Avilius Makes a Statement

Mark Smith - Saturday September 21

In the post Winx era, Godolphin's import Avilius (GB) staked his claim as the best horse in the land following a last to first win in Saturday's $750,000 Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

The James Cummings-trained son of Pivotal defeated the John Thompson-trained Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) by two and a quarter lengths with a further one and a quarter lengths back to the Pat Webster-trained Happy Clapper (Teofilo) in third. (images Steve Hart).


Winner of the Group 1 ATC Ranvet Stakes and Group 1 Tancred Stakes in a seven day period in the autumn, Avilius (GB) advances his record to 11 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds from 22 starts with earnings of $2,763,710.

"That was a Cox Plate effort today," Cummings told AAP.

"His first up runs so far this preparation demonstrated that he was more a Caulfield Cup horse, so we've got some thinking to do.

"But this is the demonstration of a horse that is well and truly back and firing.

"Great ride from Kerrin to be sweeping into the race off the back of that sort of pressure and I think the horse is well and truly on the path we needed to see him on."

Second behind the star Frankel colt Cracksman in the Group II Prix Niel at Chantilly just over two years ago, Avilius (GB) has been a star since he landed in Australia, reeling off four consecutive wins 12 months ago.

A brother to Group II Prix Guillaume d'Ornano winner and Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up, Saint Baudolino, and a half-brother to Listed winners Well Of Wisdom (Oasis Dream) and Army Bulletin (Invincible Spirit), Avilius is out of the winning Sunday Silence mare Alessandria whose dam Tereshkova (Mr Prospector) is a sister to Group 1 Middle Park Stakes winner and one season shuttler Lycius (USA).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Facile Win for Avilius in Tancred Stakes
Some of the greats of the turf have their name on the Group 1 Tancred Stakes honour board and even though Saturday's field at Rosehill Gardens was far from vintage, Avilius (GB) treated his opponents with contempt to keep his record in Sydney at a perfect five for five.
Best On Breeding
Born in 1993, Cheveley Park’s Pivotal maybe in his twilight years however it’s doubtful that his influence has ever been higher.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Injury ends French Group I-winners career
Injury has forced the retirement of this season's French Group I-winning filly Siyarafina.
Avilius Bounces Back in Ranvet Stakes
After disappointing in the Australian Cup, Godolphin's import Avilius (GB) kept his unbeaten record in Sydney intact with a dominant performance in Saturday's Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
Avilius Stakes His Claim for Australian Cup
Making his return to racing after being skittled on the first turn in the Melbourne Cup, Godolphin’s import Avilius (GB) looked a long way off the finished article in the saddling paddock but he looked a million dollars at the finish of Saturday’s Group III T S Carlyon Cup at Caulfield.