Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Thursday October 3

On October 1 1986, the Luskin Star filly Mother Duck won the Group III Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick, defeating a future dual Group 1 winner, Judyann, and became an instant cult heroine.

Unbeaten in three starts in Sydney, Mother Duck headed for the inaugural Magic Millions at the Gold Coast, where her winning run ended when third behind a couple of handy ones in Snippets and Prince Anton.

Advertisement

Back in Sydney, the Paul Sutherland-trained filly finished second to fellow Luskin Star filly Postage Due in the STC Sweet Embrace Stakes and was behind her again in the Magic Night Stakes when both had to bow to Tennessee Vain.

Mother Duck failed in the Golden Slipper, which was won by Marauding. It was a common theme throughout her career; she failed to run a strong 1200m against the best sprinters.

A half-sister to the AJC Surround Stakes and Flight Stakes winner Office (Metal Precieux), Mother Duck claimed the AJC The Shorts, June Stakes and Birthday Card Quality at three, retiring with a noteworthy record of nine wins and four placings from 22 starts.

Mother Duck is the fourth dam of King Kirk, who looks to get Vinery Stud's Ole Kirk off to a flyer in Saturday's Group III Arrowfield Breeders' Plate (1000m) at Randwick.

He is one of five runners for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. All but one are in the betting, with the likely favourite being the  $1,550,000 Inglis Australian Easter yearling Tuscany.

A $200,000 pinhook for Redwall Bloodstock from the Rosari Farm draft at the 2003 National Weanling Sale, King Kirk was the most expensive of the eleven weanlings to sell from the first crop of Ole Kirk.

Widden Stud consigned the chestnut to the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. My Racehorse Pty Ltd/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) had the final say at $300,000.

King Kirk a $300,000 Magic Millions yearling

He is the third foal of the Nicconi mare Oxford Angel, a winner at Wyong and Gosford for Kim Waugh, who trained his half-brother Oxford Poet to eight wins and 17 placings from 45 starts highlighted by the Listed ATC Winter Stakes while banking over $730,000.

Granddam Oxford Princess (Magic Ring) is a three-quarter sister to Quack, the dam of the dual Listed stakes-winner Antina (Fastnet Rock) and Listed winner Pricked (Thorn Park), and a half-sister to the dam of ATC Hall Mark Stakes winner Ladys Angel (Arena).

Mother Duck contested Group 1, The Galaxy, twice with little luck, but her descendants fared better.  

Anitina separated Tiger Tees and Villa Verde in the 1100 feature in 2014, and Ladys Angel placed third behind Temple of Boom two years earlier, having filled the same place at her previous start behind Atlantic Jewel and Mid Summer Music in the Group II Sapphire Stakes.

Bred by Ged Nolan, King Kirk was the consummate professional when winning his heat at the Randwick official 2-year-old barrier trials.

The same applies to his four stablemates. Kia Ora Stud's Golden Slipper winner Farnan has a live hope in North England,  and Kingstar Farm will be looking for a result from Crown The King, a son of their first-season sire Time To Reign.

Ole Kirk has one of the favourites in the Group III Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes, the Bjorn Baker-trained O' Ole, who, like King Kirk, will be ridden by Rachel King. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 27
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
King Kirk Triumphs for Ole Kirk in G3 Breeders' Plate
A magnificent start for Vinery Stud's Written Tycoon stallion Ole Kirk as King Kirk came with a barnstorming finish to make a winning debut in the Group III Arrowfield Breeders' Plate (1000m) at Randwick.
$5.25million Zougotcha - Waller Stars Set Sale Ring Alight
Chris Waller Racing consigned two of the stable’s superstar older mares to the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday with Zougotcha (Zoustar) selling for $5.25million and Atishu (Savabeel) for $2.7million.
Alsephina $1.1million and Amazonian Lass $1million
They followed each other through the sale ring at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday with Alsephina selling for $1.1million to Katsumi Yoshida followed by Amazonian Lass for $1million to Nocab Racing Pty Ltd/Kestrel Thoroughbreds.
James Harron Buys Lady Laguna for $2.5million
Astute bloodstock agent James Harron is no stranger to success at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale having purchased elite $6million earning Group I sprinter Sunshine in Paris at the Gold Coast for $3.9million in 2023.
14 Mares Sell for $1million or More - $5.25m Zougotcha the Star
Triple Group One winner Zougotcha became the most expensive horse sold at auction in the Southern Hemisphere this year when she realised $5.25 million at today's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
First Australian Winner For Ghaiyyath
While four-time Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath (Dubawi) isn’t shuttling to Australia this season after four successive years where he covered 377 mares, supporters of the stallion will be pleased to see that he's recorded his first Australian winner on Tuesday - and it was an impressive one.
Widden Purchase MM 2YO Classic Winner for $1.35million
Widden Stud were active at the top end as a vendor at the Magic Millions National Sale on Tuesday and also as a buyer securing Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Skirt the Law for $1.35million.
Blue Gum Farm Announce 2025 Fees
Leading Victorian stud, Blue Gum Farm, is pleased to announce its 2025 stallion roster and service fees, headlined by exciting young sire Sejardan, who will stand at an unchanged fee of $13,750.
US Group I Winner for Zoustar
On a day when Widden Stud’s Zoustar produced the $5.25million top seller Zougotcha at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale he also sired a new Group I winner in North America where King of Gosford won the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (1m) at Santa Anita.