He's a Freak - Mr Brightside Pulls it out of the Fire in Orr Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday February 10

Mr Brightside needed to call on all his champion qualities to snatch victory from the free-running Pride Of Jenni in the $750,000 Group 1 Sportsbet CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

Mr Brightside down the outside (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Craig Williams for Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, the 6-year-old son of Bullbars enjoyed a trouble-free run but still had plenty to do as Pride Of Jenni was fighting off the challenge of the outsider Buffalo River (USA).

Advertisement

Mr Brightside earned his fifth win at the highest level by a half-head from Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), chasing a third consecutive Group 1 win. Buffalo River (Noble Mission) was a head back in third.

With his ninth stakes success, Mr Brightside advanced his record to 15 wins, five seconds, and two thirds from 30 starts with earnings of $11,925,752.

“He’s a great horse; he’s so dear to our hearts,” JD Hayes said.

“He was slowly away, but it worked out perfectly with the pace on. Pride Of Jenni was so brave there, but I was glad that he got there late and that there was so much improvement in him to come. Hopefully, it’s the start of a big autumn.”

“He’s been beaten in the Autumn first up every time, so if history repeats, this is a first for him, and we’re very happy. He’s a seasoned campaigner now, and there was nothing to read into the trials and jump outs; we thought it was nothing for him just being an older horse.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone back home and all the clients supporting us. It’s such a team effort, and a horse like Mr. Brightside is flying the flag gives us a reason to have a sore head in the morning.”

“It’s looking that way (the Futurity, All-Star Mile, Australian Cup), so hopefully, he keeps ticking the boxes. What a horse.”

The ever-growing fan club (image Grant Courtney)

Bred by Ray Johnson in partnership with his late wife Martha, Mr Brightside was sold as a yearling for $22,000 from the Phoenix Park draft at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale. He failed to meet his $50,000 reserve when re-offered at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

Johnson repurchased him on gavelhouse.com for just $7,750 in conjunction with Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning and good friend Shaun Dromgool.

 A luckless fifth at his lone New Zealand start at Matamata, the son of Bullbars was sold privately to clients of the Hayes stable in a deal brokered by Australian agent Wayne Ormond.

Advertisment

Race Result - Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes Gr1 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 1:22.27
1
Mr Brightside
- 6g Bullbars (AUS) x Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Craig Williams 59
2
0.1
Pride Of Jenni
- 6m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Sancerre (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 57
Pride Of Dubai
3
0.3
Buffalo River
- 8g Noble Mission (GB) x Fashion Insider (USA) (Indian Charlie (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Celine Gaudray 59
4
1.3
Veight
- 3c Grunt (NZ) x Neena Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Damian Lane 55.5
5
2.8
Ayrton
- 6g Iffraaj (GB) x Odessa (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jamie Kah 59
6
4.1
Pericles
- 4g Street Boss (USA) x Accessories (GB) (Singspiel (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: M Zahra 59
7
4.6
Munhamek
- 8g Dark Angel (IRE) x Cadenza (FR) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: B Shinn 59
8
6.6
Atishu
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M J Dee 57
9
6.7
Bustler
- 4g Playing God (AUS) x Cosmah Domination (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: S Parnham 59
More Reading...
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
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).
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.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Mr Brightside NZTBA Horse of the Year
The Seton Otway Horse of the Year went the way of star galloper Mr Brightside at Saturday’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.