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.

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...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 2
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Swiss Ace Debut Winner
Debbie Sweeney had expected Willit to give a bold account of himself at Rotorua and the three-year-old duly delivered at the first time of asking on Wednesday.
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.
Sire on Fire – Lope de Vega
Ballylinch Stud’s Lope de Vega is very much a sire on fire this year posting his 17th stakes-winner since January 1 when Moyglare Stud’s new acquisition La Isla Mujeres won the Listed Roscommon Lenebane Stakes (1m4f).
Entries Open for Enhanced MM Horses in Training Sale
Entries are now open for the country's leading breeze up style auction, the Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale, with a new section announced for vendors in 2024.
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.
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).
G1 Goals for Tavistock Mare
Talented and tenacious mare Town Cryer will be given every opportunity during her next preparation to break through at the highest level.
Extreme Choice Filly Extremely Hardys Excites on Debut
There will be better races ahead for exciting Extremely Hardys after the 2-year-old daughter of Extreme Choice introduced herself with a six-length romp over 1200m at Canterbury on Wednesday.
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.