One To Watch - Gatton

Mark Smith - Thursday June 20

Beaten less than a length when third on debut at Ipswich on May 30, the 3-year-old I Am Invincible gelding Levar looked like a different horse when romping home in an 860m maiden at Gatton on Thursday.

Ridden by Emily Lang for Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted, Levar took advantage of an inside barrier following a sluggish start to push through and take up the running.

He had the field off the bit chasing rounding the home turn and kept increasing his margin to defeat the Headwater filly Demes Girl by five lengths.

Levar was a $150,000 buy for Proven Thoroughbreds from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Good buying for a son of I Am Invincible, even more so considering he is out of the outstanding Dubawi mare, Shamal Wind, whose five stakes wins were highlighted by the Group 1 MRC Oakleigh Plate.

Following her Oakleigh Plate triumph, Shamal Wind travelled to Royal Ascot for the King Stand Stakes, where she was never a factor behind Goldream.

Advertisement

Covered by Sea The Stars to Southern Hemisphere time, Shamal Wind foaled a colt that was a $325,000 purchase for Godolphin at the 2018 Magic Millions.

The same year, Shamal Wind sold to Baramul Stud for $1,200,000 at the National Broodmare Sale.

Despite visiting the most commercial stallions, Shamal Wind's four foals to sell as yearlings struggled to make the sire's service fee. But they all raced and won.

Shamal Wind died in 2020, and Lamar is her final foal. Her lone filly Laroupe (Fastnet Rock), was retained by Gerry Harvey. She won two, placed in two of her ten starts, and visited Toronado (IRE) in her first season. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Gatton Meat Centre Mdn Plate 860m

Gatton Track: Good(4) Time: 0:49.24
1
Levar
- 3g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Shamal Wind (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Emily Lang 58
2
5
Demes Girl
- 3f Headwater (AUS) x Demeanour (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Neil Hocking Rdr: Justin P Stanley 56
3
6.5
Oakfield Panther
- 4g Epaulette (AUS) x Oakfield Comet (AUS) (Honours List (IRE))
Tnr: Stephanie Sixtus Rdr: Zac Sprie 55.5
4
6.9
Best Coffee
- 2g Xtravagant (NZ) x Arc (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: James Moore Rdr: Tahlia Fenlon 56.5
5
7.9
Ending Sweet
- 2f Lonhro (AUS) x Leone Chiara (AUS) (Lion Hunter (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Angela Jones 54.5
6
8.9
Dinosphere
- 4g Exosphere (AUS) x Extinction (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Belinda Mair Rdr: N Thomas 58.5
7
9.3
Swerves
- 3f Sidestep (AUS) x Prefer (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: M A Palmer Rdr: Colleen Krahnen 53
8
11.8
Zesty Boy
- 6g Pentire (GB) x Belle Joie (NZ) (Mellifont (USA))
Tnr: Grant Forge Rdr: N Tomizawa 58.5
More Reading...
New Winner for Blue Hen
Blue hen Al Anood has called it a day at age 21 and was retired from stud duties earlier this year, but she added a new winner to her tally on Tuesday at Kilmore and with two precious fillies born in 2023 and 2024 her legacy remains a work in progress.
End of an Era - Peter Orton to Depart Vinery
Vinery Stud has announced that Peter Orton will leave the business after 25 years, prior to this year’s breeding season.
Lyndhurst Stud Confirm 2025 Fees
Fresh from siring his second Group I winner this season in Port Lockroy, Better Than Ready remains one of the very best value sires in Australia with Lyndhurst Stud keeping his fee at an affordable $27,500.
Basilinna Delivers Melbourne Cup Dream
A perfect gift continues to keep on giving for expatriate Kiwi horsewoman Emma-Lee Browne who is now in the luxurious position of having a guaranteed Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner with a homebred.
Magic Millions Broodmare Sale-Toppers – Where Are They Now?
A star studded renewal of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale will kick off next Tuesday (May 27) with glamour girls Zougotcha and Atishu vying for top honours, so we’re taking a quick look back to check in on some of the stars from the past.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 20
Here is the full list of 19 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
If You Have Questions – FBAA Have the Answers
The recent Inglis Chairman’s Sale once again demonstrated the top end of the breeding market in Australia remains very strong, but for aspiring breeders seeking a more accessible entry point there is no shortage of opportunity.
Babylon Berlin to Be Sold at MM Next Week
Perennial Group One bridesmaid Babylon Berlin is set to take on the next stage of her career when she is offered at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale next week.
Equate 2025 Unveils Visionary Keynote Speaker Lineup
Equate '25, Australasia’s leading innovation summit for the thoroughbred industry, today announces its full lineup of keynote speakers.
Hellbent Gelding Shooting for Another Win
Lhasa has matched up in quality sprinting fields on the turf this campaign and he will pay for that success at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday as a clear topweight in the Ride For Jimmy 1300.