Castillo King (AUS)
The Michael Freedman-trained Castillo King (Farnan) could be set for a step up to stakes class after making an impressive winning debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Having shown plenty of promise in a pair of trials prior to this week’s contest, the Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) colt proved even better on the racetrack as he downed Group 2-placed colt Eviction Notice (Stay Inside) by a taking 3.2 lengths under Tommy Berry in the 1100-metre maiden.
There was a further 0.8 lengths back to Maritime Magnate (Capitalist) in third place.
“We knew Eviction Notice was going to be a bit tricky. Being one of Gai’s [Waterhouse’s] and with Rachel [King] on board, it’s speed all the way, and a few others had some runs under their belts as well,” Freedman’s stable representative Sophie Johnson said.
“It was really good to see. He’s been a professional horse from day one. He’s not a problem being a colt, and he handles himself really well.”
Johnson confirmed The Rosebud (Listed, 1100m) at Rosehill on August 15 would be considered for Castillo King.
“All being well. It’s definitely a race that’s on the cards for him but it can go any way with horses,” she said.
Winning jockey Berry revealed he cut short his break from race riding to come back for the colt.
“I probably wasn’t going to come back until Saturday, but when I saw him in I didn’t want to forgo that ride,” Berry said.
“He’s a smart colt. He’s got a great attitude, and he will appreciate getting over a little bit further. He was out of his comfort zone the whole way trying to hold that box seat, but I loved what I saw late.
“Now the pressure is off, he’s done it, and he ran good time. He was put under really good pressure, so the sky is the limit.”
Purchased by TFI and Michael Freedman Racing for $180,000 from the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum-bred Castillo King is the third winner from as many to race out of the Exceed And Excel (Danehill) mare Boorooj, herself a half-sister to Group 1 winner Invest (Dehere).