The Factor Breaks The Ice

Mark Smith - Saturday May 25

Former Newgate Farm shuttler The Factor (USA) broke his stakes duck in Australia when the Bjorn Baker-trained Fun Fact led at every call in Saturday's Group III Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm.

Fresh off a win in a benchmark 68 at Warwick Farm, Fun Fact was rated to perfection by Michael Cahill to defeat the Redoute's Choice filly Angel Of Heaven by a length with the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding Home Made a short-neck back in third.

"I thought he might've been going a bit keen and halfway down the straight I thought we were in trouble and we haven't had much luck with him this preparation," Baker said.

"Big shout out to Craig Tognolini, he's been the best bloodstock agent I've ever found, he's a part-owner of this horse and Redouble running later on.

Advertisement

"It's been a good syndicate, they have been patient and it hasn't worked out to well until the last two runs.

"He's bred to get the trip even though he is by The Factor (USA) but the main aim was to qualify him for the Magic Millions staying race next January and we've got the (Queensland) derby to look forward to."

Originally trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Fun Fact advances his record to 5 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 19 starts with earnings of $224,455.


Consigned by Edinburgh Park to the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Fun Fact (pictured as a yearling ) was knocked down to Spendthrift Farm for $240,000, which made him the most expensive yearling by his sire in Australia.

He is the second foal and second winner out of the Listed Canberra Cup winner Fill The Page (Dane Shadow) who was a $12,000 Scone Yearling that was purchased by Edinburgh Park for $26,000 out of the Bendaree Park draft at the 2013 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.

Fill The Page has a weanling colt by So You Think and was covered by Merchant Navy last spring.

Fun Fact becomes the 16th stakes-winner world-wide for The Factor (War Front) who spent four seasons at Newgate (2014-17) before being exported to Japan last year.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday December 18
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G3 Eulogy Shines Spotlight On Emerging NZB Filly of the Year Contenders
Undefeated filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) has dominated the early stages of the 2025-26 NZB Filly of the Year Series, but the complexion of the series might start to change with this weekend’s fifth leg.
One to Watch – Seymour
With his oldest progeny now three year-olds Russian Camelot (IRE) can be expected to start making his presence felt a little more and he had an impressive winner at Seymour on Thursday for Roll the Dice Racing.
Fun Winner for Spendthrift
Newgate Farm’s flashy grey shuttler The Factor (USA) is not coming to the Hunter Valley this spring, but he did feature at Sandown on Wednesday with an impressive winner carrying the Spendthrift Australia colours.
Stakes Next for The Factor Winner
Astute trainer David Payne has high hopes for his progressive gelding Momentum Factor, who cast off maiden status with a strong finishing win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Magic Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Magic Bloodstock colours made famous by the great champion Winx were in action at Canterbury on Friday night carried to victory in the opening race by promising Wootton Bassett (GB) filly Wootton Way.
Mega Maiden Bonus for Up-And-Comer Chilling Out (NZ)
A lucrative victory in Wednesday’s NZB Mega Maiden Series (1400m) at Ruakaka could be a stepping stone to bigger things for Chilling Out (NZ) (Savabeel).
Waller Targets G3 Grand Prix with Kiwi Bred 3YO
The Chris Waller-trained John Dory contests the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with the progressive galloper installed a $3 favourite for the three-year-old contest.
Magic Millions Comes to Caulfield – Check Out the Sale Mail
Spots on the Gold Coast will be up for grabs at Caulfield Heath this Saturday with qualification pathways to next month’s $13.5 million Magic Millions Raceday including the $250,000 MM Victoria 2YO Classic (1100m).
Shalaa Filly Puts Them to the Sword in $125,000 GC 1000
The Bjorn Baker trained Shalaa (IRE) filly Swordplay has a wing on every foot and she dazzled at the Gold Coast on Friday night when showing brilliant gate speed to lead throughout and win the $125,000 Evegreen Turf GC 1000 (1000m).