Brutal Continues Karaka Doncaster Domination

Media Release - Sunday April 7

Karaka graduate Brutal (NZ) (O'Reilly) produced a brilliant performance on Saturday to beat a stellar field of older horses in one of Australia's most famous races, the A$3 million Group 1 The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.

Brutal - image Steve HartIt continued a proud recent record for Karaka graduates in the Doncaster, withSacred Falls(NZ) (O'Reilly) winning it in 2013 and 2014 andKermadec(NZ) (Teofilo) in 2015. Both of those horses now stand at stud.

Brutal was a last-start second behind world-champion mare Winx (Street Cry) in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m). The $220,000 Premier Sale purchase was lining up on Saturday for just the seventh start of his exciting career.

Jumping from gate 21 in a capacity field, the colt was sent forward by rider Glen Boss to sit outside the early leader Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock).

Brutal quickened stylishly in the straight, passing that rival and going clear, beating Dreamforce by a length. Multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell (Authorized) was another length and a half away in third.

"He's a super colt, he's an absolute star," said co-trainer Michael Hawkes. "There's just so many people to thank. These owners have been fantastic for us. They've let us do what we wanted to do. We always knew we had the right horse.

"With only 49 kilograms and after he ran second to Winx, we were confident this was the right race for him."

Boss, who has now won the Doncaster seven times, was blown away by Brutal's performance. It was his first ride on the three-year-old.

Advertisement

"I'm in awe of the colt," he said. "I know they've got light weights and he got himself in a spot, but he just cantered to the 1000 metres. He gave me that real soft feel. He just felt confident underneath me. There was never a point in the race when I thought I was going to lose. He hit a few flat spots on the track, but within one stride he came straight back underneath me. He has very good control of his body."

The Doncaster was the fourth win of Brutal's seven-start career and lifted his prize-money earnings to A$2.289 million – more than 10 times his purchase price.

He is raced by R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, Pulitano Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, B & C Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Mr S J Bates, Mrs D L Bates, Mr H J Chapman, Mrs J S Willis, Mr D V Russo and Gurners Bloodstock Co.

Brutal was bred by Ruth Kerr-Taylor and Ann Storey, and he was offered in Mapperley Stud's draft at the 2017 Premier Sale.

A half-brother by Ocean Park was offered in Book 1 earlier this year, failing to meet his $30,000 reserve.

Vendor Mapperley Stud
Purchaser Hawkes Racing (New South Wales)
Breeding O'Reilly – Alberton Princess
Sale Lot 33, 2017 Premier Sale, $220,000
Bred by Mrs R Kerr-Taylor & Mrs A K Storey
Advertisment
More Reading...
Kosciuszko calling Rosehill winner Elson Boy
Dubbo-trained Elson Boy was back in the winner’s circle after a 412-day absence when leading throughout to land the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill in the hands of apprentice William Stanley.
Sliding Doors Moment Delivers Feel Good Winner at Rosehill
Two fillies were born at Yulong in 2021 sired by Alabama Express from imported North American daughters of Street Cry, one of them is triple Group I winner Treasurethe Moment and the other is the feel good winner of the day at Rosehill on Saturday.
Winning Hat-Trick for Progressive Pierro
Richard and Will Freedman probably have more talented horses in the stable than Pierro gelding Cold Brew, but few have the consistency of this four year-old who landed a winning hat-trick at Rosehill on Saturday.
Crossbow Takes Aim At Flemington To Score
With quality efforts behind handy horses in his first three starts, trainer Chris Waller crossed the border to Victoria with instant success for the Star Thoroughbreds raced Crossbow, with the well-marked son of Better Than Ready breaking through for an impressive win.
Newgate Farm Acquire an Interest in Brutal
An interest in Group I ATC Doncaster Handicap winner Brutal (NZ) has been sold to Newgate Farm and partners.
Kiwi Breeders Celebrate Brutal Doncaster Victory
The Matamata thoroughbred community celebrated another Group One victory on Saturday when Brutal took out the Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.
Unique Filly a History Maker for Godolphin and Waller
The re-distribution of the Godolphin owned Australian racehorses has been a hot topic in recent weeks as they departed the care of James Cummings to join a wide spread of different trainers and one of those was Chris Waller, whose first runner for the blue army was a winner at Rosehill on Saturday.
King of Roseau Wins G3 Aurie’s Star
Placed in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington last spring as a three year-old behind Growing Empire, Capitalist gelding King of Roseau returned to the same venue on Saturday to capture the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
Dual Group Winner Too Darn Good At Flemington
A dual group winner during the Spring of her 3yo season, talented mare Too Darn Discreet showed an electric turn of foot, charging home over the top of them to win the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Kiwi Bred Keeps Winners Coming for Payne Stable
The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained Bold Soul has been a consistent performer right through the winter months and notched another win at Flemington when prevailing in the VRC Membership Renewals Open (2530m) on Saturday.