Bon’s a Pearla a Show Ring Star at 2024 Ekka

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday August 13

Thoroughbreds are taking centre stage this week at the 2024 Ekka in Brisbane and the led classes were dominated by a very interesting mare.

Bon's a Pearla won the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude - image Grant Courtney

Six year-old Bon Hoffa mare Bon’s a Pearla was a more than useful racehorse winning the Group II MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude when trained by Kevin Corstens and she was also third in the Group I VRC Australian Guineas behind quality colts Hitotsu and Lightsabre, who are both now standing at stud.

Bred and raced by Victorian owner / breeder and syndicator Ken King, Bon’s a Pearla was subsequently sold off her top class three year-old performances to Hong Kong based owners and continued her career in the stable of David Hayes and then with PC Ng.

Advertisement

Bon’s a Pearla didn’t quite measure up to stakes class in Hong Kong, but she did win twice at Happy Valley earlier this year before earning a ticket home to retirement which has led her into the show ring in Brisbane this week.

Bon's a Pearla crowned the Supreme Champion Led Thoroughbred at the Ekka.

Prepared and shown by well known Queensland off the track re-trainer Amy Taylor, Bon’s a Pearla won her led mare class, champion led mare and then finally Supreme Champion Led Thoroughbred with the guest judge of thoroughbreds at this year’s show being leading Sydney trainer Adrian Bott.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cool Archie Retired – But Where Will He Stand?
Arguably the best juvenile last season with five brilliant wins culminating with the G1 BRC JJ Atkins, the Chris and Corey Munce trained Cool Archie has been officially retired with a stud career now in the pipeline.
I Am Invincible Filly Scintillation Scores On Debut – Half-Sister Inglis Easter
Scratched from last Saturday’s Listed ATC Lonhro Plate, John O’Shea and Tom Charlton’s 2yo I Am Invincible filly Scintillation headed to Gosford on Wednesday instead, impressing on debut against the older horses to win for Rosemont Stud.
Seasoned Jimmysstar has Brown in raptures
Star sprinter Jimmysstar is slowly building towards an autumn return with the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) on March 21 which will be held at Caulfield this year an early target.
3YO Invincible Double at Sale for Maher
With just two 3yo runners at Sale’s Wednesday meeting by Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible, both recorded success with the Ciaron Maher trained pair showing the promise of more to come.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday February 11
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bon's A Pearla in Thousand Guineas Prelude
Carrying the colours of her sire Bon Hoffa, the Kevin Corstens-trained outsider Bon’s a Pearla overpowered the favourite Heresy in Saturday’s $300,000 Group II Off The Track Community Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield.
Big Sky Three-Quarter Sister Tops MM Digital Sale
Podcast, the three-quarter sister to the ruling favourite for Saturday week's Group One Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield topped the Magic Millions Digital Sale (6-11 February) which concluded today.
One to Watch – Gosford
A half-brother to a pair of stakes-winners in Daisies and Zou Tiger, this three year-old gelding by Written By made a winning debut at Gosford on Wednesday as favourite.
Rough Habit Relation on Target for NZ Oaks
Three-year-old filly Ultimate Habit took an important step toward her tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday week with a strong trial win at Te Aroha on Wednesday.
Mid Ocean Looking to Continue Stakes Run for Ocean Park
Tyro trainer Benji King has enjoyed the reflected glory from unbeaten filly Well Written, but on Saturday he will be out to generate his very own headlines with the star of his small team, Mid Ocean.