Tilia Rose powerful in Max Lees Classic on debut

Established in 2017, the 900m Max Lees Classic at Newcastle has quickly made its mark in terms of producing future stakes winners. 2017 winner Jonker went on to win the Listed Wyong Magic Millions and be placed several times at Group 2 level, while 2018 winner Strasbourg went on to win the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes later in his 2YO season.

With that in mind it was very promising to see Belinda Bateman homebred Tilia Rose win this year’s edition, and in a time significantly faster than both of those colts, which bodes very well for her future.

Prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden, Tilia Rose showed an outstanding and professional attitude here, while also demonstrating abundant speed in smashing the class record and recording a sizzling 32.12 seconds for her final 600m.

She is a daughter of Written Tycoon and is the only foal out of JHB yearling purchase Prevail. A daughter of Redoute’s Choice, Prevail only made two starts on the track, including when fourth as favourite in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes. Prevail was a three-quarter sister to 2YO stakes winner Weatherly, and from a family littered with juvenile stars, such as G2 Reisling Stakes winner Hips Don’t Lie and G1 Golden Slipper Stakes 3rd Lake Geneva.

Tilia Rose now heads to the paddock for a short break before returning with the aim of adding to her family’s great juvenile stakes race record in the Autumn.

Congratulations to her owner and breeder Belinda Bateman.

Famous strides away at Newcastle

Promising Medaglia d’Oro colt Famous kicked off an exciting three-year-old year ahead of him with an impressive victory this weekend at Newcastle. He jumped well in the big field, and cruised into contention in the straight before powering clear for an easy victory, in the manner of a colt destined for much better things.

Famous was purchased at the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the Segenhoe Stud consignment and was bred by notable breeder John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, breeder of Winx and Golden Slipper Vancouver amongst many others. Famous is the first foal of Group 2 winning Redoute’s Choice mare A Time For Julia and from the great family of Procrastinate.

Many thanks to the Snowden Racing team for preparing Famous in such great order and big congratulations to the owners, Belinda Bateman, Donna & Rob Love, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond, Danny & Pauline Saab and John & Deb Camilleri.

Two in a row for Notation

Well bred Fastnet Rock filly Notation made it two wins in a row when taking out the BM78 fillies and mares race at Randwick on Saturday.

She jumped well from a wide barrier and rolled forward to settle in second on the back of the leader, Terminology. She took the lead at the 200m mark before being challenged over the final 100m by the fast finishing Connemara, also by Fastnet Rock. Notation showed tremendous determination and dug deep to battle Connemara all the way to the line for a hard earned victory.

A recent JHB purchase at the Magic Millions National Sale for $220,000 for existing part owners Donna and Rob Love, Notation is by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock out of the Gr 1 wining South African mare Chocolicous. She is building a very nice profile with an impressive race record of 4 wins and 2 placings from just 7 starts.

Congratulations to owners Donna and Rob Love and a huge thanks to new trainer Matthew Dale who produced Notation in terrific order having only had her in his stable for a short time.

Warfare breaks through at Gosford

After two good seconds at Newcastle and Kembla Grange, Warfare broke his maiden in style over 1200m at Gosford on Thursday.

Jumping from barrier 5 Warfare settled just behind the leaders Hellbenders and Blazing who set a solid pace in front. He was on the heels of the leaders when the pace slackened at the 700m mark before jockey Tommy Berry elected to take Warfare out three wide on the turn to give him clear running. He sprinted quickly to claim the lead at the 200m mark and raced away to win easily.

Warfare became the tenth 2yo winner this season for his sire Spirt of Boom. Out of the Encosta de Lago mare Tiyatro, he was a JHB purchase from the Magic Millions January Yearling Sale for $500,000 from the draft of Eureka Stud. He is a half brother to stakes winner Tiyatrolani and is from the families of Group 1 winners Excites, Duporth and Delago Deluxe.

Thanks as always to Peter and Paul Snowden and their team who are in terrific form with Warfare the third JHB purchased 2yo winner they have trained in the last 5 days! Congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Donna & Rob Love, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab.

Dual Queen’s Birthday Success for JHB

The Queen’s Birthday long weekend was a successful one for JHB Purchases with two winners in two days.
First up was Convinced who broke his maiden with a tough win at Hawkesbury on Sunday.

Jumping from barrier 5, jockey Sam Clipperton allowed Convinced to find his feet settling towards the rear of the field on the rail. The leaders Echo Lad and Petronius set a strong pace kicking clear of the field on the turn. Convinced was still 4 lengths off the leaders in the straight before finishing off strongly to claim the lead over the final stages and record a deserved victory. He now boasts a very good record of a win and two placings from just three starts.

