News

Veight powers home to win G1 George Ryder

23rd Mar 2024

Outstanding 3YO Veight (Grunt) went a long way to securing himself a future as a stallion with a thoroughly deserving win in today’s G1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill.

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Veight has raced 11 times and with the exception of his maiden – which he won on debut – every race has been at Group level.

Prior to today he was already twice G1 placed – 2^nd in last year’s Caulfield Guineas and this month’s Australian Guineas – and a three-time Group winner.

But he is now an Open WFA winner thanks to his dogged win against some of Australia’s leading gallopers today.

The McEvoy’s teamed up with bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy of Belmont Bloodstock to buy Veight for $220,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Sledmere Stud.

The Yulong-bred Veight becomes the 93^rd individual Inglis graduate to win a G1 since 2018 and in a special result, he is also the first G1 success for Gabbedy and the Tony and Calvin McEvoy partnership since the father-and-son team joined forces.

“Unbelievable thrill, the thrill of a lifetime and to have him as my first [G1 win] with Tony and Calvin together just makes it even more unbelievably special,’’ Gabbedy said.

“We saw [Veight] in the Sledmere parade at the Classic Sale and he was an absolute standout from the moment he walked out of the box.

“He just oozed quality and class, he was out of a good running mare, we do ratings of the mares and she rated very well and Grunt was a well credentialed first season sire and even more importantly the colt was a good type.’’

Tony McEvoy added: “Damon is a very good judge and his knowledge and depth of pedigree is what it’s all about because that’s the knowledge I don’t have.

“I’m more about the athlete and the type of horse I want to buy. Damon is also a good handbrake for me because he knows what they’re valued at and he stops me when I should be stopped.

“We decided to come here today and strike while the iron was hot with the horse because he was in such good form and sometimes you go to a target a bit further away and it doesn’t always work so we came here and thankfully it was the right decision. I’m so pleased and so proud of the horse.’’

Earlier at Rosehill talented 3YO Brave Mead (Brave Smash) scored a tough win in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes and as a result will be given his chance at G1 glory next start.

There are few more consistent horses in training than Brave Mead; today’s win was his fifth from 12 starts while he has also filled the minor placings a further six times.

Raced by Australian Bloodstock, Brave Mead is a $90,000 Inglis Digital purchase for his trainer Ciaron Maher, who will test the 3YO at the top level in the G1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick in four weeks.

“He deserves his chance in a race like that, he’ll get some [weight] relief as a 3YO so now’s the time to dip the feet,’’ Maher said.

“He’s a really nice horse, a really tough horse who doesn’t know how to run a bad race.’’

Brave Mead has now won $670,000 in prizemoney.

At The Valley today untapped filly Gumdrops (Written Tycoon) made it three wins from just five starts – and a second success in Stakes grade – with a comprehensive victory in the G3 Don Casboult Classic.

The 3YO filly – who carries the colours of part owner Heath Newton - has become an exceptionally valuable commodity for her connections after Sheamus Mills bought her for $600,000 at the Easter Yearling Sale from the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft.

Bred by Ravenswood Bloodstock, Gumdrops today led in an Inglis graduates trifecta in the G3 event, defeating fellow Easter Sale fillies Moesha and Inhibitions.

And Growing Empire (Zoustar) made a mess of the Listed Valley Pearl field, scoring a dominant front-running win at just his second career start.

The 2YO Ciaron Maher-trained colt – a $700,000 Easter Yearling Sale buy last year for his owners Yulong from the Vinery Stud draft – looks a juvenile with immense talent who could now head to Sydney for further carnival riches during The Championships and beyond.

Growing Empire was bred by Neil Werrett, Patrick Hodgens and Steve McCann.

Meanwhile at Morphettville today Climbing Star (Zoustar) scored a valuable first black type success with victory in the Listed Matrice Stakes.

Bred by Qatar Bloodstock – who retained a share in the mare and whose colours she carries on race day – Climbing Star was first-up today and showed she will be a force to be reckoned with during the upcoming Adelaide carnival.

Trainer Phillip Stokes teamed up with Rick Connolly to purchase Climbing Star for $600,000 at the Easter Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Widden Stud.