One to Watch – Sapphire Coast

Tara Madgwick - Sunday Jul 24

The Danny Williams stable is about more than just Shelby Sixtysix and one of his up and comers scored a good win when returning at the Sapphire Coast on Sunday offering the potential of a swift return to Highway class Saturday racing.

Promising Nicconi three year-old Prince Nicconi was having his first run back from a spell and his first since being gelded.

Earlier this year he posted impressive wins at Wagga and Goulburn before finishing third to his high profile stablemate Shelby Sixtysix in a Highway race at Randwick on February 26.

A short priced favourite for the 1000m sprint on Sunday, he scored by a length and has now won three of six starts earning over $67,000 in prizemoney.

In July 2020, Danny Williams was at the centre of a tragic racefall in Sydney when his talented  two year-old Hot ‘n’ Hazy was euthanised after falling at Rosehill in a dramatic incident which left his jockey Andrew Adkins in hospital with multiple injuries.

Advertisement

Adkins recovered and is now back riding again, while the grief of Williams and his team in losing such a promising young horse struck a chord with bloodstock agent James Harron, who set about finding him a replacement.

Prince Nicconi (chestnut) was bought from the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale.

Harron looked to the 2020 Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale where he purchased Prince Nicconi from the draft of Blake Ryan Racing for $85,000 with a big team of owners coming on board to race the youngster and James Harron Bloodstock staying in the ownership for a small share.

A big powerful chestnut in the Nature Strip mould, Prince Nicconi was bred by Tyreel Stud, who sold him at Inglis Classic as a yearling for $85,000.

He is the first winner for stakes-placed Henny Hughes (USA) mare Lil’ Red Corvette, whose fourth dam is Group I winning stayer Mapperley Heights, who was second in a Melbourne Cup.

Advertisment

Race Result - Great Southern Inn Hcp (C2) 1000m

Sapphire Coast Track: Heavy(8) Time: 0:59.00
1
Prince Nicconi
- 3g Nicconi (AUS) x Lil Red Corvette (AUS) (Henny Hughes (USA))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: Nick Heywood 59.5
2
1.0
Bold Offa
- 3c Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Bold Countess (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: A L McRae Rdr: Damon Budler 57.5
3
3.0
Song Cycle
- 3g Epaulette (AUS) x Ancient Song (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: B Joseph & P & M Jones Rdr: Q Krogh 55.5
4
4.6
Chiranjeev
- 3g The Factor (USA) x Agueda (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Anthony Mountney Rdr: Ms R Freeman 59.5
5
4.7
Lai See
- 4m Squamosa (AUS) x Random Act (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Morrison Rdr: Olivia Chambers 51.5
6
4.8
Blackhill Kitty
- 4m Ready For Victory (AUS) x Bad Kitty (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: Natalie Jarvis Rdr: Ruby Haylock 52.5
7
5.4
Little River Rose
- 3f Your Song (AUS) x French Rose (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Aaron Clarke Rdr: R Bensley 55.5
More Reading...
Breeding To Win - G1 CF Orr Stakes
The last Autumn running of the CF Orr Stakes in 2025 closed a long chapter when Another Wil narrowly denied Mr Brightside consecutive victories and the historic first running of the “new” race in November last year had a worthy winner in race favourite Jimmysstar, who is back to defend his title.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Three trials for juveniles were run at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning with winners for Ciaron Maher, Bjorn Baker and the Waterhouse Bott stable.
Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill Appointed NZB’s American Representatives
NZB are thrilled to announce the appointment of Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill as American-based Sale Representatives.
Invincible Filly Explosive on Debut
The first Canterbury night meeting of a new season kicked off in style on Friday evening with 3YO I Am Invincible filly From Me to You blasting her rivals on debut to win as she pleased.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
G1 CF Orr Stakes - An Old Race in a New Time Slot
Four days of Flemington action are behind us for another year, and what a grand feast of horse racing it was - now Melbourne’s carnival continues with the second running of the MRC's time-honoured G1 CF Orr Stakes, in its new place on the racing calendar.
Alabama Express Filly to Back up in G1 2000 NZ Guineas
Dashing Dixie was the bridesmaid last weekend when runner-up to Angels Halo in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and her connections are hoping she can be the bride on Saturday when she backs up in the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
Gundagai Maiden Winners Collect $72,000!
For many racehorses the only race they will ever win is their maiden and Inglis have spread the money into this very important area with their Xtra Bonus Series and two $50,000 bonuses went off at the always popular Snake Gully Cup meeting at Gundagai on Friday to the great delight of connections of Essay and Southern Grace.
2027 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1881 entries for the 2027 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?
Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century
It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.