Bodyguard return to the trials in excellent order.

Bodyguard is a very lightly-raced son of I Am Invincible for our James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, and it was great to get him back to the trials this morning at Rosehill.

In his heat he very much enjoyed himself in the lead under jockey Tommy Berry, and powered upwards of six lengths clear of his rivals in the final stages to mark himself down a key Spring contender.

Bodyguard was a winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial and the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude as a 2YO, in just four starts, and will now head towards the good sprint races through the Spring.

Sunshine in Paris superb in Sheraco Stakes

Sunshine in Paris returned this weekend first up to defend her title in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes and proved herself up to the task in great style. Still several lengths back on the home turn after a frantic speed set by Belclare, Sunshine in Paris dug deep in her characteristic style to produce a sparkling turn of foot to run down a gallant Mumbai Muse in the shadows of the post under a great steer from jockey Tommy Berry.

Sunshine in Paris was secured for her owners John & Deb Camilleri of Fairway Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, and now heads towards the $20m The Everest at Randwick on Saturday 19th October.

A huge congratulations to John & Deb for their success with this star mare, and well done to trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald who have done a great job in nurturing her career.

Bright Track Weekly - 12th September 2024

A Bright Start to a New Season In a world where challenges often take centre stage, we will bring focus on the positive. This new, weekly newsletter, Bright Track Weekly, will highlight a selection of racing and breeding snippets, celebrating the vitality of our great sport. Yearling Sales Booming Following a record-breaking Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale in August, which saw over US$82,000,000 (A$122m)  worth of yearlings changing hands, the stage moved to Kentucky for Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week. The incredible momentum continues unabated, with records once again being surpassed. Book 1 (the first two days of a 12 day sale) concluded with an average up 10.8% to US$586,000 (A$876,230)  and a median up 18.75% to  US$475,000 ($A710,260). Pictured above is the sale-topping US$5m (A$7.48m) Curlin x Cavorting colt, sold by Indian Creek on behalf of Stonestreet Stables to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm. Strong start for three-year-olds When any crop of juveniles return for their three-year-old season there is great anticipation to see if they can measure up against their elders. With that in mind it was exciting to see Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi and Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot perform with great credit to be second and third respectively against the older horses in the Group 1 Moir Stakes last Saturday. This sets the stage for an exciting season ahead for the very highly-regarded three-year-old crop. Dual Group 1 breakthroughs There have been two Group 1 races in Victoria so far this season, and both have seen trainers taking out their first victories at the elite level. Pictured above on the left is Gavin Bedggood alongside his revitalised sprinter Mornington Glory, who took out the Group 1 Moir Stakes at $9. On the right is Enver Jusufovic with his Group 1 Memsie Stakes winner Pinstriped, victorious at odds of $14. Congratulations to all involved! Excellent Frankel colt for Emro Our Broodmare Partnership welcomed a new arrival this week in the shape of a Frankel colt out of Emro. She was purchased by James for US$425,000 in foal to Constitution at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The resultant yearling filly by Constitution sold for US$500,000 to Lael Stables at the  Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale this August, so Emro is off to a cracking start in her broodmare career!  Mexico for the Equimillion The thoroughbred is an incredibly versatile breed, able to take on any number of disciplines. Mexico, who was Group 2 placed in the Roman Consul Stakes for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, was retired just six months ago, and is proving to be a great comrade for his new owner Victoria Bloch (both pictured above). The Equimillion is a new initiative, showcasing and celebrating the adaptability and suitability of thoroughbreds in new careers, with $1,000,000 in prize money available over four days of competition. We are very proud to sponsor Victoria and Mexico as they work towards this new event in early October.

Stellar return at Rosehill for Blanc de Blanc

Blanc de Blanc had a very fruitful 2YO season, which saw her finish runner up in both the $2m Inglis Millennium and the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes as well as third in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes and be the first filly home in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. Her 3YO season was blighted by setbacks and wet tracks, and we only managed to run her twice.

This weekend saw her return as an imposing 4YO mare now, and with a smooth preparation leading in, she produced an impressive return in the 1100m BM78 at Rosehill. Settled toward midfield by jockey James McDonald, she sprinted hard in the final stages, with only the progressive and still-unbeaten Briasa in front of her on the line.

With 59.5kgs, Blanc de Blanc was effectively conceding Briasa 4.5kgs at WFA, which makes her effort all the more meritorious, as does her outstanding final 600m split of 32.94 seconds, the third fastest for the entire day.

