Argentia maintains perfect record up the Flemington straight with Group 3 win

Back to the scene of her sensational 2yo debut, Argentia again demonstrated her tremendous ability up the hallowed Flemington straight this weekend in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes. Settled beautifully towards the rear under Damien Oliver, she came through with a dazzling turn of foot to overcome her rivals.

This was Argentia’s second Group victory after a similarly exciting win last Autumn in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes at Caulfield.

She was a $670,000 purchase for James Harron Bloodstock on behalf of John and Deb Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sales, from the Evergreen Stud Farm draft. She is by the outstanding racehorse and stallion Frankel, and out of the top-class race mare Princess Coup, a three-time Group 1 winner and $3 million broodmare daughter of Encosta de Lago.

Congratulations to the Camilleri family, and thanks to trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, who have found the key to this exciting mare!

JHB conquers The Everest for the second time

In front a record crowd in excess of 46,000, Giga Kick delivered a sensational performance to defeat the best sprinters in the world and remain unbeaten, running in the James Harron Bloodstock slot.

After months of watching the sprint division closely, we honed in on Giga Kick given his ‘x-factor’ as an unbeaten 3YO, and after his close win in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes we secured a deal with his owner Jonathan Munz to have Giga Kick run in the James Harron Bloodstock slot in the 2022 running of The Everest.

On the day Giga Kick missed the start by half a length, which could prove to be very costly against this calibre of rivals, but jockey Craig Williams did not panic, getting Giga Kick into a lovely rhythm, and pulling out into the clear in the straight to run down Private Eye in the shadows of the post.

A huge congratulations to the investors behind our slot, Belinda Bateman, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, John & Frances Ingham, Danny & Pauline Saab and Gary Diamond. Big thanks and congratulations to Giga’ Kick’s trainer, 27yo Clayton Douglas, and to his owner Jonathan Munz.

JHB brokers Jacquinot stallion deal to Widden Stud

In the aftermath of his scintillating victory in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes, JHB has been working closely with the ownership group of Jacquinot and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr to secure a stud deal, and pleasingly this has been finalised, with Widden Stud emerging as the purchasers of a significant stake in this exciting colt. He will race in his original owners’ colours for the $15 million TAB Everest on Saturday, and for the remainder of his career will race in Sheikh Fahad Al-Thani’s Qatar Racing silks, including for a possible tilt at the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over the Flemington spring carnival.

Antony Thompson of Widden Stud said, “He’s from the Encosta de Lago sireline that has been very successful for us through Northern Meteor and his champion son Zoustar, so we see Jacquinot as a perfect fit for Widden Stud. He was precocious enough to win on debut as a two year-old at Caulfield on Boxing Day and has done nothing but improve ever since. His Blue Diamond run was exceptional and the improvement he has taken into his three year-old season has put Jacquinot at the very top of the sprinting colts division.”

Thompson said there are no plans to retire Jacquinot to stud anytime son with so many lucrative racing options ahead of him.

"He will complete his three year-old season and may race on at four with the lure of the $10 million Golden Eagle on the horizon and a possible second crack at the $15 million The Everest in 2023,'' he said.

Price stated he was very proud of what Jacquinot had achieved in just his first six starts: "He has superior athletic ability; he was a very good two-year-old who was unlucky not to win the Blue Diamond and he has definitely made the necessary improvement as a three-year-old.

"I think Widden will have a good stallion when he goes to stud as he has the qualities of an alpha male and that x-factor as a racehorse which translates so well into stud success."

Jacquinot was bred and retained to race by Lindsay Maxsted, along with a small group of close friends. "We are delighted that Widden has joined us in the ongoing ownership of our exciting three-year-old colt," Maxsted commented on behalf of his current owners. It will be a pleasure to race Jacquinot alongside them and moreover, he is going to a wonderful home at the conclusion of his racing career."

Congratulations and many thanks to Jacquinot’s owners, Lindsay Maxsted, Simon Tuxen, Karen Cooper, Greg & Heather Hayes, Cheryl & Peter Allen and Greg Ingham.

Custodian powers clear at Sale

After patiently avoiding wet tracks for the past month, Custodian made the wait worth it yesterday when powering away from his rivals to break his maiden over 1100m at Sale. Jumping swiftly from the inside barrier after a lengthy delay at the start, he travelled beautifully in front before quickening up smartly for jockey Ethan Brown and winning with plenty in hand despite some greenness.

