Bon Ho has been a huge investor in Australian bloodstock in recent years and he enjoyed a lovely pay day at the Gold Coast on Thursday when progressive Deep Field gelding Fashion Legend made it four wins on the trot when taking out the $2million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m).
It’s been a swift upward spiral for the Richard and Will Freedman trained Fashion Legend, who won at Gosford on November 30 and then at Eagle Farm before claiming his first Black Type win in the Group III BRC Vo Rogue Plate.
Ridden by Josh Parr, Fashion Legend came with a late surge to edge out the favourite Yellow Brick to win by a neck taking his overall record to five wins from eight starts with prizemoney topping $1.4million.
Runner-up Yellow Brick earned connections $360,000 for finishing second and also pocketed a $181,250 bonus for being the first Racing Women’s Bonus eligible horse home with Cusack collecting the other $68,750 on offer as part of that scheme despite finishing 12th at $201.
Will Freedman paid special tribute to his owner Bon Ho.
“He gave me the leap of faith,” Will said of Ho.
“This was the first horse I ever bought him and I sent him an email saying that I was a struggling Scone trainer and that I needed some horses.
“He went, ‘I like the sound of you’ and he gave me a go. Now I’ve won the Magic Millions Guineas.
“I know Group 1s are everything, but this is a pretty big deal for him because he puts a lot of money into it.”
A $260,000 Magic Millions purchase for Bon Ho from the Rosemont Stud draft, Fashion Legend was bred by Rosemont and is the second winner from Sarong, a winning sibling to the dams of multiple Group I winner Fashions Afield and Group III winner Runway Star from dual Group I winner Wrap Around.
Sarong was bought by Rosemont Stud for $60,000 from the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She had a colt by North Pacific last year and was then covered by Deep Field’s Group I winning son Portland Sky.
Newgate Farm's Deep Field had 48 yearlings average $220,000 last week at Magic Millions and has another draft of 16 for Inglis Classic.
