Winner: Sacred Choice (Choisir-Sacred Habit)
Race: VRC Myer Classic G1 (1600m)
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Goodwood Farm
Buyer: Anthony Cummings
Earnings: $691,390
Owner(s): GM Fraser, Mrs KA Fraser, Ms EL Fraser, R Woodhouse, AF Shepherd, D Cunneen & RH Spee
Trainer: Joseph Pride (Warwick Farm)
Sacred Choice sent her future broodmare value soaring when she upstaged Typhoon Tracy in today’s Group One $502,500 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington.
Enjoying the heavy track conditions after persistent afternoon rain, Sacred Choice came from well back in the field to win easily.
A five-year-old mare by Choisir was purchased as a yearling for just $40,000 from the draft of Goodwood Farm at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The win gave her trainer Joseph Pride a big thrill – so much so moment after the win he was seen hoisting his strapper into the air despite the rain.
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” Pride said. “Really happy with the mare’s effort.”
“We snuck her down here on Thursday night – we’ve got a special way we work her at home and I didn’t want to upset her routine – so it’s a very pleasing result.”
“We work her down the polo fields at Warwick Farm. It’s a fantastic training facility and we’ve got a few options where the horses don’t have to go around in circles around a rail and it just suits this mare,” he added.
“She’s a real trier and she deserved to win a big race – but to get one like this – one of the biggest mares’ races in Australia – is a fantastic result.”
“This is the greatest day’s racing – no one can deny that and you look forward to it every year.”
Sacred Choice ($17-$21) romped home over the concluding stages. She held a four and a half length margin over Typhoon Tracy ($1.95-$2-$1.90 fav).
Sydney favourite Hot Danish ($12-$13) struggled into third place – another five and a half lengths back.
Considering she cost just $40,000 at the Gold Coast, Sacred Choice has done an incredible job for her connections.
Her earnings have raced to $691,390 – and she’s now a valuable broodmare prospect – being a winner at racing’s elite level.
Sacred Choice is the second Group One winner for her sire Choisir – following in the hoofsteps of globetrotting sprinter Starspangledbanner.
Her dam, the twice raced Sir Tristram mare Sacred Habit, is a three qiarter sister to Golden Slipper winner and influential sire Marauding.
Other members of her family are stakes winners Nunkalowe, Voodoo Beat, Latin News, Inarticulate, Mithrandir and Distant Melody.
