Five for Brave Smash
New winners
Brave Smash – Aquis Farm’s first season sire Brave Smash (Tosen Phantom) earned his fifth first crop winner courtesy of Kimochi’s (2 f ex Summer Fun ex I Am Invincible) victory over 1100 metres at Randwick-Kensington. The Gary Portelli-trained two-year-old finished second on debut in November but went one better when scooting away to post a facile length-and-three-quarter victory over Kristilli (Hellbent) with Dipsy Doodle (Lonhro) another neck further back in third. Bought by Hall Of Fame Bloodstock for $21,000 from the Valiant Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Kimochi is the second winner out of the unraced I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) mare Summer Fun. Brave Smash, who has been represented by 14 runners, stood for a fee of $22,000 (inc GST) in 2022.
Magna Grecia (pictured above) – Myconian (2 c ex Sirici by Choisir) provided Coolmore’s first season sire Magna Grecia (Invincible Spirit) with a first individual winner from his first runner when scoring in a four-and-a-half furlong maiden at Saint-Cloud. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona for Newmarket-based trainer Amy Murphy, the colt saw off the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained runner The Fixer (No Nay Never) by three-quarters of a length with a further two lengths back to Gotta Skedaddle (Bungle Inthejungle) in third place. Myconian was a €27,000 purchase by LDS Bloodstock from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale when offered by Whitehall Stud last year. English 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Magna Grecia, a half-brother to world champion St Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni), stands at Coolmore for a fee of €15,000 (approx. AU$24,310).
Neorealism – Grandview Stud-based sire Neorealism (Neo Universe) earned his first winner on the track when the Trevor and Peter Rowe-trained Tanoshi (2 f ex Ultra Ego by Wicked Style) got off the mark at the fourth time of asking in a 940-metre contest at Cairns. The filly finished strongly to beat her stablemate Mishani Eagle (Top Echelon) by a length and three-quarters with Ready Boss (Better Than Ready) a further length and a quarter away in third. The filly was purchased by Trevor Rowe for $13,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale from the Oaklands Stud draft. Neorealism has been represented by four runners and he stood for a fee of $3,300 (inc GST) in 2022.
Showtime – The Stuart Kendrick-trained Torque Bossanova (2 c ex Besame Mucho by Encosta De Lago) made a winning debut at the Sunshine Coast and, in doing so, became the third individual winner for Arrowfield Stud-based sire Showtime (Snitzel). The colt defeated Oberoi Princess (Dracarys) by a length and a half, while Combat Mission (The Mission) was another two and a quarter lengths away in third. Purchased by his trainer for $35,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2022, the colt is out of Group 3 winner Besame Mucho (Encosta De Lago) making him a half-brother the stakes-winning duo Frespanol (Choisir) and Essington (Redoute’s Choice). Showtime has had nine starters and his winners are headed by Listed scorer Show Royale. The stallion stood for a fee of $11,000 (inc GST) in 2022.
New Group / Grade 1 winners
Invincible Spirit – Danyah (6 g ex Cuis Ghaire by Galileo) provided Irish National Stud stallion Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) with a 22nd elite-level winner when he caused a shock in the Al Quoz Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) at Meydan. The Shadwell Estate-owned six-year-old found plenty for pressure in the closing stages to deny the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained The Astrologist (Zoustar), who will now head to Royal Ascot after a huge race on his debut outing in the United Arab Emirates, by a head, with a further neck back to favourite Al Suhail (Dubawi) in third. The sixth foal out of the Group 1-placed Group 3-winning Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare Cuis Ghaire, herself a sister to Group 3 scorer Scintillula, Danyah is a brother to winner Ghathanfar, closely related to winner Almohtaseb (Oasis Dream), and a half-brother to winner Alquffal (Dansili). Invincible Spirit, who has had 1825 starters, now stands for a private fee.
