Alabama Express Delivers First Winner for Jack Pilkington

Tara Madgwick - Thursday March 28

Up and coming trainer Jack Pilkington broke the ice at his home track of Hawkesbury on Thursday when Alabama State beat the older horses to become the seventh first crop winner for his young sire Alabama Express.

Alabama State has had little luck in some strong races including a last start fourth to highly rated colt Roselyn’s Star and finally had the cards fall his way.

Advertisement

He had the perfect run in transit under Jason Collett tucked in behind the leader and when switched into the clear was strong to the line to win by the best part of a length.

“I never had any doubt about his talent,” said Jack Pilkington.

“He’s just had some bad luck in his races and bad barriers and today it all went right and he was too good.

“He’s had five starts, so win lose or draw he was always going to have a break after today and will now go for a six week spell.”

Alabama State was an $80,000 MM purchase from Yulong.

Alabama State was an $80,000 MM purchase from Yulong.

An $80,000 Magic Millions Book 2 purchase from Yulong for Jack Pilkington/Jamie Piggott, Alabama State runs for an ownership group that includes well known Sydney owner / breeder Peter Horwitz in whose colours he runs.

Bred by Yulong, Alabama State is the second winner from Bouquet de Flores (USA), a speedy stakes-placed half-sister by Street Cry to Group II winner Lazuli and stakes-winner Inspiriter, the dam of Group III winner Leading Spirit.

Second dam Floristry was a juvenile stakes-winner by champion 2YO Fasliyev that had three wins at two, so the precocity shown by Alabama State is not unexpected.

Alabama State is the seventh winner – one in New Zealand – for Alabama Express, who was super busy at Yulong last spring covering 206 mares.

Advertisment

Race Result - TAB We're On Mdn Hcp 1100m

Hawkesbury Track: Good(4) Time: 1:02.95
1
Alabama State
- 2c Alabama Express (AUS) x Bouquet De Flores (USA) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Jack Pilkington Rdr: J R Collett 56
2
0.9
Je Reve
- 3g Capitalist (AUS) x Nadeem Lass (AUS) (Nadeem (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Zac Wadick 58.5
3
2.3
Bellenth
- 3g Hellbent (AUS) x Family Crest (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Waugh Rdr: Tyler Schiller 58.5
4
2.9
Twin Telepathy
- 3g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Telepathic (NZ) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: R Hutchings 58.5
5
4.5
Gogmagog
- 3g Zoustar (AUS) x Infinite Love (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Gavenlock Rdr: Anna Roper 56
6
5.6
Noble One
- 4g Satono Aladdin (JPN) x Piazza (NZ) (Sir Percy (GB))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: A B Collett 58.5
7
6.4
Pieronimo
- 2c Pierata (AUS) x Classic Charlotte (USA) (In Summation (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tom Sherry 55
8
8.1
Exposay
- 4g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Disturbingthepeace (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: A Gibbons 56
More Reading...
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.
Third Stakes Success For Justify’s Spicy Martini
A winner of four from six, three at stakes level highlighted by the reschedule Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m), the Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean trained Spicy Martini (Justify) will now head to the Group 1 Stradbroke with just 49.5kgs on her back – not bad for an $8,000 online yearling purchase!
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Written By Filly Dominates Warwick Farm Juvenile Contest
First seen at the two-year-old trials back in September, Marc Conners’ chestnut filly Penpel (Written By) produce a quality effort at just her second racetrack appearance, racing clear at Warwick Farm to score by more than three lengths.