Blanc de Blanc was purchased for our Filly Partnership alongside her trainer Michael Freedman at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2022. Her owners can now very much look forward to a positive 4YO campaign with this exciting mare having returned in such good order.

Kundalini shows spirit to win at Sale

Regally-bred I Am Invincible filly Kundalini started her career as a 2YO in great style, gaining valuable black type in the $2m Inglis Millennium, in what was an especially strong edition won by top-class filly Learning to Fly, with the likes of stakes winners Lazzago, Facile, Saltaire and Arkansas Kid in behind.

With that great base of achievement, it was fantastic to see her salute on her second start for new trainer Grahame Begg today at Sale. She settled just in behind the leader and fought on bravely for the win under mainly hands and heels riding from jockey Michael Dee.

Kundalini was a JHB yearling purchase at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale on behalf of John and Deb Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds operation. She is a half-sister to the top-class 2YO Rise of Masses, with both being out of Group 1 winning 2YO Ruud Awakening.

This victory will give her plenty of confidence going forward, and step back into black type company awaits through the Spring.

Congratulations again to owners John & Deb Camilleri, and well done to trainer Grahame Begg and jockey Michael Dee.

Satin Shimmer breaks through in style

Satin Shimmer (I Am Invincible x Satin Socks)

Following an incredibly frustrating run missing races due to wide barriers and wet tracks, it was a joy in itself to get Satin Shimmer back to the track today at Muswellbrook. In the event she provided even more cheer when running on strongly in the straight to defeat her rivals in great style under jockey Jean van Overmeire.

Satin Shimmer is a homebred for Belinda Bateman, who also raced her dam, the city winner Satin Socks, and her grandam, Group 2 Silver Slipper winner Satin Shoes, who was a JHB yearling purchase at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Satin Shoes has been a remarkable producer, not least for the fact that she has produced seven fillies on a row, all of which have been retained by Belinda.

Satin Socks has a Capitalist 2YO, who sold for $380,000 to Vinery Stud at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. She also has a very nice Stay Inside colt yearling to sell in 2025, is in foal to King’s Legacy and visits Snitzel in 2024.

Congratulations again to Belinda Bateman, and many thanks to trainers Adrian Bott & Gai Waterhouse and to jockey Jean van Overmeire.

JHB Broodmare Partnership sells big in Saratoga

Constitution x Emro filly at Atlas Farm, Kentucky, USA

It was in 2022 that we identified a mare in Kentucky at the Fasig-Tipton November Breeding Stock Sale who, as a 2YO stakes winner, would be an ideal candidate for our Elite Broodmare Partnership. Named Emro, she was also offered in foal to Constitution, who was just beginning to emerge as a very promising stallion in America. We were thrilled to secure Emro for US$425,000 on behalf of the partnership.

Fast forward to the current day, and it was time for the resultant yearling that Emro was carrying at the time was offered today in the Fasig Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale through the Bedouin Bloodstock draft. After parading in great style through the inspection period she was the subject of great attention from the buyers, and was eventually sold for US$500,000 to Lael Stables, more than covering the initial purchase price of her dam.

Thanks have to go to Neal Clark and Conor Doyle, who did a great job bother raising the filly at Atlas Farm and at the sales under their Bedouin Bloodstock banner.

Emro is now very well travelled herself. Having foaled down the Constitution filly, she was subsequently sent to the UK and bred to Juddmonte’s outstanding stallion Frankel. She is now resident at Newgate Farm here in Australia and due to foal in the next fortnight, ahead of a date with multiple Champion sire Snitzel in 2024.

Congratulations to our Broodmare Partnership clients Belinda Bateman, the Doyle family, Rob Love and Phil & Glenda Mehrten.

Rapido rounds them up at Canterbury

Rapido made a big impression in his final start last preparation, bolting clear at Newcastle to score by over four lengths. Returning this preparation as a gelding, he picked up where he left off at Canterbury today, again putting daylight between himself and his rivals under a great ride from Rachel King.

Rapido was a purchase for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, from the Twin Hills Stud draft.

Thanks to trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, and gongratulations to owners, Belinda Bateman, Doyle’s Breeding and Racing, Rob Love, John & Frances Ingham, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab, Marc & Lindy de Stoop, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, and Jean-Dominique & RIanna Huynh.

Martinis all round at Mumma flies at Rosehill

Having impressed with two dominant country wins, the time came this weekend for Martini Mumma to take the step into metropolitan grade this weekend at Rosehill. Under the care of Matt Dale, she contested a very competitive Highway, and put in another dominant display to again win by daylight under jockey Dylan Gibbons.