Lope De Vega – Ballylinch Stud resident Lope De Vega (Shamardal) chalked up his 18th elite-level winner courtesy of Arapaho’s (6 g ex Alzubra by Dansili) thrilling win in the Tancred Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m) at Rosehill. Trained by Bjorn Baker, the six-year-old gelding stayed on bravely to defeat Montefilia (Kermadec) by a neck, with King Frankel (Frankel) another three-quarters of a length away in third. The gelding was purchased by his trainer in conjunction with James Clarke Bloodstock and Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock for €140,000 at the Arqana Mixed Autumn Sale in 2020. He is out of the Listed-winning mare Alzubra (Dansili), making him a half-brother to stakes winner Alula Borealis (Kendargent). Lope De Vega has had 774 winners from 1,115 starters and his top-flight winners include Australian Group 1 scorers, Santa Ana Lane, Gytrash and Vega Magic. The stallion is standing for a fee of €125,000 (approx. AU$202,612).
Lord Kanaloa – Lord Kanaloa (King Kamehameha) earned an eighth individual elite-level winner when First Force (7 h ex Rush Life by Sakura Bakushin O) won the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (Gr 1, 1200m) at Chukyo. Trained by Masayuki Nishimura, the seven-year-old won at odds of 31-1 in defeating four-year-old filly Namura Clair (Mikki Isle) by a length. Travesura (Dream Journey) finished third, a further half-length adrift. First Force won the CBC Sho (Gr 3, 1200m) in July 2021, and claimed his first victory in 13 starts since to take his record to seven wins from 29 outings. A homebred for Koji Yasuhara, First Force is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner A Day In The Life (Deep Impact) being out of the stakes-placed mare Rush Life (Sakura Bakushin O). Lord Kanaloa, who has had 995 runners, stands at Shadai Stallion Station for a fee of ¥12,000,000 (approx. AU$137,975).
Not This Time – Stateside raider Sibelius (5 g ex Fiery Pulpit by Pulpit) produced a last-gasp effort to narrowly land the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr 1, 1200m) at Meydan, providing his sire Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway) with a fourth elite-level winner. Ridden by Ryan Moore, the five-year-old gelding stuck to the far-side rail and, after hitting the lead late on, held on well from the rallying Switzerland (Speightstown) to deny that rival by a nose. Fellow US raider Gunite (Gun Runner) ran a solid race for third, beaten just over half-a-length by his compatriot. The ninth foal out of the unraced Pulpit (A.P. Indy) mare Fiery Pulpit, herself a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Clamorosa (Seattle Dancer), Sibelius is a half-brother to five winners including the dam of the Grade 1-placed stakes scorer Edwards Going Left (Midnight Lute). Not This Time, who has had 207 starters, stands at Taylor Made Farm for a fee of US$135,000 (approx. AU$202,950).
New stakes winners
Brave Smash – Brave Mead (2 c ex Mead by Galileo) provided Aquis Farm’s first season sire Brave Smash with a first stakes winner from 14 starters when scorching to victory in the Valley Pearl Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Moonee Valley. Having finished third on debut at Pakenham, the colt went two places better in emphatic fashion at the same track in a 1200-metre maiden just a fortnight ago. Ridden again by John Allen for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, much was expected of the Australian Bloodstock-owned juvenile, sent off the $1.40 favourite, and he delivered, pulling readily clear of his four rivals after the home bend to beat Ana Jaahza (Better Than Ready) by two and three-quarter lengths with a further three and a quarter lengths back to Celestial Storm (Zoustar) in third place. Bred by A B Breeding Venture, Brave Mead was a $90,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Racing when offered by Lustre Lodge at the 2021 Inglis July (Early) Online Sale. The seventh winner from nine to race out of the Galileo mare Mead, herself a half-sister to Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) scorer La Volta (Laranto) and two-time Listed victor Terevega (Laranto), Brave Mead is a half-brother to Geelong Classic (Listed, 2200m) winner Solemn (Bernardini) and the stakes-placed multiple winner Honeywine (Street Cry).
