Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Thursday September 14

Fans will be hoping that King's Gambit will take his first steps on an Anamoe-like trajectory when he makes his three-year-old bow in Saturday's Listed Winning Edge Presentations Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.

On the day that Anamoe defeated I'm Thunderstruck, Zaaki (GB), Mr Brightside, and Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield, the crowd was still buzzing from the jaw-dropping debut of King's Gambit in the Debutant Stakes (1000m).

A stunning debut (image Grant Courtney)

With Blake Shinn sitting near motionless, the son of I Am Invincible cruised to a 5-length win and was made favourite for everything.

He did not win another race.

Sixteen weeks after his debut, King's Gambit separated Red Resistance and future Golden Slipper winner Shinzo in the Group III Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill when a long odds-on favourite.

It was a similar story at his next start in the Group II Silver Slipper stakes at Rosehill, where he could do no better than third to Cylinder and Platinum Jubilee.

By the time of the Golden Slipper, much of the gloss had gone off King's Gambit, but he was not without support.

The talented colt finished as well as anything to grab third, beaten just over two and a half lengths.

It may not have been in the league of Anamoe's flashing second from last on the turn, but it was the culmination of a successful season that left a bit in the bag.

Bred by Gooree Stud, King's Gambit races for a syndicate that includes Newgate Bloodstock and China Horse Club Racing.

Gooree has a long tradition of sourcing some of America's most revered bloodlines, and King's Gambit is no exception. His dam Sultry Feeling (Encosta de Lago) traces back to the Tartan Farm family of Cozzene.

Trained by James Cummings, Sultry Feeling won the Group III ATC Birthday Card Stakes and Group III ATC Triscay Stakes, defeating Peeping. She bowed out of racing with a third in the Group 1 Tattersalls Tiara at Eagle Farm.

Cummings prophetically said, "I know one thing: when she retires at the end of this preparation, she will throw a lovely colt or filly and be a great broodmare.

Exciting times ahead (George Sal/Racing Photos)

A Group 1 also eluded Sultry Feeling's triple Group III-winning half-brother Swift Alliance. The son of Don Eduardo fell just short of Group 1 glory when edged out by Shellscrape in the Group 1 Galaxy at Randwick when conceding the winner 3.5kgs.

Sultry Feeling's talented half-sister Tzu His (Quest For Fame) is the dam of Group II ATC Shannon Stakes winner Rock Sturdy (Fastnet Rock), who carried the Gooree colours to a third-place finish behind Turn Me Loose and Politeness in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington.

Sultry Feeling's dam Visual Emotion (USA) is the daughter of the Deputy Minister stallion, Silver Deputy (CAN). She did her racing in Australia when trained by Gai Waterhouse.

In a 5-start career, Visual Emotion (USA) won at Newcastle and twice at Wyong.

Visual Emotion (USA) died in 2012, leaving just five foals. Sultry Feeling and Tzu His are her only fillies.

Chris Waller purchased a Snitzel filly out of Sultry Feeling for $825,000 from the Newgate draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

The daughter of Encosta De Lago delivered a rare jewel last spring in the shape of an Extreme Choice filly before trekking back to Yarraman Park or a date with I Am Invincible. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.