First G1 Winner for Master of Design

Tara Madgwick - Saturday January 18

Blue-blooded Redoute’s Choice stallion Master of Design is based at Greta West Stud in Victoria at a fee of $3,300 and posted his first Group I winner in New Zealand on Saturday when The Mitigator took out the Group I Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham.

The Mitigator - Race ImagesThe Thorndon Mile has always been one of the McKay family’s favourite races, but on Saturday it became much more special.

The Mitigator delivered a third victory in the time-honoured feature for Matamata trainer Peter McKay, who had previously won it with Alamosa in 2008 and Puccini in 2015.

Even more significantly, it was a first taste of Group One glory for his son, jockey Shaun McKay.

“This is awesome,” the 23-year-old said. “I’m speechless and over the moon. To win a Group One race has been a dream, and to do it for my family is even better. Dad’s an awesome trainer, and it means a lot to win a Group One race for him.”

Peter McKay described it as a special win for a close-knit family.

“I’m thrilled for Shaun,” he said. “It was a very good ride today on a good horse. When he had a look over his shoulder, I thought he must have been pretty confident, but it’s a long way down that straight.

“It’s great for Shaun, and also my wife Kim, who’s there every morning and puts a lot of work in. It’s a real family unit, and on days like this, all of that work we do pays off.”

The Mitigator’s win in the metric mile showpiece was a new career pinnacle for the son of Master of Design, and it came at long odds of $28.70.

Since beating up-and-comer Beauden to win the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie three starts ago, The Mitigator had suffered thumps when tailing the field home in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), and attempted to take a sit behind the leaders when finishing a last-start fourth at Awapuni.

The Mitigator returned to his usual leading role on Saturday, and he was right back at his relentless best.

Rated perfectly by Shaun McKay, he dominated the race from the front and fought for all he was worth when he was challenged in the straight.

The Mitigator held on to win by a short head from Wyndspelle, who was a last-start Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes winner over the same course and distance.

The Thorndon Mile was The Mitigator’s seventh win from 32 starts and lifted his prize-money earnings past $340,000.

“He’s just such a consistent and honest horse,” Peter McKay said. “He tries so hard every time. We tried to ride him back in his last start, which was just a waste of time, and he had thumps in the Zabeel Classic. When he won at Ellerslie before that, he ran great time (1:33.18). We just decided to let him run his own race today.

“I’m thrilled for the owners, who are a great bunch. Racing needs more people like them, they just love the game. I think they’re here for this meeting every year.”

Master of Design is the sire of The MitigatorThat ownership group was formed by long-time McKay stable client Trevor Luke, who was unable to sell The Mitigator at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. The Mitigator had been bought for A$75,000 at Magic Millions from the Amarina Farm draft as a yearling.

“Trevor Luke bought the horse and then wasn’t able to sell him, so he asked me to help put a syndicate together to try to mitigate his losses,” co-owner Tim Davis said. “That explains the name.

“I’ve never had a Group One winner before, it’s an amazing result. We’re grateful to the whole McKay family, they’re amazing people. Peter McKay is a great trainer who doesn’t get all the credit he deserves, and that was a top-class ride from an outstanding jockey in Shaun McKay. Kim McKay is a lovely lady does a really great job as well.”

The Mitigator is the one and only stakes-winner sired by Master of Design and is a half-brother to Group II winner Fontein Ruby from good producing Rubiton mare Charming Ruby, a full three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Cox Plate winner Fields of Omagh.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Thorndon Mile Gr1 1600m

Trentham Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:35.47
1
The Mitigator
- 5g Master Of Design (AUS) x Charming Ruby (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: P N McKay Rdr: S M Mc Kay 56
2
0.1
Wyndspelle
- 6h Iffraaj (GB) x Western Star (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: J L Waddell 58
3
0.5
Yearn
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Princess Uno (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Ms K Fursdon Rdr: S C Spratt 55
4
0.6
Rock On Wood
- 5g Redwood (GB) x Rock On Rye (AUS) (Catcher In The Rye (IRE))
Tnr: Ms L Elliot Rdr: R T Elliot 55.5
5
1.4
Shadows Cast
- 7g Per Incanto (USA) x Ages Past (NZ) (Slavic (USA))
Tnr: M K Oulaghan Rdr: C J Grylls 58
6
1.5
Mongolian Marshal
- 5g High Chaparral (IRE) x Ardeche (NZ) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
7
1.9
Watch This Space
- 8g Elusive City (USA) x Multi Tasker (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ))
Tnr: W P Hillis Rdr: S T Collett 55
8
3.7
On The Rocks
- 5g Alamosa (NZ) x Cold Shoulder (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: M J Mc Nab 58
9
3.9
Dark Princess
- 6m Cape Blanco (IRE) x Game Duchess (AUS) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: J R Lynds Rdr: M T Coleman 54
10
4.2
Son Of Maher
- 7g Al Maher (AUS) x Dance Hit (NZ) (Tights (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S R Weatherley 55
11
5.2
Vernanme
- 4h O'Reilly (NZ) x Bohemian Blues (NZ) (Blues Traveller (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: D S Johnson 55.5
12
5.4
Vigor Winner
- 4g Declaration Of War (USA) x Savont (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Brennan Rdr: L G Innes 55.5
13
5.9
Hypnos
- 4g Reliable Man (GB) x Quality Dream (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: V A Colgan 55
14
9.2
Secret Allure
- 4m Zacinto (GB) x Secret Scent (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: R J Myers 54
15
29.7
Livin' On A Prayer
- 6m Redwood (GB) x It's My Sin (AUS) (Success Express (USA))
Tnr: W P Hillis Rdr: L J Allpress 53
More Reading...
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.
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.
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.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 1
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Larneuk Stud’s value Lonhro sire Impending only just missed a century of winners last season and was quick to keep the momentum going with a promising debut winner at Cranbourne on Friday in the Laurel Oak Bloodstock colours.
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.
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.
Bountiful and Many Men to be Offered at Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale
The high-class pair BOUNTIFUL (Zoustar) and MANY MEN (Study of Man) have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale to be held in collaboration with Inglis Digital Australia on Wednesday 6th August to Thursday 7th August. Full details of the sale which will take place on the Tattersalls Online website are now available to view at www.tattersallsonline.com.
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.
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.