End of season Group 1 recap for Adelaide and Brisbane

As The Thoroughbred Report has done with the Group 1 races held in Australia and New Zealand, in this edition TTR AusNZ will recap the Group 1 victors and victresses of the Brisbane and Adelaide carnivals.

Bella Nipotina: Queensland Princess

The iron mare Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) has thrived in Queensland during this season. She captured the G1 Doomben 10,000, defeating the brilliant I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel). Trained by Ciaron Maher, she then carried 56kg in the G1 Stradbroke H. where she was narrowly beaten by the 3-year-old filly Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard).

Bella Nipotina capped off her season by claiming the final Group 1 victory of the 2023/24 season in last Saturday’s G1 Tattersall’s Tiara S.

Purchased for $80,000 by Lindsay Park Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock, and Mt Hallowell from the draft of Rosemont Stud at the 2019 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Bella Nipotina has amassed over $10.9 million in earnings. She boasts three Group 1 victories and a total of seven stakes victories.

Bella Nipotina is out of the Star Witness mare Bella Orfana, a three-quarter-sister to Hallowell Belle (Starcraft {NZ}), who won the G2 Gilgai S. and placed in prestigious races such as the G1 Flight S., G1 Blue Diamond S., G1 TJ Smith S., G1 Patinack Classic, and G1 Thousand Guineas.

I Wish I Win begins Everest trek

Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) added a second Group 1 victory to his impressive resume and has begun his campaign towards another shot at the $20 million The Everest. With Luke Nolen back in the saddle, the son of Savabeel showed gallantry in turning the tables on Bella Nipotina to win the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup, also defeating the elite sprinter In Secret (I Am Invincible).

Bred and retained by Waikato Stud, I Wish I Win was crowned Joint Champion Older Horse in Australia for the 2022/23 season. He has won seven races, including the G1 TJ Smith S. and the Golden Eagle. Additionally, he has been placed in The Everest, the G1 TJ Smith S., G1 Newmarket H., G1 Memsie S., and G1 Levin Classic.

I Wish I Win is out of Make A Wish (NZ) (Pins), who is also the dam of the G3 Premier’s Cup winner and was placed in the G1 Queensland Oaks. He hails from the family of the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Starcent (NZ) (Centaine).

Socks stuns in Oaks

The G1 Queensland Oaks provided a stunning upset as Socks Nation (Sioux Nation {USA}) pulled off a surprise victory at odds of 100/1 in the Group 1 Classic for fillies. Under the ride of Ryan Maloney, Socks Nation led the field in the 2400-metre race, holding off a challenge from Our Gold Hope (Lope De Vega {Ire}), while Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution) finished strongly in third.

Socks Nation is out of the Commands mare Tahnee Tiara, whose half-sister Evalina (I Am Invincible) placed in the G1 Railway S. and is the dam of the Group 1-producing sire Worthy Cause.

This filly marks the first Group 1 victory for Sioux Nation (USA), a son of Scat Daddy (USA) who won the G1 Phoenix S. Sioux Nation briefly shuttled to Swettenham Stud in Victoria, producing a live foal crop of 39.

Socks Nation was purchased for $160,000 by Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Milburn Creek draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Monger romps in Derby

Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) delivered a performance in the G1 Queensland Derby that will be remembered for years to come. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the 3-year-old had shown consistent form leading up to his Queensland campaign but reached new heights in the Derby.

With Blake Shinn in the saddle, it was a case of Warmonger first, the rest nowhere! The filly Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor {NZ}) and Felix The Scat (Mendelssohn {USA}) trailed over 10l behind in second and third places, respectively.

Warmonger, a son of War Decree (USA), was originally a NZ$75,000 purchase by Prima Park and Bevan Bloodstock from the Valachi Downs draft at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He was later reoffered by Prima Park at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, where SJ Kennedy secured him for NZ$165,000. After an impressive trial, Warmonger was sold privately to OTI and clients.

His efforts include victories in three races, including the Listed TAB Trophy at Flemington, and placings in the G1 South Australian Derby and the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas.

Warmonger is out of the Savabeel mare Princess Savabeel (NZ), who is also the dam of Blue Solitaire (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), placed in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

Stefi salutes in Stradbroke

The highlight of the Queensland Racing Carnival, the prestigious G1 Stradbroke H., saw the Bjorn Baker-trained Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) emerge victorious. The 3-year-old filly entered the $3 million feature in fine form, despite not having won leading up to the race.

Prior to her triumph in the G1 Stradbroke H., Stefi Magnetica had shown promise, placing in the G3 Fred Best Classic and finishing fifth in the G1 Doomben 10,000, where she competed against top quality contenders Bella Nipotina and I Wish I Win. Additionally, she was placed in the G1 Surround S. in Sydney.