Martini Mumma is a homebred for Rob Love, being by Pariah and out of JHB broodmare purchase Silver Spirit. She now will be tested at black type level as she heads towards the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone on 18th May.

Three for James Harron Bloodstock at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale

It was an especially exciting edition of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale this year, with the first foal out of Champion Winx generating feverish excitement, and the entire Inglis team should be very proud of the great atmosphere that this generated.

We were in action, and delighted to come away with three high-quality yearlings for our owners, please see their details below

Lot 140 - Exceed and Excel x Media Sensation colt - $550,000

Our first purchase for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership was this colt by Exceed and Excel, secured from Sledmere Stud. He’s a very forward-looking colt, with lovely strength and a great attitude.

Exceed and Excel is one of the best sources of 2YO speed, and this colt is also out of Group 1 winner Media Sensation, who is by another good source of speed in I Am Invincible.

Lot 211 - Zoustar x Phantom Queen colt - $650,000

Our final purchase for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership for this year was this quality colt by Zoustar, secured from Widden Stud.

He is bred on the same Zoustar x Charge Forward cross that produced multiple Group 1 winner Sunlight. Phantom Queen is herself well-bred, being a half-sister to Group 1 winner Sweet Idea.

Lot 227 - Zoustar x Prompt Response - $2,200,000

Our final purchase at Inglis Easter was this magnificent filly by Zoustar out of Group 1 winner Prompt Response, purchase from Widden Stud.

An incredible filly, with great size, substance and power, and being out of a top-class mare we were very excited to secure her.

Espionage dominant in Kindergarten Stakes on Day 1 of the Championships

After narrowly missing out on a start in the Group 1 Golden Slipper, Espionage lined up as a strong favourite in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Settled beautifully just behind the speed by jockey Tommy Berry, Espionage cruised into the race in the straight and powered clear in the final stages to win by over three lengths.

This was Espionage’s second Group race victory as a 2YO, after his exciting earlier win in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick in October. He by leading sire Zoustar and is out of the very smart Street Cry mare In Times of War and was secured from the Baramul Stud draft for the JHB Colt Partnership.

Espionage will now head out for a well-deserved break, and looks a very exciting prospect as we look towards his three-year-old season.

Congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, John & Frances Ingham, Jean-Dominique & Rianna Huyhn, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab, Marc & Lindy de Stoop, and Gerry & Katie Page Harvey.

Aardvark flies home to win Talindert Stakes at Flemington

Capitalist colt Aardvark was secured on behalf of the JHB Colt Partnership after a pair of impressive early-season jump outs, and confirmed the promise of his October debut, when third to Coleman in the Listed Debutant Stakes, when running out an impressive winner of the Listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington this weekend. In doing so he became the fourth 2YO stakes winner for this crop of the JHB Colt Partnership.

Settled beautifully behind the speed under jockey Damian Lane, Aardvark powered through to lead in the final stages, winning with his ears pricked.

Many thanks to trainers Troy and Leon Corstens, who had Aarvark well prepared, and a big congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Jean-Dominique & Rianna Huynh, Marc & Lindy de Stoop, Tom & Leslie Kennedy, Ron Gilbert, Peter and Michelle McMahon and Dean Harvey.

Bodyguard dominant in Blue Diamond Prelude

Put away after a dazzling debut at Flemington, Bodyguard returned to the races this weekend in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield and produced a top-drawer performance. Never better than three-wide from a tricky barrier, he powered past his rivals in the straight under Mark Zahra to win comfortably against a very strong field of race-fit rivals.

Bodyguard was secured from the Emirates Park Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for the JHB Colt Partnership, and is one of five 2YO colts to have secured black type this season so far, from a crop of just eleven. He is out of Tumooh, a daughter of Golden Slipper winner Mossfun, and by Champion Sire I Am Invincible.

A huge thanks to trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Doyle’s Breeding and Racing, Rob Love, John & Frances Ingham, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab, Marc & Lindy de Stoop, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Jean-Dominique & RIanna Huynh and Emirates Park Stud.

Bodyguard now head to the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday 24th February.

Eight for JHB at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale

The Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale continues its inexorable rise, with the entire fortnight becoming an incredible fusion of top-class racing, yearling sales and more recently showjumping and polo.

At the sales, in a typically buoyant and exciting market, we were delighted to come away with eight quality yearlings for our clients.

