Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Team Hawkes-trained Brutal (NZ) to win the G1 Doncaster Mile at just his seventh start, which co-trainer Wayne Hawkes points out is the least amount of starts for any winner of that time-honoured race. And now they have provided Brutal with his first Group 1 winner with 2-year-old colt Nepotism winning Saturday's G1 Champagne Stakes.
“He’s not a monster, just a very well put together colt who is short coupled,” said Wayne Hawkes of Nepotism.
“He’s not a monster, just a very well put together colt who is short coupled.” - Wayne Hawkes
“Our immediate plan is to spell him. He can go and eat some well earned grass, then we’ll look at the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas. It’s the same path as his cousin Ole Kirk and a good double to have a crack at. We think those races will be right up his alley, and of course he’ll have to improve into the spring as the other horses around him improve.”
Nepotism and Ole Kirk have many similarities, apart from sharing a second dam in Helsinge (Desert Sun {GB}). Nepotism debuted in the G2 Todman Stakes running third to Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}) and Wodeton (Wootton Bassett {GB}), then won the G3 TL Baillieu Stakes before winning the G1 Champagne Stakes at his third start.
Ole Kirk won the Listed Talindert Stakes as a February 2-year-old on debut, then went on to place in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, was fourth in the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes and third in the G1 Champagne Stakes. At three, he ran two seconds in stakes company before winning the G1 Golden Rose and G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Ole Kirk | Standing at Vinery Stud
When asked about how Nepotism lines up against the other 2-year-old colts this season, Hawkes felt there isn’t much between them for the title of Champion 2YO Colt, which is diplomatic given they also train G1 Blue Diamond winner Devil Night (Extreme Choice).
“He’s as good as Vinrock and Devil Night, they are all thereabouts. Devil Night was the widest runner in the Slipper and did well to get fifth. They are different types of horses, Devil Night is more a sprinting type and Nepotism is like his old man.
“Brutal was going to debut in March (at two) but wasn’t quite right, then he won his first at that Caulfield night meeting (in July). Dwayne (Dunn) got off and said, ‘this is a Group 1 horse’, and the field behind him that day was great. He went on to win the Donny with the least amount of starts of any winner. Nepotism is exactly like his dad, a bit freakish.”
Brutal (NZ) | Standing at Newgate Farm Stud
Brutal won his debut race by 5l from Ronan’s Rock (Fastnet Rock), Humma Humma (Denman) who went on to be a Group 3 winner with future G1 Australian Guineas and All-Star Mile winner Mystic Journey (Needs Further) in fourth.
The stable is a fan of Brutal’s progeny. “They are lovely, quiet, relaxed horses who handle themselves well. They are more 3-year-old types, Nepotism is the only one we’ve had who looked like a chance at running at two.
“I like them because they’ve got great brains, and are good eaters, making them the perfect trainer’s horses, it’s what you want. He was a fine specimen himself, a beauty.”
“I like them (Brutal's progeny) because they’ve got great brains, and are good eaters, making them the perfect trainer’s horses, it’s what you want. He (Brutal) was a fine specimen himself, a beauty.” - Wayne Hawkes
Team Hawkes purchased 13 yearlings this year, including a Brutal colt at Inglis Classic for $30,000 from North Bloodstock out of Hot Streak (Northern Meteor), and two Ole Kirks, both from Vinery Stud, out of Sharpness (Wanted) and Divination (All Too Hard) for $200,000 and $150,000 respectively.
“The ones we really liked (at the sales) were the Ole Kirks. They are lovely horses, and he’s going to be a stallion who will make it. They do everything spot on, and it’s the same family as Nepotism.
“We are always happy to chat about Nepotism and are open to listening to offers (from studs). He’s a lovely horse,” Hawkes concluded without giving away any hints of offers currently on the table.
Michael and Wayne Hawkes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Gilgai Farm get another star
Nepotism is another Group 1 winner from the family which features unbeaten Champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), and three Group 1-winning successful sires in Magnus, All Too Hard, and Ole Kirk.
“Everything good from this family has been bred in this region, by us and Crabbie,” said Gilgai Farm’s manager Kelly Skillecorn, referring to Rob Crabtree whose Dorrington Farm across the road from Gilgai Farm began the family with the mare Group 2 winner and four-time Group 1-placed Scandinavia (Snippets).
Dorrington bred four stakes winners from her including Group 1 winner and sire Magnus and unraced Helsinge, selling her as a yearling to Rick Jamieson of Gilgai Farm. Scandinavia is also ancestress of Hanseatic. In January Crabtree sold Dorrington Farm and moved his horses to nearby Noorilim Park.
“Nepotism was born at Cressfield and more or less reared at Newgate as his dam was there being covered by Extreme Choice but she didn’t go in foal to him. He came home around Christmas and grew out here. He was a nice enough foal but not extraordinary.
Nepotism as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We took him to the sales and he had a bit of an ugly scope, that’s why he didn’t go for much. Mark Player bought him.” Gilgai Farm offered Nepotism at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where he was purchased by International Thoroughbred Solutions (FBAA) for $160,000.
“He’s not as masculine as All Too Hard, in that he hasn’t got as much muscle mass and is built more as a miler, middle distance horse. Everything in the family is big. Brigite is massive just like Black Caviar and All Too Hard. The only small mare in the family is Naturale, the dam of Ole Kirk.”
