Breeder Greg Perry has celebrated many G1 successes over the years but admits today’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes win by Inglis Classic graduate Sepals (Calyx) is “pretty special”.
The progressive 4YO gelding – trained by former champion Singapore trainer Cliff Brown – was today having just his seventh career start in Caulfield’s $1m feature and stamped himself as a star on the rise with a tenacious victory over the 1400m.
He clocked a sizzling 1:21.39, which is just shy of Exceed and Excel’s 1400m track record, set in the same race 22 years ago.
In a 15 horse field, Sepals, who jumped from barrier 14, had to work to settle outside the leader Zarastro before hitting the front on the turn, staving off late challengers to give trainer and part-owner Cliff Brown his first Australian G1 success since returning to these shores four years ago.
Brown paid $80,000 for Sepals at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, when offered by Vinery Stud.
“The story goes back a long way, which is what makes it so special,” breeder Perry said.
“I had the granddam Pussycat Dream (Oasis Dream) and she rated really well with Casino Prince so I sent her to him and she foaled a filly called What’s New.
“At the time Cliff Brown had said that he’d love to give a couple of fillies a chance in Singapore, so What's New went there and she won two Stakes races and almost won the Triple Crown for 4YOs.
“In her maiden season, she matched up really well with first season sire Calyx, who was brilliantly fast himself. It was 4x4 inbreeding to Hope, the symmetry is magnificent.
“So I duly sent her to Calyx and the result was Sepals. Cliff Brown had the inside knowledge when he saw him at the Classic Sale, having trained What’s New and it’s pretty special to see it come full circle like this.
“It was a genius ride from Craig Williams but for the horse to just keep finding, after being pushed up the hill at Caulfield – well, the sky looks to be the limit with him."
Greg Perry also tasted Stakes success last week when Inglis Easter graduate Sixties (Flying Artie) – a full brother to Artorius – scored impressively in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality.
“I spoke to Chris Waller last week and I think he’ll head to the Golden Rose,” Perry said.
“As anyone will tell you, racing and breeding is a four-legged lottery but I’ve been obsessed with it since I was a young boy.
“I’m 71 now and it’s been my passion. It’s really rewarding and I’ve been very blessed.”
Sepals is the 109th individual G1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018 and one of 46 that could have been bought for $100,000 or less.
Earlier on the Caulfield card, Estremo (Extreme Choice) raced into G1 Caulfield Guineas calculations with victory in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), his second win in five starts.
The Chris Waller-trained 3YO colt was bred by SF Bloodstock and Blake Sandblom.
Offered at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Newgate Farm, he was bought by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock for $230,000.
In the G3 Naturalism Stakes, Inglis Digital graduate Half Yours (St Jean) booked a berth in the G1 Caulfield Cup next month by comprehensively dispatching his 15 rivals.
Half Yours was a $305,000 buy for Belmont Bloodstock from the 2024 November (Late) Online Sale, when offered as part of the Halo Racing Unreserved Reduction Sale.
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, it’s the 5YO gelding’s second black type win, having claimed the Listed Caloundra Cup during the winter.
At Randwick, a blistering performance from Joliestar (Zoustar) in the $1m G2 The Shorts (1100m) saw her earnings surpass the $5 million mark.
A $950,000 buy for Cambridge Stud from the draft of Segenhoe Stud at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, it was a seventh career victory for the 5YO mare who now targets the $20m The Everest.
The Chris and Jane Barham-bred star is from a family synonymous with Australia’s best yearling sale, with her G1-winning granddam Legally Bay having been sourced from the auction, while her high-class relatives Merchant Navy and Airman were sold at the sale.
The G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap was won by the consistent 7YO gelding With Your Blessing (Vadamos), who led all the way in the 1400m event.
He was offered by Wentwood Grange at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and bought by J Gorman for just $70,000.
The John Thompson trainee has now won 7 races and over $788,000 in prizemoney.
On Friday at Newcastle, Oh Diamond Lil (So You Think) led home an Inglis quinella in the G3 Tibbie Stakes, defeating Verona Rose.
The 5YO mare was a $200,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale buy for David Pfieffer and Koolman Bloodstock from the Maluka Farm draft.
Also at Newcastle, Inglis Digital graduate Headley Grange (Exosphere) took out the G3 Cameron Handicap for trainer Joe Pride.
A 5YO gelding, Headley Grange was bought for $120,000 by HDB Bloodstock in the 2023 November (Late) Online Sale and has won over $820,000 in prizemoney.
The Inglis Digital September (Late) Online Sale is currently open for bidding, to view the catalogue CLICK HERE.
