Bob Scarborough-Bred Colt Wins Final Group 1 of the British Flat season

Mark Smith - Sunday October 28

Bob Scarborough may have sold his showpiece Wood Nook Farm in Nagambie but the former Moonee Valley Racing Club chairman is still making his presence felt in the breeding world.

At Doncaster on Saturday the Wood Nook Farm bred colt Magna Grecia won the final Group 1 of the British Flat season, the Vertem Futurity Trophy (formerly the Racing Post Trophy).

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The Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Invincible Spirit was making his third start having won a maiden at Naas by three and a half lengths before finishing second to the promising Kingman colt Persian King in the Group III Autumn Stakes over a mile at Newmarket on October 13. (photo Sporting Life).


Scarborough sold Magna Grecia through the Norelands Stud draft for 340,000gns at the 2016 Tattersalls December Foal Sale to MV Magnier, Peter and Ross Doyle and Mayfair Speculators.

He had purchased Magna Grecia's dam Cabaret for 600,000gns at the 2011 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

A daughter of Galileo, Cabaret won the Group III Silver Flash Stakes over seven furlongs as a juvenile.

Cabaret is catalogued in the Norelands draft for the upcoming Tattersalls December Mares Sale but Noreland's Harry McCalmont told The Racing Post he hopes Scarborough changes his mind on selling.

"It's a lovely problem for Bob to have but you know what this game is like, it brings you up and it crashes you down. At the moment though, it's onwards and upwards," McCalmont said.

"I think he's got to sleep on this decision, but I hope he will maybe pull her and keep breeding from her now that she's bred a Group 1 winner."

Aidan O'Brien was celebrating his ninth win in the race.

"I'm delighted with him, he's still a bit babyish but he's coming forward lovely," O'Brien said

"We think a mile will be his thing next year."

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