There’s no two ways about it – Inglis stars Ole Kirk, Dirty Work, Wild Ruler and Ain’tnodeeldun are four of the most valuable colts and entires in Australian racing following big-race wins on another phenomenal day of G1 racing.
Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) led the way, confirming himself as the most sought-after racing and breeding prospect in the nation with a dominant performance in the stallion-making G1 Caulfield Guineas, a fortnight after his barnstorming G1 Golden Rose success.
And Dirty Work (G2 Schillaci Stakes), Wild Ruler (G2 Roman Consul Stakes) and Ain’tnodeeldun (Listed Hill Smith Stakes) showed their class to take another giant leap in their quest for futures at stud with impressive wins in their own right.
Their respective success came on a day Inglis graduates won a staggering eight of the Stakes races on offer with victories also to Montefilia (G1 Spring Champion Stakes), Chapada (G2 Herbert Power Stakes), Fiesta (G3 Northwood Plume Stakes) and Emeralds (G3 Angst Stakes).
For Ole Kirk (pictured), his Caulfield Guineas win put him in elite company, joining fellow Inglis graduates The Autumn Sun (2018) and In Top Swing (2003) as the only colts to win the Golden Rose/Caulfield Guineas double.
Trained by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon x Naturale) is from one of the most dominant families in the Australian Stud Book, out of an unraced sister to champion Black Caviar and half sister to All Too Hard.
He was purchased for $675,000 by Mark Player’s International Thoroughbred Solutions at the 2019 Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by his breeder Gilgai Farm, who retained a share in the stunning colt.
Gilgai’s Rick Jamieson admitted to being nervous before today’s big G1 but deep down knew he had the best horse in the race.
“It’s a breeders dream, you put so much time and effort and energy into it and then to finally get to a race like this and win it, it’s just amazing,’’ Jamieson said.
“His future is now confirmed as a stallion if it wasn’t before, he’s got such a brilliant family.
“This guy will be a super stallion, and I’m not just saying that. He’s got the bloodlines to be a super stallion, the looks to be a super stallion and it’s just another chapter in a remarkable family.
“I was nervous, I always get nervous and today was particularly nerve-racking but it’s been a fantastic day.’’
Jamieson suspects Ole Kirk will race on in the autumn but admitted “there’s no doubt he’ll go to stud next year. I’d say the ownership group will get together in the next few weeks when we’re allowed and see where he’s going to stand and that the Hawkes’ will pick a path for the autumn.’’
Ole Kirk is one of 51 G1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018.
He today became the third consecutive Inglis graduate to win the Caulfield Guineas after Super Seth and The Autumn Sun.
Ole Kirk was one of two G1 winners for outstanding stallion Written Tycoon today.
There are three progeny of Written Tycoon at the upcoming Inglis Ready2Race Sale, for which inspections begin at Riverside this coming Friday, October 16.
To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.
Earlier at Caulfield, Easter entire Dirty Work (Written Tycoon) led in an Inglis graduates’ trifecta in the G2 Schillaci Stakes.
The 4YO came from last around the home turn to run down Premier Yearling Sale duo Diamond Effort and Octane.
“They didn’t go overly hard so I thought ‘gee he’s going to have to dig deep’ but it was centimetre perfect in the end,’’ co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.
“He’s a stallion now. I Am Invincible, they rate him as arguably the best stallion in the country…and he didn’t win a G1 race so this bloke has certainly got a home at stud now, he’s a belting looking horse with a beautiful attitude. It’s a big result for Spendthrift.’’
Spendthrift paid $800,000 for Dirty Work – who is bred by Rifa Mustang - at the 2018 Easter Yearling Sale, where Sledmere Stud offered him.
At Randwick, untapped Easter colt Wild Ruler put his hand up to fill the 12th and final Everest slot with another dominant win in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained 3YO firmed into $21 with TAB for The Everest, where he is in contention to fill the Chris Waller Racing slot.
“Our guys will talk to their guys…it’s food for thought.’’ Paul Snowden said.
“He’s still learning how to develop and how to settle in his races but the more racing he has, he’s certainly going to achieve that.’’
Wild Ruler is a $525,000 Easter Yearling Sale purchase for China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and Winstar from Kia Ora, who also bred the colt.
He becomes the fifth Inglis graduate in the past seven years to win the Roman Consul following the former successes of Cosmic Force (2019), Sesar (2018), Russian Revolution (2016) and Brazen Beau (2014)
And at Morphettville Ain’tnodeeldun (Dundeel) posted a second successive win when victorious in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes.
The race is historically used as a lead-up to the G1 Victoria Derby but trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman have hinted they will instead send their valuable 3YO to the paddock and pursue autumn riches instead.
The Freedman’s, along with Blue Sky Bloodstock, purchased Ain’tnodeeldun for $240,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft.
Ain’tnodeeldun is bred by Glentree’s Bruce Wilson.