A Group I winning miler by champion New Zealand sire O’Reilly, Newgate Farm’s Brutal is on the board with his second winner after talented gelding Lead Me On was too strong in the $500,000 Magic Millions Debut (1000m) for unraced colts and geldings.
Initially passed in at Magic Millions last year, the colt joined Chris Anderson’s stable after the Eagle Farm trainer negotiated a sale with vendor Kichwin Hills and recruited prominent owners Max Whitby and Neil Werrett to race the colt.
The now-gelded son of Brutal showed talent to win a Gold Coast trial last month and he brought that same speed to the races on Saturday.
After beginning well from barrier 11, he was able to settle outside race leader The Hamo for Michael Rodd and quickly hit the front after the field turned for home to win by a length.
Anderson thanked Whitby and Werrett for their support and also explained how bloodstock industry figure Mick Malone played a key role in the horse’s story.
“For trainers like me to be successful, I need those guys (Whitby and Werrett) in my stable,” Anderson said.
“They took a risk and they’ve been rewarded with a pretty cheap horse – we only paid $50,000 for him.
“I’ve got to throw out a big thank you to Mick Malone who found the horse and tipped the guys in so I certainly owe Mick plenty.
“The horse was unwanted last year, they couldn’t sell him so they passed him in and we landed him.”
Lead Me On is the second winner from winning Snitzel mare The Seductress, who comes from the family of Group I winning filly Aragen.
Brutal had three yearlings offered in Book 1 at Magic Millions at an average $143,333 with his top seller a filly from Group I winner Absolut Glam that made $250,000 for Newgate Farm when bought by Danny O’Brien Racing.
Brutal has nine yearlings to be offered in Book 2 starting on Monday.
