Cosmic Force - New Winner

Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett (GB) was expected to get a 3YO Group I winner in France on Sunday, but the horse that got the job done was not the one punters expected.

The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.

A trans-Tasman ownership double prompted long and enthusiastic celebrations for Ashburton’s Barneswood Farm.

Here is the full list of 18 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Rich Hill Stud’s standing as a centre of thoroughbred excellence has been further emphasised with El Vencedor named New Zealand’s Horse of the Year.

The $300,000 Group III BRC Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday is often a dress rehearsal for the $3million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in two weeks time and the winner this year was Give Me Space, who produced an incredible last to first finish to credit his sire Cosmic Force with his first stakes-winner.

In the wash up of last Saturday’s great day of spring racing there was no winner that meant more to his connections than Group I MVRC Moir Stakes victory Baraqiel, so our obvious guest this week had to be Nathan Bennett.

Victorian breeders have been dealt a blow with Swettenham Stud announcing on Sunday evening that their champion sire Toronado (IRE) would not cover any mares in 2025 as he recovers from a significant infection that caused lameness.

Fastnet Rock was a crowd pleaser when paraded as a living legend at the Coolmore stallion parade last month, but sadly this spring was to be his last. 

Karaka graduate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) became a millionaire and a dual Group One winner with a stunning last-to-first performance in the $400,000 Group One Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.