Jukebox Retired to Aquis

Brilliant Group winning Snitzel sprinter Jukebox will be a popular new late addition at Aquis' Hunter Valley base this spring at a fee of $10,000 plus GST.

Undefeated in two starts as a juvenile, the Ciaron Maher trained colt was a dominant winner of the $250,000 Listed Inglis Premier (1200m) and returned in the spring to win the stallion-making Group III MRC Vain Stakes (1100m). 

In the Vain Stakes Jukebox produced a race-best sectional for the final 200m and it was this blistering turn of foot that had always set him apart from the rest; ''he is the most natural athlete I have ever worked with, both in Australia and in England. It was a huge disappointment when he had to be scratched on the eve of the Blue Diamond.

His work leading into that race had been sensational - on the Tuesday prior he ran 11 flat on the bridle for the final 200m and we were as sure as you can be, that he would win the Group I'' – Co-trainer David Eustace.

Jukebox racked up a further three Group placings in a brief career of just eight starts, finishing second to Group I winning filly Catchy in the Group II VRC Danehill Stakes (1200m) and second to another outstanding filly in Formality in the Group III MRC Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m).

"He was a gun 2YO and the best 2YO we have had; early, very sharp and natural. We look forward to training his progeny in the future," said Ciaron Maher.

A naturally fast, precocious horse that won his first three starts, Jukebox ran true to his pedigree being from the top class Stakes winning juvenile Jestatune, a daughter of Golden Slipper and leading speed influence Rory's Jester, who of course is also the broodmare sire of Not A Single Doubt.

A half-sister to WA Group I winner Ihtsahymn, Jestatune is from another Stakes winning juvenile in Umatune, a daughter of Group I winning 2YO and leading sire Umatilla.

An affordable son of reigning Champion Sire Snitzel from a power packed speed family, Jukebox is sure to strike a tune with breeders looking for precocity, speed and a great physique.

In a deal brokered by Damon Gabedy of Belmont Bloodstock, Jukebox is already assured every chance of success at stud with his breeder Neville Duncan electing to remain in the horse, along with Colin McKenna who raced both Merchant Navy and Jukebox with Ciaron Maher.

"Jukebox is what Australian racing is all about - an unbeaten 2YO with speed to burn and a pedigree dominated by colonial speed through Snitzel and Rory’s Jester - and he’s bred on the same cross as Not a Single Doubt," added Aquis Farm CEO Shane McGrath.