At a time when many breeders are questioning the economics of producing thoroughbreds for a contracting commercial market, unbeaten three-year-old filly Here’s Matilda is providing a timely reminder of the rewards that can come from breeding to race.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, Here’s Matilda has won both of her starts at Sandown: a 1200-metre maiden on 8 July and a 1400-metre benchmark race on 29 July. The daughter of Shamus Award and Bali Beach was bred from a long-term plan developed by Seymour Bloodstock’s Darren Thomas and Mark Pilkington with partners.
Maher Pleased by Progressive Homebred
Maher completed the 2025/26 season as Victoria’s leading trainer, winning the Victorian Trainers’ Premiership and a sixth consecutive Victorian Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership. He said Here’s Matilda’s steady progression had allowed the stable to learn about her without placing her under unnecessary pressure.
"She’s just snuck up on us, really. Thommo is always patient, so we only ever took her as far as she wanted to take us. The metrics from her first win told us we had a nice, progressive filly. Seeing Pilk at a July midweek meeting confirmed it." - Ciaron Maher, trainer.
"We’ve got a good opinion of this filly’s younger half-sister too. It’s really pleasing for a great group of long-time stable supporters to have a couple of promising homebreds."
From Tried Horses to Trying to Breed One
The familiar Seymour colours have been carried by an accomplished group of tried horses and imports in recent seasons, including Group 1 Metropolitan winner Mirage Dancer, Perth Cup winner Neufbosc, Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner He’s Our Rokkii, Floating Artist, Uncle Bryn, Brayden Star and 2025 Seymour Cup winner Cote Atlantique.
As international tried-horse prices rose, however, Thomas and Pilkington began looking for another path.
"The tried horses were getting too dear - or perhaps we were just getting too tight. We knew we did not have the international buying expertise or scale of some of the established syndicators, so we decided: let’s try to breed one." - Mark Pilkington, Seymour Bloodstock
A Melbpourne Cup Clue Leads to Bali Beach
The plan began during mating discussions with Godolphin Australia Managing Director Andy Makiv, who mentioned a talented Teofilo three-year-old in Charlie Appleby’s stable with a chance in the 2018 Melbourne Cup. That horse was Cross Counter, who went on to win the race.
Seymour Bloodstock traced the family to Spain and secured Cross Counter’s half-sister, Bali Beach. She was later covered by Shamus Award, then enjoying a remarkable run through elite middle-distance performers including Incentivise and Oaks winners Duais, El Patroness and Media Award.
"We bought Bali Beach hoping to breed a genuine stayer. Here’s Matilda is the result. It looks like we may have fluked a good mare - and it pays to listen to clever people." - Mark Pilkington.
The family soon produced another significant Australian connection when the Maher-trained Floating Artist emerged from the same female line and finished fourth in the 2021 Melbourne Cup behind Verry Elleegant and Incentivise.
Breeding to Race Opens a Different Path
Makiv and former apprentice Will Bourne of Maher Racing encouraged the ownership group - Seymour Bloodstock, Blair Denys, Damien Degenhardt and Taisen Maddern - to send Bali Beach to Godolphin’s champion European racehorse Ghaiyyath.
Because the filly was being bred to race rather than prepared for the yearling sales, the group could look beyond the speed-led commercial market and prioritise the mating they believed would suit the mare.
"Andy and Will pointed out that we were not restricted by the commercial market. We could give the foal time and grow her out. The resulting three-year-old, Levate, has the TT gene profile we were chasing, so we are hopeful she can develop towards the spring staying races for fillies." - Mark Pilkington
Ghaiyyath’s credentials as a staying influence have continued to strengthen, led in Australia by dual Group 1 winner Observer, winner of the Victoria Derby and Australian Guineas.
The Long Game Starts to Pay
"Pilk and I are really enjoying the whole ‘trying to breed one’ caper at our farm - but geez, it takes a long time, and it is not necessarily as cheap as we thought, but the VOBIS Scheme certainly helps and results like Here’s Matilda make it all worthwhile for the team." - Darren Thomas, Seymour Park principal partner
Thomas said the filly’s emergence was particularly rewarding for a group with deep experience across racing and breeding. Degenhardt and Maddern have raced numerous Group 1 horses, while Denys has embraced the breeding industry through his interest in Lovatsville’s Group 1-winning young stallion Move To Strike.
Seymour Bloodstock also has a small interest, through South Australia’s Terrace Syndicate, in Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s 2025 Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours.
Degenhardt, who previously raced Caulfield Cup winners Jameka and Duke De Sessa, won a coin toss for the right to race Here’s Matilda in his colours.
"I was told breeding them was a long-term but very rewarding project. The boys were right - I’m really enjoying Here’s Matilda’s progress." - Damien Degenhardt,
The name carries an extra family connection: both Pilkington and Degenhardt have a Matilda at home, giving the filly an added significance beyond the racecourse.
Patience Remains the Priority
Despite her unbeaten start, Here’s Matilda will not be rushed. In keeping with the patient approach of the Seymour Park and Ciaron Maher Racing teams, she has been sent to the paddock for a spring break.
"She still has plenty of maturing to do. Spring racing is wonderful, but my old boss David Hayes always said a spring paddock can be a very good place for a young horse." - Mark Pilkington
Bali Beach is now due to foal to Maher’s Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip, who stands at Lovatsville alongside Move To Strike. Lovatsville’s diverse 2026 roster also welcomes Espionage, the million-dollar Zoustar colt and multiple Group-winning juvenile.
A return to Ghaiyyath remains under consideration. If chosen, it will be a literal walk-on mating: Seymour Park and Godolphin’s Northwood Park are neighbours on the Goulburn River
Seymour Park Release
