Rare Gems

Tara Madgwick - Monday January 7
When $7million earner Criterion retired to Newgate Farm at a fee of $35,750 in 2016, much was expected of the superstar son of Sebring, but three years on we arrive at Magic Millions and instead of a bumper draft of stunning youngsters to rival his top end peers Vancouver and Pride of Dubai, we find just two yearlings to be offered for sale.

Well documented fertility issues have made a commercial stud career all but impossible for Criterion, who remains at Newgate on a fee on application basis.

 



In his first season, Criterion covered 70 mares and produced just 14 foals, two of which are in the Magic Millions.


One look at them makes us all realise what might have been for the feisty chestnut who contested a Golden Slipper and a Melbourne Cup with Group I wins in the ATC Australian Derby, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Rosehill Guineas and MRC Caulfield Stakes falling in between.

Lot 560 Colt Criterion x Exceleine, by Exceed and Excel – Newgate Farm




Second foal of metro winning Exceleine, who traces in tail female line to legendary matriarch Best in Show from the Monroe branch that has produced stallions Domesday and Xaar (GB)

Lot 807 Filly Criterion x Miss Beauty World, by God's Own – Kitchwin Hills




Second foal of a winning half-sister to Group winners Lite 'n' in my Veins, Hi World, Loveyamadly and Ducimus.

Criterion covered 27 mares in 2017 and had 12 foals born last year. He covered just 15 mares last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Breeding to Win - 2025 G1 Memsie Stakes
The big guns step out and spring is on in earnest when the Memsie (1400m WFA) rolls around and what a cracking field we have in 2025 for the first G1 of the Southern spring with 11 runners and 10 are G1 winners!
Stars on Show at Caulfield Spring Opener
The 2025 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival officially bursts out of the gates this Saturday with the Stow Storage Caulfield Spring Opener, headlined by the first Group 1 of the season, the $750,000 Stow Storage Memsie Stakes.
Ruling Court Dies of Laminitis
Hugely talented Justify colt Ruling Court has been a headline horse since May last year when Godolphin paid €2.3million for him at the Arqana Breeze Up Sale and he is back in the headlines overnight with the tragic news of his euthanasia due to laminitis.
Brilliant Return for Blueblood Zoustar Filly
Saturday’s NZ Horse Ambulance Winter Appeal 3YO (1000m) continued the Te Akau stranglehold over the three-year-old spring opener at Riccarton, but not with the horse that most expected.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 29
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Foal for Criterion
The first foal born at Newgate Farm this spring is a special one indeed.
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
Vale, Naturale
On our recent trip to Victoria for the stallion parades we had the pleasure of staying at Gilgai Farm where we met the lovely Naturale, the unraced sister to Black Caviar, who had a difficult life and achieved fame and fortune as the dam of champion sire Ole Kirk.
One to Watch – Gosford
He’s big and beautiful and it looks like the patient approach might be about to pay off for this talented I Am Invincible four year-old who won on debut at Gosford on Friday.
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.