The details of our purchases are below, with the first six all secured on behalf of the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership. Thanks as always to our owners for their support, and many thanks to Barry Bowditch, Gerry & Katie Page Harvey’s Magic Millions team who have once again put together an outstanding fortnight of all things equestrian on the Gold Coast.

Lot 164 - King’s Legacy x Serenade colt - $775,000

This is is a very imposing and quality colt by JHB Colt Partnership graduate stallion King’s Legacy. This family has already worked very well with Redoute’s Choice blood, with Group 1 winner Stratum Star (by Redoute’s Choice’s son Stratum) and Group 1 runner-up Prague (by Redoute’s Choice), both standing at stud.

Serenade was herself a smart sprinter, and a precocious 2YO, running second in the Inglis 2YO Classic pre-Christmas, while she has already produced city winner Israelite Bay, and her current 2YO Wolfgang is also a city winner and ran in this year's Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Lot 339 - Zoustar x Villami colt - $1,000,000

This is a very forward, and precocious looking son of Zoustar, out of a very fast racemare in Villami.

His dam was a very fast race filly, beating the colts in the Listed Fireball Stakes at Randwick, and was also close up at Group 2 level on several occasions. She is from a great family, that of top-class stallion Centaine.

Lot 349 - Extreme Choice x Wanted Lady colt - $1,600,000

This colt is an outstanding physical type, by a stallion in Extreme Choice, who is running at 25% stakes-class 2YOs to runners, which is truely elite.

His dam has already produced two decent winners by Extreme Choice (Lady Extreme is a 4YO who has won since the catalogue was published), including Abseiler, who was not far away in a Blue Diamond lead-up.

Lot 669 - Capitalist x Fimatino colt - $800,000

This is a powerful colt by Golden Slipper winner Capitalist. He is a half-brother to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Shaquero, and comes from the family of Cox Plate winner Shamus Award. The crossing of Capitalist with Redoute’s Choice blood has been very successful so far, with 13.7% stakes horses to runners bred on this cross.

Lot 675 - Capitalist x Flamboyant Lass colt - $360,000

This is another very precocious-looking son of Golden Slipper winning Capitalist. He’s got great strength, and a very purposeful action and looks every inch a 2YO. He’s a half-brother to a pair of smart 2YOs in Nitrous and Command Approved, and out of Flamboyant Lass, who was placed in a Blue Diamond lead up.

Lot 838 - Zoustar x Lady Cosmology colt - $1,300,000

This is a very impressive colt by Zoustar, out of the very fast mare Lady Cosmology. He’s got great quality, exceptional girth and a lovely action. His dam was a top-class mare in Western Australia, where she beat the subsequent top-class Group 1 winner Arcadia Queen.

Lot 909 - Wootton Bassett x Majestic Sea filly - $400,000

This filly is an exceptional physical, with an outstanding action and great depth of girth. She’s from the first Australian-bred crop of Wootton Bassett, an exceptional stallion in Europe, and from a very productive family of sprinter/milers, which is also what she presents as physically.

Lot 786 - Snitzel x In Times of War filly - $1,400,000

This is an exceptional daughter of Champion Sire Snitzel, and she is a half-sister to the JHB Colt Partnership’s recent Group 3 Breeders’ Plate winner Espionage. She’s got lovely shape, a purposeful action and an unflappable attitude.

Highness reigns in Wyong Magic Millions

Beuaituflly prepared by Michael Freedman and his team, Highness lined up in the $200,000 Listed Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic yesterday and produced a power-packed finish to cement his place in the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in January.

Rated well by Tommy Berry behind the speed, Highness had plenty of work to do turning into the short Wyong straight, but knuckled down in tremendous style to overhaul the smart, race-fit leader Spywire and win going away. The winning time was just a tick outside that of fellow JHB Colt Partnership representative Capitalist, who took out this race in 2015.

Highness was purchase at the 2023 Magic Milions Gold Coast Yearling sale from the Segenhoe Stud draft, and is out of a half-sister to Horse of the Year Dissident. He will now likely have a barrier trial in Sydney in preparation for the Gold Coast.

Congratulations to his owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Doyle’s Breeding & Racing, G1G Colts and Breeding, Marc & Lindy de Stoop, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Jean-Dominque & Rianna Huynh, Danny & Pauline Saab, John & Frances Ingham, Gandharvi Racing and Owen & Jayne Egan.