Casino Prince – Vinery Stud stalwart Casino Prince (Flying Spur) earned a 24th individual stakes winner when Casino Seventeen (5 g ex Tikal by Denman) won the Bunbury AHA Cup (Listed, 2200m) at Pinjarra. Trained by Grant and Alana Williams, Casino Seventeen romped to victory, scoring by five and a quarter lengths ahead of No Apology (Declaration Of War), who edged out Neufbosc (Mastercraftsman) for second. A $9,000 Inglis Classic yearling, Casino Seventeen was sold as a two-year-old for $45,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The gelding is one of three winners out of the once-raced mare Tiktal (Denman). Casino Prince, who has had 599 starters, stood the 2022 season for a fee of $5,500 (inc GST).
Duramente – Season Rich (3 c ex Ever Charmant by Heart’s Cry) became the 11th individual stakes winner for the late Duramente (King Kamehameha) when winning the Mainichi Hai (Gr 3, 1800m) at Hanshin. Trained by Takashi Kubota, Season Rich won by a half-length ahead of Nocking Point (Maurice), with Dotto Kuru (Dee Majesty) the same margin away in third. Making his fifth career start, Season Rich claimed his second victory and improved upon a last-start sixth in the Kyodo News Hau (Gr 3, 1800m) at Tokyo. The colt is a homebred for Yutaka Uda and is the second foal out of the stakes-placed Ever Charmantt (Heart’s Cry). Duramente has had 446 starters.
Ghostzapper – Hill ‘N’ Dale Farm resident Ghostzapper (Awesome Again) earned his 95th individual stakes winner courtesy of Wolfie’s Dynaghost’s (5 g ex Dynaire by Dynaformer) victory in the Kentucky Cup Classic (Listed, 9f) at Turfway Park. The Jonathan Thomas-trained five-year-old gelding beat Verstappen (War Front) by two and a quarter lengths, while King Cause (Creative Cause) came home another four lengths adrift in third. Bred and raced by Woodslane Farm, Wolfie’s Dynaghost is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Sadler’s Joy (Kitten’s Joy). Ghostzapper, who has had 929 starters, stands for a fee of US$75,000 (approx. AU$112,750).
Gimmethegreenlight – Lucky Lad (2 c ex Imperial State by Caesour) became the 53rd individual stakes winner for Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) when winning the Protea Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Turffontein. The Sean Tarry-trained colt won by a long neck ahead of Amber Rock and Gimmeanotherchance, as the Varfonstein Stud-based stallion claimed the trifecta. Lucky Lad, who remains unbeaten from two starts, was a R850,000 purchase for Antony Beck from the National Yearling Sale in South Africa. He is one of six winners from six runners out of the Grade 3 runner-up Imperial State (Caesour), making him a brother to Grade 3 winner Follow Me. Gimmethegreenlight, who has had 584 starters, stood the 2022 breeding season for a fee of R160,000 (approx. AU$13,235).
Gold Allure – Hayabusa Nandekun (7 h ex White Cruiser by Kurofune) became the 28th individual stakes winner for Gold Allure (Sunday Silence) when winning the March Stakes (Gr 3, 1800m) at Nakayama. The seven-year-old scored by a nose ahead of William Barows (Mikki Isle) and Kitano Vision (Meisho Bowler), who finished a further length back in third. Trained by Keiji Yoshimura, Hayabusa Nandekun posted his sixth win from 21 starts. The entire is one of five winners from as many foals out of dual winner White Cruiser (Kurofune), herself a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Sambista (Suzika Mambo). Gold Allure, who has had 1324 starters, died in 2017.
