West of Africa Rattles Home to Win Magic Cup

Breednet - Friday January 17

West of Africa let loose with a stunning turn of foot from the rear of the field to deny Charm Stone in a thrilling $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night.

West Of Africa wins the $2mil Magic Millions Cup

Just when the Victorian mare looked destined for victory under Damian Lane, the flashy son of Not A Single Doubt stormed down the middle of the track and claimed the lead inside the final 50m.

It was a coveted win for trainer Annabel Neasham, who was given the horse to train after he was bought for $340,000 by Tony Fung Investments and Phoenix Thoroughbreds out of the Edinburgh Park draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

West of Africa changed hands when OTI Racing purchased him as a tried horse on Neasham’s recommendation. The five-year-old has now won six races and more than $1.4 million in prizemoney

The trainer admitted she had doubts about the gelding’s chances from barrier 18, although Schiller remained confident.

“My flight was a bit delayed but it didn’t matter whether I was here or not, as long as Tyler was here to give him that steer, that was all the mattered,” Neasham said.

“We drew the carpark but Tyler is the most positive jockey there is, he came out and said that he loved the draw for the horse.

“He flopped out the back and I was a little bit worried that he was a bit detached but he’s just got a fantastic turn of foot.”

It was a second win on the night for Schiller, who earlier landed the Queensland Magic Millions Subzero on Encoder.

He said West of Africa enjoyed the solid tempo in the race.

“I love this horse,” Schiller said.

“He’s done a great job for me.

“He’s defied the pattern today, coming from last down the middle of the track.

“I was out the back and I knew that we were going quick enough.

“I said to Annabel before the race, if we’re midfield, three-deep with cover then we’re probably not going awfully quick but we were out the back, not chasing along, but I was definitely in a nice, off-the-bridle rhythm.

“When he started to pick up at the 600m, I just let him take me there, around the outside and he did the rest.”

Ironically, Sheamus Mills, who is the managing owner of Charm Stone, paid $1.25 million for the Snitzel half-sister to West of Africa at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Advertisment

Race Result - Magic Millions Cup (RL) LR 1400m

Gold Coast Track: Good(4) Time: 1:21.14
1
West Of Africa
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Serena Bay (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Tyler Schiller 53
Inglis August (Early) Online Sale $145,000
Seller: TFI
Buyer: Annabel Neasham Racing
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $340,000
Seller: Edinburgh Park, Wingham, NSW
Buyer: Tony Fung Investments/Phoenix Thoroughbreds
2
0.8
Charm Stone
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Najoom (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Damian Lane 54.5
I Am Invincible
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $1,550,000
Seller: Emirates Park, Murrurundi, NSW
Buyer: Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA)
3
3.1
Chrysaor
- 4g Better Than Ready (AUS) x New Wings (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Shinn 57.5
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $115,000
Seller: Bell River Thoroughbreds, Glen William, NSW
Buyer: Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA)
MM Gold Coast National Weanling Sale $60,000
Seller: Yarramalong Park, Kalbar, Qld
Buyer: Lionrock Bloodstock/Bevan Smith Bloodstock
4
3.2
Moravia
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x Our Crown Mistress (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tommy Berry 55.5
5
3.7
Flying Trapeze
- 4h Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Coromandel (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Cejay Graham 54
6
4.5
Buillt
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Caiguna (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: A Mallyon 54
7
4.8
Abounding
- 4m Rich Enuff (AUS) x Transonic (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: Martin Harley 57.5
8
5.6
Bel Air
- 5g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Bel Selene (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 54
9
5.9
Addriel
- 4g Harry Angel (IRE) x Zumoorooda (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Jay Bellamy Rdr: Ms N Beriman 54
10
6.7
Zou Sensation
- 5g Zoustar (AUS) x Dame Claire (NZ) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: L & T Corstens & W Larkin Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55
11
7.2
Cinque Torri
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Averau (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: A Adkins 53
12
7.4
Perfect Thought
- 5g So You Think (NZ) x Perfectly Safe (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: Craig Williams 53
13
7.7
Weigall Tiger
- 4g Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Tiger Dimejan (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: Ron Stewart 53
14
7.8
Oughton
- 6g More Than Ready (USA) x La Fluorescent (NZ) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Melissa Kelly Rdr: R Dolan 56
15
12.1
Military Expert
- 6g Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Gresset (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Gavin Bedggood Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54
16
13.9
Freak Of Nature
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x No Evidence Needed (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: Damien Thornton 54
17
14.3
Redford
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x Dream Date (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: S W Kendrick Rdr: Bailey Wheeler 53
18
15.1
Arts Object
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x Ringhals (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Kurt Goldman Rdr: Angela Jones 53
More Reading...
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
Nice 2YO Winner for Vinery Value Sire
He might be the least expensive sire on the Vinery roster this spring at a fee of just $6,600, but Headwater gets his share of winners and produced a new two year-old winner at Doomben on Wednesday.
Tassort Filly Too Classy at Randwick
Stakes-placed two starts back in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone, talented 2YO Tassort filly Wollzeile proved too classy at Randwick on Wednesday.
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
Hong Kong Buyer Secures Top Lot June (Late) Sale at $500,000
The impact of the recent success in Hong Kong of horses sourced on Inglis Digital was in evidence today, with the top lot and the third top lot bought by Hong Kong-based owners.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
One To Watch – Randwick
After impressing on debut, the Chris Waller trained 3yo Super Seth filly Frosty Girl (NZ) took on the older mares on the Kensington track, remaining unbeaten with another stylish victory to become Breednet’s One To Watch.