A five year-old son of I Am Invincible, Caballus has never lacked for talent, however his path has not been smooth since selling for $1million as a yearling back in 2022, but he was back to his best in the Darby Racing colours at Flemington on Saturday winning the Group III VRC Rising Fast Stakes (1200m).
Purchased by Darby Racing on Inglis Digital for $315,000 in 2023 and sent to Bjorn Baker, Caballus won the Group III ATC Eskimo Prince Stakes in February of last year, but when his form gradually tapered off after that win connections took the tough decision to geld him.
Caballus then came out and won the $200,000 Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) in May and was second up from a spell at Flemington following an encouraging first up fifth in the $1million ATC Sydney Stakes won by Rothfire.
Given a beautiful ride by Tommy Berry, Caballus travelled well throughout and exploded at the 200m mark to kick away and win by a length as favourite.
With Bjorn Baker remaining in Sydney, bloodstock agent Jim Clarke was representing the stable.
“It’s great for Bjorn and Darby Racing to get a big winner on a big day,” said Clarke.
“Darby are huge supporters of us and they're very astute judges.
“They bought this horse online and he's been an incredible purchase for them.
“He's run down the straight before, but this is his first win down the straight. He's a very talented horse with a very good turn of foot and he put the writing on the wall in the Sydney Stakes.”
Caballus has the overall record of five wins from 16 starts with prizemoney just shy of $800,000.
Raced by Coolmore and partners initially, Caballus was a $1million Inglis Easter purchase for Tom Magnier from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft and was broken in and educated at Coolmore.
Bred by Reg Ryan, he is the best of five winners from five to race from Group III placed Commands mare Calming Influence, a daughter of stakes-winner Calming.
Calming Influence has a yearling filly by Ole Kirk and has foaled this spring producing a filly by Zoustar.
Caballus is the sixth stakes-winner this season for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible.
