News

Millennium winner Castelvecchio progresses to G1 success

20th Apr 2019

The inaugural Inglis Millennium winner gave trainer Richard Litt his first G1 success and Arrowfield stallion Dundeel his debut Australian G1 victory as Castelvecchio dominated his rivals in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

At just his fifth race start Castelvecchio (Dundeel x St. Therese) won eased up by jockey Josh Parr to defeat the consistent filly Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) by 1.5L, ensuring another G1 quinella for Inglis graduates.

A $150,000 Classic Yearling Sale purchase for Ottavio Galletta from the Arrowfield Stud draft, Castelvecchio has now won three of his five career starts – and finished in the placings at his other two – for $1.6m in earnings.

He became the 12th individual G1-winning Inglis graduate for 2019.

Winning owner Ottavio Galletta described Castelvecchio – now a valuable stallion prospect - as “our champion’’.

“I looked at a lot of horses at the Classic Sale last year but I knew as soon as I saw this one, I had to have him,’’ Galletta said.

“He’s such a good animal, he’s our champion. He’ll go for a break now and there’s so many potential races we can look forward to in the spring with him.’’

For Arrowfield’s John Messara – who bred and offered Castelvecchio for sale, and who stands his sire Dundeel – it was a dream result.

“It’s a great thrill. This horse Castelvecchio is really taking it all in front of him and so is his sire Dundeel,’’ Messara said.

“Castelvecchio, he was always a very nice type. Ottavio had a look around our farm at all our yearlings and he got it down to a couple of horses and finally selected this one. He made the right call.

“Dundeel, I think he’s done enough now to satisfy us that he’s going to be a leading force in this country for the next decade or so. That means a lot to us, especially with the loss of Redoute’s.’’

Inglis’ Managing Director Mark Webster was thrilled the inaugural Millennium winner progressed into a G1-winning 2YO so early.

“To have that success in the first year of the race is terrific for everyone involved,’’ Webster said.

“The Inglis Millennium has proved in its debut year that it is a 2YO race of immense significance on the calendar and we’re so happy for Ottavio and Richard and the team that Castelvecchio has added this Group 1 to his name just three starts later.

“The Inglis Classic Sale continues to provide Group 1 winners and it’s fantastic to have another star horse come out of the sale.’’

Castelvecchio’s victory ensured Inglis remains the only auction house to provide an Australian 2YO G1 winner in the past two years.

Meanwhile So You Think juvenile Quick Thinker won the Listed Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie at just his second career start today.

Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, the 2YO is a $100,000 buy for De Burgh Equine from the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Coolmore.

The next Inglis Sale is next Sunday, April 28, with the Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale at Oaklands, for which 261 horses have been catalogued.

Inspections begin on Wednesday when three drafts – Stockwell Thoroughbreds, Stonehouse Thoroughbreds and Sunhill Bloodstock – will parade.

The majority of horses will be available for inspection from Thursday.

To view the full parade schedule, CLICK HERE.

To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.