Holymanz Goes Back to Back in $300,000 Coastal Classic- Half-Brother K1

Media Release - Saturday January 4

Geelong has now staged two runnings of the A$300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m), and both of them have been won by the Kiwi-bred gelding Holymanz.

The chestnut son of Almanzor carried the 53kg minimum weight to win the inaugural edition of the race last January, and he returned to Geelong on Saturday and successfully defended that title under 60kg.

Holymanz (outer) gets the better of Riot And Rose to go back-to-back in the Coastal Classic (1700m). Photo: Grant Courtney

Ridden by British jockey Saffie Osborne, Holymanz settled in second-last before swooping around the outside and looming just behind the leaders in fourth spot coming around the home turn.

Osborne unleashed Holymanz down the outside of the track in the straight, out-finishing fellow New Zealand-bred runner Riot And Rose to win by half a length.

“I might have been one spot further back than I wanted in the running, but that was just where he landed,” Osborne said. “I wanted to give him as smooth a trip as possible.

“He’s an extremely uncomplicated horse and a jockey’s dream. He’s had to carry a lot of weight today, but he has a wicked turn of foot and is extremely tough and has a great attitude.”

Holymanz races in the colours of Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who stand the five-year-old’s sire Almanzor at Cambridge Stud. From a 23-start career, Holymanz has recorded five wins and six placings. He has placed in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m), and his career earnings now stand at A$798,032.

Holymanz is trained by Ciaron Maher, who was represented at Geelong on Saturday by assistant trainer Jack Turnbull.

Advertisement

“Saffie gave him a lovely, patient ride,” Turnbull said. “He had a bit more weight this year and is potentially just a little bit suspect at the 1700m. But when Saffie asked for him late, she really went for him. She’s a strong rider, which was probably the difference. He was strong through the line today, but if you had the wrong person on, you probably don’t get the same result.

“I think he’s going as well, if not better than he was when he won this race last year. He’s a model of consistency and a very solid Group Three and Listed horse, maybe even Group Two on the right day.

“It’s great for Cambridge Stud. Brendan and Jo and Henry (Plumptre, CEO) have allowed us to keep going in this prep and have a crack at this race. We’re very thankful. It’s a good race with a rich purse.

“He’ll probably have a short breather now and then we’ll look at some autumn targets.”

Cambridge Stud purchased Holymanz for A$400,000 as a yearling in Sydney in conjunction with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham. He was offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds on behalf of breeder Jamieson Park.

Holymanz is out of the winning Dubawi mare Perfect Offering, who is a half-sister to the stakes winner and Group performer My Country.

Landsdowne Park will offer a half-brother to Holymanz during Book 1 of Karaka 2025 later this month. The colt by Xtravagant is catalogued as Lot 202. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Coastal Classic 1700m

Geelong Track: Good(3) Time: 1:43.21
1
Holymanz
- 5g Almanzor (FR) x Perfect Offering (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Saffie Osborne 60
2
0.4
Riot And Rose
- 7g Pins (AUS) x Lasting Luck (AUS) (Iglesia (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Ms L J Meech 58
3
3.2
Dashing
- 5g Magnus (AUS) x Westchester (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: Aaron Purcell Rdr: C Newitt 57.5
4
4.2
Matron Bullwinkel
- 6m So You Think (NZ) x Erika (AUS) (Blackfriars (AUS))
Tnr: Mitchell Leek Rdr: Harry Grace 53
5
5.4
Mathletic
- 6g Kingman (GB) x Manerbe (USA) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson Rdr: D Moor 53
6
6.2
Night Endeavor
- 6g Shalaa (IRE) x Night Serenade (IRE) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55.5
7
8.4
Mixmulti
- 6m Swear (AUS) x Ramsey's Bet (USA) (Kitten's Joy (USA))
Tnr: R J Meunier Rdr: Jett Stanley 53
More Reading...
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.