The Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas - an honour roll that reads as a who's who of high class racehorses and successful stallions... Vain, Grosvenor, Redoute's Choice, Lonhro, Starspangledbanner, All Too Hard, The Autumn Sun, Ole Kirk and Super Seth just to name a few.
In 2023 the Classic was won in dominant style by GRIFF who Larneuk Stud proudly adds to its roster this spring.
"We could not be more delighted to be welcoming Griff to Larneuk," said the Euroa farm's Neville Murdoch.
"Horses of his talent and quality are hard to come by and it is very exciting to have a Caulfield Guineas winner calling Larneuk home."
And Griff's Caulfield Guineas victory was an impressive one - the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace trained bay mustering speed from the outside gate of 15, getting to the lead and finding plenty.
Well and truly holding off his rivals despite racing greenly over the final stages, Griff won by a soft 1 3/4 lengths.
What a form race that edition of the Guineas has proven to be - Griff leaving in his wake the previous and subsequent Gr.1 winners Veight (George Ryder Stakes), King Colorado (J.J Atkins Stakes), Militarize (Champagne Stakes, Golden Rose, ATC Sires Produce), Little Brose (Blue Diamond) and Southport Tycoon (Australian Guineas, Manikato Stakes).
Making it one of the hottest runnings of the Caulfield Guineas in recent times.
There are several other stallion prospects amongst those horses and each of them finished several lengths behind Griff who, at an introductory fee of $9,900 (incl gst) stands at a lesser fee - making him, Murdoch said "the best value Caulfield Guineas winner at stud."
With more Australian stakes winners than any of the first season sires announced for Victoria so far, Griff was no one-trick pony with the Caulfield Guineas the third win in a row for the horse who was easily one of the best three-year-olds of his year.
Forward enough to race on three occasions at two at which age he easily broke his maiden at Warwick Farm, Griff was in stellar form the following season with the first of his feature race wins coming in the Listed Exford Plate at Flemington in September 2023.
Settling back in the field, he came with a barnstorming run out wide - his success coming as no surprise to David Eustace who said "Ciaron has always been very sweet on his ability and we were confident coming into today."
The Gr.2 Stutt Stakes was next for Griff who was closer to the pace and again too strong with jockey Mark Zahra taking note of his adaptability - "he is so versatile which will take him a long way."
Ben Melham took the ride in the Guineas and was always confident - "geez he was electric out of the gates," he said on the day, "and once he got to the lead he got into a beautiful rhythm."
"He was an absolute gentleman to ride," Melham said, adding that "he is a very underrated colt with a good brain."
Ciaron Maher was surprised by the double figure odds Griff was sent out at - "he went around at a crazy price; we always thought he had the right form lines!"
Retiring to stud as the winner of over $2.1 million, Griff is a member of the Snitzel branch of the flourishing Redoute's Choice sire line.
He is a member of the debut crop of Snitzel's most prolific Gr.1 winner Trapeze Artist who did such a great job winning seven races - four of those at the elite level; the Golden Rose, the All-Aged Stakes, the T.J Smith Stakes and the Canterbury Stakes.
A descendant of Phar Lap's dam Entreaty, Trapeze Artist is currently leading third season sire by number of winners (58) above The Autumn Sun, Justify and Harry Angel.
His progeny continue to prove popular in the sales ring; at the Inglis Melbourne Premier selling for up to $260,000 and at the Magic Millions up to $300,000.
Griff is the second foal and second winner for the talented Sebring mare Chateau Griffo who was strong to the line when a debut third in the Gr.3 Blue Diamond Preview. Her dam Moulin Rouge by Commands won eight races and was also stakes placed - as was her dam Dance Class.
There are stakes winners aplenty in this family, Griff able to boast amongst his relations the Group winners Sapelli, The Alfonso, Simon Said, Rhythm, Star Patrol, Hips Don't Lie, Ennis Hill, Learning To Fly, Sahara Flower. Splintex, No More Tears and Born Rich as well as Newgate Farm's $44,000 stallion - the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis.
Griff arrived at Larneuk during the week and has settled in well, Murdoch immediately impressed by him.
"He is a lovely horse with great scope and a fantastic attitude," he said.
For further information contact Neville Murdoch on 0418 105 706.
