Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Owner and bloodstock agent James Harron has enjoyed great success with 2-year-olds, which is why he sees the G3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick this Saturday as an opportunity for promising colts to show they can go on and achieve greatness.
Harron has Valedictorian (Zoustar) starting in this year’s Group 3 over 1000 metres worth $250,000.
His outstanding 2-year-olds have included past Breeders’ Plate winners Espionage (Zoustar) and Khan (Exceed And Excel), and Golden Slipper victors Capitalist and Vancouver among others, the latter two also prevailing in the Breeders’ Plate to begin their glittering careers.
Gallery: Some of James Harron's winners of the G3 Breeders' Plate, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Harron believes the Breeders’ Plate is the ultimate measuring stick on how a juvenile can perform under pressure and set up a potentially great career.
“It’s been a really good race to us. It’s a very exciting race. I think it’s got great history,” he said. “The graduates who have come out of the race have been quite phenomenal, really.
“Even horses who can get there and perform, you see them doing well further down the track. It’s a good sign of a horse’ ability to get there, and their maturity. It’s exciting to be part of it again this year.”
“It’s (the G3 Breeders' Plate) a very exciting race. I think it’s got great history. The graduates who have come out of the race have been quite phenomenal, really.” - James Harron
When Gai Waterhouse trained Vancouver to Breeders’ Plate glory in 2014, it was her fourth consecutive win in this event.
She has also tasted Breeders’ Plate success with Law (Denman), Whittington, Pierro, Sebring, Sparks (Thunder Gulch {USA}) and High Rolling.
The top trainer of juveniles teams up with Adrian Bott – who she combined with to win last year’s event with Espionage and who Harron part-owns – have the two favourites this year. They are North England (Farnan) and King Kirk (Ole Kirk).
Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Harron knows both those winners from trials over 850 metres at Randwick on September 23 will be super competitive.
“Obviously, they trialled very nicely, and they showed really good step and maturity, and looked very natural,” he said.
“I think there’s going to be good competition again this year. It’s never easy, and those trainers have a great record in the race.
“No doubt they’ll be very hard to beat.”
James Harron | Image courtesy of Inglis
Waterhouse and Bott also have Crown The King (Time To Reign), Tempestuous (Extreme Choice) and Tuscany (Zoustar) lining up in the Breeders’ Plate.
Peter Snowden has led in three winners - Empire Of Japan (Snitzel), Khan (Exceed And Excel) and Capitalist for the James Harron Bloodstock colours.
And he has Raging Force (Cosmic Force) lining up on Saturday.
Harron said Capitalist was the “most natural” horse he has been involved with, after winning the 2015 Breeders’ Plate on debut, before his Golden Slipper triumph the following year.
“He just never missed a beat – he was a colt who was built in good body and mind to excel at two,” he said. “Capitalist was probably the most natural.”
Capitalist | Standing at Newgate Farm
Harron is also excited about what Espionage can do for him next autumn, winning the G3 Kindergarten S. last start at Randwick, after his Breeders’ Plater triumph last year.
“Espionage was a horse which on his first few gallops Adrian earmarked, and said he was well above average,” he said.
“He’s proved to be very right on that occasion, and we’re very excited to get him back for the autumn. What he did at the Breeders’ Plate was pure raw ability. He’s furnished and developed a lot since then, and I think he’s got a really good 3-year-old career in him.”
Capitalist has Hidden Motive in this year's edition of the G3 Breeders' Plate.
Zoustar has the most progeny with two, and they are Tuscany and Valedictorian.
No.1 – Crown The King
2-year-old colt, Time To Reign x Shamurt
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Adam Hyeronimus
Barrier: 4
Breeder: Kingstar Farm
Owners: Darby Racing, Mr J A Allison, Mrs K A Allison, Mr S M Bannister, Mr M J Cameron, Mr D Della Rocca, Mr R S Harris, Mr B A Hodgson, Mrs J F Hodgson, Mr P J Morrissey, Mr K J Nichols, Mr J F Neilsen, Mr L T Noronha, Mr C R Phillips, Watto Racing, Mr J W Stone, Mr D Wilden-Constantin, Mr B E Wright, Darby Racing Shamurt
Sale information: Alter Bridge Equine bought this colt for $50,000 from Kingstar Farm at the 2023 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. Darby Racing then purchased him for $70,000 from the draft of Glenbeigh Farm at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Crown The King as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Crown The King is by Kingstar Farm's first-season sire Time To Reign. As an undefeated 2-year-old, he defeated Bivouac on debut in the Kirkham Plate. Time To Reign won the G2 Golden Slipper S. and is a half-brother to Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain).
Crown The King ran third behind King Kirk and Hidden Motive at the Official 2YO Trials on September 23 and is the second foal of Listed Dalrello S.-placed Shamurt (Murtajill) who won twice at two. Shamurt is out of an unraced half-sister to Listed Heritage S. winner Western Beau (Beautiful Crown {USA}).
