Franz Josef Rules at Randwick

Mark Smith - Tuesday December 26

The two debutants fought out the finish of the Inglis Millennium Day 10 Feb 3yo Maiden Hcp (1400m) at Randwick on Boxing Day with the honours going to the Snitzel colt Franz Josef.

Nice debut (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by Rachel King for Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou, the flashy chestnut was among the best to begin but was momentarily caught three wide.

King pushed on to race outside the favourite Le Chocolat. Hitting the front on straightening, Franz Josef gave a good kick at the 250m. The Ardrossan first-starter Pure Alpha enjoyed a cozy run and was taking good ground off the winner to be beaten a short-neck.

The Zoustar gelding Listentozou was four and a half lengths back in third.

Carrying the Wanless tartan colours of Ron and Judy Wanless, Franz Josef was a $190,000 purchase for Tasman Bloodstock from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Gerald Ryan confided that he had difficulty getting a handle on Franz Josef

“He has been hard to get a line on. He is inconsistent in his work and the feed bin. We spelled him, trialled him and spelled him again,” Ryan said.

“One day, he works well; the next day, he won’t. He trials well one day, and the next trial is no good.

Advertisement

“We decided to take him to the races and see what he is like for the experience.

Franz Josef is sure to turn heads (image Steve Hart)

“He is a Snitzel out of a Galileo mare from an all-European family, and he should get over 2000m later on.

“He was in front at the top of the straight, so it was almost 500m. The first time away from Rosehill, he probably got a bit lost and felt the pinch late. But he did a good job and there is plenty of improvement.

“Ron (Wanless) sent four down last year and another four this year; I like having those colours being used.”

Franz Josef a $190,000 Magic Millions yearling

Bred by G S A Bloodstock, Franz Josef is the second winner from as many to race for the unraced Galileo mare Embroidered Silk (IRE), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Willie Cazals (Aussie Rules), and Group II winner Joanna (High Chaparral), the dam of Listed winner Rafaadah, the dam of Group 1 Prix Saint Alary winner Tawkeel (Teofilo).

Bhima Thoroughbreds consigns a Capitalist half-brother to Franz Josef to the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale (lot 243).

Sadly, he will be the final foal of Embroidered Silk (IRE), who died in January.

Advertisment

Race Result - Inglis Millennium Day 10 Feb Mdn Hcp 1400m

Randwick Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:23.18
1
Franz Josef
- 3g Snitzel (AUS) x Embroidered Silk (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Rachel King 58.5
2
0.3
Pure Alpha
- 3g Ardrossan (AUS) x Bridgewater (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tyler Schiller 58.5
3
4.9
Listentozou
- 3g Zoustar (AUS) x Lady De Bathe (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: C Schofield 58
4
9
Big Shot Legend
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Karavali (NZ) (Nadeem (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 58
5
12.2
Le Chocolat
- 3g Ocean Park (NZ) x La Praline (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: A Hyeronimus 58.5
6
12.2
Advertise
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Sunday Joy (AUS) (Sunday Silence (USA))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: R Hutchings 58.5
7
16.9
Mythical Moochi
- 3g All Too Hard (AUS) x Lady Moochi (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Tom Sherry 57
More Reading...
Alabama Express share headlines May (Late) Online Sale
A share in dynamic young stallion Alabama Express, a Stakes-winning Too Darn Hot 3YO colt and mares on desirable covers headline the Inglis Digital May (Late) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Exciting Wootton Bassett Filly Goes Two for Two
Racing started early at Randwick on Saturday with a competitive juvenile event run at 11 am featuring three youngsters by Wootton Bassett (GB), who duly produced three of the first four home including the brilliant winner Agarwood.
Ole Kirk Share Added to MM National Broodmare Sale
A share in first season sire sensation Ole Kirk will be offered on Day One of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Tuesday.
New Wootton Bassett G3 Winner
The Group III Gallinule Stakes (1m2f) for three year-olds at The Curragh overnight produced an epic battle to the line between three very competitive colts that ended in the steward’s room with victory given to Wootton Bassett colt Thrice.
More Sejardan Weanlings for MM National
Blue Gum Farm’s fast Group II winning Sebring son Sejardan made his presence felt in a big way at the recent Inglis Australian Weanling Sale for a stallion that stood first season at a fee of just $13,750.
Better than Ready 2YO Isti Star Wins $1million MM National
Better than Ready is on track to be crowned Champion Queensland Sire for the third year in a row and put the icing on the cake when his brilliant two year-old filly Isti Star scored a dazzling win in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday evening.
Sires With Winners - Friday May 23
Here is the full list of 52 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Lovatsville Announce 2025 Fees
Following the announcement of exciting Group 1-winning 2-year-old, Move To Strike, Lovatsville have released their fees for the entire roster with each of Royal Meeting (Ire), Fierce Impact (Jpn), Generation and Gold Trip (Fr) remaining at their 2024 quote.
Bowness Stud Announce D’Argento’s 2025 Fee
With his current crop of three-year-olds exceeding expectations on what they achieved last season at two, Group 1 winner D’Argento (So You Think) will remain at a fee of $16,500 (inc. GST), with live foal payments terms applying for the upcoming breeding season.
Stakes Potential for Miss Ole
Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk added an 11th winner to his tally when the Clinton McDonald trained filly Miss Ole scored a stylish win in quick time at Sandown on Saturday.