The inaugural $100,000 bonus on offer as part of the $5m Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series has today been won as the Brad Widdup-trained filly Art’s Alive (Snitzel) proved victorious at Coffs Harbour.
Art’s Alive was one of two runners eligible to claim the bonus in the Super Maiden Hcp (1000m), being an Inglis graduate from the 2023 sales season and paid up to the Inglis Race Series.
Winners are grinners, connections of Art's Alive - image Inglis
A textbook ride from jockey Andrew Adkins ensured the filly took home one of the biggest cheques for a Maiden victory in Australian racing history, earning her connections a total of $126,000 between race prizemoney, BOBS earnings and the $100,000 Inglis Bonus.
It was music to the ears of owners Brad Hunt and Ben Vassalo of BK Racing and Breeding, who bought the filly out of the Sledmere Stud draft for $350,000 at least year’s Easter Yearling Sale.
“We absolutely targeted the race due to the Inglis bonus, Brad suggested it and there were plenty of other options along the way that looked favourable for her but we were adamant this was the way to go, that’s serious prizemoney for any race let alone a Maiden, I mean you’re talking Group prizemoney, it exceeds Stakes prizemoney,’’ Vassalo said.
“It’s amazing, the Inglis prizemoney is exceptional and there’s no doubt this Maiden series is going to explode and plenty of people will be targeting these races moving forward, I know I will be.’’
Art's Alive was a $350,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Sledmere Stud.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was thrilled for Vassalo and connections.
“This is exactly what we wanted to see, our clients winning more prizemoney more often through Inglis and I’m really pleased for Mr Hunt, Ben and Brad Widdup that they’ve been able to enjoy this significant windfall today in the inaugural Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden,’’ Hutch said.
“It’s fantastic to see stables and owners targeting these races from the very outset and I expect that to only increase as the series continues to develop.
“The next three races are in Queensland, back in NSW at Randwick and then Victoria so it’s going to give a wide range of clients the opportunity to get involved in these $100,000 bonuses.’’
The Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series will see 50 Maidens per season incentivised with a $100,000 bonus to the winner.
Connections of a winner of a designated Maiden will receive the $100,000 bonus if the horse is an Inglis graduate from 2023 and beyond and paid up for the Inglis Race Series.
The eligible Maidens for the rest of 2024 have been announced and are available for inspection on the Inglis website HERE.
The next Xtra Bonus Maiden is at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday August 10 in the 3YO Maiden Hcp (1000m).
