Beauty Generation Captures Champions Mile

Mark Smith - Sunday April 29

Making full use of his inside barrier, Zac Purton sent the odds-on favourite Beauty Generation to the front in Sunday's Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin and dared his opponents to run him down.

None could, and the John Moore-trained gelding staked his claim for Horse Of The Year honours with his third Group 1 of the season following the Silver Jubilee on February 25 and the Hong Kong Mile back on December 10.

The son of Road To Rock defeated the John Size-trained Western Express (Encosta de Lago) by a length with Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt) three-quarter of a length back in third. (photo Grant Courtney)


"He didn't muster speed as well as I would have liked," Purton said.

"The others on the outside were in a bit of a hurry to get across me but luckily we were able to kick up underneath them and hold our spot.

"He is just honest – goes out and runs the same race every time and when he gets circumstances to suit you see how good he is."

Bred by Nearco Stud, Beauty Generation was a $60,000 purchase by Hermes Syndications from the Highden Park draft at the 2014 NZB Select Yearling Sale.

The 5yo gelding commenced his career with Anthony Cummings in Australia under the name Montaigne where he had seven starts that produced two wins and was runner-up in the 2016 Group 1 Rosehill Guineas behind Tarzino (Tavistock) before finishing fourth to Preferment (Zabeel) in the Group 1 The BMW.

Bred by Nearco Stud, Beauty Generation was offered by Highden Park at the 2014 NZB Select Sale, where he was knocked down to Hermes Syndications for $60,000.

He is the third foal of the unraced Bel Esprit mare Stylish Bell who is a half-sister to stakes winners Victory Trump (Euclase) and Savage Attack (Made Of Gold).

Stylish Bel has a 2yo colt by Echoes Of Heaven and a weanling colt by Tavistock.

She was covered by Tavistock's ATC Australian Derby winner and Beauty Generations conqueror Tavistock last spring.

Beauty Generation is the lone Group 1 winner for the Group 1 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Group 1 AJC George Main Stakes winner Road To Rock (Encosta de Lago) who stands at Wellfield Stud where his 2017 Fee was set at $4,500 + GST.

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
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.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.