One to Watch – Ballarat

Tara Madgwick - Thursday October 17

This three year-old son of Trapeze Artist was a popular winner at Ballarat on Thursday going two for two to the great delight of his trainer Charlotte Littlefield and his big group of happy owners.

Big Swinger bolts in at Ballarat - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

Big Swinger won on debut at Ballarat last month over 1200m with Craig Williams in the saddle and he was keen to stick with the t alented gelding for his second start over the same course in a Class 1.

Advertisement

The result was the same, but even better with Big Swinger opening up to win by nearly four lengths as a short priced favourite.

“I was confident leading up to the race as I knew we had a good horse and he’s come on so well from the first up run,” said Charlotte Littlefield.

“He still showed a little bit of greenness in that running, so there is plenty more to come from him. It’s just a big relief to get that second win on the board with him.

“They’re only three once and when they win like that you probably have to come to town and this time of year and there are a couple of nice options.”

The Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m at Flemington is a possibility with Littlefield and her owners set to weigh up those options after consultation with Craig Williams.

Big Swinger has plenty of happy owners - image Pat Scala/ Racing Photos

A $180,000 Magic Millions purchase from Arrowfield Stud for Hayfields Racing/Intel Bloodstock, Big Swinger is a three-quarter brother to multiple Group winner Sylvia’s Mother. He is the fourth winner from five to race from metro winning Bel Esprit mare Found The One, a full sister to Group I winner Bel Mer, the dam of this season’s Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci.

Trapeze Artist is the leading third crop sire by winners and had a double on Thursday with Trapeze Pleasure also successful at Hawkesbury. He stands at Widden this spring at a fee of $55,000.

Advertisment

Race Result - Hertz Hcp (C1) 1200m

Ballarat Track: Good(4) Time: 1:13.02
1
Big Swinger
- 3g Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Found The One (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: Charlotte Littlefield Rdr: Craig Williams 57
2
3.8
Treat Him Right
- 3g Written By (AUS) x Reciprocity (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: E J Walsh 56.5
3
7
Flying Knee
- 5g Rubick (AUS) x I'm A Flying Star (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: Reece Goodwin Rdr: Beau Mertens 55.5
4
9.8
Porter
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Prana (FR) (Siyouni (FR))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Ben Allen 58
5
12.8
Wild Pharaoh
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x Wild Horizon (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: H Coffey 55
6
15.3
Book Launch
- 7g Smart Missile (AUS) x Novel Dancer (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: J G McArthur Rdr: Tayla Childs 54
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 15
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Three heats won by juveniles at Randwick on Thursday morning and two of those winners were unraced fillies by Home Affairs and Farnan with a half-sister to the latter being sold at Magic Millions on Tuesday and might just be a saleyard gift!
Home Affairs Filly Dazzling on Debut for Lindsay Park
The Lindsay Park team have had a week far beyond what we would call tough, but a good horse is often the best tonic and Home Affairs filly Jacaranda scored a dazzling six length debut win at Seymour on Thursday.
Hot Lots Day Four – Magic Millions
After three days of Book 1 selling, Friday’s super session sees 280 lots catalogued in what will surely be a bumper day in the ring.
Star Colt and Star Filly Highlight Snitzel Day at Magic Millions
It was Snitzel day at the Magic Millions on Thursday with Arrowfield Stud’s much missed champion sire, who died last year, producing the top selling filly and colt of the day.
$1.1million Frankel Colt Sold by Newgate
Juddmonte Farms based champion sire Frankel has exerted a powerful presence on the Magic Millions this year and had a second million dollar yearling on Thursday when the Newgate Farm consigned colt from Miss Alacrity (USA) sold for $1.1million.
People at Magic Millions - Day Three
Day Three at Magic Millions and Maree wasn’t finding it difficult to find the love for Frankel, while there’s a great story about a $250,000 sale from a $6,000 service fee with Ben Lucas.
$1.6Million for Sister to Caffe Florian
Three year-old Snitzel filly Caffe Florian has been one of the finds of the summer in Sydney reeling off three successive wins culminating with a Black Type success in the Listed Gosford Guineas and her full sister lit up the Magic Millions sale ring on Thursday selling for $1.6million.
Anamoe Colt Bred on Magic Cross Sells for $850,000 to MyRacehorse
The first yearlings by Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe have been in hot demand this week at Magic Millions with two fillies selling for $800,000 and on Thursday that mark was surpassed by a gorgeous colt that made $850,000.
$1.6million Snitzel Filly Stars at MM Day 3
The latest yearling from Arrowfield Stud's grand producer Madame Andree topped Day Three of selling at the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on Thursday.