Irish Bet Makes It Four Consecutive Inglis Nursery Wins for Arrowfield Stallions

Mark Smith - Saturday December 16

If John O'Shea needed a big horse to propel him back into the spotlight after severing connections with Godolphin, he may have found it in the exciting Smart Missile colt Irish Bet.

The least expensive yearling purchased by the China Horse Club in Australia in 2017, Irish Bet made a winning career debut In Saturday's $500,000 (RL) Inglis Nursery at Randwick.

He signalled his ability when winning a barrier trial in fast time at Warwick Farm on December 5.

Advertisement

Sent off the $5 favourite under Brenton Avdulla, Irish Bet tracked the early speed before finishing strongly to defeat Ragged Rascal (Denman) by one and a quarter lengths with Canyonero (Pierro) another short neck back in third. (photos Steve Hart ). 


"Any win is an important win but I think a lot of credit has to go to the staff who have put a lot of time into the horse," O'Shea said.

"I have to thank China Horse Club for sending the horse to me. It was a welcome relief to see a horse like that walk into the stable and it's been nice to get a result for them.

"He's been a pleasure to deal with the whole time.

"He'll go to the paddock on Monday, have a short let-up and then we'll bring him back for the Skyline or something like that and see if we can get into the (Golden) Slipper."

The son of Smart Missile was a $55,000 purchase for international bloodstock agent Mick Flanagan from the Middlebrook Valley Lodge draft at session II of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

A half-brother to Listed WATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Fuld's Bet (I Am Invincible) and Group I BRC Queensland Derby runner-up Rockstar Rebel (Rebel Raider), he is out of the unraced O'Reilly mare Dublin Me Bet, a grand-daughter of Group II winner Double Your Bet who is the dam of the Group III winners Exchequer and Le Destina.

Double Your Bet is a daughter of the marvellous racemare Diamond Shower who garnered Group 1 wins in the VRC Oaks and AJC Sires Produce Stakes

It was the sixth running of the Inglis Nursery on Saturday and Arrowfield stallions have landed the last four.

Smart Missile has 22 lots entered for the Magic Millions and a whopping 36 catalogued for the Inglis Classic.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.