Seasons Bloom Provides a First

Tara Madgwick - Monday November 20
Progressive five year-old Captain Sonador gelding Seasons Bloom captured his first Black Type win at Sha Tin on Sunday when taking out the Group II BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile and in so doing gave Arrowfield Stud's top class sire Not a Single Doubt his first stakes-winner as a broodmare sire.

Trained by Danny Shum, he was a leading player in last season's Four-Year-Old Classic Series and took the step up to open company with aplomb under Joao Moreira.

Seasons Bloom - Grant CourtneyHe steamed past the two-time G1 winner Helene Paragon for a half-length success in the 1600 metre feature and is now a leading candidate for the Group I LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 10 December.

"He's a very nice horse and I really think he's going to be right there with them on the big day," said Moreira, who won the HK International Mile on Able Friend in 2014.

"Based on what he's done today, you would think he'd be able to run well in the Hong Kong Mile next time because he beat some of the best horses in Hong Kong today, and he had to make it tough, being exposed three wide.

"Danny left the tactics in my hands; he didn't give me specific instruction, I was happy to help him to get going because he doesn't have much early speed. I was able to cross a few horses and get to a position three off the fence, obviously it wasn't ideal but at least he had cover and I got him to relax in a position just better than midfield.

"Once we straightened up, I held my nerve a little bit and he used pretty much everything he had in the last furlong, and he gave me plenty. Danny gave him a break and that paid off today."

Seasons Bloom has won six of 14 starts and was bred in Queensland by Basil Nolan at Raheen Stud.

He fetched $26,000 for Raheen Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale where he was purchased by Ampulla Lodge and went on to win a race in Victoria at his second start before he was sold to Hong Kong.

The third stakes-winner for Raheen Stud's ill-fated Captain Sonador, Seasons Bloom is the best of two winners from Pyramisa's Lass, an unraced half-sister by Not a Single Doubt to Group II winner Sharks Bay from the family of Group I winner Mirjulisa Lass.





Advertisment
More Reading...
Unbeaten $2.2million Zoustar Filly Poised for Black Type in 2026
The highest priced yearling by champion sire Zoustar sold in 2024 when fetching $2.2million at Inglis Easter, unbeaten filly Plaintiff took another step forward at Randwick on Saturday keeping her record perfect with three wins in as many starts.
10YO Sagunto Wins Third Manawatu Cup
Matamata visitor Sagunto etched his name into the folklore of the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m) when he claimed his third victory in the race with a brilliant front-running performance at Trentham.
Grafterburners Solidifies Magic Millions Sunlight Favouritism
Going three straight this time in and securing his first black type victory, the Listed BRC Gold Edition Plate (1200m) victory by Kelly Schweida’s 3yo Graff colt Grafterburners further enhanced his chances leading into the $3m TAB Magic Millions Sunlight Classic (1100m).
G3 Grand Prix Stakes To Snitzel’s Matias – Brother At Magic Millions
Breaking his maiden last time out over 1500m at Newcastle, 3yo Snitzel gelding Matias stepped up both in class and trip to win the $300,000 Group 3 BRC Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm and in the process added a lovely pedigree update to his Magic Millions bound brother.
Almanzor Rising Star Touchdown - Half-Brother for Karaka
Caulfield Heath has been a happy hunting ground for promising Kiwi bred four-year-old Touchdown in recent weeks, and the New Zealand-bred son of Almanzor recorded his third consecutive win at the venue in Saturday’s A$80,000 MRC Membership Feel The Thrill Handicap (1800m).
Unit Five Delivers in $250,000 Magic Millions Victoria 2YO
There was a real mixture of tears and happiness for everyone at Widden Stud when the two year-old Supido colt named for the late Stud Manager David Merrick made a winning debut in the $250,000 Magic Millions Victoria 2YO Classic (1100m).
Sires With Winners - Friday December 19
Here is the full list of 78 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New SW Almanzor - Lux Libertas Wins G2 Manawatu Challenge
Cambridge Stud's Almanzor (Fr) is a sire on fire on Saturday with five winners across Australia and New Zealand including a new stakes-winning mare in Lux Libertas that traces back to an iconic Australian female family.
Lara Antipova Wins G2 Challenge – Three-Quarter Brother Inglis Classic
Fortuna Racing look to have another exciting filly on their hands after flashy filly Lara Antipova romped to victory in the Group II Windsor Park Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday bringing an exciting pedigree update for her three-quarter brother headed to 2026 Inglis Classic.
Almanzor Caulfield Double
Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor (Fr) was credited with a winning double at Caulfield Heath on Saturday when Roadcone held on for an all-the-way victory in the A$130,000 Magic Millions Digital Handicap (1500m) bringing a pedigree update for his half-sister by Ghaiyyath (IRE) that heads to Karaka Book 1 for Curraghmore.