One To Watch - Sale

Mark Smith - Sunday September 11

As a $1,150,000 half-brother to Profondo, Custodian carried the weight of expectations when making his career debut in the Group III Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on March 13.

Custodian looking a million dollars (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

After eyeballing the eventual winner Queen Of The Ball, Custodian ran out of puff to finish sixth at what proved to be his only run at two.

Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, the son of Shalaa (IRE) made his 3yo bow in an 1100m maiden at Sale on Sunday and won with a degree of authority.

Ridden by Ethan Brown, Custodian travelled sweetly from an inside barrier. Once balanced up in the straight, he lengthened impressively to defeat the Written Tycoon gelding Cannon by a length and a half with the Reward For Effort mare Chaichna a further three lengths back in third.

Ethan Brown said Custodian still has a bit to learn but accelerated impressively when asked for an effort.

Bred by Arrowfield stud, Custodian is a $1,150,000 purchase for James Harron Bloodstock at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

His half-brother Profondo was the $1.9 million sale topper at the same venue in 2020. The son of Deep Impact (JPN) won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last spring.

Their dam Honesty Prevails made it three consecutive seven-figure lots when her Dundeel colt was knocked down to Hawkes Racing for an even $1,000,000 at Inglis Easter in April. He has been named Sekani.

Custodian a $1,150,000 Magic Millions yearling

A daughter of Redoute’s Choice, Honest Prevails won the Group III Widden Stakes at Rosehill at her career debut for Rick Worthington, who had secured her for $750,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Honesty Prevails is a half-sister to stakes-placed Aerobar (Flying Spur) out of the Hussonet (USA) mare Flavoured.

After missing in 2020, Honesty Prevails was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.

Custodian is the highest-priced son of Shalaa (IRE) sold at public auction. The dual Group 1 winning son of Invincible Spirit stands at a fee of $33,000 at Arrowfield Stud this spring. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Book Sale Cup Tickets Now Mdn 1100m

Sale Track: Good(4) Time: 1:04.71
1
Custodian
- 3c Shalaa (IRE) x Honesty Prevails (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Ethan Brown 57
2
1.5
Cannon
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Tuscan Sling (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57
3
4.5
Chaichna
- 4m Reward For Effort (AUS) x Rose Of Chaparral (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Martin Gray Rdr: Randy Tan 57.5
4
6.2
Habeebati
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Bint Snitzel (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: M J Dee 55
5
7.7
Juelene
- 4m Rebel Dane (AUS) x Little Hottie (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: K F Milham Rdr: Carleen Hefel 57.5
6
8.5
Black Shiraz
- 3g Dissident (AUS) x Medea (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: J Mott 57
7
9.0
Russian Rhapsody
- 9m Ustinov (AUS) x Poetic Dancer (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Russell W J Clarke Rdr: Sheridan Clarke 55.5
8
9.7
Moonlight Rustler
- 6g Squamosa (AUS) x Gold Plume (AUS) (Bon Hoffa (AUS))
Tnr: W J Wood Rdr: Beau Mertens 59.5
9
9.8
Snow Falcon
- 3f Lonhro (AUS) x Snow Surrender (AUS) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Zac Spain 55
10
10.3
Miss O'Hara
- 4m War (AUS) x Reine Du Soir (AUS) (Peintre Celebre (USA))
Tnr: Ms C Martindale Rdr: B Higgins 57.5
11
12.1
Keina
- 4m Mikki Isle (JPN) x Alamein (AUS) (Time Thief (AUS))
Tnr: K F Milham Rdr: Lewis German 57.5
12
19.1
Fredley
- 4g Strada (AUS) x Pointing To Gold (AUS) (Niello (AUS))
Tnr: Jackson Pallot Rdr: J Maskiell 59.5
More Reading...
Kiwi Grey Targets Subzero on Cup Day
The Subzero Handicap (1400m), a race solely for registered grey thoroughbreds, has proven to be a fan favourite at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, and this year, Kiwis will have their own grey to barrack for.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Bellatrix Star May Back Up in G1 Champions Sprint
Te Akau and Fortuna Racing’s filly Bellatrix Star proved she is among Australia’s top sprinting three-year-olds last Saturday at Flemington, finishing second in the A$2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Kiwi Longshot Hope for Cup
Grant Cooksley came tantalisingly close to getting his hands on the Melbourne Cup as a jockey, and he is hoping to rectify that on Tuesday as a trainer when he lines-up Trust In You in the two-mile feature.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Two heats at the Rosehill trials on Monday morning over 900m and the quickest of those was won by an expensive son of Golden Slipper winning first season sire Farnan.
Melbourne Cup Tips – Tara Talks Racing
Tara Talks Racing is now online having had a Sunday arvo drink or two as we go through the Cup horses, so what do Clocker and I like for this year’s Melbourne Cup?
Zoustar 6YO Stepping up to 2000m
Pre-post favourite Habana will head into unfamiliar territory at Ellerslie, but there is confidence in his camp that it will be a smooth transition.
Will it be a fairytale finish for Tasmanian-bred mare The Map?
Fresh from sweeping the sire awards at the 2024 Tasmanian Racing Awards this season, the Armidale Stud team is in line for another significant achievement with The Map (Alpine Eagle x This Moment) flying the flag for resident stallion Alpine Eagle in the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5 November.
Te Akau Chasing Another Cup Day Success
Last year’s Melbourne Cup Day concluded in success for Mark Walker in the Gr.3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m), a race he will chase back-to-back crowns in on Tuesday with Kiwi mare Quintessa.