Custodian was a purchase for the JHB Colt Partnership from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and is a half-brother by Shalaa to Group 1 winner Profondo, out of the very fast filly Honesty Prevails. He should take tremendous benefit from this win going forward and looks an exciting sprinting prospect as his progresses.

Many thanks to trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, John & Frances Ingham, Danny & Pauline Saab, Gary Diamond and Arrowfield Stud.

London impressive at Hawkesbury

Capitalist colt London broke his maiden in impressive style at Hawkesbury on Saturday winning the 1000m 3yo maiden by over 2 lengths. He jumped well and settled in second before rider Lee Magorrian took him to the lead in the home straight and he showed a good turn of foot to kick clear of his rivals.

London was secured at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for the JHB Colt Partnership from the Davali Thoroughbreds draft, and is Capitalist’s sixteenth winner so far this season.

Congratulations to owners Rob Love, Belinda Bateman, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Danny & Pauline Saab, John & Frances Ingham, Gary Diamond and Steve and Louise Gillard and thanks to trainer Chris Waller.

JHB purchase an outstanding filly at Arqana

We were delighted to secure Lot 265, a beautiful daughter of top class 2yo and exciting first season sire Calyx, for €80,000 at the Arqana yearling sale in Deauville. She was purchased from the draft of Haras de Castillon in partnership with George Boughey Racing who will train her from his UK base in Newmarket.

She is from a very good 2yo speed family, her second dam Ardbrae Lady, is a Group 3 winner who was placed in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at 2. She in turn is a half sister to 2yo stakes winner Obe Gold and Radio Gaga a winner on debut at 2 and placing in the Listed Bosra Sham stakes at Newmarket at just her second start.

This filly looks very sharp and early and we thought she was great value in a strong market.

Win number 4 for Molly Nails at Rosehill

Molly Nails notched up her fourth win from just 9 starts with a dominant performance in the 1200m TAB Highway at Rosehill on Saturday. She was given a beautiful ride by James McDonald finding cover from a wide barrier to settle midfield before peeling out in the straight and showing a good turn of foot to finish off strongly and win going away.

It was a terrific training performance by Matt Dale to have her going so well first up from a spell and she looks to be in for a great preparation.

Molly Nails is by Tavistock out of he high-class New Zealand 2YO Maritimo, who has a lovely Pariah yearling filly and is in foal to King’s Legacy. She was retained for racing by her breeder Fergus Doyle, and was secured in utero by JHB at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Eros dominant at Morphettville

Capitalist colt Eros has had some near misses in his short career to date, running into some smart gallopers, and this weekend at Morphettville there was no problems with him breaking his maiden at Saturday grade in great style by over two lengths.

Settled in behind the speed by rider Todd Pannell, he strolled up to challenge in the straight and powered clear for an impressive win.

Eros was secured for the JHB Colt Partnership at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale from the Northmore Thoroughbreds draft for $340,000 and looks another smart colt for his exciting sire going forward. He will now head towards the Group 3 Vain Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield on Saturday 13th August, where his race fitness should stand him in great stead against a field of mostly resuming rivals.

Thanks to trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, and congratulations to owners Rob Love, Belinda Bateman, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Danny & Pauline Saab, John & Frances Ingham and Gary Diamond.

JHB Filly Partnership fillies in demand on the Gold Coast

It was a typically vibrant selling environment at the Gold Coast for the 2022 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale, and the three JHB Partnership fillies on offer returned great prices for their owners. In total they were secured as yearlings for $630,000, earned over $611,000 on the track and were sold for a total of $1,305,000.

First up was Celestine, a $145,000 yearling, who was a Group 3 performer trained by Tony McEvoy, and was sold for $310,000 to John Wheeler after also earning over $100,000 on the racetrack.

Celestine - $145,000 yearling sold for $310,000 as a broodmare prospect for the JHB Filly Partnership

Our next offering was the multiple city winning More Than Ready mare Duchess, who was earner of $184,000 on the track for trainer Michael Freedman and achieved a price of $220,000 at the Gold Coast to the bid of Bird Rock Farm and Johnny McKeever.