No.2 Gambler
2-year-old colt, Capitalist x Flamboyant Lass (Stratum)
Please note this horse has been scratched
No.3 Hidden Motive
2-year-old colt, Capitalist x Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt)
Trainer: Nathan Doyle
Jockey: Dylan Gibbons
Barrier: 3
Breeder: Cressfield
Owners: Mr N C Doyle, Mr M Christopher, Ms M Goehr, Sandy Creek, Kurrinda Bloodstock, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Mr A Horne, Mr J Jacobsen, Mr A W Robertson, J Samios, Mr C Sanna, Mr D J Wicks, Riverbend, Mr A M Holst, Mr S A Lewis, Mr P R Clifford, Mr C Simon, Adark Racing, Mr K Sutherland
Sale information: Doyle Racing and Kurrinda Bloodstock purchased this colt for $120,000 from Cressfield at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Hidden Motive as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
By Golden Slipper champion Capitalist, who is the sire of 45 stakes horses, including Captivant (G1 Champagne S.) and Encap (runner-up in the G1 Golden Rose).
Hidden Motive ran second behind King Kirk at the Official 2YO Trials on September 23 at Randwick. He is the fourth foal of G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt), and she is the dam of two winners. Secret Agenda is a half-sister to Group 1-placed Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun).
No.4 – King Kirk
2-year-old colt, Ole Kirk x Oxford Angel (Nicconi)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Rachel King
Barrier: 7
Breeders: Mr GP Nolan
Owners: MyRacehorse No. 1, Megabucks Racing, Ms S J Stevenson, Mrs K L Moxon, Mr D Fodor, Mr D T Moxon, Mr J Carmichael, Mr L Driscoll, Mr J Botheras
Sale information: A $200,000 purchase by Redwall Bloodstock from Rosari Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. Widden Stud then reoffered the colt at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he sold to My Racehorse Pty/Ltd, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $300,000.
King Kirk as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
King Kirk’s sire Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) was a Champion 3-Year-Old Colt, winning the G1 Golden Rose and G1 Caulfield Guineas. He also sires O’ Ole, a G3 Gimcrack S. hopeful.
An impressive trial winner on September 23 at the Official 2YO Trials, he is out of Nicconi mare Oxford Angel who won twice and is a half-sister to Listed winner Oxford Poet (Dylan Thomas {Ire}). This family traces back to the family of Quack (Magic Ring {Ire}) whose descendants include recent Listed Heritage S. winner Perspiration (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
No.5 – North England
2-year-old colt, Farnan x Our Belisa (Lope De Vega {Ire})
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Tim Clark
Barrier: 2
Breeders: Zhongli Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd
Owners: Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Newgate S F, Trilogy, Go Bloodstock Australia, Horse Ventures, Carpe Diem, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Ridgmont, GW Holdings, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Aston Bloodstock, Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Corumbene Stud Pty Ltd.
Sale information: Purchased by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy for $280,000 from the draft of Valiant Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
By Farnan, the dominant 2020 Golden Slipper winner has been the leading first season sire at all major Australian yearlings sales in 2024.
Farnan | Standing at Kia Ora Stud
Farnan’s first-crop yearlings sold for $1,200,000, $800,000, $725,000 and $650,000.
A trial winner on September 23 at the Official 2YO Trials, North England is the fourth foal of Our Belisa (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who won four races and ran fourth in the Listed Dulcify H. This family traces back to Reward For Effort.
No.6 – Ozimozzi
2-year-old colt, Strasbourg x Sweeter Than Honey (Starspangledbanner)
Trainer: Gary Nickson
Jockey: Reece Jones
Barrier: 11
Breeder: Rosemont Stud
Owners: Mr W Yousiph, Mrs I A Yousiph
Sale information: Purchased as a weanling for $4000 by W Yousiph from Rosemont Stud at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale.
Ozimozzi’s sire Strasbourg won the 2019 G2 Sires’ Produce S., and finished runner-up in the G2 Moet & Chandon Classic and G3 The Schweppervescence in the same year.
Second in a Warwick Farm trial on September 30, Ozimozzi is the second foal of unplaced mare Sweeter Than Honey (Starspangledbanner), whose first foal is an unraced 3-year-old. Sweeter Than Honey is a daughter of G3 Adrian Knox S. winner Don't Tell Clang (Clang).
Strasbourg | Standing at Rosemont Stud
No. 7 – Raging Force
2-year-old colt, Cosmic Force x Miss Loren (Stryker)
Trainer: Peter Snowden
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Barrier: 8
Breeder: Dr R McClenahan
Owners: Darby Racing Miss Loren, Austi Breakers Racing, Mr J L Brooks, Mr G Brosnan, Mr G W Brown, Cattle Dogs, Mr R Geraghty, Mr S J Hatch, Mr G King, Mr A Leung, LNM Racing, Dr R McClenahan, Mr C Mak, Muffin Racing, Mr J F Neilsen, Mr M A Slack-Smith, Mr T Stoddard, Stories to Tell, Waving Cats Racing, W & J Leonard Racing
Sale information: Purchased by Darby Racing for $150,000 from Mullaglass Stud at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Raging Force as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
An impressive trial winner on September 23 at the Official 2YO Trials, Raging Force is the fourth foal of Listed Debutant S.-placed Miss Loren (Stryker). G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings) winner Hammerbeam (Grand Lodge {USA}) is from this family.
