Egyptian Symbol Wears The Crown at Last

Mark Smith - Saturday January 12

Third in the Magic Millions Guineas at three, sixth in the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares at four and third in the Magic Millions Sprint at five, the Bjorn Baker-trained Egyptian Symbol made her fourth trip to the Magic Millions race day count when powering home from the rear of the field to win Saturday's $1,00,000 Magic Millions Snippets Sprint (1200m).

With Jason Collett in the saddle, Egyptian Symbol's hopes looked forlorn turning into the straight but the race changed complexion in the space of 50 metres as the leaders weakened and the backmarkers came into play.

Advertisement

The 6yo daughter of Stratum defeated Fiery Heights (Hidden Dragon) by three-quarter of a length with Dothraki (Mossman) a nose back in third. (photo Steve Hart )


"She's been a great mare and has got a great pedigree. All credit to (owner/breeder) Bruce Neill, I bought a lovely filly off him at the sales that I need owners for, so that's why we are back every year," Baker said.

"I love coming here. It's a very special time of year for me at the Magic Millions.

"It's great to see this mare do it. She's always had the ability. We stay with Michael Costa every year and he's been great to us.

"What happens when you have them for a long time you live and learn, so as a trainer there are many ways to skin a cat and we have finally realised that first-up and fresh is the best way to go. It's not rocket science but we got it right today."

Bred by Bruce Neill's Cressfield Stud, Egyptian Symbol races in the colours of her breeder after failing to make her $100,000 reserve at the2014, Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

The daughter of the deceased Stratum advances her record to 8 wins, 5 seconds and 5 thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $1,494,355.

She is the best of five winners from Our Egyptian Raine, a Group I winner in New Zealand, who placed in nine Group I races in Australia.

Purchased at the 2006 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale for $900,000, Our Egyptian Raine has a 2yo filly foal by Smart Missile named Egyptian Missile who was purchased by Baker for $240,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

She has a yearling filly by Hinchinbrook and a colt foal by All Too Hard. She was covered by Headwater in November.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Another Widden Bred and Sold Stakes-Winner
The Listed SAJC Queen Adelaide Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday was won in good style by promising Stratum filly Absolute Flirt, a $100,000 Magic Millions Book Two purchase from the Widden draft for O’Brien Thoroughbreds.
Belclare Seeking to Find Best Form Back in Australia
Dual Group One winner Belclare’s return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.
Aussie Winner South Africa
Casting off maiden status at Kenilworth in South Africa on Saturday was three year-old Stratum filly Freedom Seeker, an $80,000 Inglis Premier purchase for World Wide Bloodstock  from the draft off Grenville Stud.
Stratum's Legionnaire Breaks Maiden in Exford PLate
The deceased Widden stallion Stratum came close to having a stakes-winner from his final full crop when Absolute Flirt was a luckless second on the Listed Cap D'Antibes Stakes at Flemington but thirty five minutes later he struck with the John Moloney-trained Legionnaire who broke his maiden in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m).
One to Watch – Kembla
The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred and very expensive colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday April 15
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Arrowfield Announce 2025 Fees
In the wake of his third Golden Slipper winner and his career-best yearling sale results, multiple Champion Sire Snitzel heads the 2025 Arrowfield stallion roster at an unchanged fee of $247,500, while Castelvecchio has earned a deserved fee increase.
FBAA Professional Development Day- Food for Thought
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia’s third Continued Professional Development Day was again held at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and was hosted by MC Vin Cox.
Best On Breeding
Two weeks week’s into his 11th season at Widden Stud, the 2005 Group 1 Golden Slipper hero Stratum had a heart attack and died in his paddock.