Convinced was a JHB purchase from the Magic Millions January Yearling Sale for $475,000 from the draft of Eureka Stud. He is a son of leading sire Not A Single Doubt out of Anabaa mare Amusements which makes him a three quarter brother to multiple stakes winner Karuta Queen.

On Monday it was the turn of Leviathan who recorded an impressive win on debut over 1100m on the Kensington track.

Beginning well from the inside gate Leviathan was able to hold a forward position on the rail. He found himself in a bit of an awkward spot in the early part of the straight before jockey Tim Clark elected to shift out at the 250m mark and Leviathan charged through the gap and drew away for a strong win. Leviathan ran the fastest winners splits and fastest 400m of the day making the win all the more impressive.

Leviathan is another 2018 Magic Millions January Yearling purchase by JHB, this time for $375,000 from the Woodside Park Stud draft. By phenomenal young sire Zoustar, he is the first foal of the stakes placed Lonhro mare Lady Lakshmi who herself is a three quarter sister to Generalife.
Thanks as always to Peter and Paul Snowden and their team for presenting both horses in such terrific order, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Donna & Rob Love, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab.

Busy time at Magic Millions Breeding Stock Sale

It was a fortnight of vibrant trade at the Magic Millions Breeding Stock sales this month, and JHB was right in the thick of the action, securing nine choice lots.

At the National Weanling Sale we came away with our pick of the the sale, a stunning Pierro filly out of I’m In Love, purchased from Segenhoe Stud for $200,000. Her sire continues to go from strength to strength and this filly was a real standout, with strength, action and bred on the very productive Pierro x Danehill-line cross.

We secured eight breeding prospects during the National Broodmare Sale. First was lot 910, the city-winning Fastnet Rock filly Notation, out of Group 1 winner Chocolicious, who was secured on behalf of Donna and Rob Love for $220,000. She goes into training with Matthew Dale in Canberra.

Our first purchase for our Elite Mare Partnership was lot 912, Nuclear Blitz, bought for $600,000. A physical powerhouse, this talented filly is out of a Encosta de Lago half-sister to the legendary Winx. She is a breeding prospect with huge potential upside. Her dam has an outstanding weanling colt by I Am Invincible to go to the yearling sales in 2020, and is in foal to the same stallion, while Winx obviously joins the broodmare ranks in 2019.

Lot 1877, Gypsy Flyer was our next purchase, from the supplementary section. She is a full sister to the top-class sprinter Invincible Star, who was one of the sale highlights, selling for $1,450,000. She too will enter the stable of Matthew Dale for Donna and Rob Love.

In the mare in foal section, we were delighted to secure three mares in foal to JHB stallion, Golden Slipper winner Capitalist. The first was Blonde Intuition, a daughter of top-class broodmare sire Redoute’s Choice, from one of Australia’s very best families. She is a sister or half-sister to three stakes winners and out of a half-sister to leading stallion Not a Single Doubt, this being the further family of Snippets.

The second of our mares in foal to Capitalist was Caesar’s Princess, a very promising young mare, who has already produced stakes performer Princess Pierro and is by very promising broodmare sire Exceed and Excel. Her second foal is the 2YO winner Bullet Fly, who looks another to potentially upgrade this page going forward. The final mare in foal to Capitalist was Silver Spirit, a half-sister to Group 1 winners Light Fantastic and Leica Guv.

Our remaining purchases were Caveat, a 2YO winning half-sister to Group 1 winning 2YO Camarilla, dam of top-class 2YO filly Guelph who was purchased carrying to I Am Invincible for $500,000 and Trajectory, a winning daughter of Northern Meteor and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Douro Valley, bought in foal to JHB stallion Pariah for $55,000.

Stronger too good in Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial

After some hugely creditable efforts over the Sydney Autumn Carnival, Not a Single Doubt colt Stronger gained a very deserved Group 3 win this weekend in the Ken Russell Memorial at the Gold Coast, coming with a great run down the outside to defeat odds-on favourite Accession.

Settled towards the rear by jockey Blake Shinn from a tricky outside barrier, Stronger was always travelling strongly behind Accession, and pulling wide in the straight, the two of them put a large margin on the rest of the field in the manner of a pair of high-class performers.

Stronger, a $1,050,000 Inglis Easter JHB purchase, is the second foal of the winning Starcraft mare Star Pupil. Her first is the NZ stakes-placed Tiger Silk (by All American). Star Pupil is a half-sister to three stakes winners, notably Singapore Horse of the Year Stepitup and high-class Sydney Sprinter/Miler Bachman. This is a great family, that of G1 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success.

Thanks as always to Peter and Paul Snowden and their team for presenting Stronger in such great shape, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Donna & Rob Love, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab.

Creator makes his mark in Clarendon Stakes

Creator took the step up in class in his stride on Saturday when running out an impressive winner of the 1300m Clarendon Stakes at Hawkesbury, a race won by the likes of subsequent top-class performers Zoustar and Graff in recent seasons.

