First Australian Stakes-Winner for Calyx

Tara Madgwick - Friday January 24

Kingman son Calyx (GB) shuttled to Coolmore for just two seasons and got his first Australian stakes-winner at Launceston on Friday night when talented gelding Likeakalix turned the Listed Launceston Guineas (2100m) into a procession.

Sent out a hot favourite, the Leanne Gaffney trained Likeakalix had won two of his previous three starts on synthetic tracks and had nor trouble transferring that good form to the grass when galloping away to win by more than four lengths under David Pires.

Advertisement

Likeakalix was a $30,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase from the Armidale Stud draft for his trainer and has never missed a place in six starts with three wins and three placings netting over $113,000 in prizemoney.

Likeakalix was a $30,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase from Armidale Stud.

He is the best of two winners from Like a Song (IRE), who was bought by I Katz for $15,000 at the 2021 Inglis Broodmare Sale when in foal to Calyx with Likeakalix the result of the mating. She is an unraced half-sister to Group III winner Ladys First. 

Likeakalix is the fifth stakes-winner worldwide and first in Australia for Calyx, who remains on the Coolmore roster in Ireland for 2025 at a fee of €12,500.

Advertisment

Race Result - Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas LR 2100m

Launceston Track: Good(4) Time: 2:10.69
1
Likeakalix
- 3g Calyx (GB) x Like A Song (IRE) (Royal Applause (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Gaffney Rdr: D Pires 58
MM Tasmanian Yearling Sale $30,000
Seller: Armidale Stud, Carrick, Tas (As Agent)
Buyer: Leanne Gaffney
2
4.3
Go Jeanie
- 3f Frosted (USA) x What A Beauty (AUS) (Octagonal (NZ))
Tnr: Liandra Gray Rdr: T Baker 56.5
3
5.5
Azonto
- 3f Stratosphere (AUS) x Ehor (AUS) (Val Royal (FR))
Tnr: Barry Campbell Rdr: A Darmanin 57
MM Tasmanian Yearling Sale $105,000
Seller: Grenville Stud, Whitemore, Tas
Buyer: Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA)
4
7.5
Garcon D'espoir
- 3g Omaha Beach (USA) x Triple Asset (AUS) (Nadeem (AUS))
Tnr: Yassy Nishitani Rdr: N Tomizawa 59
5
9.8
Don't Give Up
- 3g Needs Further (AUS) x Bet You She Rocks (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: S Gandy Rdr: B Muhcu 58
6
10.8
Tuskegee
- 3g Alabama Express (AUS) x High Tea (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Barry Campbell Rdr: K Sanderson 58
7
10.8
Currencies
- 3f Gold Standard (AUS) x Aurora Miss (AUS) (Astronomer Royal (USA))
Tnr: G J Stevenson Rdr: Codi Jordan 55
8
25.3
Halen
- 3g Stratosphere (AUS) x Oxy Angel (AUS) (West Quest (CAN))
Tnr: G J McCulloch Rdr: M Ulucinar 57
More Reading...
Almanzor Mare Benefits from Maturity
Time was always going to benefit Mehzebeen and the Almanzor mare continues to emphasise that in her five-year-old season.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
Kiwi Sprint Star Crocetti Arrives in Perth
Kiwi Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday April 15
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Yes Yes Yes It’s Been a Big Week for Kate Nivison!
This time last week passionate owner breeder Kate Nivison was basking in the success of having bred and sold a $1.7million Extreme Choice colt at Inglis Easter and today she was enjoying a different sort of success as a winning owner at Kembla.
Calyx Three Year Old Wins Tasmanian Derby
Likeakalix was the first Australian Stakes winner for former Coolmore shuttler Calyx in January and he repeated the dose on Friday when winning the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m).
Belclare Seeking to Find Best Form Back in Australia
Dual Group One winner Belclare’s return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.
Arrowfield Announce 2025 Fees
In the wake of his third Golden Slipper winner and his career-best yearling sale results, multiple Champion Sire Snitzel heads the 2025 Arrowfield stallion roster at an unchanged fee of $247,500, while Castelvecchio has earned a deserved fee increase.
Who Do You Pick? Star Mares of Tomorrow
In chatting with our guest Jim Clarke this week on our Tara Talks Racing podcast we discussed a topic that will no doubt spark plenty of interest from our audience, if you could have one three year-old filly to take forward and race next season at four, who would it be?
One to Watch – Kembla
The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred and very expensive colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win.