The Factor Breaks The Ice

Mark Smith - Saturday May 25

Former Newgate Farm shuttler The Factor (USA) broke his stakes duck in Australia when the Bjorn Baker-trained Fun Fact led at every call in Saturday's Group III Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm.

Fresh off a win in a benchmark 68 at Warwick Farm, Fun Fact was rated to perfection by Michael Cahill to defeat the Redoute's Choice filly Angel Of Heaven by a length with the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding Home Made a short-neck back in third.

"I thought he might've been going a bit keen and halfway down the straight I thought we were in trouble and we haven't had much luck with him this preparation," Baker said.

"Big shout out to Craig Tognolini, he's been the best bloodstock agent I've ever found, he's a part-owner of this horse and Redouble running later on.

"It's been a good syndicate, they have been patient and it hasn't worked out to well until the last two runs.

"He's bred to get the trip even though he is by The Factor (USA) but the main aim was to qualify him for the Magic Millions staying race next January and we've got the (Queensland) derby to look forward to."

Originally trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Fun Fact advances his record to 5 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 19 starts with earnings of $224,455.


Consigned by Edinburgh Park to the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Fun Fact (pictured as a yearling ) was knocked down to Spendthrift Farm for $240,000, which made him the most expensive yearling by his sire in Australia.

He is the second foal and second winner out of the Listed Canberra Cup winner Fill The Page (Dane Shadow) who was a $12,000 Scone Yearling that was purchased by Edinburgh Park for $26,000 out of the Bendaree Park draft at the 2013 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.

Fill The Page has a weanling colt by So You Think and was covered by Merchant Navy last spring.

Fun Fact becomes the 16th stakes-winner world-wide for The Factor (War Front) who spent four seasons at Newgate (2014-17) before being exported to Japan last year.


 

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Season Sires at Inglis Weanling Sale
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale marks the sale ring debut for the next generation of sire hopefuls and our first season sire gallery offers a great quick comparison on type for this next young cohort of sires.
Mullaglass Stud Present Quality Weanlings
The Inglis Select Weanling Sale next Monday and Tuesday will be a busy one for Dr Richard McClenahan, his wife Kim and their team with a 14 strong draft by nine different sires sure to make serious appeal to pinhookers and end users alike.
Stakes Next for The Factor Winner
Astute trainer David Payne has high hopes for his progressive gelding Momentum Factor, who cast off maiden status with a strong finishing win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Rosemont Announce 2024 Fees and Doull to Join Roster
Rosemont Stud are proud to present our stallion roster for the 2024 season.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Busy set of trials at Rosehill on Thursday morning featured six heats won by juveniles that included some unraced youngsters by I Am Invincible, Better Than Ready and Shalaa (IRE) and one of them has a half-sister headed to the MM National Yearling Sale.
Two Impressive Winners for Prized Icon
On Thursday, Kooringal Stud’s Prized Icon had two progressive first-crop 3-year-olds step up to the plate at Wyong.
Widden Announce 2024 Fees and an Exciting New Addition
Widden Stud are proud to announce fees on a top class roster of 18 stallions spread between NSW and Victoria with our flagship sire Zoustar soaring to new heights in 2024 on the racetrack and in the sales ring.
Mystery Island Romps in Warrnambool Cup
By a Japanese-bred sire who now stands in Turkey out of a German-bred mare that resides in Japan, the 7-year-old gelding Mystery Island (JPN) carried the colours of Melbourne Cup winner Americain (USA) to a career highlight victory in the $300,000 Listed Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup (2350m).
First Australian Winner for The Factor
Newgate Farm’s dashing grey shuttler The Factor (USA) opened his account in Australia on Friday with a stylish last to first win at Canberra for promising two year-old The Unknown Factor.
Group Two Winner for The Factor
Newgate Farm shuttler The Factor (USA) added an exciting new stakes-winner to his tally when four year-old entire Bound for Nowhere took out the Group II Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland on the weekend in a performance that may see him headed to Royal Ascot.