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Behemoth by name, behemoth by nature as 'the big horse' wins the G1 Memsie Stakes

29th Aug 2020

Laurence and Linda Monds celebrated their first G1 winner as proprietors of Tyreel Stud when ‘the big horse’ Behemoth powered away to win the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Behemoth (All Too Hard x Penny Banger) – named after his imposing physical appearance – was given the run of the race by leading jockey Craig Williams, securing his maiden G1 in a most comfortable fashion.

Today was Behemoth’s third attempt at a G1, having previously run second in last year’s Goodwood Handicap.

He became the 49th G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018, 81% more than the next best auction house.

Linda Monds foaled Behemoth down and recalled that while he was a big foal, he was also unique.

“I love him, he was full of character, he really had such a big personality,’’ Monds said.

“He was such a giant weanling, that’s why we put him through the Great Southern Sale early on and while he kept growing after that, boy can he run.

“He was absolutely one of the biggest weanlings we’d had but that said, we’d had big before so it just proves again that Group 1 winners can come in all shapes and sizes.’’

Paul Guy’s Heritage Bloodstock purchased Behemoth (pictured) for $120,000 from the Tyreel draft at the 2016 Great Southern Sale.

Today’s win was his sixth from 16 starts and took his prizemoney to in excess of $1.3m.

It was a monumental occasion for the Monds’, who not only bred Behemoth but also Academy (winner of R3 at Rosehill today) and provided one-third of the field in the G3 San Domenico Stakes.

“I really can’t believe it, it’s huge, what a day,’’ Monds said.

“With Behemoth and Academy and then you look and we sold Osamu and Every Rose which both ran in the 3YO feature race, as well as Spiritual Pursuit later in the day and for a farm that only foals 25-30 foals a year, I’m pretty proud of that.

“We’ve got some pretty special yearlings coming into the sales next year too and if people can just watch what our graduates are doing on the track, I would like to think they would buy with confidence from our brand.

“It doesn’t matter what they look like, they’ll show everyone they can run. I think I’ve invested very well in our broodmares and it’s paying dividends on many fronts for us and our clients.’’

Earlier in the program, outstanding mare Diamond Effort (Mossman) returned from a spell a winner and in doing so made it five consecutive victories with success in the G3 The Heath.

Domenic Romanelli purchased Diamond Effort for $140,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where Cornerstone Stud offered her.

Today’s win was her eighth from 14 starts and took her career prizemoney to almost $500,000.

Winning trainer Clinton McDonald said: “She’s just a ripping mare. We were really confident coming into today and she got the job done. I must thank Domenic Romanelli and all the crew. She’s a good mare, she’s going places. We feel she’s improved this time in and it was a great effort today.’’

And in Adelaide, the Inglis Digital platform provided another Stakes winner when Sky Punch (Alamosa) won the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes at Morphettville.

It was a first Stakes success for the Michael Hickmott-trained 6YO, who Andrew Maloney purchased for just $30,000 in the August 2019 Online Auction.

Since then the horse has raced seven times for three wins and two minor placings, earning almost $120,000 along the way.

In an Inglis graduates Stakes trifecta, Sky Punch defeated Morvada (Easter Yearling Sale) and Dalasan (Premier Yearling Sale).

“To win a race named after Mr Macdonald, who’s been an idol of mine my whole life, is just a huge honour,’’ Hickmott said.

“This horse, there’s new owners, three of my best mates, all my family, I’m just so thrilled.’’