Creator jumped from the awkward outside barrier, and jockey James McDonald had his hand forced early as a fading rival fell into his lap around the 800m. He pressed forward and impressively sustained his run right up the straight to record an impressive win. The time of the win was equally impressive, a race record and a time faster than the older mares would run in the Group 3 just one race later.

Creator was a JHB purchase from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $1,500,000 from the draft of Arrowfield Stud. He is a son of the late Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice and his dam, Silla Regalis, is a winning half-sister to Hong Kong superstar Sprinter Silent Witness as well as high-class Group 2 winning sprinter Sister Madly, also by Redoute’s Choice.

Thanks as always to Peter and Paul Snowden and their team for presenting Creator in such great shape, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Donna & Rob Love, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab.

Boom time at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale

James Harron Bloodstock was active at the Magic Millions March Yearling, purchasing Lot 144, a colt by Spirit of Boom out of Weekend Surprise.

Beautifully presented by KBL Thoroughbreds, the colt is a half-brother to no fewer than nine individual winners, most notably Group 3 winner Dan Baroness and from the family of Group 1 winning 2YO Pride of Rancho.

The colt is by emerging 2YO force Spirit of Boom, and will enter training with Peter and Paul Snowden at their Randwick base.

Stronger lives up to his name at Randwick

Not A Single Doubt colt Stronger gained his second 2YO win, and his first at Metropolitan level when a brave winner at Randwick on Wednesday. From a tricky outside barrier he had no luck getting into a position early, and was forced to race four wide throughout. Under apprentice Billy Owen, Stronger showed a good kick in the straight, going head to head with Dresden Green, who wandered off a true line in the final stages.

Stronger is the second foal of the winning Starcraft mare Star Pupil, whose first foal Tiger Silk is a winner and black type placed in New Zealand. This is a prolific 2YO family, numbering Golden Slipper winner Polar Success amongst a plethora of stakes winners.

Thanks as always to trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Donna & Rob Love, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab.

Spirit of Boom colt for JHB at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale

James Harron Bloodstock was again active at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, securing a colt by sire sensation Spirit of Boom for $170,000. Our sister company JHB Syndications was also very active, securing three forward, running fillies by proven stallions I Am Invincible, More Than Ready and Nicconi.

Our Spirit of Boom colt is out Sydney metropolitan mare Elusive Gift and from the family of Champion 2YO and important stallion Canny Lad.

Espresso Martini breaks through at stakes level

Blue-blooded High Chaparral filly Espresso Martini has wasted no time in living up to her pedigree. After breaking her maiden in great style last week she took the step up to stakes level in her stride when an impressive winner of the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial at Ellerslie this week.

She settled into a beautiful position behind the leaders, and proved too strong in the straight under a great ride from Leith Innes.

It was a special victory for Leith, as he also partnered Espresso Martini’s dam, Keepa Cruisin’, to victory in the Group 1 Levin Classic.

Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsnam, Espresso Martini will now target Group races in the coming months, with a trip to Australia later in the Autumn an ultimate aim for a filly who has now elevated herself to be a very valuable broodmare prospect when the time comes.

Huge congratulations to owners Donna and Rob Love, who purchased Espresso Martini as a yearling through JHB at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling sale for NZ$150,000.

Espresso Martini breaks her maiden in great style

Purchased as a yearling from the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for $150,000 on behalf of Donna and Rob Love, High Chaparral filly Espresso Martini broke her maiden in great fashion this week at Pukekura for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.

She was quick into stride and led the field throughout, giving a good kick when asked and always in control late in the straight. This should prove to be a good confidence boosting victory as she targets black type in the coming months.

Espresso Martini is a well-bred filly, being out of Group 1 winner Keepa Cruisin’, who is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner and Horse of the Year Seachange.

Stronger powers away at Kembla

Not a Single Doubt colt Stronger became the first 2YO winner in the green and gold colours this weekend at Kembla, powering away from his rivals over 900m at Kembla. Entering the race after just one trial, Stronger proved to be a consummate professional, stalking the leaders under a hold and running on in great style once out into the clear, running by some margin the fastest final 600m of the whole day.

Stronger was purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, where we have had good success in the past, with Group winners such as Wandjina, Pariah and Gunnison all JHB yearling purchases from Arrowfield at Easter, with Gunnison also a son of Not a Single Doubt.

Thanks to trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, rider Koby Jennings and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Donna & Rob Love, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab.

Valiant too good at Hawkesbury

I Am Invincible colt Valiant showed his rivals a clean pair of heels this week at Hawkesbury, coming home in good style from fellow JHB runner Lagarde. He settled towards the rear of the pack and joined in strongly in the final stages, powering clear in by far the fastest sectionals of the entire day.

