Phantom Major (AUS)

Image: Phantom Major (Credit, Bradley Photos)

Owner: Thurso Limited
Breeder: Phoenix Thoroughbred (11) Ltd, Qld
Trainer: Chris Waller
Won: $100,000 Schweppes Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury
Sale: 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale V: KB Bloodstock P: Blandford Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock, $480,000

In a section normally dominated by two-year-old and three-year-old winners, it is the time of year to celebrate some patience and potential. Promising four-year-old. Phantom Major (Snitzel) produced an impressive turn of foot to break his maiden in Wednesday’s $100,000 Schweppes Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury.

Making just his second start, the Chris Waller-trained entire settled towards the rear under James McDonald before charging home to score impressively by a length and a half. Phantom Major had finished a close second over 1250 metres at Newcastle on debut last month, having been afforded plenty of time to mature by Waller.

“It was a really good performance,” Waller said. “He’s a big, strong, imposing horse and his first-up run at Newcastle was great. “He has progressively got a little bit better with time, so it’s exciting.” Waller said Phantom Major’s international ownership group had encouraged the stable to remain patient with the entire, who will now be given an opportunity to progress through stronger company.

Phantom Major was initially purchased by Sweat Equity Bloodstock for $60,000 from Segenhoe Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was subsequently offered by KB Bloodstock at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, where Blandford Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock secured him for NZ$480,000 after he breezed in 10.23 seconds.

Bred by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia, Phantom Major is only runner out of the juvenile winner Hard As (All Too Hard), a daughter of four time stakes winning mare Oomph (Flying Spur) and a half-sister to multiple Group winner Thump (Red Ransom) and stakes placed Snoopy (Lope De Vega).