Vital Equine Running Hot

Mark Smith - Sunday July 1

After ten seasons at stud and with little more than a handful of live foals in his last three seasons, Vital Equine (IRE) is in the form of his life.

The son of Danetime continued his hot run at Belmont on Saturday with three winners highlighted by the emotional win of his star performer Material Man in the Group III Strickland Stakes (2000m).

They just don't come any more honest than Justin Warwick's 6yo gelding who overcame a wide run to down his old foe Pounamu (Authorized) by a short neck with Gatting (Hard Spun) a length back in third.

Advertisement

He has now won the Group III Belmont Sprint, Group III Hyperion Stakes and Group III Strickland Stakes in his three starts since capturing the Peth Cup at Ascot on New Years Day.

A homebred for Michael and Jill MacDermott, Material Man to 14 wins, 4 seconds and 1 third from 23 starts with earnings of $1,312,775.


Ridden by his daughter Lucy, Justin Warwick thought Material Man was a sitting shot for Pounamu.

"When you're three-deep without cover from the 800 onwards and you're main danger's stalking you, I thought he (Pounamu) was going to get over us today," Warwick told The West Australian.

"Everyone knows how good Pounamu is. We've had some good tussles along the way and I'm glad we had our head in front.

"I think Lucy summed it up pretty well. You're on the best horse and you keep them in the clear.

"He's taken us for a good ride and we'll try keep him in one piece and keep the ride going for as long as we can."

The Melbourne spring carnival looms large for Material Man who is yet to race outside of his home state.

Material Man is the first foal of the Rosehill winning Hussonet (USA) mare Del Lirio whose 5-time winning dam Miss Anna Louise is a half-sister to Listed AJC Reginald Allen Stakes runner-up Touched By God (Sunday Silence) who is the dam of Oceana Boss (Red Ransom) a multiple stakes placegetter in Japan.

From the famed Eight Carat family, Miss Anna Loise is out of the unraced Salieri mare Sally Klaire who is a sister to Listed Belle Of The Turf Stakes winner and Group 1 VRC Oaks third St Klaire (Bletchingly) the dam of the Group 1 winners Bonanova, Telesto and Fraternity.

Material Man has an unraced half-sister named Scandalous Miss, however, Del Lirio spent a leisurely four years in the paddock before being covered by Wandjina late last spring.

The day began well for Vital Equine (IRE) with Peter Knuckey guiding the 3yo gelding Rockon Tommy to a two and half-length win in a benchmark 64 over 1400 metres before the Brett Pope-trained gelding Bella's Idol earned his second win shortly after Material Man's triumph.

Vital Equine (IRE) began his career at Yarradale Farm before relocating to Rosalee Park in 2016.

A son of Danetime, Vital Equine (pictured ) won the Group II Champagne Stakes at York, was second in the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas and third in the Group 1 Grand Criterium at Longchamp.

He completed his 10th season at stud covering 24 mares at a fee of $4,400.

Advertisment
More Reading...
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.