Duchess, earner of over $184,000 for the JHB Filly Partnership and sold for $220,000 at the Gold Coast

Our final offering for the JHB Filly Partnership was Group 2 Reisling Stakes and Listed Moomba Plate winner Glistening and she did not let her owners down with a winning bid of $775,000 from Morningside. Glistening has been a beauty for her owners and we are very excited to see what she can produce in her new career as a broodmare.

Glistening, Group 2 winner, earner of over $313,000 and sold for $775,000 at the Gold Coast

Three outstanding mares for Morningside and JHB at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale

Settling in to their new sensational Morningside property in the Nagambie, the Rowsthorn family are making a concerted effort to bolster their impressive broodmare band, and after securing Frankel mare Ludisia at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, they were also in action with JHB at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, securing three beautiful mares.

The first purchase was the multiple Group winner, including at Group 2 level, Rubisaki, for $1,000,000 from the Yarraman Park Stud draft, who offered her on behalf of Prime Thoroughbreds. She was an outstanding race filly, winner of six races on the bounce, and has the looks to match. She looks a perfect match with Written Tycoon and the resultant offspring will be in great demand at the yearling sales.

Rubisaki, secured for $1,000,000 at Magic Millions for Morningside

Our second purchase with Morningside was Group 2 Reisling Stakes and Listed Moomba Plate winner Glistening, secured for $775,000 from the Newgate Farm draft. She is another beautiful type, and by the very exciting stallion Zoustar. She again is a bullseye match with Written Tycoon, bringing great looks and precocity to the mating.

Glistening, secured for $775,000 with Morningside at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale

Our final purchase with Morningside at this sale was Dollymolly, a beautiful mare by I Am Invincible secured for $775,000 in foal to Zoustar. She was herself a $625,000 yearling and comes from an outstanding commercial family, being a half-sister to stakes winner Harlem River, and closely related to a slew of high-priced yearlings from the family of Everest winner Yes Yes Yes. She too likely heads for a date with Written Tycoon.

Dollymolly - secured for $775,000 at Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale

Ludisia joins Morningside broodmare band at Inglis Chairman's Sale

Ludisia (Frankel x African Rose)

With the thoroughbred breeding industry well established as an international affair, we were thrilled to secure Lot 48 at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale, Ludisia, on behalf of Morningside for $650,000 from the Twin Hills Stud draft, offered on behalf of Juddmonte.

She is a daughter of the incomparable Frankel and comes from one of Juddmonte’s most productive, and importantly from an Australian perspective, one of their most precocious families. She is a full-sister to one of Frankel’s most precocious offspring, Fair Eva, who was a Group winning juvenile in the UK, while her dam African Rose was a top-class sprinter, winner of the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock. African Rose is a full-sister to the very speedy and precocious Helleborine, who is herself dam of top-class juvenile and stallion Calyx. Ludisia was offered in foal to outstanding young stallion Kingman, who is also the sire of Calyx, so the resultant offspring will be a three-quarter brother to him.

Finally, African Rose is also a sister to the dam of last season’s European Champion 2YO Native Trail, who was a very good second in the Group 1 2000 Guineas last weekend, and looks well set for further Group 1 glory this season.

Operation Royal Ascot takes off at Goffs Uk Breeze Up Sale

With international travel finally an option, we hatched a plan to try and target the European breeze up sales with a view to obtaining sharp, early 2YOs, which could potentially run on the biggest European stage of all - Royal Ascot.

Combining forces with Stu Boman from Blandford Bloodstock in the UK and Martin Buick of de Burgh Equine in Ireland, we gathered painstaking analysis to identify two 2YOs at the Goffs UK breeze up sale, who demonstrated the necessary speed and precocity in their breezes, with their details below.

Many thanks to our owners who have got on board with this project, and here’s hoping that we are all dressing in our finery in just a few weeks time at the Royal meeting.

Lot 26 - Kessaar x Lady Lizabeth - £160,000

This colt was a stand out in every way. An incredibly powerful physical, combined with a breeze that was on all of our measures the best on offer. He showed great speed, with a lovely fluent action and sustained the effort right through and past the end of his work in the manner of a ready-made juvenile.

