Outstanding colt Nepotism (Brutal) scored one of the most remarkable G1 wins by a 2YO on an Australian racetrack in recent memory, coming from last to secure a last-stride victory in today’s Champagne Stakes at Randwick.
Trained by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, Nepotism drew barrier 11 in today’s feature and jockey Tyler Schiller had little option but to go back to last.
But it mattered little as the colt showed an extraordinary turn of foot to run down fellow Inglis graduate Within The Law in the final stride to secure his future at stud as a G1-winning 2YO colt.
The win comes a fortnight after fellow Inglis graduate and hugely valuable colt Vinrock won the G1 Inglis Sires on Day 1 of The Championships.
International Thoroughbred Solutions’ Mark Player purchased Nepotism (pictured) for $160,000 - on behalf of Neil Werrett, Colin Madden and the Ole Kirk team - at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder Gilgai Farm.
Nepotism becomes the 106th individual G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018 and the third individual G1-winning 2YO Inglis graduate in the past two seasons.
Nepotism is from a famous family and is now one of the most valuable colts in Australian racing – his dam Brigite is a half sister to champion undefeated sprinter Black Caviar and G1-winning stallion All Too Hard.
Player wasn’t at Randwick today but was “gobsmacked’’ by what he saw in Nepotism’s performance.
“You just don’t see 2YOs do that,’’ an elated Player said.
“To do it the way he did, coming from last, it just doesn’t happen like that with 2YOs.
“He’s a pretty special sort of horse from a great family and what a great breeder Gilgai is, they just keep producing great animals.
“Neil (Werrett) and his team are such a great group of people and what a thrill this is, my first 2YO Group 1 winner.’’
Gilgai’s Rick Jamieson and Kelly Skillecorn watch the Champagne Stakes together on the Victorian property this afternoon and were blown away with the result.
“He’s some horse isn’t he. He keeps our record going that every Group 1 winner Gilgai has bred has been sold through Inglis, it’s a heck of a partnership,’’ Skillecorn said.
“This family just keeps producing, it’s unreal. The world’s his oyster this colt. He could go to a Cox Plate off what he did today, All Too Hard obviously ran 2nd in a Cox Plate, wouldn’t that be some story if Nepotism could go and run one better.’’
Winning co-trainer Michael Hawkes added: “He’s just a proper horse. When he was out the back, they were running along and I was just thinking ‘wow, are they going hard enough?’ But he’s just blistering with an exceptional turn of foot. Last to first, unbelievable.
“Neil Werrett and his partners, they’ve just been so patient. His win in the Baillieu was outstanding, we just love making colts, it’s just one thing we love doing.’’
Nepotism has now won $750,000 in prizemoney and is worth many times more than that as a stallion prospect.
Also at Randwick today Mazu (Maurice) took his career earnings past the $9m barrier when winning the G3 Hall Mark Stakes.
The 6YO is a nine-time winner and has proved an incredible investment by his owners – Triple Crown bought him for $180,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder Parsons Creek.
Trained by Joe Pride, Mazu will now likely head to Brisbane for the winter carnival.
Triple Crown’s Sam Manion said: “Fantastic. It’s a great thrill. Joe’s done a great job with him too. He’s in elite company now winning $9m prizemoney. It’s unbelievable.’’
It capped off a big day for Triple Crown, whose Easter Yearling Sale 3YO Firm Agreement (Yes Yes Yes) finished 2nd in the G3 Frank Packer Plate on his way to the G1 Queensland Derby.
And in New Zealand untapped 2YO Little Black Dress (Snitzel) remained unbeaten with a strong victory in the Listed Star Way Stakes at Ellerslie.
The Stephen Marsh-trained filly is a $240,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy for Go Racing and Blandford Bloodstock from the draft of her breeder Arrowfield.
Little Black Dress has now won both her career starts in impressive fashion.
