Can Your 3YO Run a Mile?

Group I racing restricted to three year-olds is complete for this year so we’ve taken a look at the break down of winners and it’s worth noting that of the 19 Group I races for this cohort, 16 of them are run at distances of 1600m or further.

The majority of these races are worth $1million or more with the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas being the most lucrative this season carrying $3million in prizemoney.

Frequently the longer races have quite a tail to them as we breed comparatively few horses that are truly effective stayers, so horses that can get over ground can prove a great investment for connections.

A homebred for Woppitt Bloodstock, American Pharoah (USA) gelding Riff Rocket has been the standout three year-old winning three times at G1 level and amazing prizemoney of $3.5million.

He started this season following a quiet juvenile campaign that yielded one maiden win at Geelong from two starts, so it does make you wonder who next year’s three year-old stars will be!

There were also three colts that were able to win Group I races against all aged opposition and they are Celestial Legend (ATC Doncaster Handicap (1600m), Veight (ATC George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and Cylinder (VRC Newmarket Handicap).

While Cylinder has been retired to stud, Celestial Legend (Dundeel) and Veight (Grunt) will race on to the delight of racing fans that crave familiar faces to get behind and cheer.

3YO G1 Winners 2000m plus

3YO G1 Winners 1600m

3YO G1 Winners Less Than 1600m