He is from the first crop of Kessaar, who was himself a top-class 2YO and is a son of renowned 2YO influence Kodiac. His dam (hopefully very aptly named) Lady Lizabeth also comes from a very solid family of 2YO winners.

Lot 130 - Zoustar x Ainippe - £150,000

Like the Kessaar colt, this filly simply flew in her breeze up, running the fourth best time of the entire sale and sustaining her effort incredibly well through the line.

She’s a quality physical to boot, and Zoustar is of course well known to us in Australia as a top- class stallion, including being sire of the incredible Sunlight, herself a very precocious 2YO performer.

She is out of a very well performed mare in Ainippe, who was a 2YO stakes winner over 5 furlongs, before training on to take out a pair of Group 3 races as a 3YO over 6 and 7 furlongs.

Cannonball fires in the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes at Caulfield

After his impressive win to break his maiden at Geelong, Cannonball took the step up in class in his stride this weekend when running out an impressive winner of the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield.

After jumping quickly and showing great early speed, Cannonball was rated beautifully in front by Brett Prebble and had plenty in reserve when his rivals challenged him in the straight, even ducking out slightly at the winning post in the manner of a colt with more to come.

He was secured at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for the JHB Colt Partnership from the Newgate Farm draft, and is Capitalist’s eight stakes winner. He is also a full brother to one of those stakes winners, namely this season’s Group 2 winning sprinter Marine One, so hopefully there will be yet more to come from Cannonball next preparation as he steps up further in grade.

Congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, John & Frances Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab and thanks to trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.

Four outstanding yearlings for JHB at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale

Billed as the best of the best, the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale never fails to deliver in terms of Australia’s leading breeders offering up a sensational line up of bloodstock. With great vigour and competition in the market, we were delighted to come away with four exceptional yearlings for our owners, with their details below.

Lot 169 - I Am Invincible x Fireworks colt - $1,350,000

Our first purchase, for the JHB Colt Partnership, was Lot 169, the I Am Invincible colt out of Fireworks, offered by Segenhoe Stud on behalf of John & Deb Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds. He is very mature, well-grown, and looks very precocious, as you would expect given his pedigree. He is out of 2YO Sydney stakes winner Fireworks, who is also the dam of recent 2YO Melbourne stakes winner Millane, so she is off to a very strong start at stud. Fireworks comes from an excellent family, littered with top-class perfomers, and this cross has already produced the very smart 2YO Supreme Idea from limited runners, while Snitzel is also responsible for Golden Slipper winner Mossfun as a broodmare sire.

Lot 269 - Capitalist x Madame Cactus colt - $700,000

The second purchase for the JHB Colt Partnership was lot 269, the Capitalist colt out of Madame Cactus secured from Twin Hills Stud. He is a very strong colt, with great shape and a tremendous action - he is one of the best movers I have ever seen by his sire. He is a half-brother to a good class performer in the UK called Star Cactus, and his dam was a very smart performer in the USA, where she was a Group 2 winner on the competitive Keeneland track.

Lot 430 - Trapeze Artist x Smokin’ Alice colt - $380,000

Our final purchase for the JHB Colt Partnership was Lot 430, the Trapeze Artist colt out of Smokin’ Alice, secured from Edinburgh Park Stud. He is a very well bodied colt, with great shape and action. He is a half-brother to the very smart sprinter Eleven Eleven, who is the earner of over $2.8m on the track and comes from a very good family.

Lot 393 - I Am Invincible x Ruud Awakening filly - $1,700,000

We were also in action with the fillies, securing Lot 393, the I Am Invincible filly out of Ruud Awakening from Newgate Farm, offered on behalf of Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock. She is an absolute queen, and as good looking a filly to be offered at auction in recent years. She is a half-sister to recent Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes winner Rise of the Masses and out of Group 1 winning 2YO Ruud Awakening.

Crosswinds remains unbeaten with Listed Valley Pearl Victory

After an excellent debut win, Crosswinds lined up this Friday night in the Listed Moonee Valley Pearl, and gain blew past his rivals for an impressive victory.

Settled worse than midfield under Mark Zahra, Crosswinds accelerated sharply rounding the corner, and quickly found himself challenging for the lead turning in, and sustained his 500m challenge all the way to the line to win again in great style.

