News

Three alive in $1m Inglis Classic/Slipper Bonus

22nd Mar 2018

Inglis is thrilled to have up to three runners – Santos, Fiesta and Spin - eligible for the $1m Inglis Classic Bonus in Saturday’s Golden Slipper.

Inglis introduced the bonus ahead of the 2017 Classic Yearling Sale that should any horse sold at that sale go on to win the 2018 Golden Slipper, they would earn a $1m bonus.

The bonus would be split evenly between the named vendor and supplier of the horse.

Both Santos (Emirates Park) and Fiesta (Mike and Deb O’Donnell/Fairhill Farm) were supplied and offered by the same people, so will win the $1m outright should their respective runners win.

Fourth Emergency Spin was offered by Attunga Stud and supplied by Geoff Walsh, meaning they would receive $500,000 each should Spin gain a start and win the race.

Mike and Deb O’Donnell (pictured) have already won a $100,000 Gold Riband bonus with Fiesta after she became the first horse sold in the Gold Riband Session of Classic to win a Stakes race, last month’s Group 3 Widden Stakes.

“When we realised we had won the $100,000, I went looking through the catalogue and remembered we were up for the million if she went on to win the Slipper, which is really amazing,’’ Mike O’Donnell said.

“The Slipper is the premier Group 1 in Australia as far as I’m concerned. Australia is the home of sprinters and the Slipper is the greatest sprint we have to offer in my mind, a truly life-changing race.

“To be involved with Fiesta has been a great ride already thanks to Inglis especially and these bonuses so here’s hoping we can collect another $1m on Saturday.’’

Bryan Carlson of Emirates Park described the bonus as “phenomenal’’.

“The initiative Inglis has shown in introducing this bonus, it’s great for the industry,’’ Carlson said.

“It’s a real talking point in a big week and I certainly hope Santos can win for his connections but also for the bonus to go off.’’

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said he’d be cheering for all eight of the Inglis graduates in the Slipper, but hoped to be presenting a $1m cheque post-race.

“We introduced the bonus to raise the profile and quality of the Classic Sale by attracting more precocious yearlings and better quality yearlings for our first sale of the year,’’ Webster said.

“I think the results of Classic the past two years have proven we have gotten that right.

“I wish Emirates Park with Santos and Mike and Deb O’Donnell with Fiesta, and all the team behind Spin if he gains a start, the very best of luck in the Slipper and I certainly hope to be paying this bonus out.’’