John McGrath Celebrates G1 Success with Dreamforce

Media Release - Sunday March 22

He may be best known for his Real Estate background but John McGrath celebrated his first G1 winner as an owner/breeder in 25 years of trying when Dreamforce won the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill.

McGrath, proprietor of John McGrath Real Estate, first purchased a share in a racehorse in the late 1980s.

Dreamforce is a better runner than a walker! - image Steve Hart Through ownership and breeding – a side of the industry he first started investing in when buying Dreamforce’s dam Eskimo Queen almost 15 years ago – he has yearned for the day he could say he bred and owned a G1 winner.

And while that day has finally arrived, it’s a story that didn’t have the greatest of starts with Dreamforce.

“I remember heading into the 2014 Easter Sale with this fellow and Mick Malone, who was offering the horse on our behalf through Kitchwin Hills, said he didn’t think he’d bred a nicer type on the farm in all his time,’’ McGrath recalled.

“But as we got to the sale…everyone said ‘it can’t walk’.

“I was talking to Gerald Ryan at the time and he told me not to worry, that he’d had plenty of good horses in the past that weren’t good walkers so I didn’t worry, and now he’s a G1 winner. What a thrill.’’

Malone confirmed the story.

“This horse was the most magnificent Fastnet Rock you’ve ever seen but he had no action. He still doesn’t, walking in the mounting yard before that race today I could still see it,’’ Malone said.

Advertisement

“If anyone ever tries to tell you that a horse who doesn’t walk like a superstar means it can’t be a superstar, they are so wrong it’s not funny and this horse is the prime example of that. He’s won over $2m now. Wow.’’

Dreamforce becomes the 44th G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018 and 16th from the Easter Yearling Sale in that same time.

His win continued a magnificent weekend to date for Inglis clients and graduates who have so far won three G1 races – Dreamforce, Castelvecchio (Rosehill Guineas) and Loving Gaby (William Reid Stakes) – plus a further six Stakes races.

McGrath co-bred and races Dreamforce with long-time friend Tony Crisafi. The pair watched the race on McGrath’s couch, given the on-course restrictions due to the Coronavirus.

“We screamed our lungs out, it was fantastic,’’ McGrath said.

“It’s a great feeling. This journey has had so many people on it over the years and to finally get that Group 1, I mean I’ve sold plenty of houses in my time but this feeling, it’s right up there with the best of my life.’’

Inglis Release

 
Advertisment
More Reading...
Skyhook Asserts Authority In Rosebud Victory
Arguably one of the leading 2yo colts last season with victory in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, Written Tycoon’s Skyhook resumed with a significant weight impost to win the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.
Tajana Makes Brilliant Return in Breeders’ Stakes
The Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) has often been the one that got away for Shaune Ritchie, but Tajana’s superb first-up performance at Ruakaka on Saturday has the Cambridge trainer dreaming of a breakthrough in the Riccarton classic.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 15
Here is the full list of 34 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 16
Here is the full list of 118 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Saturday's 3YO Stakes Racing A Group One Pointer
Three-year-old stakes racing kicks off for the new season on Saturday with the two Victorian options being fertile ground for future Group One stars.
Vain Stakes Success For I Am Invincible Colt Jimmy Recard
Bennett Racing appear to have another potential topline colt in their ownership as I Am Invincible colt Jimmy Recard records his third consecutive win, taking out the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
More Success for Pierro's War Eternal
Accomplished galloper War Eternal scored the fifth win of his career and took his earnings past A$750,000 with a determined victory in Saturday’s Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 13
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Consecutive Wins for Farnan's Ninja
Highlighted as a Breednet One To Watch off the back of his impressive debut win, the Michael Freedman trained 3yo Farnan gelding Ninja continued his winning form, heading to the city on Saturday to record consecutive race victories.
First Foal For King Colorado
Widden Victoria have announced the arrival of the first foal by their Group One winning two-year-old King Colorado.