Bob Scarborough-Bred Colt Wins Final Group 1 of the British Flat season

Mark Smith - Sunday October 28

Bob Scarborough may have sold his showpiece Wood Nook Farm in Nagambie but the former Moonee Valley Racing Club chairman is still making his presence felt in the breeding world.

At Doncaster on Saturday the Wood Nook Farm bred colt Magna Grecia won the final Group 1 of the British Flat season, the Vertem Futurity Trophy (formerly the Racing Post Trophy).

Advertisement

The Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Invincible Spirit was making his third start having won a maiden at Naas by three and a half lengths before finishing second to the promising Kingman colt Persian King in the Group III Autumn Stakes over a mile at Newmarket on October 13. (photo Sporting Life).


Scarborough sold Magna Grecia through the Norelands Stud draft for 340,000gns at the 2016 Tattersalls December Foal Sale to MV Magnier, Peter and Ross Doyle and Mayfair Speculators.

He had purchased Magna Grecia's dam Cabaret for 600,000gns at the 2011 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

A daughter of Galileo, Cabaret won the Group III Silver Flash Stakes over seven furlongs as a juvenile.

Cabaret is catalogued in the Norelands draft for the upcoming Tattersalls December Mares Sale but Noreland's Harry McCalmont told The Racing Post he hopes Scarborough changes his mind on selling.

"It's a lovely problem for Bob to have but you know what this game is like, it brings you up and it crashes you down. At the moment though, it's onwards and upwards," McCalmont said.

"I think he's got to sleep on this decision, but I hope he will maybe pull her and keep breeding from her now that she's bred a Group 1 winner."

Aidan O'Brien was celebrating his ninth win in the race.

"I'm delighted with him, he's still a bit babyish but he's coming forward lovely," O'Brien said

"We think a mile will be his thing next year."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Magic Bloodstock colours made famous by the great champion Winx were in action at Canterbury on Friday night carried to victory in the opening race by promising Wootton Bassett (GB) filly Wootton Way.
Rising Northern Hemisphere Star fo Ghaiyyath
As we come to the end of 2025, the stallion sitting on top of the Australian Second Season Sires table is Ghaiyyath (IRE) and one of his promising three year-olds in the Northern Hemisphere this year is Opera Ballo, a commanding winner of the Group II Al Rashidiya (1m1f) at Meydan overnight.
Stakes Potential for Hello Youmzain Filly
Attractiveness may be in line for an early black-type assignment following her breakthrough success at Gosford on Thursday.
Waller Targets G3 Grand Prix with Kiwi Bred 3YO
The Chris Waller-trained John Dory contests the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with the progressive galloper installed a $3 favourite for the three-year-old contest.
Magic Millions Comes to Caulfield – Check Out the Sale Mail
Spots on the Gold Coast will be up for grabs at Caulfield Heath this Saturday with qualification pathways to next month’s $13.5 million Magic Millions Raceday including the $250,000 MM Victoria 2YO Classic (1100m).
G3 Eulogy Shines Spotlight On Emerging NZB Filly of the Year Contenders
Undefeated filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) has dominated the early stages of the 2025-26 NZB Filly of the Year Series, but the complexion of the series might start to change with this weekend’s fifth leg.
Russian Revolution Filly Wins $250,000 Magic Millions Debut
At the Gold Coast on Friday night, Russian Revolution filly Lumbini started a warm favourite for the $250,000 Magic Millions Debut (1000m), but punters were looking decidedly anxious when the filly turned for home locked up on the fence behind the leaders.
Mission Accomplished - Invincible Spirit Blue Blood Captures Centaurea Stakes
Trainer Archie Alexander was given a brief to earn some black-type in three starts with the imported mare Clearly (GB) and both came through with flying colours when the daughter of Invincible Spirit finished best in Saturday's Listed Centaurea Stakes (2040m) at Morphettville.
Sires With Winners - Friday December 19
Here is the full list of 78 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Shalaa Filly Puts Them to the Sword in $125,000 GC 1000
The Bjorn Baker trained Shalaa (IRE) filly Swordplay has a wing on every foot and she dazzled at the Gold Coast on Friday night when showing brilliant gate speed to lead throughout and win the $125,000 Evergreen Turf GC 1000 (1000m).