An exceptionally good-looking colt, Valiant was purchased from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, and this was just his second start. There looks to be plenty more wins in the future for Valiant.

Thanks as always to trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Donna & Rob Love, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Danny & Pauline Saab, Arthur & Charlotte Inglis and Steve & Louise Gillard.

Shinju with a power-packed finish

Written Tycoon gelding Shinju hasn’t always had the best of luck, and for a long way it looked like it would be a similar story in his most recent run at Kembla as he trailed the field. Then, with just 100m to go he kicked in the afterburners and made up a huge amount of ground to overhaul his rivals in the final inches of the race.

The manner of his victory was that of a progressive and promising performer, and he looks sure to make his mark at a higher level.

He is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus and Delia Doyle, Donna & Rob Love, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond, Steve & Louise Gillard and Danny & Pauline Saab.

Starry too speedy at Newcastle

Exceed and Excel filly Starry produced a polished display of speed over Newcastle’s 900m scamper to defeat the older horses in great style.

Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Starry showed bright speed to sit up with the pace from barrier 1, and showed great tenacity in the closing stages to record a comfortable win.

An Inglis Easter graduate, Starry boasts an impressive pedigree, being a three-quarter sister to Group 2 winner Zululand and out of USA Grade 2 winner Dream Play.

Congratulations to her owner and great supporter Belinda Bateman.

A Green and Gold Saturday

This past Saturday at Kembla saw James Harron Bloodstock head home with two victories, as I Am Invincible colt Spin broke his maiden in emphatic style, while progressive Star Witness colt Navigator was a brave winner against older horses later on the card.

Spin (pictured above) has well established Group form as a 2YO, including when a very close second in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes, and proved far too good for his opposition under a cool Mitchell Bell steer, running some very smart late sectionals. This well-bred son of I Am Invincible will now head to the Group 3 Up and Coming Stakes over 1300m at Randwick on 18th August.

Navigator is a lovely colt, still learning his craft and followed up his maiden victory a fortnight ago with a brave win in the 1400m Class 1 handicap against the older horses. Hitting the front a long way from home, Navigator bravely fended off several challengers under a power-packed Christian Reith, and looks a most progressive sort, especially when he steps up to 1600m.

Thanks as ever go to the Snowden stable for presenting these colts in super order, and congratulations to all of the owners.

Helaku dominant against older horses

A long time in the planning, Written Tycoon gelding Helaku was purchased at the 2016 Magic Millions National Weanling sale and this past weekend repaid the faith with a dominant victory at Muswellbrook for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.

Sent off a warm favourite, Helaku quickly found a forward position under pilot Mitchell Bell and bounded clear in the straight for an emphatic victory.

Congratulations to owners, Belinda Bateman, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Donna & Rob Love, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond, Phil & Glenda Mehrten and Stonestreet Stables.

Star JHB colt Pariah retired to Arrowfield Stud for 2018

James Harron Bloodstock and Arrowfield are delighted to announce that star Redoute’s Choice colt Pariah will stand his debut season at stud in 2018, alongside his legendary sire, for a fee of $22,000 inc GST.

Pariah was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes on debut in race record time, following the path laid by another son of Redoute’s Choice, Not a Single Doubt, who took out the 2003 edition of this important race. On just his first racing preparation Pariah followed this up with an arguably unlucky second in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield, bursting clear of the field on the home turn after racing wide throughout and caught by star filly Catchy in the shadows of the post. He finished the season as Timeform’s second top-rated 2YO of the year.

Pariah again ran a very slick time when successful in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes on his three-year-old return, powering clear of a class field.

Of his retirement James Harron said, ““Our mission at the yearling sales is find stallions of the future, and Pariah’s profile was impeccable. Physically he was a truly outstanding yearling, by the pre-eminent sire of sires in Redoute’s Choice and from an exceptional colonial speed family. He fits all of our criteria as a hugely exciting stallion prospect and we will be supporting him heavily at stud with top-class mares.”

His co-trainer Peter Snowden was equally complementary, adding, “From his first gallop Pariah was just the most natural 2YO – to win a Group 3 on debut and to go so close to winning a Blue Diamond on his first preparation marks him as an exceptional juvenile. I know from his work at home that we never got to see the best of him – he was a top-class horse I have no doubt.”

With star mares such as Shamal Wind, Petits Filous, Scarlet Rain and Real Stolle already committed to Pariah in 2018, he will be heavily supported by his strong shareholder group with numerous high-class mares.

Arrowfield’s John Messara summed him up, “Snitzel, Not A Single Doubt, Stratum and Beneteau – all by Redoute’s Choice, all outstanding 2YOs and all outstanding sires. Pariah is in the same mould. He has a very committed syndicate and will start life as a stallion with a better book of mares than Snitzel, Beneteau and Not A Single Doubt!