Vinery Stud won the world’s richest juvenile race for a fourth time when Farnan blitzed his rivals in the $3.5million Golden Slipper Stakes Gr.1 on Saturday.
A $550,000 graduate from Vinery’s consignment to the 2019 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, his value sky-rocketed with a dominant front-running victory in our premier stallion-making race. After crossing the field from a wide gate, he left the beaten division with no excuses on a historic day at Rosehill.
Farnan joins More Than Ready colts Sebring (2008) & Phelan Ready (2009) and Mossman filly Mossfun (2014) on Vinery’s honour-roll in the Golden Slipper. It comes just a year after Vinery graduate Exhilarates won the $2million Magic Millions 2YO Classic RL on the Gold Coast.
Pound-for-pound, Vinery is punching well above its weight as one of the leading consignors in Australia. Its who’s who of Group 1 graduates includes Aristia (Victoria Oaks), Shamus Award (Cox Plate), Commanding Jewel (Thousand Guineas), Samaready (Blue Diamond), Atlantic Jewel (All Aged Stakes), Delectation (Darley Classic) & Russian Revolution (The Galaxy).
Farnan (2c Not A Single Doubt – Tallow by Street Cry) gave Gai Waterhouse her 7th Golden Slipper and a first with co-trainer Adrian Bott. “I’m honoured and humble to win it alongside a legend like Gai,” Bott said. “And to do it with a colt of such quality is really special. Being dominant from the draw was never a worry. He showed that tactical speed and was able to control the race.”
Winning jockey Hugh Bowman also thanked Gai for his first Golden Slipper. “The preparation was second to none. I’ve been lucky enough to ride some really good horses but I haven’t ridden a better two-year-old.
“His professionalism is one thing but his ability is another. When I asked for full throttle at the furlong, he responded and responded in style.”
Bott confirmed Farnan will go for a spell safe in the knowledge he will be crowned Champion Australian 2YO for 2019-20. He went into the Golden Slipper as a $4.80 favourite following Group 2 victories in the Silver Slipper and Todman Stakes and he signs off with 5 wins in 6 starts going back to an impressive debut at Canberra in November.
Vinery sold him (as agent) for Phoenix Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions and estimates of his market value are moot because he’s already destined to stand at Aquis Farm. “It’s a dream come true. He’s an awesome colt,” Aquis managing director Shane McGrath said. “We were aggressive at the sales last year and it’s paid off.”
McGrath revealed the Vinery colt was one of their highest-rated yearlings at the Magic Millions. “He looked a lovely mover with a pedigree,” McGrath recalled. “He’s by a top sire and is the sort of horse farms like us dream of owning.”
Vinery has consigned a select draft of five lots to the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale on April 7 and 8. There are colts by I Am Invincible, Snitzel and Tavistock, and fillies by More Than Ready and Sebring.
Hoofnote: Vinery’s Golden Slipper celebration followed a low-key graduation on Friday when owner-trainer Trevor Sutherland won the Albury Guineas (1400m) with Demanding Mo (Uncle Mo).
Vinery partner Greg Perry sold Demanding Mo for $24,000 at the 2018 Inglis Classic Sale. He received another $130,000 for the 3yo gelding’s More Than Ready half-sister at this year’s Classic Sale.
