We are mid-way through 2023 and have already had some exciting races run and won. Currently, there have been 40 Group 1 races so far, showcasing some new up-and-coming talent. We will look back at a few stars we have seen this year and their stories on how they became Group 1 winners.

Kovalica (NZ)

Kovalica (NZ) has been a star in the making and showed huge potential very early on in his career. At only 3 years old he has won 6 of his 9 starts. He very quickly worked his way up the grades recently winning the Group 1 Queensland Derby. He won his maiden back in 2022 at Wyong by an easy 3 lengths over 1600m. It is safe to say he has improved as he steps up in trip.

Kovalica (NZ) was purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock in 2021 for $110,000 at the NZB Karaka Sales. He is currently trained by Chris Waller and as a result has amassed over $1,000,000 in prize money for his owners. He is the son of Ocean Park (NZ) out of the mare Vitesse (NZ). Evidently, both families carry impeccable bloodlines including the likes of Kolding, The Bostonian, and Tofane. Ocean Park stands at Waikato Stud for a fee of $33,000.

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Trainer Annabel Neasham currently has an Ocean Park colt advertised on Stridyl. Click here to find out more.

Think About It

Think About It is the 4-year-old son of So You Think (NZ) out of the mare Tiare (Flying Spur). Trained by Joe Pride at Warwick Farm, he was the 2023 winner of the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup. He is a winner of 8 from 9 starts as well as remaining unbeaten in his last 6 starts.

Bred by Lightning Thoroughbreds in 2018, he was later sold as a yearling through the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. Newgate Stud took him through the ring to be sold for $70,000 to Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride Racing. So far he has already earned more than $1,000,000 in prize money and given that he is a gelding, he will be able to have a longer racing career for his ownership group.

Giga Kick

Giga Kick has an interesting story that shouldn’t even exist. He is a 3-year-old son of Scissor Kick out the mare Rekindled Applause (GB). His sire is currently standing in North Africa for a small fee of $800 AUD. Trained by former jockey Clayton Douglas, he put his name on the map winning his first start by almost 4.5 lengths. His winning streak continued remaining unbeaten at 2 and 3. As a result, he was triumphant in The Everest last year at only his 5th career start. This year he has already won two Group 1’s including the Doomben 10,000 and the All-Aged Stakes.

Giga Kick was originally born at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley and was weaned at Bhima Stud. Unfortunately, he had severe colic and so he was even removed from the sale books. Surprisingly, this chestnut colt made a great recovery and six months later was still out in the paddock thriving. He was then booked for the Inglis HBTA Sale in Scone but was subsequently withdrawn and retained by his ownership group in Pinecliff Racing. He has already won over $9.5 million in just 10 starts and is showing more talent the older he gets.

Sunshine In Paris

A group 1 winner from only 5 starts, Sunshine In Paris is one of the most valuable racehorses going around currently. She is the daughter of Invader out of New Zealand mare Zenaida (NZ) and was trained by Annabel Neasham.  She won her maiden back in November 2022 at Canberra however a few months later gained Group 1 glory winning the Surround Stakes at Randwick in February 2023.

Bred by the successful Aquis Farm, This 3-year-old filly was originally sold back in 2022 at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale. The hammer went down for $90,000 to Champagne Bloodstock. In her short career, she has already won over $500,000 and gained the elusive group 1 status. However, she was recently put back through the 2023 MM Broodmare Sale as a part of the Newgate draft. She was sold to James Harron Bloodstock for $ 3.9 million. Luckily for her, she is still a very young filly with a lot of upside and hopefully, we will get to see her blossom in the years to come.

Anamoe

Anamoe needs no introduction and has become a household name during his racing career. The 4-year-old entire was recently retired to stud for a mere $121,000. He is the best-performed son of his sire Street Boss (USA) out of the Group 1 placed mare Anamato.

Anamoe was bred by the elite racing and breeding operation, Godolphin, and was trained by multiple Group 1 trainer James Cummings. One of his most notable starts was 2nd up in his two-year-old preparation when he came off the fence near the back of the field to win by a nose. One of his most exciting wins was in the Rosehill Guineas where he won by 6.5 lengths.

He finished out his career winning both the George Ryder Stakes and the Chipping Norton Stakes. This would bring his tally bringing him up to 9 group 1 races in his career. He will stand at Darley’s Kelvinside Stud in the Hunter Valley for the upcoming breeding season.

The Spring Carnival will be upon us very soon showcasing a lot of new talent. But for a lot of these horses, they still have a very exciting future ahead whether on the track or in the breeding barn.

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