Stefi Magnetica's victory in the Stradbroke H. marked a significant achievement as she became the second winner of the race sired by Vinery's All Too Hard, following in the footsteps of the 2022 victor Alligator Blood.

Sold for $140,000 to Cunningham Thoroughbreds and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Cressfield draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Stefi Magnetica is a daughter of Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force), who herself claimed victory in the G1 Stradbroke H., creating a notable synergy.

Neasham’s Bois wins Cup

Bois D’Argent (GB) (Toronado {Ire}), trained by Annabel Neasham, secured his sixth career victory and first at the elite level by triumphing in the G1 Doomben Cup. Despite entering the race in good form, Bois D’Argent was somewhat under the radar with odds set at $26, guided by jockey Blake Shinn.

Demonstrating his resilience, Bois D’Argent held off challenges from New Endeavour (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) and Fawkner Park (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) to clinch the victory. However, Fawkner Park reversed the outcome in their subsequent encounter in the G2 The Q22.

Bois D’Argent is from Madonna Lily (Ire) a daughter of Daylami (Ire). Madonna Lily is also the dam of the talented Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), who triumphed in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet.

Sun shines in the Oaks

Vibrant Sun (The Autumn Sun), trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, showcased her staying prowess by claiming victory in the G1 Australasian Oaks. Building on her earlier success in the G3 Alexandra S. over 1600 metres in March, Vibrant Sun entered the Oaks with strong credentials. Bookmakers sent her out as a $7 chance for the Australasian Oaks.

Under the guidance of jockey Mark Zahra, Vibrant Sun triumphed over her paternal sisters Private Legacy (The Autumn Sun) and Coco Sun, both progeny of the Arrowfield-based stallion.

Vibrant Sun is out of the mare Vibrant Rouge (Written Tycoon), a winner of eight races including the G3 Vamos S. She was purchased for $250,000 by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) and Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the Canning Downs draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Coco bounces back

Continuing The Autumn Sun’s fantastic run with his first 3-year-old runners was the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Coco Sun. Lining up in the G1 South Australian Derby with locally born Jamie Kah in the saddle, Coco Sun defeated Warmonger and Air Assault (Justify {USA}).

The filly showed promise as a juvenile, winning the Listed Oaklands Plate. Admittedly, she lost her way a tad as a spring 3-year-old but still ran fifth in the G1 VRC Oaks. Returning first-up at Sandown-Lakeside in a BM64, Coco Sun was back in the winner’s circle.

Coco Sun then won a BM70 at Bendigo, placed third in the G1 Australasian Oaks, and claimed her elite-level success in the South Australian Derby. The daughter of The Autumn Sun is from the Encosta De Lago mare Miss Hufflepuff, a full sister to the Champion Stayer in Hong Kong, Liberator.

The filly was a $250,000 purchase by Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Tyreel Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Star climbs Group 1 heights

Zoustar’s daughter, Climbing Star, scaled the heights of racing’s elite by winning the G1 Robert Sangster S. at Morphettville. Trained by Phillip Stokes, Climbing Star defeated Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}) and Benedetta (Hellbent), providing her young jockey, Lachlan Neindorf, with his first Group 1 success.

The G1 Robert Sangster S. marked the third victory for Climbing Star, who also won the Listed Matrice S. and was placed in the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic, the G3 Moonga S., and the G3 RN Irwin S. She was subsequently placed in the G1 Goodwood H. behind Benedetta.

Climbing Star is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Bryony, a full sister to the G1 Diamond S. winner Heroic Valour and a half-sister to Triple Honour (NZ) (Honours List {Ire}), the victor of the G1 Doncaster H.

The daughter of Zoustar was a $600,000 purchase by Phillip Stokes Racing and Rick Connolly Bloodstock from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Climbing Star was later withdrawn from the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Well-deserved Group 1 for Benedetta

Jason Warren’s star mare Benedetta (Hellbent) broke through for a well-deserved Group 1 success in the G1 Goodwood H. in May. The daughter of Hellbent was winning for the eighth time, having previously claimed the G3 Cockram S. and G3 RN Irwin S.

Benedetta had finished third in the G1 Robert Sangster in her prior start and had fourth-placed efforts in the G1 Newmarket H. and the G1 Oakleigh Plate. She is out of the Domesday mare Whatalovelyday, who won three races and comes from the family of the G1 Australian Guineas winner Light Fantastic (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).

The daughter of Hellbent was a $75,000 purchase by Eales Racing Syndications from the draft of Mill Park Stud at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Table: Listed races in South Australia and Queensland

Table: Group 3 races in Brisbane and Adelaide

Table: Group 2 winners in Brisbane and Adelaide