Magic Millions Graduates Dominate Golden Slipper

 

In a brilliant performance of speed Farnan and Hugh Bowman went to the line a length and three quarters clear in what what a clean sweep for runners sold at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The first six runners over the line in the world's richest race for two-year-olds - Farnan, Away Game, Mamaragam, Tagaloa, Hungry Heart and Prague - were all knocked down at Queensland's pin-up yearling auction about 16 months ago.

In the end it was the race favourite Farnan who proved himself the best. He had to work early in the race to cross from the outside barrier and from that point he wasn't headed under Hugh Bowman and they raced to a famous victory.

The win was the seventh in the Slipper for Gai Waterhouse, but a special one as it was the first she shared with her training partner Adrian Bott. 

"It's very surreal that's for sure," Bott said moments after the win. "It's very much a team effort."

"Gai has got such an amazing record in the race to share one with her is a very humbling experience."

"Thanks to everyone at home for getting the colt here today and also to Aquis Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbreds for their support as well."

"The horse has come back a different horse this campaign. He's very special - he proved himself in the lead ups with two very dominant wins."

"He was very dominant again today - he showed that tactical speed he has and was able to control the race."

"It's been a long couple of weeks - the build up - for it to all fall into place is amazing. It's quite surreal that it's all happened," Bott added.

The win was also a first in the Golden Slipper for the man who rode Winx to so many famous victories, Hugh Bowman.

"I'm lost for words to be honest," Bowman said. "I'd just like to congratulate Gai and Adrian and their team."
 

"The preparation and training they've done to this horse to make him race the way he has today has been second to none."

"I've been lucky to ride some very good horses during my career as you would know - but I've never ridden a better two-year-old."

"His mannerisms and professionalism is one thing - but his ability is another. I could feel the pressure coming at the 200 metre mark but I hadn't gone for him full throttle and when I did my word he responded in style."

"I've been in Sydney my whole career and this was a real signature race for me growing up and to win it - I'm really lost for words."

"He's a very special horse," Bowman summed up.

Farnan was offered late in the afternoon on the first day of the 2019 Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Vinery Stud and was purchased for $550,000 by Aquis Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbreds in partnership.

He's by former sale graduate and superstar sire Not a Single Doubt and from the group winning Street Cry mare Tallow.

Tallow, a winner of the Group Three The Vanity at Flemington and runner-up in a Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, is also the dam of the stakes winning juvenile Sandbar - who was fourth in a Group One Golden Rose. 

Winner: Farnan
Breeding: Not a Single Doubt-Tallow (Street Cry)
Race: ATC Golden Slipper Stakes G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $550,000
Sale: 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Vinery Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Phoenix T'breds (II)/Aquis Farm
Earnings: $2,502,200
Owners: Aquis Farm (Mgr: SJ McGrath) & Phoenix Thoroughbred (Mgr: AA Salman)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (Randwick)