The Friday Wrap Is Back, and BTX is gearing up for an exciting year!

A number of our horses are already preparing for tilts at the lucrative Autumn Carnival, while the team are working hard on a range of new racing and breeding opportunities.

This week, all eyes in the Australian racing world are on the Sunshine State as the Magic Millions Carnival takes centre stage at the Gold Coast Sales Ring and on the Track. Several prized yearlings have already found new homes and our training partners Ciaron Maher Racing and Team Waterhouse and Bott have been busy expanding their stables.  The two teams both have leading chances in the $3M Magic Millions 2YO classic with race favourite, Stormboy up against second favourite, Spywire.  With millions of dollars to change hands over the coming days make sure to stay tuned to the BTX Twitter Page, which will keep you up to date with the major updates.

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Reasonable Returns To The Trials 

Well-bred filly, Reasonable, headed back to the trials for the first time this preparation last Friday at Newcastle. The Ciaron Maher team are pushing to break her maiden in what could be a fruitful preparation with several lucrative options throughout February and March. The 3YO daughter of Justify fell just short on debut placing second at Hawkesbury, before finishing just out of the placings at Canterbury when lining up in what proved to be one of the strongest maiden’s of the Spring.

Ridden by CMR overseas recruit Dylan Brown McConagle, the successful jockey in Kettle Hill’s win 3 weeks ago, Reasonable was given an easy time, cruising to the line within 4 lengths of the winner. McConagle noted, “She was fresh and we didn’t go quick, but she relaxed well and was very comfortable to the line”.

Head trainer Ciaron Maher was also on course to watch her and several stablemates returning to the track stating “She’s grown, she’s furnished and she will continue to over the next couple of months. I’m happy with where she’s at and she’s thriving at Bob’s Farm”.

Reasonable will be monitored at Bob’s Farm for the next 2-3 weeks before heading back to the trials, where the team will make a plan regarding her preparation.

Ashley Brennan Photography

Stayers Pack A Grand Opportunity for 2024 

The BTX Racing Stayers Pack offers a completely new opportunity for owners. With 4 New Zealand-bred stayers bought specifically to race over distances of 2000m + owners have new chances to see their horses go to the races. Amongst opportunities to race over flat distances, these horses also can race over the jumps during the Australian Jumps Racing Season in Victoria. The season commences in mid-March and runs until late August, with major race meetings like the Warrnambool Carnival, the home of the Bool, a key race meeting for the CMR Team.

Classy stayer Ahab has already had a jumpout this year and will continue his training in preparation for options both over the jumps and on the flat surface. Jumpout rider Zac stated “He finished off the gallop nice and strongly, he’s having a little blow and he’ll improve well”.

Fellow stablemates Jiffy, Joffrey and Diamondiferous are all at different stages of their training with Jiffy the last to return to training only a couple of weeks ago. This means owners can expect the pack to have runners from February through to June.

Bradley Photography

Jon Bon’s Trial Return A Sign Of Big Things To Come 

Waterhouse and Bott stable jockey Adam Hyeronimous was full of praise for Derby aspirant Jon Bon, who headed to the trials among a littering of stablemates at Canterbury on Tuesday. The multiple Group 1 winning hoop was happy with the horse’s performance over an unsuitable 902m trip. Stepping quickly, the gelding son of multiple stakes-producing mare Anabaa’s Legacy was balanced by Hyeronimous before pushing for an effort in the final 500m. Hyernonimous stated, “Ended up in a nice position, travelled great where he was, hit the line ok, but I think the fitter he gets the more improvement you’ll see, I was happy with it and there’s good improvement”.

Jon Bon will be given a quiet two weeks before returning to the trials in late January, with the team keen to kick the 3YO off over a sprinting distance in February before rising through the distances and grades as the Autumn Carnival progresses.

Shamus Award x Prosection sold for $300k ~ image courtesy of Blue Gum Farm

Prosecution’s Magic Millions Impact, The Perfect Start To Breeding Pack

Blue Gum Farm has stamped its authority on the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, presenting a well-put-together colt by multiple Group 1 producing Rosemont Stud colt Shamus Award out of BTX Breeding Pack Broodmare, Prosecution. The bay colt (Pictured Above) has a strong shoulder, lovely neck and head and was the first successful purchase at the 2024 sale by Hong Kong-based Top Pick Bloodstock. The colt is the third foal by the mare to head through the sales and the second at this sale. With the first two foals selling for a combined $140,000, the result is an extreme rise in confidence in the mare’s progeny. Her 2025 foal by Stay Inside is due to be sold at next year’s sale!

Blue Gum has also had its first $1M yearling since the farm’s acquirement by the Trilogy Racing Group with the Snitzel colt out of Vaujany earning a 7-figure sum on Day 2 of the Magic Millions.