Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Claudia Fitzgerald, bloodstock manager for the dominant Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott team, believes that King Kirk (Ole Kirk), after his thrilling 0.2l victory in the G3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick on Saturday, has all the qualities needed to win the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Exciting G3 Breeders' Plate winner
The precocious sprinter came from last to explode first past the post from the outside in the 1000-metre sprint for colts worth $250,000. Before the race, King Kirk looked very calm and unruffled despite his debut to come in a Group feature, and this temperament shone through when he made his move from last place in the eight-horse field.
Fitzgerald has every faith that King Kirk will continue this progression going into the 2025 R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic over 1200 metres on January 11.
“He’s done a really good job this preparation. Obviously, he’s improved each and every week,” she said. “He’s an exciting colt. We’ll look to have a short break now and bring him back for the Magic Millions. He’s got a great temperament and a lot of quality about him, so he’ll be a real chance in January.”
“He’s (King Kirk) an exciting colt. We’ll look to have a short break now and bring him back for the Magic Millions. He’s got a great temperament and a lot of quality about him, so he’ll be a real chance in January.” - Claudia Fitzgerald
Ole Kirk's first runner is a stakes winner
By Vinery Stud’s Written Tycoon stallion, Ole Kirk, King Kirk was a $200,000 pinhook for Redwall Bloodstock from the Rosari Farm draft at the 2023 National Weanling Sale. King Kirk was the most expensive of the 11 weanlings to sell from the first crop of Ole Kirk.
Widden Stud consigned the chestnut to the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and My Racehorse Pty Ltd/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) then picked up the talented juvenile for $300,000. And King Kirk showed his potential in his Randwick trial over 850 metres on September 23, beating runner-up Hidden Motive (Capitalist) by 0.47l.
Gallery: Images courtesy of Magic Millions
“He’s always been a very forward colt from day one. He was very good in his trial, and he’s improved again off that,” Fitzgerald said.
“Rachel rode him a treat and it was great to get a result for his owners. Great to get a result for the first-season sire for Ole Kirk for Vinery and their partners.”
King Kirk learned how to be tough at Rosari Farm
Bred by Ged Nolan at Rosari Farm, King Kirk is the third foal of the Nicconi mare Oxford Angel. The now 9-year-old was a winner at Wyong and Gosford for Kim Waugh, who trained his half-brother Oxford Poet (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) to eight wins and 17 placings from 45 starts, highlighted by the Listed ATC Winter Stakes, while banking over $730,000.
Fitzgerald paid credit to renowned breeders Ged and Jan Nolan, who focus on quality over quantity on their farm in Gladfield in Queensland’s Southern Downs region.
Claudia Fitzgerald | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“We’re delighted for Ged and Jan Nolan, who bred King Kirk,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s a great representation of the type of horse they breed – strong, tough and precocious.
“They consistently produce quality young horses and they work harder than most, and it is great to see them get the results they deserve.”
“We’re delighted for Ged and Jan Nolan, who bred King Kirk. He’s a great representation of the type of horse they breed – strong, tough and precocious.” - Claudia Fitzgerald
It was the Nolans who bred Perspiration (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who won last Saturday’s Listed Heritage S. at Rosehill.
Key to training good juveniles
Master juvenile trainer Waterhouse – who has won eight Golden Slippers – told The Thoroughbred Report the key to having consistent success with young horses was “(keeping it) short and sharp” on the paddock. Fitzgerald said it was always a pleasure working alongside the champion mentor.
Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She has such a passion not only for the young horses, but young staff and young people,” she said. “She’s always striving for bigger and better things. Her attention to detail is second to none. I really do believe that is the key to her success.
“And Adrian is there day-in and day-out. Every single morning he sees these horses from the get-go, and he really does such a wonderful job. He works harder than anyone I know, and he’s so deserving of the results.”
“She (Gai Waterhouse) has such a passion not only for the young horses, but young staff and young people. And Adrian (Bott) is there day-in and day-out. He works harder than anyone I know...” - Claudia Fitzgerald
Waterhouse/Bott trifecta
Saturday’s Breeders’ Plate result saw Tempestuous (Extreme Choice) and North England (Farnan) complete the trifecta for the Waterhouse-Bott stable.
It was all the more remarkable given the team achieved that feat in the same race last year, when Espionage (Zoustar), Straight Charge (Written By) and Prost (Snitzel) occupied the top three positions.
North England, Tempestuous and King Kirk attack the line in the G3 Breeders' Plate at Randwick | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“I think it’s a huge team effort with the 2-year-olds. We’ve received a lot of support the past couple of years. We’ve put a lot of emphasis into our 2-year-olds. The Breeders’ has a huge ongoing effect in terms of the Golden Slipper result.
“It’s been a really big team effort and such a wonderful result to get the trifecta again in the Breeders’.”
Tempestuous, North England and Tuscany (Zoustar) can also put their names on the map. Like King Kirk, Fitzgerald believes the future is also bright for Tempestuous and North England, as well as Tuscany who finished 1.96l behind in fifth.
“Huge result for both of those (runner-up) boys, with there not being much between the top three.
“Tempestuous, again, could easily be a horse that we target for the Magic Millions in January. He has a beautiful temperament. He does still have some furnishing to do as you probably noticed in the mounting yard, but he’s done a great job this prep. He’s one who has continued to improve. And North England has a very bright future.”
“Tempestuous, again, could easily be a horse that we target for the Magic Millions in January. And North England has a very bright future.” - Claudia Fitzgerald
Tuscany won his trial over 850 metres at Randwick on September 23, beating stablemate Tremonti (Hellbent) by 0.54l. Handsome chestnut Tuscany – a $1.55 million purchase by China Horse Club/Newgate/Go Bloodstock/Trilogy from Widden Stud at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale – was the $2.50 favourite.
He ran the equal-fastest September 23 trial time of 49.11s. Tuscany’s dam, Summer Sham (Not A Single Doubt), is emerging as a strong producer at Widden Stud.
A lightly raced winner of the G2 MRC Angus Armanasco S., Summer Sham was snapped up by UK bloodstock agent David Redvers at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $650,000, joining a progressive broodmare band which supports rising star sire, Zoustar.
“Tuscany – being an Easter graduate – he’s done an amazing job to get to the Breeders’. He certainly wasn’t disappointing (on Saturday). He’s a colt with a very bright future. North England and Tuscany we have a huge opinion of.”
“Tuscany – being an Easter graduate – he’s done an amazing job to get to the Breeders’. He certainly wasn’t disappointing (on Saturday).” - Claudia Fitzgerald
Tremonti adds to Waterhouse/Bott picture
Meanwhile, Waterhouse was full of praise for Tremonti (Hellbent) after his gripping fight-back win over Shining Smile (Spirit Of Boom) in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. (1000 metres) at Flemington on Saturday, starting what was yet another memorable afternoon for her stable.
Tremonti was a $180,000 purchase by Darby Racing from Redbank North Pty Ltd at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“He’s a very tough 2-year-old,” Waterhouse said post-race. “It’s been a nice day, all around.”
