News

Shadwell Strike First in 2009 $2.6M Inglis Race Series

24th Oct 2009

Torryburn Stud product Marmaa added to David Hayes' good record with progeny of General Nediym in early two-year-old races when he took out the $250,000 Inglis Juvenile (1000m) at Moonee Valley today.

This is the first race in the $2.6million Inglis Race Series for 2009 yearling sale graduates and today's result saw representatives from each of the Easter, Sydney Classic and Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sales in the placings.

Last year's race proved an excellent form reference, with the winner Starspangledbanner going on to take this year's G1 Caulfield Guineas.

MARMAA is a son of the ill-fated General Nediym from the Last Tycoon mare Lady Jaguar, who in turn is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Gallopini.

Bred and offered for sale by Torryburn Stud, Marmaa was secured by Shadwell Australia for $110,000 at this year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

A previous Cox Plate day juvenile winner for the Hayes stable was I Got Chills, a $45,000 Melbourne Premier Sale daughter of General Nediym who won in 2006 by an effortless seven lengths.

Though not prepared to compare Marmaa with I Got Chills, Hayes was delighted to have taken care of the colt's purchase price so early in the season.

"He's a good, solid, two-year-old and he's freehold now. To win a $250,000 race first up, the Sheikh would be thrilled," Hayes said.

Marmaa went two better than Bawaardi, who ran third in this race last year for Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Stud.

The winner, who is awarded $145,000 for the win, wasn't the only horse to erase his purchase in today's race.

Runner-up Devils Melody ($25,000 2009 Classic, 2f Falvelon-Never Late) picked up $45,000, while Jill's Angel ($15,000 Autumn, 2f Invincible Spirit-Ithica) takes home $20,000 for connections.

The next opportunity for 2009 graduates comes up at Canberra, with a $50,000 Bonus available on a 1000m 2yo race on November 29.

Click here for 2009 series calendar

The inaugural series, for 2008 graduates, continues at Sale tomorrow, with the $100,000 GPG Inglis Trophy (3yo, 1400m), with a capacity field of 14 vying for the prize. Inglis will also auction an unbroken filly by Elvstroem at tomorrow's meeting.