The Factor Breaks The Ice

Mark Smith - Saturday May 25

Former Newgate Farm shuttler The Factor (USA) broke his stakes duck in Australia when the Bjorn Baker-trained Fun Fact led at every call in Saturday's Group III Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm.

Fresh off a win in a benchmark 68 at Warwick Farm, Fun Fact was rated to perfection by Michael Cahill to defeat the Redoute's Choice filly Angel Of Heaven by a length with the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding Home Made a short-neck back in third.

"I thought he might've been going a bit keen and halfway down the straight I thought we were in trouble and we haven't had much luck with him this preparation," Baker said.

"Big shout out to Craig Tognolini, he's been the best bloodstock agent I've ever found, he's a part-owner of this horse and Redouble running later on.

Advertisement

"It's been a good syndicate, they have been patient and it hasn't worked out to well until the last two runs.

"He's bred to get the trip even though he is by The Factor (USA) but the main aim was to qualify him for the Magic Millions staying race next January and we've got the (Queensland) derby to look forward to."

Originally trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Fun Fact advances his record to 5 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 19 starts with earnings of $224,455.


Consigned by Edinburgh Park to the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Fun Fact (pictured as a yearling ) was knocked down to Spendthrift Farm for $240,000, which made him the most expensive yearling by his sire in Australia.

He is the second foal and second winner out of the Listed Canberra Cup winner Fill The Page (Dane Shadow) who was a $12,000 Scone Yearling that was purchased by Edinburgh Park for $26,000 out of the Bendaree Park draft at the 2013 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.

Fill The Page has a weanling colt by So You Think and was covered by Merchant Navy last spring.

Fun Fact becomes the 16th stakes-winner world-wide for The Factor (War Front) who spent four seasons at Newgate (2014-17) before being exported to Japan last year.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Waters awarded 2026 Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship
Niamh Waters has been announced as the 2026 recipient of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship and will depart on Saturday to begin her 30-week international experience.
Debut Winner Brings a Newgate Magic Update
Staking a claim for the $2million Inglis Millennium at Warwick Farm on February 9 was the John Sargent trained filly My Fire Phoenix, who scored a stylish debut victory at Canterbury on Friday night.
Group Two Winner for The Factor
Newgate Farm shuttler The Factor (USA) added an exciting new stakes-winner to his tally when four year-old entire Bound for Nowhere took out the Group II Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland on the weekend in a performance that may see him headed to Royal Ascot.
Anamoe breeding right among extraordinarily strong Inglis Feb (Late) catalogue
A breeding right in first season sire sensation Anamoe, multiple Stakes horses and young mares with highly desirable pregnancies are just some of the highlights of one of the strongest Inglis Digital catalogues ever assembled.
Breeding To Win - 2026 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes
The late withdrawal on Friday morning of unbeaten Bivouac colt Big Sky from the $2million Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) has taken a key contender from the mix, but with a full field of 16 it's a race packed with intrigue.
Stakes Next for The Factor Winner
Astute trainer David Payne has high hopes for his progressive gelding Momentum Factor, who cast off maiden status with a strong finishing win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Super Seth Filly Adds to Te Akau NZB Kiwi Contenders
Te Akau Racing strengthened their representation in next month’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) following the announcement of their Group One winner La Dorada as ‘The People’s Horse’.
Fun Winner for Spendthrift
Newgate Farm’s flashy grey shuttler The Factor (USA) is not coming to the Hunter Valley this spring, but he did feature at Sandown on Wednesday with an impressive winner carrying the Spendthrift Australia colours.
Embellish Filly Wins Listed Tasmanian Oaks
Coming off a last start maiden victory over 1717m at Sale, the Phillip Stokes trained 3yo Embellish (NZ) filly Kazaru (NZ) proved the superior stayer at Launceston on Friday night, winning the Listed Tasmania Oaks (2100m) for OTI Racing.
Vale, Reliable Man
Westbury Stud today announced with great sadness the passing of high-class racehorse and outstanding sire Reliable Man, who was humanely euthanised on veterinary advice due to post-surgical complications following the removal of a melanoma.