The greatest racehorse ever bred and raced in Australia by Godolphin, Anamoe won nine Group I races and was the Australian Horse of the Year in 2022/2023, so there was plenty of interest at the official 2YO trials at Randwick on Monday morning when his very first 2YO’s stepped out and they did not disappoint.
Anamoe had two runners and both of them won with Bjorn Baker trained colt Nonu creating a great impression with a three and a half length win in 49.02 seconds with Jason Collett in the saddle.
“He’s a son of Anamoe and we probably went beyond our budget in New Zealand to buy him,” said Bjorn Baker after the trial.
“Anamoe was a superstar racehorse and I think he will be a superstar stallion.
“I thought he would go well and there is not too much between him and our other winner Out of Bounds (Stay Inside) when they had a jump out and I know Jason (Collett) was very much looking forward to him, so he is an exciting horse.”
A $600,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase from Wentwood Grange for Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) / Ridgmont, Nonu is the first foal from stakes-winning Pride of Dubai mare Easifar, a half-sister to South African Group winner Readytogorightnow.
The female family traces back to legendary matriarch Denise’s Joy, so Nonu comes from an elite family that would suggest he’s got a lot more to offer as his career unfolds and if he does it at two that will be a bonus.
The Waterhouse Bott stable are also on board with Anamoe and produced his filly Runaway Diva to win the following heat in 49.22 seconds. Ridden by Rachel King, she went forward and gave a good kick to beat Victorian visitor Everlasting Grace, from the Clinton McDonald stable, by a long neck.
“The Anamoe’s in general have been very impressive with great constitutions and the way they handle themselves. Physically she’s a great example of them, a lovely strong type and I think there is a lot of improvement to come off the back of today,” said Adrian Bott.
“It was great to see the way she responded under pressure and kept finding.”
Runaway Diva was a $380,000 Magic Millions purchase from Raheen Stud for Monarch Racing/Catheryne Bruggeman/Paul Moroney Bloodstock and is the second foal of Fleet Dove, a metro winning Not a Single Doubt mare whop comes from the family of Group I winners Ofcourseican and Gimmethegreenlight.
Anamoe has over 100 2YO’s to run for him this season and no fewer than 66 are nominated for the 2027 Golden Slipper, which is more than double that of any other first season sire.
While Anamoe was a colossus as an older horse winning the Cox Plate as one of his nine G1 wins, he did makes his debut with a fifth in the Listed MRC Debutant Stakes in early October and then followed up to break his maiden at his second start in the Listed MRC Merson Cooper Stakes over 1000m in November.
Anamoe was very nearly the perfect Australian racehorse, fast and precocious, but at the same time with the stamina and physique to train on and win the best WFA races from 1600 to 2000m.
Fingers crossed for Anamoe, I think we’re all cheering him on!