Helsinge went to Bel Esprit three times, producing unbeaten Champion mare Black Caviar, winner and sire Moshe, and unraced Naturale, the dam of Group 1 winner and sire Ole Kirk, and Group 3 winner Gimme Par. When sent to Casino Prince, Helsinge produced four-time Group 1 winner and successful sire All Too Hard, and unraced Brigite, who is the dam of Nepotism and two other winners. Helsinge’s only other foal, Belle Couture (Redoute’s Choice) is a winner.
Kelly Skillecorn | Image courtesy of Inglis
“My boss (Rick Jamieson) breeds on pedigree, he doesn’t take any notice of conformation or size. There’s absolutely no thought of it. Most people wouldn't breed a mare like that to Brutal, as they are both big, but he liked Silly Season and Grey Sovereign in the pedigree. He was looking for a nick and it was similar to Black Caviar on paper.”
Nepotism is closely bred to Last Tycoon (3mx4f) who is the sire of O’Reilly (NZ) and being the damsire of Casino Prince, the damsire of Brigite. Silly Season is duplicated in both Nepotism and Black Caviar’s pedigree through Lunchtime, sire of Snippets, and through Adios II (GB) who is in Nepotism’s pedigree as the sire of Alberton Lass (NZ), Brutal’s third dam, and in Black Caviar’s pedigree via Bel Esprit’s second dam Vin d’Amour (Adios II {GB}). Black Caviar carries a 3fx4f cross of Vain and Brigite has three lines of Grey Sovereign (USA).
Brutal’s first Group 1 winner
Second season sire Brutal (NZ) was announced by Newgate Farm to stand at $16,500 (inc GST) for 2025, the same fee as in 2024, and he’s bound to be popular now that he has his first Group 1 winner. A son of Champion NZ Sire O’Reilly (NZ), whose other successful sons are Shamexpress (NZ), Sacred Falls (NZ), and Grunt (NZ).
“What a terrific result, especially (to win) in that fashion. For a horse that was so far off them, and to show that turn of foot while beating a very good filly in Within The Law was an extraordinary performance by Nepotism,” said Newgate Farm’s Henry Field.
Henry Field | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Brutal has started off well. He produced Group 1 place Harlem Queen in his first crop, and he’s got a highly touted horse in Hong Kong called Super Strong Kid. And now Nepotism could be anything, so it’s been a remarkable start to his stud career. And it doesn’t surprise us. Brutal was a very good horse who won the Doncaster at his seventh start, and is by O’Reilly who is proving to be a sire of sires. He leaves big strong, sound looking stock.”
Nepotism became Brutal’s second stakes winner when he won the G3 TL Baillieu Stakes at the start prior to Saturday’s G1 Champagne Stakes win, to go with first crop Listed Taj Rossi Series Final winner Jenni’s Meadow.
Harlem Queen has won twice this season and was second in the G1 Flight Stakes behind Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel), who added two more Group 1 wins this autumn, and fourth in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes.
Nepotism winning the G3 TL Baillieu Stakes | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Brutal won his first three in succession, winning on debut as a late 2-year-old, then two Listed wins as an early 3-year-old. In the autumn, at three, he resumed with a third in a Group 3, then had three runs in Group 1 company, running second to Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G1 George Ryder Stakes before winning the G1 Doncaster Mile. At four, he added the G2 Premiere Stakes over 1200 metres.
“Rick Jamieson has been a big supporter of Brutal, and pound for pound he’s probably the best breeder in Australia. He got that mating absolutely bang on. We had Nepotism on our farm at the beginning, and it’s always a delight to work with Kelly and team and the team at Gilgai.”
A big day for Newgate
As if winning one of the two Group 1 races on Saturday wasn’t enough, Newgate Farm stallions had a massive day on Saturday with King Kapa (Capitalist) winning the Listed Ascot Handicap in Brisbane and The Instructor (Russian Revolution) winning the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington. The other major on Saturday, the G1 All-Aged Stakes was won by Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
“It was a big day for Newgate. Capitalist and Russian Revolution both had stakes winners to go with Brutal siring Nepotism. It’s really important that the stallions are firing,” said Field.
Gallery: Progeny of Newgate stallions that recorded Listed wins on Saturday
When asked if timing mattered coming into the breeding season and if spring results were too easily forgotten, Field disagreed. “The reality is that stallions have to keep performing all year, no matter what level they are at. Watching the races yesterday, it felt like every time I switched between channels, a Newgate stallion had a winner and that’s everything we are aiming to achieve here.
“We announced our fees earlier than usual as we want to be the market leaders, not the market followers, and we are giving consideration to whether we increase Brutal’s fee, off the back to this performance. He was very popular last year, and it’s interesting as he’s been one of the most popular horses we have, even before yesterday’s win.
“We announced our fees earlier than usual as we want to be the market leaders, not the market followers.” - Henry Field
“Overall, it’s been incredible the amount of bookings we’ve had so far. I think it’s a great sign of where the industry is at. Extreme Choice is our highest fee but our decision was vindicated by his strength at Easter where he had several million dollar yearlings. And he’s fully booked again.”
