Three Alive in $1million Inglis Classic / Slipper Bonus

Media Release - Friday March 23

Inglis is thrilled to have up to three runners – Santos, Fiesta and Spin - eligible for the $1m Inglis Classic Bonus in Saturday's Golden Slipper.

Inglis introduced the bonus ahead of the 2017 Classic Yearling Sale that should any horse sold at that sale go on to win the 2018 Golden Slipper, they would earn a $1m bonus.

The bonus would be split evenly between the named vendor and supplier of the horse.

Both Santos (Emirates Park) and Fiesta (Mike and Deb O'Donnell/Fairhill Farm) were supplied and offered by the same people, so will win the $1m outright should their respective runners win.

Fourth Emergency Spin was offered by Attunga Stud and supplied by Geoff Walsh, meaning they would receive $500,000 each should Spin gain a start and win the race.

Mike and Deb O'Donnell (pictured) have already won a $100,000 Gold Riband bonus with Fiesta after she became the first horse sold in the Gold Riband Session of Classic to win a Stakes race, last month's Group 3 Widden Stakes.

"When we realised we had won the $100,000, I went looking through the catalogue and remembered we were up for the million if she went on to win the Slipper, which is really amazing,'' Mike O'Donnell said.

"The Slipper is the premier Group 1 in Australia as far as I'm concerned. Australia is the home of sprinters and the Slipper is the greatest sprint we have to offer in my mind, a truly life-changing race.

"To be involved with Fiesta has been a great ride already thanks to Inglis especially and these bonuses so here's hoping we can collect another $1m on Saturday.''

Advertisement

Bryan Carlson of Emirates Park described the bonus as "phenomenal''.

"The initiative Inglis has shown in introducing this bonus, it's great for the industry,'' Carlson said.

"It's a real talking point in a big week and I certainly hope Santos can win for his connections but also for the bonus to go off.''

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said he'd be cheering for all eight of the Inglis graduates in the Slipper, but hoped to be presenting a $1m cheque post-race.

"We introduced the bonus to raise the profile and quality of the Classic Sale by attracting more precocious yearlings and better quality yearlings for our first sale of the year,'' Webster said.

"I think the results of Classic the past two years have proven we have gotten that right.

"I wish Emirates Park with Santos and Mike and Deb O'Donnell with Fiesta, and all the team behind Spin if he gains a start, the very best of luck in the Slipper and I certainly hope to be paying this bonus out.''


Inglis Release
Advertisment
More Reading...
Griff Offers Breeders Superb Value
The record of the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas as an elite sire making race has never been more on display than it is right now with past winners including outstanding young sires The Autumn Sun (2025 fee $66,000), Super Seth ($75,000) and Ole Kirk ($99,000).
No Rush with Savaglee
Star colt Savaglee is likely to be a notable absentee from all spring feature events.
From Promising to Proven – Dracarys Breed to Race Incentive Bonus
A Group winning son of champion sire Snitzel that made $1million as a yearling at Magic Millions, Dracarys is a young Queensland based stallion with many positives and even more importantly he is also now the sire of a stakes-winner!
Exciting Aussie 3YO Awarded Champion HK Griffin
The title of Champion HK Griffin is one not bestowed lightly on a talented three year-old with two of the past three winners being Champion Sprinters Ka Ying Rising (NZ) and Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) and the exciting winner for 2024/2025 was announced last night at the final meeting of the season at Happy Valley.
Farnan Filly Impresses at Kembla
Selected as a foundation sire for Kia Ora Stud, Golden Slipper winner Farnan has provided a dream start for the Hunter Valley farm with a slew of smart winners from his first crop this season including Commanding Belle, who became his 11th winner on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 16
Here is the full list of 52 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 15
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 17
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Smart Winner for Hanseatic
Rosemont Stud’s Hanseatic added a fourth winner to his tally on Thursday at Kembla when the John Thompson trained gelding Sea Admiral opened his account.
G1 Placed Lavalier Tops Inglis Digital for Godolphin
The fourth most successful Inglis Digital auction in history tonight concluded with 15 lots realising $100,000 or more, leading to a gross in excess of $7m.