He now comes under consideration for the $1 million Showdown at Caulfield on 23rd April, and looks every inch a high-class 3YO sprinter in the making.

He was a $1,100,000 purchase for the JHB Colt Partnership at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, and is out of Gimcrack Stakes winner Gybe. He was offered by Blue Gum Farm, on behalf of Rob Crabtree’s Dorrington Farm.

Congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Danny & Pauline Saab, John & Frances Ingham, Gary Diamond and Rob & Sylvie Crabtree, and thanks to trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.

Cannonball fires at Geelong

After a very promising first preparation which saw him finish a close fourth in the $1m Golden Gift, Cannonball returned to the races this preparation at Geelong yesterday and wasted no time in getting off the board with an easy victory.

Bouncing from the gates into an immediate lead, he travelled beautifully for Mark Zahra and kicked on strongly in the straight to win in great style. He now heads to the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday 9th April.

Cannonball is by the JHB yearling purchase Capitalist and is a full brother to this season’s Group 2 winning 3YO Marine One, so we can look forward to him progressing well into his three-year-old year along the lines of his full brother.

Congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Frances Ingham, Danny & Pauline Saab and Gary Diamond.

Flying filly Duchess strikes for the fifth time!

Duchess has proven to be such a tough and reliable sprinter for our Filly Partnership, and it was a typical display of sheer speed and tenacity that saw her rack up her fifth win yesterday at Canberra in the $80,000 Quality Sprint.

Under a great front-running Tim Clark ride, she blasted out of the barriers and showed blistering speed through the middle stages, before holding off the strong challenge of Delacour in the final stages to just prevail.

Congratulations to all of our Filly Partnership owners, who celebrated two winners this weekend with Duchess and Glistening, and both were also trained beautifully by Michael Freedman.

Glistening shines again at Flemington

After a luckless Spring campaign, Group 2 winning 2YO Glistening looked to have come back in great order in her recent trial, and proved just as much when proving too speedy for her rivals in the Listed Moomba Plate this Saturday at Flemington under a great Hugh Bowman steer.

Showing her customary early speed, Glistening got all of her rivals off the bridle early and, with Hugh Bowman waiting as long as he dared in front, she found plenty to fight off the strong challenge from smart sprinter General Beau.

Glistening was a $260,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for our Filly Partnership along with Michael Freedman, and as a stakes winner at both two and three years old, she is a very valuable broodmare prospect for the team.

A big congratulations to all of our Filly Partnership owners, and thanks to all of the team at Michael Freedman’s stable for getting her to Flemington in such great order.

Crosswinds too good on debut at Ballarat

Written Tycoon colt Crosswinds had to deal with his own namesake when making his debut today at Ballarat in very blustery conditions, but proved more than up to the task, always travelling beautifully under Mark Zahra and bounding clear to win impressively over 1100m, despite having a good look at the winning post in the final stages.

He looks a colt of some considerable promise for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, who have been patient with him as he filled into his impressive frame. He is out of dual stakes winner Gybe (by Fastnet Rock), who won of the time-honoured Gimcrack Stakes during her racing career, and he was secured for the JHB Colt Partnership for $1,100,000 at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale from the Blue Gum Farm draft, who sold him on behalf of his breeders Rob and Sylvie Crabtree of Dorrington Farm.

Congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Danny & Pauline Saab, John and Frances Ingham, Gary Diamond, Steve & Louise Gillard and Rob & Sylvie Crabtree.

Pariah colt Latvian breaks through at Moonee Valley

After showing plenty of ability in a pair of jump outs, Pariah colt Latvian broke through this Friday night at Moonee Valley to win in tremendous style under Mark Zahra, eased right down after leading throughout with his head on his chest for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.

Latvian was purchased for the JHB Colt Partnership at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $375,000 from Newgate Farm, and is the third winner from Group 3 winning 2YO Real Stolle. He is importantly the first city winner for his sire, fellow JHB Colt Partnership purchase, Pariah, who is standing at Arrowfield Stud.

This win bodes very well for the future of Latvian, who will also be suited to more distance in time and also from the added confidence this victory will give him going forward.

Congratulations to owners Rob Love (also his breeder), Belinda Bateman, Fergus Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab and Jonathan Munz.