First Winner for Merchant Navy

Tara Madgwick - Saturday January 15

Dual Group I winning sprinter and Royal Ascot hero Merchant Navy is on the board with his first winner after Galaxy Affair saluted at Ascot on Saturday.

Advertisement

Galaxy Affair wins at Ascot - image Western Racepix

Having his second run following his debut sixth last month at Belmont, the Daniel and Ben Pearce trained gelding appreciated a step out to 1200m.

Allowed to settle back in the field, he surged into contention coming to the turn where he was the widest runner and hit the line hard to win by a long head.



Galaxy Affair was purchased as a weanling from the 2020 Inglis Digital June (late) Sale for $42,500 by Danny Coyne, click to see his page.

He was bred by Aquis and is the first foal of Wild Ava, a metropolitan winning half-sister by High Chaparral (IRE) to Group II WATC Karrakatta Plate winner Ima Single Man from stakes-winning Not a Single Doubt mare Single Spice.

Merchant Navy

Coolmore's Merchant Navy set a new benchmark for himself in the sale ring at Magic Millions this week when his filly from Pittsburgh Flyer sold for $700,000. The half-sister to Group I winner September Run was bought by Ciaron Maher / Best Bloodstock.





 

Advertisment

Race Result - Magic Millions Plate 1200m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:13.06
1
Galaxy Affair
- 2g Merchant Navy (AUS) x Wild Ava (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: D & B Pearce Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 57
2
0.2
Upper Limits
- 2g Exosphere (AUS) x Defar (AUS) (Wanted (AUS))
Tnr: Jeremy Easthope Rdr: W Pike 57
3
0.4
Lucky Sue
- 2f Lucky Street (AUS) x Peggy Sue (AUS) (Monaco Consul (NZ))
Tnr: D R Harrison Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 55
4
0.8
El Patron
- 2c Patronize (AUS) x Femelle (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: Simon Miller Rdr: P Carbery 57
5
2.9
It's All A Rumour
- 2g I'm All The Talk (AUS) x Clever Dora (AUS) (Dick Turpin (IRE))
Tnr: Fenella Martin Rdr: Jade Mc Naught 57
6
3.5
Quindandino
- 2g Magnus (AUS) x Juice (NZ) (Bertolini (USA))
Tnr: A W Maley Rdr: B Rawiller 57
7
4.1
Ciao Luna
- 2f Dissident (AUS) x Across The Moon (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Roy Rogers Rdr: Kate Witten 55
8
4.5
Travel Warning
- 2c Smart Missile (AUS) x Journey (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: D R Harrison Rdr: P Harvey 57
9
5.5
Justa Lil Faith
- 2f Vert De Grece (IRE) x Oh So Regal (AUS) (Scenic (IRE))
Tnr: D M Luciani Rdr: Jordan Turner 55
10
9.0
The Great Hoya
- 2c Patronize (AUS) x Movie Queen (AUS) (Bletchley Park (IRE))
Tnr: P H Jordan Rdr: C Staples 57
11
21.4
Mojo's Luck
- 2g Rubick (AUS) x Triband (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Chris Parnham 57
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 14
Here is the full list of 43 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Yulong Purchase $2million Extreme Choice Colt
Yulong have already hit the jackpot with an expensive Extreme Choice colt, purchasing Group I MRC Blue Diamond winner Devil Night at Magic Millions in 2024 for $1.4million and they upped the ante on Wednesday.
Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Announced for 2026
The Awards formerly known as the Stud and Stable Staff Awards will enter a new chapter in 2026, with a refreshed name, the Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (ATIEA), and an expanded industry partnership to further strengthen the recognition and celebration of the people who underpin Australia's world-class racing and breeding sector.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday January 13
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2026 Magic Millions 2YO Classic Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw is out for the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with all of the chances drawing positively including race favourite Warwoven in barrier six.
$1.2million Invincible Filly to Gai and Adrian
Champion sire I Am Invincible had the top filly in the opening session of Magic Millions on Tuesday and followed up with the same on Wednesday when his glorious filly from Key sold for $1.2million.
Likely Autumn Superstars Set to Trial on Thursday
Autumn Glow, Sir Delius, Via Sistina, Lady Shenandoah and Apocalyptic and more - Punters and racing fans can see a suite of Australia’s best horses live in action at Royal Randwick on Thursday as campaigns begin for many of the looming Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival’s biggest feature races.
$1.5million for Full Brother to Beadman
Flashy chestnut colt Beadman is already a Group winner and has shown glimpses of G1 ability in his brief six start career to date and his full brother was a showstopper at Magic Millions on Wednesday when knocked down to Tom Magnier at $1.5million.
$2million Extreme Choice Colt Stars on MM Day 2
An outstanding colt by Newgate Farm's superstar sire Extreme Choice has sold for $2 million and now shares top spot on the leaderboard after a red hot second day of the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on Wednesday.
$800,000 Anamoe Filly Delivers Big Pinhook Win for Lime Country
The first yearlings by Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe have generated huge interest at Magic Millions and a filly from Eawase hit the target on Wednesday when selling for $800,000.