The Taj Mahal Wins G3 JRA Cup

Tara Madgwick - Friday September 28
Lloyd and Nick Williams had a clean out of stock this week with a large number of horses sold through the Inglis Digital Online September Sale, but The Taj Mahal (IRE) was not among those horses and showed his worth with a thrilling win in the Group III MVRC JRA Cup on Friday night at Moonee Valley.

The Taj MahalThe Liam Howley trained Galileo stallion took the lead and proved impossible to run down, accelerating off the bend for Ben Melham and then defying all challengers to win the 2040 metre contest by a head.

"He'll be even better at a mile and a half," said winning rider Ben Melham.

The Taj Mahal is entered for all the spring majors.

"He's a stallion so you have to stand over him and make him do it," said Nick Williams.

"The mares coming back from the Stocks stakes fired him up , but he's run really well. The Caulfield Cup is his race and this is a good stepping stone for him."

The Taj Mahal is bred in the purple being a sibling to Group I winners Gleneagles, Happily and Marvellous from super producer You'resothrilling, a sister to champion racehorse and sire Giant's Causeway.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Zoustar Filly Bred on Magic Cross Sells for $850,000
Chris Waller has trained the two best fillies bred on the Zoustar x Fastnet Rock cross in Joliestar and Zougtotcha, who between them have won six G1 races and over $9million in prizemoney, so it was no wonder when he and Guy Mulcaster secured the Zoustar filly from Nudge at Inglis Premier on Sunday for $850,000.
$850,000 Zoustar Filly Tops Strong Trade Inglis Premier Day 1
Two Bays Farm owner Ross Ferris celebrated his best moment in a sale ring today when his Zoustar x Nudge filly sold for a day-high $850,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale.
G1 Winner Savaglee Retired
Group One winner Savaglee has been retired from racing and a new home is being sought for the four-year-old entire as he transitions to a career at stud.
Romantic Warrior Strolls to Another G1 Victory
James McDonald has more than one champion to ride at present and after steering Autumn Glow to victory in the Group I ATC Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday he flew to Hong Kong and on Sunday won the Group I Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) aboard the mighty Romantic Warrior (IRE).
Galileo's Cape Of Good Hope Strikes Early for the Imports
The great Galileo is now just one Group 1 winner behind Danehill after Coolmore’s royally-bred Cape Of Good Hope (IRE) made a winning Australian debut when edging out a rejuvenated Black Heart Bart in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes (Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
Magical and Kew Gardens Shine for Galileo on Champions Day at Ascot
The wonderfully courageous Magical in the Group 1 Champion Stakes and a resurgent Kew Gardens overturning the seemingly unbeatable Stradivarius in a thrilling Group II British Champions Long Distance Cup, completed another magnificent season for the champion Galileo on Champions Day at Ascot.
$320,000 Record Price for Doubtland Yearling
Rick Jamieson of Gilgai Farm is renowned as one of the finest breeders in Australia and he breeds for pedigree rather than the sale ring which can deliver a few surprises.
Have You Ever Seen Domination Like This?
For the eighth time that in his wonderful career, Galileo supplied the first three home in a Group 1, but that was not the end of his domination of the opening day of Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Ghaiyyath Colt Sells for $520,000
With top class Ghaiyyath (IRE) colt Observer stamping his class on the Group I VRC Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday it didn’t require a crystal ball to predict yearlings by his sire would be popular at Inglis Premier.
Wonderfully Made Wins Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas for China Horse Club
Hot favourite Wonderfully Made turned the Listed Ascot 1,000 Guineas into a one act affair yesterday and the talented filly has the upcoming WATC Oaks in her sights.