The Old Marvel Munhamek Strikes in Winter Championship Series Final

Mark Smith - Saturday July 6

Munhamek (GB) made it three wins on the bounce when he gave his rivals weight, travelled three-wide, and still proved a class above in Saturday’s $200,000 Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington.

He is an old marvel (image Racing Photos)

Ridden by Jamie Mott for Nick Ryan, the 8-year-old son of Dark Angel hit the front inside the 300m and kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Lounge Bar Rubi (Rubick) by one and three-quarter lengths with Green Fly (Frankel) back in third.

Advertisement

The centre of an emotional win for Damien Oliver in the Group III WATC Gold Rush at Ascot in December, Munhamek (GB) advances his record to 13 wins, nine seconds, and eight third from 62 starts with earnings of $2,554,030.

“He didn’t have any favours in the run, and they were running along,” Ryan said.

“There is no doubt he has gone to another level. The more we give him, the more he keeps raising the bar. He has taken everyone on a pretty good journey. He has been in work for 16 months and has taught me plenty.”

Munhamek with his fan club (image Racing Photos)

  Munhamek (GB) won three of thirty starts in Hong Kong when trained by David Hall and Casper Fownes, and when trained by Ivan Furtado, he was a winner of two and runner-up in two of his four starts in England.

Bred by Shadwell Estate, Munhamek (GB) is the best of four winners from six to race for the Dansili mare Cadenza, a half-sister to Group III winner and Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas third Kandidate (Kabool), and Group III winner Star Valley (Starborough).

Advertisment

Race Result - VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final LR 1600m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:35.65
1
Munhamek
- 8g Dark Angel (IRE) x Cadenza (FR) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: J Mott 60.5
2
1.8
Lounge Bar Rubi
- 4g Rubick (AUS) x A Quiet Shandy (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
3
2.5
Green Fly
- 5g Frankel (GB) x Via Pisa (FR) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
4
2.5
King Magnus
- 8g Magnus (AUS) x Influential Miss (AUS) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 58
5
2.9
Galeron
- 4g Camacho (GB) x Society Gal (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: B Mc Dougall 54.5
6
3.4
Windstorm
- 7g Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Storm Alert (AUS) (Metal Storm (FR))
Tnr: Gavin Bedggood Rdr: Beau Mertens 54
7
4.2
Duke De Sessa
- 5g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Dark Crusader (IRE) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: John Allen 58.5
8
4.3
Pounding
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Silent Entrance (GB) (Beat Hollow (GB))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: L Nolen 56.5
9
12.3
Sibaaq
- 6g Dark Angel (IRE) x Maid To Dream (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Celine Gaudray 54.5
10
14.5
Le Ferrari
- 4g Toronado (IRE) x Hai Lil (AUS) (Churchill Downs (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: D Moor 54
11
19.5
Flash Flood
- 6g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Giuditta (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
12
27.5
Too Close the Sun
- 8g Carlton House (USA) x Old Money (AUS) (Old Spice (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55.5
More Reading...
Golden Rose Sires Where Are They Now?
Since the $1million Golden Rose was elevated to Group I status in 2009 it has been won in every single year bar one by a colt with the lone gelding to succeed being Manawanui in 2011 and winning this race is a passport to a commercial stud career, so we thought we’d take a look at the fortunes of the past winners who have gone to stud in Australia.
Charm Stone share sells for $310,000 ahead of G1 Manikato
A 10% share in G1-winning mare Charm Stone has topped the September (Late) Online Sale selling for $310,000, the second highest price for a racehorse share on the platform this year.
Munhamek Dominates in Spear Chief
There is little argument that Nick Ryan is a rising star in the trainer ranks, and he has rejuvenated the career of the 7yo Dark Angel gelding Munhamek (GB), who earned a maiden stakes win in the Listed Nuturf Spear Chief Hcp (1500m) at Eagle Farm.
Inglis Confirm Skybird for Everest Slot
Inglis is thrilled to confirm G1 winner Skybird (Exosphere) as our representative for the running of the $20m The Everest.
Invincible Filly Snares $100,000 Inglis Bonus
The least expensive filly by champion sire I Am Invincible sold at Inglis Easter in 2024, Wear the Crown always looked to have been well bought at $260,000 by Seib/Racing / Champion Thoroughbreds and she set about repaying her purchase price at Goulburn on Thursday.
Half Yours Delivers Fee Increase for St Jean
The rise of Caulfield Cup favourite Half Yours as one of the most promising young stayers in the land has put the spotlight on his sire St Jean (IRE).
La Dorada Chasing Redemption at Valley
Last season’s champion NZ two-year-old La Dorada will be out to prove her ability against her Australian counterparts on Friday night when she contests the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
Horse Trading Stock Issues to Avoid
One of the key areas in thoroughbred taxation is accounting for trading stock and ensuring the tax closing value is properly ascertained. You’d be quite surprised of the enormous difference to the tax position of any racing player where trading stock problems occur.
Angel Capital to Run for James Harron in Everest
James Harron Bloodstock is excited to announce a partnership with global thoroughbred powerhouse Yulong for The Everest 2025, with rising star Angel Capital today confirmed as the runner in the James Harron Bloodstock slot.
Breeding to Win - 2025 Manikato Stakes
Racing at The Valley on Grand Final Eve in Melbourne - the southern capital doing what it does best, bringing people together in celebration of sporting greatness!