Who is The Grey Wizard?

Tara Madgwick - Saturday June 8

The VRC have added an intriguing piece to the Melbourne Cup puzzle this year in making the Group II Belmont Gold Cup (2m) on turf at Saratoga a win and you’re in race towards the Melbourne Cup and the winner earlier this week was a horse called The Grey Wizard.

The Grey Wizard wins the G2 Belmont Gold Cup -image VRC

An Irish bred son of Caravaggio trained by Graham Motion, They Grey Wizard produced a brilliant surge surge to snatch a thrilling last stride win earning his ticket, should connections want it, to the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

Advertisement

A five year-old gelding that started life in Ireland being trained by Joseph O’Brien, he joined the stable of Motion in 2022 and was second in the Belmont Gold Cup last year before returning to win the staying feature 12 months later.

“We are going to Melbourne I guess!” Graham Motion said.

"I did think about this [the Melbourne Cup] with a horse I won the Breeders Cup with Better Talk Now a long time ago...it’s a tall order but it’s fun to think about it.

“I have spent some time in Sydney when I was quite young...but I have never been to the Melbourne Cup. I am a big fan of Australian racing, and I am a big fan of international racing.”

The Grey Wizard runs for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and the late Albert Frassetto, whose sons John and Christopher were at the track.

Connections will give serious thought to an Australian visit and Eclipse have had the Flemington experience previously as their colours were carried by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained staying filly Pinot, who won the VRC Oaks in 2017.

The Grey Wizard has the overall record of four wins and five placings from 15 starts and is a half-brother to stakes-winning stayer Fancy Man (IRE), who is also now in Australia and trained by Annabel Neasham.

The 17th stakes-winner for Scat Daddy sire son Caravaggio, The Grey Wizard is the best of four winners from unraced Galileo mare Fancy, a daughter of Group III winning Danehill Dancer mare Danehill Music.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two win as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favouurite.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish.