Group 1 winner Vinrock added to Yulong's burgeoning stallion roster
Group 1-winning colt Vinrock (I Am Invincible) will join the Yulong roster for 2026, entering
the stallion market at an introductory fee of $22,000 (inc GST).
Read more below
Coolmore predicting big future for Home Affairs following dream Golden Slipper result
Trevor Marshallsea
ANZ News
Home Affairs (Credit: Coolmore)
In 2022, in an article by this correspondent crystal balling the next big thing in Australian
stallions, all roads led to one new sire who was entering stud just after his fourth birthday.
Coolmore Stud were convinced they were onto a winner, almost a no-brainer, based on the template set
by their most successful Australian stallion of all time.
What's On
“Fastnet Rock’s sireline, race record and pedigree gave us great confidence,” said the stud’s
nominations and sales manager Colm Santry at the time, “and it’s the same with Home Affairs (I Am
Invincible).
“These champion three-year-old colts in this country tend to make sires, and it was Home Affairs and
Anamoe who were the cream of their crop.”
That enthusiasm was backed by a range of respected voices looking for key markers in a potential
stallion.
“In terms of racing ability, Home Affairs was dominant,” said major buyer James Harron, citing the
colt’s “almighty” three-length victory in Flemington’s Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) against
the best of his age, and his “tremendous” WFA win over Nature Strip (Nicconi) in the Lightning
Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) at the same course at his next start.
“And physically, he’s an imposing, masculine horse, with great presence and strength - very much in
the Australian speed mould which everyone is always looking to replicate.
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“He’s by one of the dominant stallions of recent years in I Am Invincible, and from an outstanding
female line. His dam is a half-sister to the very promising stallion Russian Revolution, and hails
from the hallowed Fanfreluche family.
“He’s an outstanding prospect for Australian breeding.”
Fast forward almost four years, and rarely can the hopes, dreams, calculations and expectations
surrounding a stallion have been fulfilled more thoroughly at such an early stage. Australasian
breeding, clamouring for a new dominant sire as the sun sets on a generation of greats, may have a
very special one in its midst.
First, Home Affairs was feverishly popular. Though standing initially at a relatively hefty first
season fee of $110,000, he covered 203 mares in 2022. He served 189 at $99,000 in year two, before
227 and 205 in the past two seasons, at $82,500.
“
The country’s been crying out for a new leading sire, and hopefully Home Affairs is the one
Next, without a runner on the ground, Home Affairs’ stock was of such quality that he produced the
sale toppers at the two most important yearling auctions in the southern hemisphere in 2025.
At Magic Millions Gold Coast, Japanese trainer Mitsu Nakauchida paid $3.2 million for a filly out of
outstanding mare Sunlight (Zoustar). At Inglis Easter, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott went to $3
million to secure a colt out of their former topline mare Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt), in
league with Kestrel Thoroughbreds.
Now, at his first attempt, Home Affairs has sired the winner of Australian breeding’s most important
event, the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m), after Guest House’s barnstorming victory in the world’s
richest two-year-old race at Rosehill on Saturday.
The hulking Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt - setting up his own stud future - became
Home Affairs’ third stakes winners from just 27 runners, at 11.11 per cent. He has seven stakes
horses, at 25.93 per cent. He tops the first season sires’ tables on both sides of the Tasman, with
one of his stakes winners having come in New Zealand.
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And on Saturday afternoon, he seized the front-running on Australia’s two-year-old sires’ list.
After the Slipper triumph Coolmore - hit by the untimely deaths of Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) and So
You Think (High Chaparral) last spring - will with good reason be feeling mightily pleased with the
ballistic start the seven-year-old Home Affairs has made.
It’s also come at a time when Australia has been almost desperately searching for its next hot
stallion to step up in the wake of the dominant 20-somethings of the modern era such as Snitzel
(Redoute’s Choice), I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), Written Tycoon (Iglesia), and of course
Fastnet Rock (Danehill).
“The stars have aligned for us, thankfully,” Santry told ANZ News on Sunday.
Guest House (Credit: Sportpix)
“The country’s been crying out for a new leading sire, and hopefully Home Affairs is the one.”
The experienced Santry went further, buoyed by the knowledge Home Affairs had emulated two of the
greats - Danehill (Danzig) and Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) in leaving a Slipper victor in
his first crop, those winners being Danzero in 1994 and Stay Inside in 2021, who both - like Guest
House no doubt will - became sires.
“Home Affairs is well on the way to being an elite stallion already,” Santry said. “I believe he’ll
be the best sire from that whole sireline in this part of the world.”
That’s a sizeable call, given that Invincible Spirit sireline includes I Am Invincible himself, the
three-time champion stallion.
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But Coolmore are supremely confident - not only due to Home Affairs’ sales and early racetrack
results but the strong support he’s had from breeders. This list is headed by Coolmore itself, who
sent most of their best mares to him last spring after losing Wootton Bassett and So You Think.
“For us, I don’t say something will be a low risk stallion to be successful, because you never know,
and the proof will be in the pudding,” Santry said.
“But Coolmore supported the horse heavily last season. We had so much confidence in the horse being
successful that we bred all our best mares to him last year, before he had a runner.
“His numbers are tracking the right way. We were of course hoping that would be the case, and it
looks like that success is going to happen.”
“
We had so much confidence in the horse being successful that we bred all our best mares to him
last year
Saturday’s Slipper was a triumph for connections, with Price celebrating his first win in one of
Australia’s “Big Four” races after buying Guest House from Newgate’s draft at the Magic Millions
Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $270,000, in conjunction with Tim Rogers Bloodstock and the Roll The
Dice Racing group whose familiar colours he bears.
But it was also, Santry said, a vehemently encouraging win for the breeding scene as a whole, since
Home Affairs has been so strongly supported.
“Yes, it was a very important day for Coolmore, but it’s like everybody has a piece of Home Affairs.
He’s been a wicked popular stallion,” said Santry. “It was fantastic to see what he did yesterday,
winning a Slipper from his first crop.
“I spoke to one breeder this morning who was over the moon. He’s got 11 Home Affairs foals on the
ground.
“The industry has backed him to the hilt. They’ve believed in him, like we did, and now hopefully
we’ll all be rewarded.
“A lot of the commercial breeders in this country have exposure to this horse, and I’m delighted for
all of them. It’s very important for Coolmore that the clientele get rewarded.”
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Given his trajectory so far, no crystal ball is needed to predict a hefty service fee hike for Home
Affairs in 2026 - possibly almost double his current mark of $82,500 (inc GST).
The stallion batted at 82.9 per cent fertility in 2024, the latest season for which data is
available. “He’s very fertile. He only has to serve a mare once,” said Santry.
Santry noted Home Affairs also fitted the mould of Fastnet Rock and other leading sires in
Australia, in terms of success in the 1000 to 1200 metres range.
“Fastnet Rock won one Group 1 in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington, over 1000 metres, and his other
one in the Oakleigh Plate over 1100 metres,” he said. “He was the fastest son of a champion sire, in
Danehill, to stand at stud.
“And now we have the fastest son of a champion sire in I Am Invincible at stud.
“
We might just have the best sire in the country going forward into the future
“Those five and six furlong speed horses make champion sires in Australia. That sort of speed is so
important in this country. The horses that can sire 1000-metre and 1200-metre horses can eat into a
lot of race programming here - the Coolmore Stud Stakes, the Slipper, the Everest, the Lightning,
the Newmarket, and so on.
“They’re the horses the market really wants in this country. So It’s very important that Coolmore
have the best one, and we might just have the best sire in the country going forward into the
future.”
That said, and while Home Affairs didn’t race beyond 1200 metres in his ten starts, the sizeable
Guest House looks likely to succeed at distances greater than he traversed on Saturday, and in his
meritorious third in the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m).
“With the turn of foot he showed in the Slipper, you’d think he’ll get 1400 or 1600 pretty easily.
He’s a beautiful big horse,” Santry said. “So I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in a Guineas later
on.”
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At the same time, it could be argued Guest House - bred by Love Racing PL, Henderson Racing and
Breeding, and G1g Racing and Breeding - was made for Saturday’s win.
Among the 15 stallions in the first four generations of his pedigree, four are Slipper winners, all
of them damsires. They are his own damsire Stratum (Redoute’s Choice); Home Affairs’ damsire Flying
Spur (Danehill); I Am Invincible’s damsire Canny Lad (Bletchingly); and Guest House’s third damsire,
Vain (Wilkes).
Meanwhile, as for Home Affairs’ two sale toppers, both are awaiting their first starts. The daughter
of Sunlight is in Japan and named Lia La La, while the son of Shout The Bar now carries the name of
The Railway, a fitting pub-related moniker for a syndicate headed by John Singleton.
Stud News
Group 1 winner Vinrock added to Yulong's burgeoning stallion roster
Daniel Harrold
ANZ News
Vinrock (Credit: Sportpix)
Group 1-winning colt Vinrock (I Am Invincible) will join the Yulong roster for 2026, entering the
stallion market at an introductory fee of $22,000 (inc GST).
The classy son of I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) was unbeaten as a juvenile and became the
first Australian two-year-old Group 1 winner for his champion sire when landing the ATC Sires'
Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick last year.
Vinrock also became the first horse in 44 years to complete the VRC Sires' Produce (Gr 2, 1400m) and
ATC Sires double, winning the former by two lengths over subsequent stakes winner Brave Design
(Brave Smash) and the latter by 0.3 lengths over Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) colt State Visit.
Bred by Rosemont Stud, Vinrock was purchased by his trainer Matt Laurie and Wilannah Park Bloodstock
for $300,000 at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, and Laurie knew he had talent from the
outset.
“He’s a class horse, we knew he was tough right from the beginning, and he showed so much natural
talent," the trainer said following Vinrock’s Group 1 success.
“He was unbeaten as a two-year-old, and he's a hell of a type, so he's going to be very
well-received when he gets to stud."
In five starts as a three-year-old, Vinrock landed the Exford Plate (Listed, 1400m) at Flemington
while also producing fourth-place efforts in both the Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) and McNeil
Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m). His final outing came when sixth behind Jimmysstar (Per Incanto) in the CF Orr
Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) on November 15.
Vinrock will offer breeders an opportunity to access an Australian Group 1-winning son of I Am
Invincible - a profile shared by only three other sons currently at stud: proven sires Brazen Beau
and Hellbent, and Home Affairs, whose son Guest House won Saturday’s Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m).
He is the best of three winners out of the Matriarch Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) winner Girl Gone Rockin’
(Redoute’s Choice), herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Syreon (Flying Spur), the pair being out
of the Group 2-winning mare Sorrento (Just A Dancer).
This news comes after a weekend where I Am Invincible has shown himself a talented sire of sires and
Yulong’s chief operating officer, Sam Fairgray, said the horse possessed all the ingredients
breeders seek in a young stallion.
“Vinrock is an exceptional colt. Elite performances at two, an outstanding page, and a real physical
presence,” he said.
“To win both the VRC and ATC Sires’ Produce races in the same season is so rare and speaks volumes
about his class, toughness, and natural ability.
“He’s a son of I Am Invincible, and from a high-quality Redoute’s Choice mare, like Zoustar, Anamoe
and Super Seth, which gives him a pedigree that will really resonate with breeders, and we’re
excited to welcome him to the farm.”
Vinrock joins a quality, ever-growing stallion roster at Yulong, headed by ever-present stalwart
Written Tycoon (Iglesia) and Group 1 sires Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice) and Grunt (O’Reilly).
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Morning Briefing
Australia
50 for Toronado
Toronado (Credit: Swettenham Stud)
Swettenham Stud stalwart Toronado (High Chaparral) brought up his half-century of stakes
winners on Sunday when the Grant and Alana Williams-trained Royal Toronado (5 g ex Harada
Queen by Haradasun) proved too strong for his 11 rivals in the Pinjarra Cup (Listed, 2300m)
at Pinjarra Park. Ridden by William Pike, the five-year-old gelding defeated Silver Eye
(Sessions) by 2.6 lengths with a further 0.2 lengths back to Rocking Society (Awesome Rock)
in third place. Purchased by Williams Racing for $100,000 out of the Amelia Park draft at
the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Royal Toronado is out of the winning Haradasun
(Fusaichi Pegasus) mare Harada Queen, making him a brother to winner Disengo and a
half-brother to winners American Queen (All American) and Setagaya (Shooting To Win).
Toronado stood the 2025 breeding season at a fee of $88,000 (inc GST).
Vinery challenge for Ohope Wins
Ohope Wins (Credit: Race Images)
Ohope Wins (Ocean Park) has conquered all before her in New Zealand this season and she is
looking to extend her reign in Australia when she heads to Rosehill on Saturday to contest
the Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m). Formerly trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott,
the daughter of Ocean Park (Thorn Park) is undefeated at stakes level, winning the New
Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m), David and Karyn Ellis Filles Classic (Gr 2, 2100m) and Sir
Patrick Hogan Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m), and owner Yulong Investments were keen to tackle
Australian autumn targets with their filly following her New Zealand Oaks triumph. She has
subsequently been entrusted to the care of Chris Waller, who is fresh off a Group 1
hat-trick at Rosehill on Saturday. “She has settled in really well,” the trainer told Weigh
In. “Andrew and Lance have done a fantastic job with her and they have been great to deal
with since we have taken her over. She has had a pretty straightforward fortnight. She is
very professional, she has settled in really well, she is in the same barn as Autumn Glow.
We haven’t fussed over her, we have just treated her as a normal horse. We have seen some
good things, she has had a couple of quiet gallops and she had a trial. James [McDonald] was
aboard in the trial and he was very impressed with her. She will run in the Vinery this
Saturday over 2000 metres, it is a pretty good field. She has certainly got something about
her.”
Price and Kent Jnr turn attentions to Australian Cup
Having landed the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) on the weekend with Guest House (Home
Affairs), Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will turn their attention towards Saturday's
Australian Cup (Gr 1, 2000m). The pair will send Sabaj (Manhattan Rain) to this weekend's
Group 1 following a fourth placing in the All-Star Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Flemington on March
7. Having lost the mount on Sabaj to returning jockey Mark Zahra, Beau Mertens has now
regained the ride following Zahra's suspension for careless riding last weekend. "If only I
had waited, I would have been a good bloke, instead I've covered myself in shame," Price
said. "I had to put my arm around Beau again as there are riders going left, right and
centre." Price said the stable had been keen to try Sabaj at 2000 metres. "He's a big
clean-winded horse and we've been working him for 2000 metres," the trainer said. "I think
he'll show up, but he's got to be good enough on the day. He's a nice, sound horse, and he
seems to go on all types of ground. If [Pride Of] Jenni turns up, she will be unbeatable and
Birdman, he's coming through the 1800-metre race. It's a competitive race, he likes
Flemington. It will be a small field, he's a relaxed horse, so he should travel good."
TJ Smith remains an option for Tempted
Tempted (Credit: Sportpix)
Ciaron Maher is keen to keep his carnival options open with Tempted (Street Boss) after the
filly's last-start success in the Surround Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m). The daughter of Street Boss
(Street Cry) will take in a barrier trial this week to keep her ticking over, with a
1000-metre heat at Hawkesbury on Monday and a 1030-metre trial at Rosehill on Tuesday the
options. "I'll see what the tracks are like, but she will probably go to Rosehill," Maher
said. Having finished second behind superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) in The
Everest (Gr 1, 1200m) last spring, Tempted has won both of her starts this campaign, scoring
in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) prior to her maiden Group 1 victory in last
month’s Surround. "I was down at Bong Bong during the week. I pulled her out of the paddock,
and I thought, she's going to jump out of the paddock, so I swiftly put her back away,"
Maher said. "She's in great order. Maybe an Arrowfield or TJ [Smith]. I will see what the
other horses are doing."
Sky to air Inglis Easter Yearling Sale preview
Sky will air Caroline Searcy’s early look at select drafts that are set to go under the
hammer at the 2026 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney. The one-hour preview features a
full screen broadcast vision of the next crop of racetrack champions by elite stallions such
as Zoustar (Northern Meteor), Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), I Am Invincible (Invincible
Spirit), Too Darn Hot (Dubawi), Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice), Frankel (Galileo),
Written Tycoon (Iglesia), Home Affairs (I Am Invincible), Anamoe (Street Boss), Farnan (Not
A Single Doubt) and more. The preview will be replayed through the week on Sky Thoroughbred
Central after Monday’s premiere airing, giving buyers a chance to shortlist their favourite
yearlings ahead of inspections at Inglis Riverside and the Easter sale at Riverside Stables,
Warwick Farm on March 29 and March 30.
Sunshine Coast meeting abandoned
Sunday's meeting scheduled to take place at the Sunshine Coast was abandoned after the track
received 30 millimetres of rain in the morning, making conditions unsuitable for racing.
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New Zealand
Latest Model struts her stuff in St Leger
Latest Model (Credit: Race Images)
Gary Vile is tipping a bright future for Latest Model (Vespa) following her win in the NZ St
Leger (2500m) at Trentham on Saturday. The five-year-old mare has shown the Awapuni-based
trainer plenty of promise in her 24 previous starts, notching three victories, and he always
thought she would be better suited over ground and she got her opportunity to show her
staying qualities in the St Leger. Ridden by Elen Nicholas, the five-year-old mare defeated
Freebelle (Belardo) by 0.1 lengths with a further 0.6 lengths back to He's A Battler (He’s
Remarkable) in third place. “I got my weight down to 52 kilograms to ride her, which is a
tough effort,” Nicholas said. “I almost felt like I had gone a bit too soon at the top of
the straight, but she persevered the whole way to the line and it worked out perfectly."
Vile was rapt with the win and rates Latest Model alongside a couple of her stakes-winning
stable predecessors. “I have been blessed over the years to have three good stayers –
Jacksstar, who is probably the best I have had, Rock On, and this girl is up with them,” he
said. “She found the line very well at her last start, her first start in open company, and
I knew 2500 metres wasn’t going to worry her. I didn’t go to the Wellington Cup and maybe I
made a mistake going to the Remutaka and we didn’t have much luck in that, but she has won
the St Leger and anywhere else in the world this is a horse maker.”
Te Akau bring up season century
Te Akau Racing have once again surpassed the 100-win mark in a season, bringing up the
milestone this term when Perlino (Super Seth) took out a Rating 65 (1600m) at Riccarton Park
on Saturday. It continued a successful day for Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson who earlier in
the day recorded their 14th New Zealand stakes triumph of the season when Origin Of Love
(Snitzel) won the Wellington Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) at Trentham. Te Akau principal David
Ellis said he is proud of the stable’s continued success. “It’s a special milestone that
we’ve managed to achieve for quite a few years in a row now,” he said. “I remember Mark
Walker set a new benchmark for wins when he trained 108 in the 2009/10 season, eclipsing the
previous 17-year-old record, which was a very proud moment for Te Akau and we’ve kept it
going. Karyn [Fenton-Ellis] and I are very proud on every level. We’re proud of the horses
we’ve bought and syndicated, the horses we train for other owners and breeders that support
Te Akau, and all our wonderful staff here at the farm and the stables in Matamata, Riccarton
and Melbourne. These people give everything they’ve got to the racing industry and looking
after the horses.”
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Asia
11 for Hellbent
Yarraman Park stallion Hellbent (I Am Invincible) chalked up his 11th individual stakes
winner when Invincible Ibis (4 g ex My Dear Friend by General Nediym) landed Sunday’s Hong
Kong Derby (Listed, 2000m) at Sha Tin. Ridden by Hugh Bowman for Mark Newnham, the
four-year-old gelding led inside the final furlong and ran on well to beat Numbers (Tivaci)
by a length and a quarter. There was a further nose back to Stormy Grove (Toronado) in third
place. A half-brother to winner Testifier (Star Witness), Invincible Ibis is one of four
foals to race out of the winning General Nediym (Nediym) mare My Dear Friend. Hellbent stood
the 2025 breeding season at a fee of $38,500 (inc GST).
51 for Kizuna
Shadai Stallion Station’s Kizuna (Deep Impact) sired his 51st individual stakes winner when
the Yoshitake Hashida-trained Ai Sansan (4 f ex Wadjet by Symboli Kris S) scored in Sunday’s
Achi Hai (Gr 3, 1400m) at Chukyo. Ridden by Hideaki Miyuki, the four-year-old filly defeated
Salt Queen (Silver State) by a head with a further length and a quarter back to Cefiro (Isla
Bonita) in third place. Out of the winning Symboli Kris S (Kris S) mare Wadjet, Ai Sansan is
a sister to 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr 1, 2200m) winner Akai Ito. Kizuna is standing
for a fee of ¥20,000,000 (approx. AU$178,330).
JPN: Admire Terra far too good in Hanshin Daishoten
Admire Terra (5 h Rey De Oro - Admire Miyabi by Heart’s Cry) doubled his Graded tally when
running out a ready winner of Sunday’s Hanshin Daishoten (Gr 2, 3000m). Ridden by Yutaka
Take for Yasuo Tomomichi, the five-year-old entire scored by three lengths over Aqua Vernal
(Epiphaneia) with a further length and a quarter back to Danon Cima (Kitasan Black) in
third. Sunday’s win added to Admire Terra’s victory in last year’s Meguro Kinen (Gr 2,
2500m).
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International
120 for Candy Ride
Emerging Market (3 c ex Wild Empress by Empire Maker) provided Chad Brown with further
success at Fair Grounds when he took the track’s most valuable race, Saturday’s Louisiana
Derby (Gr 2, 9.5f), and in the process provided Candy Ride (Ride The Rails) with his 120th
individual stakes winner. Sent out the market leader having gone into the race with a win in
a Tampa Bay Downs maiden on his only previous start, Emerging Market came out on top in a
tussle with Pavlovian (Pavel) which lasted the length of the straight. A head split the pair
crossing the line with Golden Tempo (Curlin) third, another length away. Bred in Kentucky
out of the Empire Maker (Unbridled) mare Wild Empress, Emerging Market was a US$185,000
purchase from the consignment of breeder Stoneriggs Farm at the 2024 Keeneland September
Yearling Sale. Candy Ride stands at Lane's End for a fee of US$60,000 (approx. AU$85,190).
US: Touchuponastar defends New Orleans Classic title
The consistent Touchuponastar (7 g Star Guitar - Touch Magic by Lion Heart) notched his
fifth win in succession when he successfully defended his title in Saturday’s New Orleans
Classic (Gr 2, 9f) at Fair Grounds. Trained by Jeff Delhomme, the seven-year-old took his
record to 21 wins and six placings from 28 starts as he beat Corporate Power (Curlin) by a
half-length. Life And Times (Justify) led home the remainder, a further five and a quarter
lengths adrift.
US: Life Of Joy too smart for Fair Grounds Oaks rivals
Life Of Joy (3 f Gun Runner - Jordan's Leo by Malibu Moon) took her record to three wins in
five starts when proving to be too smart for her six rivals in Saturday’s Fair Ground Oaks
(Gr 2, 8.5f). The Brad Cox-trained filly beat favourite Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) by
three and three-quarter lengths with Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution) another four and
three-quarter lengths away in third as the field finished well stretched out.
US: Lagynos lands Muniz Memorial
Lagynos (5 h Kantharos - Steamy by Speightstown) justified his position at the head of the
market when running out a length winner of Saturday’s Muniz Memorial Classic (Gr 2, 9f) on
the Fair Grounds turf. Lining up off the back of a course and distance win in Grade 3
company last month, the Steve Asmussen-trained five-year-old beat Tom’s Magic (Justify) with
Program Trading (Lope De Vega) finishing third, two lengths behind the winner.
32 for Liam’s Map
Fulleffort (3 c ex Callmethesqueeze by Awesome Again) guaranteed himself a place in the
field for May’s Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) with a victory in Saturday’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (Gr
3, 9f) at Turfway Park, a result which also provided Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song) with his
32nd individual stakes winner. Having finished runner-up on each of his previous starts,
which both came in Listed company, the Brad Cox-trained colt went one better as he beat
Stark Contrast (Caravaggio) by two and a half lengths. Medici (Into Mischief) was a further
three and a half lengths away in third. Bred in Kentucky by Athens Woods, Fulleffort was
purchased by his owners St. Elias Stables for US$425,000 out of the Eaton Sales consignment
at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2024. He is out of the three-time stakes-winning mare
Callmethesqueeze (Awesome Again), making him a half-brother to 2024 Alabama Stakes (Gr 1,
10f) winner Power Squeeze (Union Rags). Liam's Map stands at Lane's End for a fee of
US$50,000 (approx. AU$70,995).
US: Skippylongstocking adds to tally
Skippylongstocking (7 h Exaggerator - Twinkling by War Chant) followed up his win in
January’s Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (Gr 1, 9f) with a clear-cut success in
Oaklawn’s Essex Handicap (Gr 3, 9f) on Saturday. Making the most of the significant drop in
grade, the Saffie Joseph Jr-trained seven-year-old came home five and a quarter lengths
clear of the chasing pack who were led home by Mackman (Union Rags). San Siro (Classic
Empire) finished third, another neck away.
US: Gold Phoenix back to winning ways
Grade 1 winner Gold Phoenix (8 g Belardo - Magnifica by Mizzen Mast) notched his 11th win in
31 starts, and ninth in stakes company, when taking out Saturday’s San Luis Rey Stakes (Gr
3, 12f) on the Santa Anita turf. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the gelding beat Flashiest (Mizzen
Mast) by three-quarters of a length with Mondego (Lope De Vega) finishing another
half-length away in third.
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Hong Kong News
I Am Invincible’s dynasty surges as Invincible Ibis claims Hong Kong Derby laurels
Lydia Symonds
ANZ News
Invincible Ibis (Credit: HKJC)
Invincible Ibis capped off a brilliant 24 hours for I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) as a sire of
sires when the son of Hellbent produced a dominant display to win Sunday’s Hong Kong Derby (Listed,
2000m) at Sha Tin.
On Saturday, Yarraman’s stalwart stallion's credentials as a top notch grandsire came to fore once
again courtesy of his dual Group 1 winner Home Affairs’ son Guest House taking out the biggest
juvenile prize of all, the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Rosehill.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman and trained by Mark Newnham, the Australian-bred Invincible Ibis made amends
for his second-placed finish in the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Triple Crown, the Hong Kong
Classic Cup (Listed, 1800m), with a convincing length and a quarter victory over New Zealand-bred
Numbers (Tivaci).
It was redemption for Mark Newnham, who had gone agonisingly close in last year’s Hong Kong Derby
when his charge My Wish (Flying Artie) was narrowly denied by Cap Ferrat (Snitzel).
The final time of 1.59.43 was not only a new race record, but a new track record for 2000 metres at
Sha Tin, beating the previous standard which had been set back in 2018.
“Today’s a fantastic day… [I feel] completely opposite to last year that’s for sure,” Newnham said.
“It was just a really smooth race to watch… at the corner it was just going to be, ‘is he good
enough?’ And probably a furlong into the straight I was pretty confident he was going to be strong
late.
“He’s a horse that uses his energy well, relaxes… and against your own age group you don’t have to
be the superior stayer, but he’s run fantastic time today and the way he hit the line, it’s not one
of those things where you’d be doubtful again,” added Newnham.
Bred by Adrian Goonan, Invincible Ibis was purchased by Kilgravin Lodge and Waikato Bloodstock for
$80,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2023, before being picked
up by his trainer for $425,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale a few months later.
He is out of the 11-time winner My Dear Friend (General Nediym), herself a half-sister to South
African champion Harry’s Friend (Haradasun).
Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson said: “A great result and a huge thrill for the entire Widden team to
have foaled, raised and sold the winner of Hong Kong’s most prestigious race.
“It was also incredibly special to see our great friends Mark Newnham and Hugh Bowman doing
Australia proud on such a big stage.
“We’re delighted for the team at Kilgravin Lodge - the colt showed enormous potential early on,
which was reflected in a strong result for them, and it’s fantastic to now see Invincible Ibis
fulfil that promise.”
The result provided Hellbent - who stands alongside his father at Yarraman Park - with his 11th
individual stakes winner. The Mitchell Family’s operation will offer all three of Hellbent’s
catalogued yearlings at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, which gets under way in Sydney
on Sunday.
I Am Invincible has 41 yearlings set to come under the hammer during the two-day sale, while
Coolmore’s Home Affairs is represented by 17 youngsters.
The result is the third time in the past four seasons that the winner of the Hong Kong Derby has
been an Inglis graduate, with Invincible Ibis joining Cap Ferrat (2025) and Voyage Bubble (Deep
Field) (2023) as winners of the time-honoured contest.
The win of Invincible Ibis follows that of Inglis Classic Sale graduate Little Paradise (Toronado)
in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (Listed, 1600m) and Inglis Premier Sale graduate Stormy Grove
(Toronado) in the Hong Kong Classic Cup.
Plenty of talent showcased on Derby undercard
Leo Schlink
HKJC
Hot Delight (Credit: HKJC)
The undercard was dominated by exciting rising talent with four three-year-old geldings winning four
of the first six races, with Too Darn Hot’s (Dubawi) Hot Delight, Deep Field’s (Northern Meteor)
Mega Mastermind, Biouvac’s (Exceed And Excel) Absolute Heart and Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice)
gelding Gold Patch prevailing.
Hot Delight maintained a perfect record with a third successive win to give Francis Lui his 500th
victory on Sha Tin turf with success in the Class 3 Werther Handicap (1200m) under Vincent Ho in 1m
08.19s – only marginally outside of Victor The Winner’s (Toronado) Class record mark of 1m 08.11s.
“He’s [Hot Delight] a nice horse, we know that. But he’s only three, so we want to excel as much as
possible, but we also want to keep him for his four-year-old season, so it was a nice run,” Ho said.
Lui said: “Good horse, he’s a very good horse and honest. Even in trackwork he’s showed he's
improved.”
Lui also struck with Gold Patch under Zac Purton in the Class 4 Sky Darci Handicap (1200m).
Jamie Richards and Brenton Avdulla combined with Mega Mastermind to win the Class 4 Luger Handicap
(1600m) before Absolute Heart landed the Class 4 Ping Hai Star Handicap (1200m) for Cody Mo and
Derek Leung.
Circuit Champion (Starspangledbanner), purchased at the 2024 Hong Kong International Sale for HK$5.4
million, showcased his talent with a last-to-first success in the Class 3 Furore Handicap (1200m)
for Danny Shum to improve his record to two wins and a second from three starts.
Slowly away, the Starspangledbanner (Choisir) gelding finished powerfully under Keith Yeung,
clocking 21.81s for the final 400 metres to justify the patience of his connections with the
five-year-old, who has overcome cannon bone, humeral bone and pelvis issues as well as a fever
before making a belated debut.
Pierre Ng’s Aeroinvincible (Per Incanto) continued Andrea Atzeni’s stunning March surge with victory
in the Class 4 Fay Fay Handicap (1400m). Atzeni took his tally for the month to 12, a haul which
includes two quartets.
Ng and Purton teamed with Aerovolanic (Frosted) in the Class 3 Rapper Dragon Handicap (1400m) after
the David Hayes-trained Shamus Storm (Shamus Award) clinched the Class 3 Designs On Rome Handicap
(1800m) for Harry Bentley.
Tony Cruz’s Winning Ovation (Cotai Glory) clinched a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million (approx. AU$271,810)
by winning the Class 2 Golden Sixty Handicap (1400m) for Angus Chung.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Hong Kong Results
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Tab Meetings
Sha Tin HK Good
ShowHide
Sha Tin HK Good
R1: Luger Hcp (C4), $1,170,000, 1600m
Mega Mastermind (AUS) (gr G 3
Deep Field (AUS) - Something Silver (AUS) T:
J W Richards J: B Avdulla
Circuit Marshal (AUS) (br G 4 Pride of Dubai (AUS) -
Anatola (AUS))
Flying Boom (AUS) (b G 4 Saxon Warrior (JPN) - My Sweet
Fish (AUS))
Royal Toronado (AUS) 5 b G 56kg Toronado (IRE)
- Harada Queen (AUS), by Haradasun (AUS) 2nd Dam: Motivo (AUS), by Fastnet Rock
(AUS)
3rd Dam: Leitmotif (AUS), by Fasliyev (USA) B: Amelia Park Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd WA T: G
& A Williams J: W Pike $100,000, Magic Millions Perth Yearling
Sale 2022 V: Amelia Park P: Williams
Racing
Silver Eye (AUS) 5 b G 59kg Sessions (AUS)
- Sisken (AUS), by Medaglia d'Oro (USA) B: Oakland Park Stud WA T: A G Durrant
J: S O'Donnell
Rocking Society (AUS) 5 br G 56kg Awesome Rock (AUS)
- Society Gal (NZ), by Faltaat (USA) B: Mr A Olive WA T: J F Miller
J: Brayden Gaerth
Then followed: River Rubicon (AUS), Fear the Wind (AUS), Soldanelle (IRE), Arcadia Park
(NZ), Fat Roy Slim (AUS), Royal Law (AUS), Snazzler (AUS), Arcadia Knight (AUS), Fly With
Caution (AUS), last.
1st dam: HARADA QUEEN, by Haradasun. Winner at 1400m, 2d WATC
Peacock Bros H. Dam of-
2017 f. American Queen, by All American. 3 wins from 1200m to 2200m,
A$82,955, 2d WATC Free Entry to Belmont Park H. 2018 g. Disengo, by Toronado.
Winner at 1650m, 2d WATC Tabtouch Better Your Bet P., 3d WATC Free Entry
to Belmont Park 2YO P., Tabtouch Better Your Bet 2YO P., Heineken 3 H.2020
ROYAL TORONADO (g by Toronado). 7 wins from 1300m to
2300m, A$429,455, to 2025-26, Pinjarra Cup, L, WATC Drummond Golf
H.-twice, Schweppes H., Free Entry H., 2d WATC Tabtouch H., Races Free on 7plus H., Unite
Resourcing H., 3d WATC Liquor Barons H., Swan Draught H., Croser Sparkling H., Amelia Park
P., Thank You Colin Brown H., 4th WATC Lex Piper S., L. 2021 f.
Setagaya, by Shooting to Win. Winner at 1100m in 2024-25, 3d WATC
Tabtouch H. 2022 f. Amelia's Frost, by Frosted. Unraced. 2023 f. Sobremesa, by
Nicconi. Unraced. 2024 c. by Lightsaber.
Metropolitan Meetings
Hobart TAS Good(4)
ShowHide
Hobart TAS Good(4)
R1: Racing Owners Club Tasmania Mdn Plate, $25,000, 1100m
Dina Tycoon (AUS) 4 br/bl M 56kg Holler (AUS)
- My Paige Three (AUS), by Written Tycoon (AUS) T: Jessie Bazan J: D Pires
Black Raptor (AUS) 4 b/br M 56kg Alpine Eagle (AUS)
- Gypsy Trois (AUS), by Ladoni (GB) T: Sigrid Carr J: T Baker
Lawrenny Boys (AUS) 3 br G 58kg Stratosphere (AUS)
- Blarney Wish (AUS), by Snippets (AUS) T: J L Keys J: E Byrne Burke
Then followed: A Queens Buzz (AUS), Last Tremble (AUS), Blooming Edge (AUS), The Pirate
Queen (AUS), Miss Terasita (AUS), Tizsa Nice Drop (AUS), Bunker Jako (AUS), last.
R5: National Apprentice Race Series (Bm60), $20,000, 1200m
Volkanovski (AUS) 6 b G 53kg Super One (AUS)
- Coppereight (AUS), by Danewin (AUS) B: Mrs TT Dixon NSW T: J F Luttrell
J: Lauren Burke $26,000, Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale
2021 V: Grenville Stud P: Simple B/stock
Services
Geegee Strawberry (AUS) 5 ch M 53kg Wordsmith (AUS)
- Annie's Gee Gee (AUS), by Atlantis Prince (GB) T: J F Luttrell J: Kirra-Lee Lane
Street Diva (AUS) 5 b M 59kg Street Boss (USA)
- Starlight Angel (NZ), by Swiss Ace (AUS) T: Jessie Bazan J: Lauryn Bingley
Then followed: Material Madam (AUS), Eastcoast Miss (AUS), Thisismyturf (AUS), April's
Dance (AUS), Esprit Diva (AUS), Rare Oro (AUS), Stardarmus (AUS), last.
R6: Ladbrokes Mega Multi Hcp (C1), $26,000, 1100m
Royal Detective (AUS) 4 b G 54kg Royal Symphony (AUS)
- Miss Judge (AUS), by Al Maher (AUS) T: K P Hamilton J: Lauryn Bingley
Crystal Moonbeam (AUS) 4 b M 55kg Rich Enuff (AUS)
- Carnelian Crystal (AUS), by Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) T: Ms R Hall J: Georgie Catania
Live On Love (AUS) 4 br M 59kg Impending (AUS)
- Exquisite (AUS), by Viscount (AUS) T: Jessie Bazan J: E Byrne Burke
Then followed: Fruit Of De Vine (AUS), Master of Mischief (AUS), Argyll Diamond (AUS),
Lady Fern (AUS), Outbush (AUS), Mel's Street Above (AUS), Ice Crystal (AUS), last.
Tab Meetings
Bairnsdale VIC Soft(5)
ShowHide
Bairnsdale VIC Soft(5)
R1: bet365 Same Race Multi Mdn Plate, $55,000, 1600m
Wentworth Falls (AUS) (b G 3
Too Darn Hot (GB) - Spring Waterfall
(IRE) T: A & S Freedman J: Thomas Stockdale