A new chapter in the Yellow Brick fairytale was written at the Gold Coast on Saturday night when Tony and Maddy Sears’ pin-up galloper showed his trademark heart to win the $1.5 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m).
A $20,000 yearling purchase by Choisir stallion The Mission that has now netted his connections more than $3.5 million in prizemoney and bonuses, Yellow Brick lumped 61kg to victory and did so courtesy of a textbook James McDonald ride.
From barrier seven, McDonald found the one-out, one-back position after 200m and presented the son of The Mission into clear air with plenty of time to build momentum.
His final furlong was his best, with Yellow Brick putting a comfortable length-and-a-quarter margin over the Tony Gollan pair of Bossed Up and John Rambo.
An emotional Maddy Sears said the horse, who has now won nine races and placed at Group 1 level, holds a special place in her heart.
The accomplished young horsewoman said she has taken the lead when it comes to the six-year-old’s training from their Gold Coast base.
“This horse is my everything,” Sears said.
“I’ve had a pretty rough few months, I broke my leg really badly and normally I ride all his work so it’s been really tricky for me lately.
“I just love this horse.
“Dad literally leaves me to my own devices with this horse’s training, I do everything so for him to do that is really special.
He’ll back up next week in what will probably be a better race for him over a bit further and down in the weights.”
Sears Racing, in partnership with bloodstock agent Paul Moroney, paid $20,000 for Yellow Brick out of the Waylon J Stud draft at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Winner of the Group III Gold Coast Guineas as a three year-old, Yellow Brick is one of three Group winners from Magical Mist alongside Ballistic Boy and Splendiferous.
Magical Mist was bought by Yulong for $775,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and has a yearling filly by Alabama Express and then after missing to Pierata was covered by him again last spring.
