In winning the world’s richest juvenile race in dazzling style, Capitalist confirmed his status as one of the world’s most valuable colts.
The win meant the handsome chestnut son of Written Tycoon has now won Australia’s two richest races for youngsters after also sweeping January’s Jeep Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast.
The win was a triumph for connections from a father-son training partnership, a leading bloodstock agent and his team of jubilant owners and a boutique breeder who cheered from the sales complex where she sold the colt as a yearling.
Capitalist is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden and Peter said the win was very special – his second win in the big race, but his first with his son as co-trainer.
“He’s shown right from his very first start that he is special,” Snowden said. “Today typifies the opinion we’ve had of the horse – we’d never lost faith in him.”
“His work on Tuesday was great and I’m just thrilled it’s come off today. Today’s the day and he’s done a great job. Let’s just soak up the moment.”
“These sorts of days – they are so rewarding,” Snowden summed up.
Winning rider Blake Shinn has been aboard Capitalist in each of his runs – from the Breeders Plate, through the Wyong Magic Millions Classic and Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast. He was beaten at his Slipper lead up run, but he was confident they could unite for another big win today.
“This is the best feeling ever,” Shinn beamed after the race. “I have to take my hat off the team back home at Snowden Racing – Peter and Paul never wrote this horse off after his last start defeat.”
“You have to have the faith and go into every race with the confidence. Full testament to this horse’s ability – he’s backed up from the Magic Millions and come here today and he gave me one more big performance.”
“We got a great run in transit. He settled so well and he sprinted so hard when I took a needle eye opening and he really hit the line hard.”
“This is one of the greatest races in the world and to be able to win I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s not just for me it’s for everyone along the way that has helped me,” Shinn added.
The win was an incredible result for leading Sydney based bloodstock agent James Harron who formed a stallion syndicate and Capitalist is a member of his first package. He purchased Capitalist for $165,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“It’s a great privilege,” Harron said. “I represent a fantastic group of owners who got behind me from day one.”
“He’s a special colt. All credit to Peter Snowden – after his last start he looked me in the eye and said ‘don’t panic.”
“It’s the race that really shapes the breeding industry in Australia – it’s a dream come true and it means so much,” Harron added.
For breeder Jan Clark the result was a fairytale. She watched the race with the farm managers Mark and Sarah McCann near the bar of the Magic Millions Sals Complex.
The three are putting the finishing touches on three yearlings set to go under the hammer at the Gold Coast March Yearling Sale which starts on Monday.
“It’s a dream come true to breed a Group One winner,” Clark said wiping away tears. “To see a Queensland bred horse win the Golden Slipper – it’s a breeder’s dream.”
“I think it’s great for Queensland – we’re on our way! Any happening now at the time of the Gold Coast March Yearling Sale – it couldn’t be better timing.”
“My thanks go out to people like Craig Rounsefell – the mare (Kitalpha) was one of the first purchased in the upgrade program. And also to Mark and Sarah (McCann) who have come and joined us in running the stud, it’s just been wonderful.”
“We’ve got to find the next one now. I’m so happy, it’s going to take a while to sink in. But I’m really going to enjoy it,” she added.
Rounsefell’s Boomer Bloodstock purchased Capitalist’s dam Kitalpha for Clark for $82,500 at the 2012 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale from the draft of Widden Stud.
In what completed the fairytale result – not only did Daandine Stud breed Capitalist but they also bred and sold his sire, leading stallion Written Tycoon.
Capitalist’s win continued a remarkable run in the world’s richest two-year-old race for graduates of the Magic Millions’ Gold Coast sale ring. Of the last 13 winners of the race offered at auction, 10 were sold at the Gold Coast. And the Gold Coast is the only sale source of a Slipper winning colt since 2000 – Capitalist joining the likes of Stratum, Sebring, Pierro and Vancouver in that time.
The dreams of so many were delivered in the Golden Slipper. All credit to Capitalist!
Winner: Capitalist
Breeding: Written Tycoon-Kitalpha (Fusaichi Pegasus)
Race: ATC Golden Slipper Stakes G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $165,000
Sale: 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Daandine Stud
Buyer: James Harron Bloodstock / Snowden Racing
Earnings: $3,508,700
Owner(s): James Harron Bloodstock, Newgate SF, Horse Ventures, Est EGT Bateman, Mrs BC Bateman, Doyles Breeding & Racing, Rockingham Thoroughbreds, JA & Mrs FA Ingham, Love Racing, D & L Alford, Dr MA Holland, G1G Racing & Breeding & D Saab
Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden (Randwick)
