Icarus Stuns on Debut

Mark Smith - Monday April 1

Trainer Greg Eurell will search for a suitable race at the Adelaide Carnival for Icarus after the 3-year-old son of O’Lonhro sprouted wings to make a winning career debut in the Sportsbet Photo Finish Refund Maiden Plate at Sandown-Lakeside on Monday.

Big and raw with loads of ability (image George Sal/Racing Photos)

Despite an alarming betting drift, Icarus won in the manner of an odds-on chance.  Settled back in second last by Daniel Moor, Icarus was momentarily blocked for a run on straightening. When eased out to mount a challenge down the centre of the track, Icarus quickened impressively to defeat the Trapeze Artist debutant Here The Crowd by one and three-quarter lengths with the Sidestep colt Creek a half-head back in third.

“It was an impressive effort. He has taken a while to get there, but we were happy with his work last week,” Eurell revealed.  

“He is still very new and has a lot to learn but has plenty of raw ability.

Advertisement

“I was hoping he would posse up a little closer but once he balanced up and peeled out I knew he would give it a fair shot.

“He is a slow-maturing horse and has been in and out, which has been frustrating, but the wait was worth it.

“He is a lovely, big, strong horse, and he is holding up super at the moment.

“There are some nice opportunities, and he may even sneak his way to Adelaide.”

Lots to look forward to (image George Sal/Racing Photos)

A homebred for the Saade family, Icarus is the second foal and first runner for the Bushranger mare Carterista who won a maiden at Ballarat and finished second in four of her six starts. She was second behind the future multiple Group III winner Ocean Embers when making her debut at Caulfield.  

Carterista has a yearling filly and filly foal by Impending. She was covered by Supido last spring.

Icarus comes from the penultimate crop of O’Lonhro, who was pensioned after the 2020 breeding season and died in 2022.

Advertisment

Race Result - Sportsbet Photo Finish Refund Mdn Plate 1200m

Sandown-Lakeside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.39
1
Icarus
- 3g O'lonhro (AUS) x Carterista (AUS) (Bushranger (IRE))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: D Moor 58
2
1.8
Here The Crowd
- 3f Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Fleur De'here (NZ) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Carleen Hefel 56
3
1.9
Creek
- 3c Sidestep (AUS) x Rillito (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
4
3.1
A Book Of Days
- 3g Written By (AUS) x Rock Princess (AUS) (Elvstroem (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
5
5.6
Gin Baba
- 3f Invincible Spirit (IRE) x Baba Ghanouj (IRE) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Ms L J Meech 56
6
6.9
Bravue
- 3g Brazen Beau (AUS) x Chevovessence (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Ms C Alderson Rdr: Declan Bates 58
7
7.6
Immortelle
- 3f U S Navy Flag (USA) x Everlasting (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Damian Lane 56
8
14.6
Misil Cadente
- 3g Redente (AUS) x Angelify (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: Zac Spain 58
More Reading...
New G1 Winner for Wootton Bassett
Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett (GB) was expected to get a 3YO Group I winner in France on Sunday, but the horse that got the job done was not the one punters expected.
Toronado Withdrawn from Service
Victorian breeders have been dealt a blow with Swettenham Stud announcing on Sunday evening that their champion sire Toronado (IRE) would not cover any mares in 2025 as he recovers from a significant infection that caused lameness.
Barneswood Farm Trans Tasman Strike
A trans-Tasman ownership double prompted long and enthusiastic celebrations for Ashburton’s Barneswood Farm.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 8
Here is the full list of 18 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 7
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock was a crowd pleaser when paraded as a living legend at the Coolmore stallion parade last month, but sadly this spring was to be his last. 
Impressive First Foals for Don Corleone
The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.
El Vencedor Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Rich Hill Stud’s standing as a centre of thoroughbred excellence has been further emphasised with El Vencedor named New Zealand’s Horse of the Year.
Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G3 in South Korea
Australian bred Deep Field gelding Self Improvement was the pride of Hong Kong on Sunday when the Manfred Man trained gelding captured the Group III Seoul Korea Sprint (1200m) in South Korea.
Shamus Award Mare Quintessa Cracks $1million in Prizemoney
Karaka graduate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) became a millionaire and a dual Group One winner with a stunning last-to-first performance in the $400,000 Group One Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.