I’ll Have Another – Ca Va (5 h ex Daiwa Burgundy by Brian’s Time) became the fifth individual stakes winner for his sire I’ll Have Another (Flower Alley) when landing the Rokko Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Hanshin. The Hiroyuki Uemura-trained Ca Va won by a length and three-quarters ahead of Onyankopon (Eishin Flash) with Seizinger (Dream Journey) edged out by a nose for second, taking his record to four wins from 14 starts. He is one of five named foals out of Daiwa Burgundy (Brian’s Time), herself a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Daiwa Falcon (Jungle Pocket). I’ll Have Another returned to the US in 2019, where he stands at Ocean Breeze Ranch for a fee of US$10,000 (approx. AU$15,035). He has had 415 starters.
Maclean’s Music – The Mark Glatt-trained Dance To The Music (4 f ex Beautified by Congrats) justified her short odds when running out a ready winner of the Desert Stormer Stakes (Gr 3, 6f) at Santa Anita. Placed at Grade 1 level as a juvenile, the four-year-old filly finally delivered on her early promise when she defeated Violent Runner (Violence) by a length, while Stella Noir (Stay Thirsty) was another four and a half lengths away in third. Dance To The Music, who became the 29th individual stakes winner for Maclean’s Music (Distorted Humor), was bought for US$40,000 by Walnut Stream Enterprises at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2020, before making US$575,000 at the Ocala Spring Two-Year-Old Sale the following year. Maclean’s Music, who has had 460 starters, stands at Hill ‘N Dale Farms where he commands a fee of US$50,000 (approx. AU$75,165).
Nicconi – Widden Victoria resident Nicconi (Bianconi) was handed his 27th individual stakes winner when the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Bossy Nic (2 f ex River Boss by Street Boss) produced an impressive performance to win the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Flemington. The two-year-old filly finished second in the Cinderella Stakes (Listed, 1050m) on debut, but she was able to go one better when she defeated Lovazou (Zoustar) by two and a half lengths, with Treasurway (Starspangledbanner) a further nose away in third. The filly was bought by her trainers and Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency for $190,000 from the Noorilim Park draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in 2022. Bossy Nic is out of the unraced Street Boss (Street Cry) mare River Boss, herself a sister to Listed winner Ploverset, while she counts Group 3 scorer Pierossa (Pierro) among her half-siblings. Nicconi has sired 540 winners from 739 starters and he stood for a fee of $22,000 (inc GST) in 2022.
Pioneerof The Nile – The Norm Casse-trained Southlawn (3 f ex Mo D’Amour by Uncle Mo) ran out an impressive winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (Gr 2, 8.5f) and in doing so handed her sire Pioneerof The Nile (Empire Maker) with his 48th individual stakes winner. The three-year-old filly hit the line three and a quarter lengths in front of Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), while The Alys Look (Connect) was a further three and three-quarter lengths adrift in third. Out of the Listed-winning Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) mare Mo D’Amour, Southlawn was purchased by Robert Masterson for US$250,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Denali Stud draft. Pioneerof The Nile, who has had 629 starters, died from a heart attack in 2019.
Playing God – The Stephanie Bakranich-trained Playing Marika (7 m ex Just Marika by Grandera) provided Darling View Thoroughbreds stallion Playing God (Blackfriars) with a 12th individual stakes winner when landing the Grandstand Cup (Listed, 1500m) at Ascot. Ridden by Steven Parnham, the seven-year-old mare was scoring for the first time in stakes company on her 54th career start, beating Em Tee Aye (I’m All The Talk) by a neck at the line with a further three-quarters of a length back to Big Bada Boom (Hinchinbrook) in third. Out of the stakes-placed winning mare Just Marika (Grandera), Playing Marika is a half-sister to winners Hussarik (Husson Lightning), Just Friars (Blackfriars) and Let’s Go Lakers (Danehill Express). Playing God, who has had 127 starters, stood the 2022 breeding season for a fee of $27,500 (inc GST).
