Emotional Win for Mr Brightside in G1 Champions Mile - Pride of Jenni Retired

Mark Smith - Saturday November 9

Fourth in 2021, third in 2022 and second in 2023, the magnificent Mr Brightside raised the bat in the 2024 $3,000,000 Group 1 VRC Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington.

Go the champ (image Grant Courtney

Ridden by Craig Williams for Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the 7-year-old son of Bullbars bounced out from his fourth-placed finish in the WS Cox Plate to overpower Antino (Redwood) by a long neck with Fangirl (Sebring) the same distance back in third.

With his eight Group 1, this bravest of all thoroughbreds advances his record to 18 wins, nine seconds, and three thirds from 40 starts with earnings of $16,393,402.

Advertisement

 “I’m shaking. He’s such a special horse to us,” Ben Hayes said.

““He’s just been so consistent this preparation. Today, he just landed in a good spot. He flew the gates.

I was hoping he could get that gap, and he got it, and he was so strong through the line. Super effort. Well done to all at Lindsay Park, all the owners. He’s taken us on the most amazing ride, so I can’t believe it.

&ldq

uo;He’s never run a bad race for us. He’s an absolute gentleman. I’m just so proud and so happy for Craig and everyone involved. I’m fully shaking.

“We will (party). The Brightside owners love a good party, so it will be good fun.”

Craig Williams has been on Mr Brightside in all but two of his 39 starts.

The ever growing fan club (image Grant Courtney)

Ever since he came over and had his second race start here in Australia and his third ever race start and I partnered up with him, we’ve had an amazing association.

“I was talking to Ben Hayes about when we started him off when he was going to Geelong maidens and going through all his grades, how they’ve developed this great horse,” Williams recalled.

“He’s had a great preparation. He won the Makybe Diva Stakes here. The Grand Final was the Cox Plate, he ran fourth but ran a phenomenal race. They’ve come here today for the Champions Mile, with all these horses, they’ve gone for blinkers for the first time and he was the right product today. So credit to all their team. And of course, Mr B, he’s got no BS in him and he’s just a real competitor. He did all the running and fighting today. Thanks buddy. ”

Sadly, the champion mare Pride Of Jenni bled from both nostrils, and owner Tony Ottobre said the daughter of Pride Of Dubai would be immediately retired.

A luckless fifth at his lone New Zealand start at Matamata, the son of Bullbars was sold privately to clients of the Hayes stable in a deal brokered by Australian agent Wayne Ormond.

Mr Brightside is the best of five winners from five to race for the unraced Tavistock mare Lilahjay.

Busuttin Racing / First Light Racing shelled out $70,000 for Lilahjay’s Darci Brahma filly named Lady Brightside at Karaka in 2023.

Lilahjay died after foaling a Satono Aladdin (JPN) colt in October. 

Advertisment

Race Result - VRC Champions Mile Gr1 1600m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:36.02
1
Mr Brightside
- 7g Bullbars (AUS) x Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Craig Williams 59
NZB Karaka May Sale $22,000
Seller: Phoenix Park
Buyer: Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ)
2
0.5
Antino
- 6g Redwood (GB) x Mahamaya (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: M Zahra 59
NZB Ready to Run Sale $27,000
Seller: Cheltenham Stables
Buyer: New Balance Racing
3
1
Fangirl
- 6m Sebring (AUS) x Little Surfer Girl (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
Sebring
4
1.1
Stefi Magnetica
- 4m All Too Hard (AUS) x Mid Summer Music (AUS) (Oamaru Force (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: C Schofield 57
5
2.1
Amelia's Jewel
- 5m Siyouni (FR) x Bumbasina (IRE) (Canford Cliffs (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Damian Lane 57
6
3.4
New Energy
- 6g New Bay (GB) x For Joy (GB) (Singspiel (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Dylan Browne McMonagle 59
7
4.1
Pinstriped
- 6g Street Boss (USA) x Snitzel Blitz (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: E Jusufovic Rdr: Ben Allen 59
8
5.1
Von Hauke
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Tiara (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C I Brown Rdr: J Parr 59
9
5.9
My Oberon
- 8g Dubawi (IRE) x My Titania (IRE) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: N Rawiller 59
10
6.3
Broadsiding
- 3c Too Darn Hot (GB) x Speedway (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: M J Dee 52
11
7.1
Pride Of Jenni
- 7m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Sancerre (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: B Melham 57
More Reading...
Philia Highlights Oaks Claims With Tenacious The Roses Win
Successful last time out in the Listed Princess Stakes when becoming the 30th stakes winner for her sire All Too Hard, the David Vandyke trained Philia went four from four this time in, leading through to win the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben.
Brisbane Possible for Resurgent Velocious
Group One winner Velocious bounced back to her brilliant best in the Jarvis Trading (1100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, raising the possibility of a trans-Tasman mission.
Stakes Potential for Miss Ole
Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk added an 11th winner to his tally when the Clinton McDonald trained filly Miss Ole scored a stylish win in quick time at Sandown on Saturday.
Antino King of Doomben with Track Record Breaking Victory
Trainer Tony Gollan has earmarked the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) as the long-range target for star galloper Antino after a stunning victory in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday in track record time.
Listed Chief De Beers Stakes To Manhood
Surprisingly contesting black type racing for the first time in his career, it was first time lucky for the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Manhood after the 6yo son of Headwater was strong to the line, leading throughout to win the Listed Chief De Beers Stakes (1110m).
Kiwi Bred Mr Brightside on Target for Cox Plate
Lindsay Park were runner-up in last year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) with Mr Brightside, and they are hoping they can go one better in this year’s edition where they will be represented once more by the Kiwi-bred, as well as his compatriot Evaporate.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 24
Here is the full list of 102 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Heavyweight Mr Brightside Claims a Ninth G1 Victory
Champion galloper Mr Brightside notched his ninth Group One victory when winning the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes under a positive Craig Williams ride.
Hellbent Filly Wins Listed Bill Carter
The $160,000 Listed BRC Bill Carter Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday had a short priced favourite in Hellbent filly Sunrays and she gave punters no cause for concern when powering clear for a dominant victory.
G1 Stradbroke Next for War Machine
Hot favourite War Machine made light work of his rivals in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday and it is now all systems go as the four-year-old son of Harry Angel (IRE) heads towards the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14.