Exciting Group I sprinter Graff has been acquired to race in partnership with great clients Australian Bloodstock, before retiring to Aquis for his future stud career.
“Having partnered with Australian Bloodstock in dual Group I winner Brave Smash, who covered an outstanding first book of mares last season, we’re excited about joining forces to race the very talented sprinter Graff,” Aquis Managing Director Shane McGrath.
Confident in the ability of the stunning colt, Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett stated, “We were delighted to secure Graff recently with the backing of some of our most loyal clients and breeders. He is a proven Group I horse and we are confident that he will retire a Group I winner!”
“He will be sought after by breeders when he retires, and we were very keen to have Aquis involved in partnership from the outset, as we have seen first-hand the support Aquis have attracted for our Group I Sprinter in Brave Smash.”
A son of Group I Blue Diamond Stakes and Group I Coolmore Sud Stakes winner Star Witness, Graff is out of the speedy, Group III winner Dinkum Diamond, herself a daughter of the Group III winner Raja Lane from the family of Aquis’ part-owned Listed Rosebud winner Dawn Approach.
Unbeaten at two, the powerful bay resumed at three in the San Domenico Stakes, recording a scintillating two and a half-length victory, which had trainer Kris Lees effusive in his praise post-race, “He’s the best colt I’ve had anything to do with - a really exciting horse.’’
A narrow second to Aquis’ Lean Mean Machine in the Group II Run To The Rose followed by third in the Group I Golden Rose, so highly was Graff thought of that was selected by Slot Holder Max Whitby to race in the 2018 The Everest where he was the first of his age home in the race, with every runner finishing behind him a multiple Group I winner.
Fourth in both the Gr.oup I Lightning Stakes and Group I Newmarket Handicap at his following two starts as a 3yo, the form behind the colt to date clearly highlights his sheer talent and ability to complete with the best sprinters in the country.
“As an unbeaten 2yo, an explosive Group III winner and multiple Group I placed sprinter, the future prospects for Graff are very exciting, not just on the track as he targets Gr.1 races, but also when he retires to stud,” stated McGrath.
The winner of over $1million in prizemoney to date, the highest earning colt by his sire, Graff is likely to be aimed towards the Group I Galaxy Handicap first-up on March 21 at Rosehill, the venue of his dominant San Domenico win.
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