3 minute read

Over the last 12 months the stocks of Australian-breds both home and abroad continued to rise, and not just through its sprinters.

While Merchant Navy won the G1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot the world looked on as Winx went from strength to strength, rightfully taking her place as the World’s Best Racehorse on turf.

Particularly encouraging though was Australian-breds dominance of the classics over the season as each of the eight G1 Derby and Oaks winners were ‘made in Australia’.

Ultimately, there were 608 black type races staged in 2017/18 of which Australian-breds won a remarkable 499 of them – a tick over 82% - despite the presence of many overseas ‘raiders’, eagerly seeking out a vast prizemoney pool that only continues to grow deeper each year.

The vast majority of those 82% were originally offered at Australian sales.

Winx was the star of the show, taking her tally to 25 straight wins – equalling the record of another racing immortal in Black Caviar but also becoming the most successful horse ever at Group One level (18 wins) and lifting her prizemoney to nearly $19 million.

Overall, the 608 stakes races consisted of 73 Group 1, 94 Group 2, 165 Group 3, 265 Listed events and 11 races at Restricted Listed level.

They black type list offered a massive $176 million plus in prizemoney and does not include the inaugural $10 million The Everest, which has increased to $13 million in 2018 but is yet to be allocated Group status.

Winx dominated with eight black type wins (six G1) but other Australian-breds to win three or more Group races in 207/18 included Ace High (3), Alizee (4), Battle Hero (4), Cliff’s Edge (3), Comin’ Through (3), Daysee Doom (3), Destiny’s Kiss (3), Falcon Crest (3), Formality (3), Happy Clapper (4), Hellova Street (3), In Her Time (3), Kementari (3), Levendi (3), Material Man (5), Mizlecki (3), Money Maher (3), Perast (3), Pleasuring (3), Pounamu (3), Prompt Response (3), Redzel (4 plus The Everest), Santa Ana Lane (3), Savanna Amour (3), Shoals (4), Silverstream (3), Sunlight (3), Trap For Fools (3), Trapeze Artist (4), Vega Magic (3) and Written By (3).

Gallopers to win multiple G1 races apart from Winx included Ace High, Alizee, Happy Clapper (3), Santa Ana Lane (3), Shoals (3) and Trapeze Artist (3).

Some 74 stallions produced multiple stakes winners over the past 12 months headed by Snitzel (26 stakes winners of 43 stakes races), I Am Invincible (19 of 26), Fastnet Rock (18 of 31), Not A Single Doubt (16 of 19) and Sebring (13 of 14).

First season sires such as Spirit of Boom (5 stakes winners), Zoustar (3) and Epaulette (2 plus a G1 winner in South Africa) also made a considerable contribution.

AUSTRALIAN BLACK TYPE WINNERS 2017-18

Country of Origin

Australia 499 82.07%

New Zealand 59 9.70%

Ireland 20 3.29%

GB 11 1.81%

France 10 1.64%

Japan 4 0.66%

Germany 4 0.66%

USA 1 0.16%

Total 608