Well Bought – Chief Little Rock wins G3 Gallinule Stakes

Tara Madgwick - Monday May 27

The Frankel colt that topped the Magic Millions Weanling Sale opening session on Sunday for $500,000 had a three-quarter brother by Galileo racing in Ireland last night and progressive colt Chief Little Rock led all the way and bolted clear to win the Group III Gallinule Stakes by nearly four lengths.

Chief Little Rock wins the G3 Gallinule by a space - image ITM Twitter

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Wayne Lordan, Chief Little Rock set a good tempo in front and relished the challenge bowling along to claim his first stakes win with ease.

“Chief Little Rock stays very well, we always thought a mile and a half would be no problem,” said O’Brien.

“He is a very honest and genuine horse and could go to Ascot or back here for the Irish Derby.”

A full brother to Group placed stayer Okita Soushi, Chief Little Rock runs for the Coolmore partners and is now the first stakes-winner for Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Amicus, who comes from the family of champion sprinter and sire Starspangledbanner.

Advertisement

The 374th stakes-winner for much missed legendary sire Galileo, Chief Little Rock has been super consistent with two wins and four placings from six starts.

His dam Amicus was returned to Australia last year in foal to Frankel and the colt from that mating made $500,000 for Coolmore when purchased by Clarke Bloodstock, Cunningham Thoroughbreds and Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker.

$500,000 Frankel colt from Amicus - image Inglis

She is now in foal to St Mark’s Basilica (Fr).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Zousain Sunday 2YO Double
Zousain is surging to the end of the season with a double of new 2YO winners on Sunday bringing his seasonal tally of juvenile winners to 13.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 28
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Steve Davis Awarded NZTBA Personality of the Year
Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
This will be the last Juvenile Trial Watch story for this season with all these youngsters to turn three on Friday and there was plenty of action with eight heats won by 2YOs and two more of this season’s G3 2YO’s North England and Memo stepping out against the older G1 stars.
Fifth Winner For Hanseatic As Audio Pop Cam Wins
With four jumpouts under her belt, winning the last three, Tony and Calvin McEvoy's Hanseatic filly Audio Pop Cam was too good for her rivals, starting favourite to win the Unox Casa Maiden Plate (1100m) at Pakenham with ease.
Tenth Winner for Kings Legacy
King’s Legacy has had a promising start to his stud career with his tenth winner arriving on Tuesday while at the Rosehill trials one of his unraced youngsters produced a slick trial win to hold out Group performing colts Skyhook and West of Swindon.
Savabeel Stakes-Winner in the Making
A patient approach with Force Of Nature is being rewarded in spades, with the son of Savabeel winning his way toward black-type assignments.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 29
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New G1 Winner for Too Darn Hot
Fresh from siring two new stakes-winners in Europe on Saturday Too Darn Hot (GB) kept the momentum going on Sunday with a new Group I winner and Tornado Alert is a half-brother to Just Fine (IRE), winner of the Group I ATC The Metropolitan in 2023.