First Australian Stakes-Winner for Calyx

Tara Madgwick - Friday January 24

Kingman son Calyx (GB) shuttled to Coolmore for just two seasons and got his first Australian stakes-winner at Launceston on Friday night when talented gelding Likeakalix turned the Listed Launceston Guineas (2100m) into a procession.

Sent out a hot favourite, the Leanne Gaffney trained Likeakalix had won two of his previous three starts on synthetic tracks and had nor trouble transferring that good form to the grass when galloping away to win by more than four lengths under David Pires.

Advertisement

Likeakalix was a $30,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase from the Armidale Stud draft for his trainer and has never missed a place in six starts with three wins and three placings netting over $113,000 in prizemoney.

Likeakalix was a $30,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase from Armidale Stud.

He is the best of two winners from Like a Song (IRE), who was bought by I Katz for $15,000 at the 2021 Inglis Broodmare Sale when in foal to Calyx with Likeakalix the result of the mating. She is an unraced half-sister to Group III winner Ladys First. 

Likeakalix is the fifth stakes-winner worldwide and first in Australia for Calyx, who remains on the Coolmore roster in Ireland for 2025 at a fee of €12,500.

Advertisment

Race Result - Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas LR 2100m

Launceston Track: Good(4) Time: 2:10.69
1
Likeakalix
- 3g Calyx (GB) x Like A Song (IRE) (Royal Applause (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Gaffney Rdr: D Pires 58
2
4.3
Go Jeanie
- 3f Frosted (USA) x What A Beauty (AUS) (Octagonal (NZ))
Tnr: Liandra Gray Rdr: T Baker 56.5
3
5.5
Azonto
- 3f Stratosphere (AUS) x Ehor (AUS) (Val Royal (FR))
Tnr: Barry Campbell Rdr: A Darmanin 57
4
7.5
Garcon D'espoir
- 3g Omaha Beach (USA) x Triple Asset (AUS) (Nadeem (AUS))
Tnr: Yassy Nishitani Rdr: N Tomizawa 59
5
9.8
Don't Give Up
- 3g Needs Further (AUS) x Bet You She Rocks (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: S Gandy Rdr: B Muhcu 58
6
10.8
Tuskegee
- 3g Alabama Express (AUS) x High Tea (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Barry Campbell Rdr: K Sanderson 58
7
10.8
Currencies
- 3f Gold Standard (AUS) x Aurora Miss (AUS) (Astronomer Royal (USA))
Tnr: G J Stevenson Rdr: Codi Jordan 55
8
25.3
Halen
- 3g Stratosphere (AUS) x Oxy Angel (AUS) (West Quest (CAN))
Tnr: G J McCulloch Rdr: M Ulucinar 57
More Reading...
G3 Next for Cambridge Stud's Blueblood Zoustar Mare
Cambridge Stud are under no illusions about the task ahead of Silver Wedding at Ellerslie on Saturday, with connections hoping she has one more peak performance to come.
Inglis Challenge Moves to Wagga Gold Cup Carnival
The 2026 edition of the $200,000 Inglis Challenge for 2YOs will be run on Wagga Gold Cup Day at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) on Friday May 1.
Inglis Millennium Order of Entry
Inglis have released an order of entry for the $2million Inglis Millennium to be run on February 7 at Randwick and two of the horses in the Top 20 won barrier trials at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning.
51st National Yearling Sale for International Bloodstock Agent John Foote
For over 51 years, respected international bloodstock agent John Foote has been attending the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and he has returned to Karaka for the historic 100th National Yearling Sale this week. 
Calyx Three Year Old Wins Tasmanian Derby
Likeakalix was the first Australian Stakes winner for former Coolmore shuttler Calyx in January and he repeated the dose on Friday when winning the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
The Ciaron Maher stable is on a high with their juveniles after a quinella in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic last Saturday and another of their spring stakes-winners Calamari Ring was a winner at the Warwick Farm trials on Thursday morning.
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 22
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Easter Sire and Vendor Break Up
Inglis released their catalogue for the 2026 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Thursday with 50 more yearlings than last year and the big change on face value from last year is the increased participation from Yulong.
2026 Inglis Easter Revealed - Galaxy of Stars
A world-class catalogue of 472 lots has been confirmed for what is shaping as a spectacular Easter Yearling Sale, for which the catalogue is now available online.
Mother and Son Jockeys Reunite
Kylie Williams is hoping she will have plenty to celebrate when she is sunning herself in Rarotonga on Sunday.