| Former champion juvenile Capitalist sired his first Group One winner when crack colt Captivant scored a brilliant win in today’s Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. |
After a string of outstanding runs from back in the field in the first two legs of the Sydney juvenile triple crown, Captivant was able to strike in today’s feature and score a brilliant win. The good looking colt, a $550,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, confirmed his status as the latest hot young stallion prospect with his victory in the sire making feature. It was fitting that the first Group One winner for former Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Golden Slipper winner Capitalist would be prepared by his former trainers, Peter and Paul Snowden. “It was a super win,” a delighted Peter Snowden said. “It was a magic ride.” “I know he had a good gate, but he made all the right moves and gave the horse the rest he needed and wait for as long as he could.” “When he came to the corner he picked up for him and he knew he had something there.” “He (McDonald) was able to give him another little rest before asking for an effort at the 300 (metres),” Snowden added. Winning rider James McDonald said the inside barrier was a great help to the colt who was third at his most recent start in the Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes. “Barriers win races and he drew the perfect marble. We were able to switch off, back on the fence and do no work.” “He’s got a very good turn of foot and a mile is far as he wants, to be fair.” “He was primed to come here today as the Grand Final,” McDonald added. Bred by Senga Bissett and Ivan Woodford-Smith and offered through their Ashleigh Thoroughbreds draft at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Captivant sold to China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Starlight Racing for $550,000. China Horse Club, Newgate and Starlight also brought in partners Horse Ventures, Go Bloodstock Australia, Glenlogan Park, Highgrove Stud, Nick Vass, Aston Bloodstock, Grant Bloodstock, Carpe Diem and G1G Racing and Breeding to race today’s Group One star. Captivant is one of two winners, from three to race, for the lightly raced Commands mare Speedboat. Speedboat is a three quarter sister to group winning sprinter First Command, half sister to multiple stakes winner Cross Current as well as the dam of New Zealand Derby winner Crown Prosecutor and Magic Night Stakes winner Willow Creek. Magic Millions sold graduates have now won three of the four Group One races for two-year-olds run in Australia in 2021 – the other was captured by Godolphin’s homebred Anamoe. Artorius (Flying Artie) and Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) won the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper respectively and like Captivant are by first season sires standing at Newgate Farm. Winner: Captivant Breeding: Capitalist-Speedboat (Commands) Breeders: Senga Bissett & Ivan Woodford-Smith Race: ATC Champagne Stakes G1 (1600m) Sold for: $550,000 Sale: 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Ashleigh Thoroughbreds Buyer: China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock & Starlight Racing Earnings: $642,750 Owners: Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Horse Ventures, Newgate SF, Go Bloodstock Australia, Starlight Racing, Glenlogan Park, Highgrove Stud, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Aston Bloodstock, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem & G1G Racing & Breeding Trainers: Peter & Paul Snowden (Randwick) |