Mumma a metro winner at Moonee Valley

Capitalist filly Milliondollarmumma boasts a top-class pedigree, being from the family of turf luminaries such as Melito, Zeditave, Pariah and furth back, of our recent Breeders’ Plate winner Espionage. She was a winner at Cranbourne in her first preparation, and this Friday on her second run back as a 3YO, showed lovely improvement to run out a dominant winner over 1200m at Moonee Valley to record her first city win. “She began so well and we were able to track the Godolphin runner and it became a big advantage and on the corner I was going better than it and she did a really good job,” said jockey Damian Lane.

Milliondollarmumma is a homebred for Rob Love, and is out of Angel’s Choice, a JHB private broodmare purchase. Angel’s Choice had a full-sister to Milliondollarmumma make $420,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, while she has a yearling filly by I Am Invincible who will head to the same sale early next year.

Thanks to trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, who have been very patient with this filly, and fingers crossed she can follow in the family black-type tradition down the track.

Satin and Silk continues a dynasty with impressive victory

Satin and Silk pictured with her dam Satin Shoes as a foal

A fast and precocious filly, who acquitted herself well on debut in the Gimcrack Stakes on a very unsuitable heavy track, Satin and Silk returned today as a three-year-old and ran out an impressive winner over 900m at Scone.

Showing her customary speed, she quickly found the lead under jockey Mitchell Bell, and powered away from her rivals up the straight to win with plenty in hand.

Satin and Silk is the fourth winning filly out of the multiple Group winner Satin Shoes, who was one of our first yearling purchases for the Edmund and Belinda Bateman. She’s been a great servant at stud also, with her first foal being Gimcrack winner Satin Slipper, who is herself the dam of the top-class 3YO sprinter I Am Unstoppable.

Belinda Bateman now has six daughters of Satin Shoes, with the recent arrival of a Written Tycoon filly this year and her current 2YO named Satin Sparkle (by Zoustar) in training with Chris Waller, and the ‘Satin’ dynasty looks like being one which will grow and grow for her wonderful portfolio.

Rapido bounds away at Newcastle

Rapido - pictured as a yearling

Capitalist colt Rapido had been knocking on the door for a win, and converted in no uncertain terms this weekend at Newcastle. Settled in behind under jockey Andrew Adkins, he exploded in the straight to power away from his rivals for a most impressive success.

Rapido was purchased from the Twin Hill Stud draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sales, and is out of the smart American mare Madam Cactus.

Thanks to trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Fergus Doyle, Rob Love, Gary Diamond, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, John & Frances Ingham, Jean-Dominique and Rianna Huynh and Danny Saab.

Bodyguard brings up early 2YO stakes double for the JHB Colt Partnership

Having drawn barrier 13 of 14 in the Breeders’ Plate at Randwick, Bodyguard was re-routed to Melbourne for the Listed Maribyrnong Trial up the Flemington straight, and he did not disappoint on his race day debut, powering clear with his ears pricked to dominate the field.

Settled towards the rear in a packing field, once into the daylight under jockey Craig Williams, Bodyguard powered through the pack to win by an expanding margin under just hands and heels riding.

His win followed the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate win for fellow JHB Colt Partnership alumnus Espionage, the two colts having filled the quinella in their heat at the first official 2YO trials at Kensington back on 18th September.

Bodyguard was secured from the Emirates Park Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year, and congratulations must also go to breeders Emirates Park, having also bred Gimcrack Stakes winner Manaal.

Big thanks to Peter and Paul Snowden and their team, who had Bodyguard perfectly prepared for his debut, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Fergus Doyle, Rob Love, John & Frances Ingham, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab, Marc & Lindy de Stoop, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Jean-Dominique & RIanna Huynh and Emirates Park Stud.

Espionage thrills in the Group 3 Breeders' Plate on debut

After a promising start for our Colt Partnership Class of 2023 at the first official barrier trials, it was great to see that rewarded for our owners with Espionage producing a thrilling run to take out the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick yesterday.

Settled beautifully by jockey Blake Shinn, Espionage was forced to sit very wide from his awkward barrier, but proved up to the task, cruising into contention in the straight and powering home to take out this historic race.

He was a JHB Colt Partnership purchase from the Baramul Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and is a son of Zoustar and out of In Times of War, a metropolitan-winning daughter of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Military Rose.

Many thanks to trainers Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, who incredibly supplied the trifecta here, and to jockey Blake Shinn, who was winning his third Breeders’ Plate for our owners, after Capitalist and Khan.

Huge congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Rob Love, Fergus Doyle, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, John & Frances Ingham, Jean-Dominique & Rianna Huyhn, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab, Marc & Lindy de Stoop, and Gerry & Katie Page Harvey.