 100m remaining, and in a head-bobbing duel to the wire, Stockman prevailed by a nose.

“The plan was to try to be a bit handier today, but we jumped from a wide draw and a couple just held their spots underneath us, so we had to drift back,” Jones said. “They rolled along nicely and we had a good trip in transit. From about the 1000m, he was a typical stayer – I started to ask him and there wasn’t an immediate response, but the further we went, the stronger he got.

“He’s a true campaigner and very honest. He probably would have relished a bit more rain today and gone even better, but it was good to see him get this win. Joe and the rest of the team have done a great job with him.”

Advertisement

With Pride on a family holiday in Japan, he was represented at Rosehill by racing manager Orla Pearl.

“Stockman really deserves this,” Pearl said. “We didn’t quite get the rain today, but there was just enough in the ground for him to get his toe in. It was a brilliant ride by Reece.

“Newcastle was too firm for him last time, but he ran a super race in the Rosehill Gold Cup here in similar track conditions. It’s really good to see him fit and running home as strongly as he did today.”

Bred by Sir Patrick & Lady Justine Hogan, Stockman was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds and John Thompson for $175,000. He has now earned almost 10 times that amount.

Stockman is out of the Group Two winning Zabeel mare Crimson, dam of multiple Group Two winner Abidewithme and Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) runner-up Miss Scarlatti.

Stockman headed a quartet of New Zealand-bred winners on Saturday’s Rosehill card. Philipsburg had earlier won the Midway Handicap (2000m), followed by Toesonthenose in the Vale Ray Markey Handicap (1800m) and Lekvarte in the Doyle’s Breeding and Racing Handicap (1400m). – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Christmas Cup LR 2400m

Rosehill Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:29.54
1
Stockman
- 7g Tavistock (NZ) x Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Reece Jones 57
2
0
Little Mix
- 5m Mahisara (AUS) x Girls Aloud (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: K Mc Evoy 53
3
0.7
Torrens
- 7h Adelaide (IRE) x A Little Knowledge (AUS) (Dangerous (AUS))
Tnr: Marc Chevalier Rdr: Jenny Duggan 56
4
1.1
I'm A Dirty Rascal
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 53
5
2
Serpentine
- 7g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 57
6
2
Sky Lab
- 6g Real Impact (JPN) x Gold Mission (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: P M Perry Rdr: J R Collett 58
7
3.4
Parry Sound
- 8g Pierro (AUS) x Aqua D'amore (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Sara Ryan Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
8
4.7
Dreamflight
- 5g Frankel (GB) x Dream Peace (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 53
9
5.3
Kukeracha
- 6g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Portrait Of A Lady (USA) (Ap Indy (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
10
9.2
Andalus
- 4g Almanzor (FR) x Genius (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Zac Lloyd 53
11
13
Dark Dream
- 9g All American (AUS) x Buchanan Girl (AUS) (Lion Hunter (AUS))
Tnr: Allan Kehoe Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 54
More Reading...
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
Season Ending Win for Stockman in Caloundra Cup
Joe Pride's in-form stayer Stockman needed to dig deep in a driving finish to Sunday's $175,000 Listed Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.