Press Statement – Vinery Stud resident Press Statement (Hinchinbrook) chalked up his sixth individual stakes winner when his daughter Roots (4 m ex Arctic Success by Big Brown) led home a trifecta for trainer Chris Waller in the Emancipation Stakes (Gr 2, 1500m) at Rosehill. The four-year-old mare pulled clear in the final stages to beat Atishu (Savabeel) by a length and a half, with Finepoint (Pins) another half a length further adrift in third. The four-year-old mare was bought by Yugengaisha Murakami Kinya Bokujo from Vinery Stud for $52,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2020. Press Statement is the sire of 113 winners from 193 starters and he stood for $8,800 (inc GST) last year.
Proisir – Rich Hill Stud’s star stallion Proisir (Choisir) sired his 12th individual stakes winner courtesy of the Kerry Taplin-trained Tapildoodledo’s (3 g ex Mrs Tappy by One Cool Cat) win in the Tulloch Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) at Rosehill. The three-year-old gelding stayed on bravely to beat Major Beel (Savabeel) by a nose. Awesome John (Awesome Rock) was a further quarter of a length further away in third. Out of the unplaced Once Cool Cat (Storm Cat) mare Mrs Tappy, Tapildoodledo is a brother to the stakes-placed winner Hot Tap. Proisir is likely to be crowned New Zealand’s Champion Sire later this year, bringing an end to Savabeel’s (Zabeel) eight-year stranglehold on the title. A son of Choisir (Danehill Dancer), Proisir stood for a fee of NZ$17,500 (plus GST) in 2022. He has had 222 starters.
Rafeef – Australian-bred stallion Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) earned his 11th individual stakes winner when Leaving Las Vegas (2 f ex Seeking Venus by Trippi) won the Pretty Polly Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Turffontein. In staying unbeaten from two starts, the Tony Peter-trained filly won by a neck ahead of Elegant Ice (What A Winter) and Women Of Fame (What A Winter), who finished a further length back in third. Leaving Las Vegas is the third foal out of Seeking Venus (Trippi). A R150,000 yearling buy, Leaving Las Vegas was passed in when presented for sale at the Turffontein September Sale last year. Rafeef, who has had 128 runners, stood at Ridgemont Highlands for a fee of R30,000 (approx. AU$2,480) in 2022.
Snitzel – The James Cummings-trained Amur (2 c ex Leopard by Animal Kingdom) added a much deserved stakes win to his record when he took out the TL Baillieu Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) at Rosehill and in doing so handed the Arrowfield Stud-based sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) his 134th individual stakes winner. The two-year-old colt let down impressively to beat his stablemate Inhibitions (Zoustar) by a neck, while Waverley (No Nay Never) was the same distance away in third. The colt is out of Leopard (Animal Kingdom) and she is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Alizee (Sepoy) and fellow top-flight winner turned Darley stallion Astern (Medaglia D’Oro). Snitzel has sired 1109 winners from 1428 starters and the colt becomes the stallion’s 52nd juvenile stakes winner. The stallion stood for a fee of $220,000 (inc GST) in 2022.
Supido – Widden Stud-based sire Supido (Sebring) looks to have a potential star among his first-crop as the Mick Price and Micheal Kent Jnr-trained What You Need (3 c ex Intuit by Commands) kept his unbeaten record intact when he landed the Sunlight Classic (Listed, 1100m) at Flemington. A winner of his two previous starts, the colt rattled past his rivals in the final stages to eventually post a facile length-victory over Renosu (Exceed And Excel), while Benedetta (Hellbent) was a further neck away in third. What You Need was purchased by his trainers for $180,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft in 2021. Supido, who was trained throughout his career by Kent Jnr’s father, Michael, has had 15 winners from 45 starters and What You Need became his second individual stakes winner. Supido commanded a fee of $8,800 (inc GST) in 2022.
