Finishing a solid fifth last time out behind Salty Pearl in the $500,000 VOBIS Guineas, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Ghaiyyath (IRE) gelding Storm Leopard highlighted his G1 ATC Derby (2400m) claim with a strong victory in the $300,000 G2 ATC Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
Racing in the MyRacehorse silks, jockey Tommy Berry jumped away well from barrier 2, going forward to settle a few lengths off the race leader Shangri La Boy who kicked up the tempo mid race and went many lengths clear.
Six lengths clear before the home turn, Shangri La Boy was going to make every post a winner, but Berry had started to work home and put Storm Leopard into a challenging position.
With Shangri La Boy starting to put in the short strides, Strom Leopard idled up to him before charging away, eased down with 100m to go to win by a length and three-quarters from Matthew Smith’s 80/1 chance Eureka Rebel who became the fourth stakes performer for the former stable trained triple G1 winner Fierce Impact.
Another length and three quarters back in third was race leader Shangri La Boy with Ciaron Maher’s maiden galloper Decalogue (Extreme Choice) finishing back in fourth.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes was on course to speak post-race about the exciting victory.
“I’m glad we went here, that was very impressive,” enthused Hayes. “We’re excited and we’re going to have a good discussion about what we do with this horse in the next couple of days.
“We’ll definitely consider running in the Derby.
“We took him out of the noms unfortunately; we were going to go to Adelaide. But then we changed plans because he started to go so well. It’ll be a good discussion to have, if he pulls up well it’s definitely something that will be considered.”
When speak about the efforts of Ghaiyyath, Hayes was very complimentary of the stallion.
“He’s done a great job so far, he’s coming out winning everything.
“We’re very lucky to have a horse like him in our yard, and MyRacehorse are great supporters. Exciting times ahead.”
With Tommy Berry building a great relationship with MyRacehorse, having also guided Apocalyptic to multiple stakes victories including the G1 Flight Stakes as well as Ninja in the G2 Hobartville Stakes, the jockey was indicating that the Derby would be a good race for him.
“I’ve had a lot of luck in these colours, I chased Ben (Hayes) and he found me pretty quick too.” Said Berry. “I’ve got to say thanks to the whole team there at My Racehorse, they entrust me with a lot of good horses that they buy and this is another one.
“He just got into a lovely rhythm and then my mind was on Nash (Rawiller - on retired runner Arcora) to make sure he was alright.
“Then you’ve got to make sure you focus up again. He won with a lot of authority today, he had to chase a horse that was a tearaway leader. I tried to make it as easy as I could late because I’m hoping he’ll back up in the Derby.
“I would’ve loved to have something challenge him halfway down the straight because he felt like he was floating where he was.
“I had enough looks to make it as soft as I could late just in case he had to back up. He’s trained by a bunch of gentlemen that send their horses to Sydney in such great order so if they decided to go that way it wouldn’t be an issue.
“I’ll offer to pay the late entry if they want.
“He’s so clean winded, he’s a real stayer. The team have done a great job with him, bringing him here in such great order. I only got on for the first time today so thanks to the Hayes boys for the opportunity and looking forward to hopefully riding him in the Derby.”
Taking his record to three wins and a second from six starts with earnings of $245,450, Storm Leopard was a $125,000 purchase by his trainers from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Storm Leopard is the best of five winners from six to the race out of the Street Cry mare Brilliance from a family that just keeps giving.
Unraced, Brilliance is a three-quarter-sister to recent G1 Futurity Stakes winner Pericles, as well as being a half-sister to G1 winners Epaulette and Helmet and also the G2 winner Pearls and G3 winner Bullbars.
Brilliance was sold at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale from the draft of Godolphin, carrying Storm Leopard for $260,000 to Avenue Bloodstock. The mare unfortunately missed to Wootton Bassett (GB) in the following season before having consecutive colts by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr), followed by missing in the spring to Home Affairs.
Continuing the outstanding 2025/26 racing season for Darley’s Ghaiyyath, who has been represented by dual G1 winner Observer as well as a further five stakes performers, Storm Leopard becomes the 20 stakes performer for the son of Dubawi who currently sits in fourth position behind Street Boss, I Am Invincible and Snitzel on the Leading Australia 3YO Sires table.