No. 8 – Ripley
2-year-old colt, Too Darn Hot (GB) x Duvessa (Street Cry {Ire})
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey: Jason Collett
Barrier: 9
Breeder: Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty Ltd
Owners: Qatar Bloodstock Ltd, Widden Stud Pty Ltd, Ciaron Maher Racing, Deg Racing, Forker Family Racing, Mr N S Psaltis, Mrs G C Psaltis, Redbank North Pty Ltd, Mr G J P Van Ameyden, Mr A J Willoughby, McDonnell Thoroughbreds, Dunbar Family Racing, JP Racing, Mr J M Simmons, Ms S M Fitzgerald, Mr D M Toohey, Mr H G Toohey, Bogolong No. 2
Sale information: Originally offered by Segenhoe Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, the colt was purchased by Redbank North Pty Ltd/Lang Brothers for $100,000. Ripley was reoffered by Redbank North at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and David Redvers Bloodstock $625,000
Ripley as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Third in the trial won by Raging Force at the Official 2YO Trials on September 23, Ripley is the second foal of winning mare Duvessa (Street Cry {Ire}) who is a daughter of Sister Madly (Redoute's Choice), who is a half-sister to Hong Kong champion Silent Witness (El Moxie {USA}).
No. 9 – Tempestuous
2,year-old colt, Extreme Choice x Windradyne (GB)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Nash Rawiller
Barrier: 5
Breeder: S F Bloodstock L L C, Henry Field Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Hollymount Stud Pty Ltd
Owners: Mr M S Siddle, Picko, Mr D K Poisel, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Newgate S F, Newgate Bloodstock, Mr T Ryan, Horse Ventures, Mr D T Moxon, Mr J Carmichael
Sale information: Purchased by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $375,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Newgate Farm draft.
Tempestuous as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Second in the trial won by Raging Force at the Official 2YO Trials on September 23, Tempestuous is out of Windradyne (GB) (Sepoy) whose first two foals are yet to win. Windradyne is a half-sister to Group 1-winning sprinter Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) whose 12 wins include five at Group 1 level including the G1 Royal Ascot King's Stand S. twice.
No. 10 – Tuscany
2-year-old colt, Zoustar x Summer Sham (Not A Single Doubt)
Trainers: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: James McDonald
Barrier: 6
Breeder: Widden Stud Australia Pty Ltd, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd, Uluru Stud, Halatex Pty Ltd
Owners: Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Newgate S F, Trilogy, Go Bloodstock Australia, Horse Ventures, Carpe Diem, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Ridgmont, GW Holdings, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Aston Bloodstock, Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Corumbene Stud Pty Ltd, Kia Ora Stud W S
Sale information: China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy purchased this colt for $1,550,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Widden Stud.
Tuscany as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Tuscany showed promise early winning a trial on September 23. His price-tag reflects his pedigree as a full brother to G2 Missile S. winner Schwarz, with both being out of G2 Angus Armanasco S. winner Summer Sham (Not A Single Doubt) from the famed Redoute's Choice family which includes Manhattan Rain, Rubick and many more.
No. 11 – Valedictorian
2-year-old colt, Zoustar x Lady Cosmology (Universal Ruler)
Trainer: Michael Freedman
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Barrier: 1
Breeder: Amelia Park Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd, Robert Wiley, Michael Brennan
Owners: James Harron Bloodstock Colts, Mrs B C Bateman, Love Racing, Bundarra Breeding and Racing Pty Ltd, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Mr F P Doyle, Mr M A De Stoop, Mr P Mehrten, Torryburn Stud, The Northerly, Mr P V Walsh, Gandharvi, Mr G M Funnell, Mr W K Loughnan
Sale information: Purchased by James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership for $1.3 million from Segenhoe Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Valedictorian as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Valedictorian’s sire, Zoustar, has produced 54 individual Stakes winners and 101 stakes performers, with over $114 million in progeny earnings.
He is the sire of Group 1 winners Zougotcha, Climbing Star, Sunlight, Ozzmosis, Joliestar, Mizzy, Lezoo and Zoutori.
Harron feels Valedictorian – despite finishing sixth and 4.2l behind King Kirk in his trial – can also be thereabouts at the finish.
“Very nice colt. Things didn’t quite go the right way in his trial, but he’s been working nicely at home,” he said.
“He’s forward and come through the trial well.”
“Very nice colt (Valedictorian). Things didn’t quite go the right way in his trial, but he’s been working nicely at home. He’s forward and come through the trial well.” - James Harron
Valedictorian is the second foal of G3 Proud Miss S. winner Lady Cosmology (Universal Ruler) from the family of Champion 2YO Filly in South Africa and G1 Scottsville Allan Robertson Championship winner Entisaar (More Than Ready {USA}).