Tapizar – Wild On Ice (3 g ex Slamitagain by Grand Slam) provided his sire Tapizar (Tapit) with a 17th individual stakes winner when causing a shock in the Sunland Park Derby (Gr 3, 9f). The Joel Marr-trained three-year-old gelding held off Low Expectations (Nyquist) to score by one and a quarter lengths at odds of 35-1, with Henry Q (Blame) a further two and a half lengths further behind in third place. Odds-on favourite Hard To Figure (Hard Spun) finished a well-beaten last of the six runners. Out of the winning Grand Slam (Gone West) mare Slamitagain, Wild On Ice is a half-brother to winners Grand American (Abstraction) and Unique Babe (Lookin At Lucky). Former Gainesway Stud stallion Tapizar, who has had 417 starters, died in 2021.
Toronado – Having produced placed efforts in the Vanity Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) and Kewney Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) on her previous two outings, Papillon Club (3 f ex Butterfly Club by Redoute’s Choice) gained a deserved breakthrough stakes success when she scored in the Alexandra Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) at Moonee Valley. Providing Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (High Chaparral) with a 33rd individual stakes winner from 618 starters, the Greg Eurell-trained three-year-old filly took up the lead entering the final 150 metres and was not for catching under Tim Clark, defeating Amati (Sebring) by two and a half lengths with a further length back to Tass (Kingman) in third place. A $70,000 Inglis Melbourne Gold Yearling purchase for her trainer from the Rosemont Stud draft, Papillon Club was bred by Tara Farm and is the third winner out of the placed Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) mare Butterfly Club, herself a half-sister to Japanese stakes winner Admire Hokuto (Sakura Bakushin O). Toronado covered 150 mares at Swettenham Stud last spring for a fee of $88,000 (inc GST).
Uncle Mo – Coolmore Stud resident Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) was provided with his 93rd individual stakes winner when his son Kingsbarns (3 c ex Lady Tapit by Tapit) landed the Louisiana Derby (Gr 3, 9.5f) at Fair Grounds. The Todd Pletcher-trained three-year-old colt surged clear in the final stages to beat Disarm (Gun Runner) by an impressive three and a half lengths with Jace’s Road (Quality Road) another two and a half lengths away in third. Tom Mccrocklin, agent for Champion Equine, purchased Kingsbarns for US$250,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale in 2021 and the colt was then snapped up by his current owners Spendthrift Farm for US$800,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Two-Year-Old Sale in 2022. Uncle Mo’s progeny is headed by 12 elite-level winners and he stands at Coolmore’s Ashford base for a fee of US$150,000 (approx. AU$225,500). He has had 1122 runners.
Unfortunately – Perdika (2 f ex Golden Dirham by Kheleyf) provided her sire Unfortunately (Society Rock) with a first individual stakes winner when narrowly landing the Prix Ronde de Nuit (Listed, 1100m) at Chantilly. Ridden by Maxime Guyon for UK-based trainer George Boughey, the filly edged out Whistle And Flute (Dandy Man) by a neck at the line, with the pair drawing eight lengths clear of the third-placed Rogue Lightning (Kodiac). Boughey’s other runner Proverb (Harry Angel), sent off the even-money favourite, finished seventh, beaten over 11 lengths. The seventh foal out of the unraced Kheleyf (Green Desert) mare Golden Dirham, herself a half-sister to Italian Listed winner Gamgoom (Exceed And Excel), Perdika is a half-sister to four winners including Eternal Sun (Mayson) and Emiliano Zapata (Garswood). Unfortunately, who has had 21 starters, stands at Oak Lodge Stud in Ireland for a fee of €3,500 (approx. AU$5,660).
Verdi – Long Acres Stud stallion Verdi (Zabeel) was provided with his first stakes winner when the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Goldman (4 g ex Goldsmith by Montjeu) landed the Roy Higgins Quality (Listed, 2600m) at Flemington, which holds a ballot exemption for the 2023 edition of the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m). Bred in New Zealand and raced by Darby Racing, the gelding led from pillar to post, pulling away in the closing stages to beat Soulcombe (Frankel) by two and three-quarter lengths. Swords Drawn (Camelot) finished a further three-quarters of a length adrift in third. Verdi, who has had 11 starters, stood for a fee of NZ$3,000 (plus GST) in 2022.