Grade 1 Winner for Bushranger

Mark Smith - Sunday May 27

Former Eliza Park resident Bushranger (Ire) had his first winner at the highest level on Saturday when Sophie P (GB) made her first stakes win count in the $300,000 Grade 1 Gamely Stakes on the turf at Santa Anita Park.

Purchased last year for 160,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale, Sophie P (GB) was making just her second start stateside for trainer Jim Cassidy.

She was sixth in the Grade II Royal Heroine Stakes after arriving from Europe with four wins in Europe from 19 starts and was runner-up in a Listed stakes at Ayr.

Advertisement

In a dramatic three-way finish, Sophie P edged Madame Stripes in the final strides as Madam Dancealot mounted a strong challenge on the rail.


"Once she had clear sailing, she really took off," winning jockey Kent Desormeaux said.

"She had to fight to catch the leader and was very fortunate to beat the horse that she couldn't see. The photo finish describes it completely. My horse was completely stretched out, and the (other) horse is completely coiled up, so it was a very fortunate win."

Sophie P is the lone winner from three to race out of the Giant's Causeway mare Fountains Abbey whose dam Dream Bay (Mr Prospector) is a half-sister to Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Nadia.

Bushranger (Danetime) claimed Group 1 victories in the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes before shuttling between Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland and Eliza Park in Victoria for five seasons.

The sire of 11 stakes-winners Bushranger did not return to Australia after covering 20 mares in 2014.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Zoustar Entering the Zenith
The dictionary tells us Zenith is an astronomical term —describing the highest point in an arc travelled by a star, planet or another celestial body- and in the case of this story it’s planet Zoustar!
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Foal for Hilal Delights Grangewilliam Stud
The first foal by Grangewilliam Stud’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One performer Hilal arrived on Thursday morning with a filly born out of the well-related No Nay Never mare La Frox.
Melbourne Cup on Radar for Sons and Lovers
Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and that was mentioned as a possible goal for progressive young stayer Sons and Lovers, who won the Group III Ballyroan Stakes (1m4f) at Leopardstown overnight.
Wootton Bassett Set to Blast Out of Winter
Many people may have anticipated Wootton Bassett (GB) would have been our Champion Australian First Season Sire last season and while that didn’t quite eventuate, he did finish the season with a wealth of horses holding spring potential and several were in action at the trials this morning.
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
First Godolphin Winner for Maher
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher saddled his first winner for Godolphin at Kembla on Thursday and he did it with a blue-blood colt by Too Darn Hot (GB).