The $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday featured a very competitive field of fillies drawing from different formlines, but in the end there was a commanding winner with St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) filly Saintly Dancer proving best on the day.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, Saintly Dancer blasted her rivals last start to win the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes over 1600m, but the heavy track that day raised a little question mark as to the dominance of that win.
Sent out today on a good track with Blake Shinn to ride Saintly Dancer had something to prove and she did it no uncertain terms.
Driven forward to lead, Saintly Dancer set the tempo all the way from her stablemate Icelady and they were the first two turning for home and the first two at the finish with the daughter of St Mark’s Basilica scoring by a length and a half with race favourite Regal Ambition running home for third.
SAINTLY DANCER ALL THE WAY ???? Blake Shinn goes back-to-back in the Thousand Guineas as Ciaron Maher's filly leads throughout! @blake_shinn @cmaherracing https://t.co/hta9GZnPhC
— 7HorseRacing ?? (@7horseracing) October 17, 2026
“She was able to lead and control the race,” Blake Shinn said.
“She got into a great position. There was a little bit of pressure, but I think the draw ultimately won us the race, because I was able to hold the fence, get a nice little breather down the side, but I didn’t back off too much. She told me how fast she wanted to go, and around the turn I was supremely confident. She kept that gallop up. All the stars aligned today, so I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Both the winner and the runner-up Icelady are trained by Ciaron Maher, who was in Sydney for the Everest victory of stable star Tempted with Jack Turnbull on hand at Caulfield.
“I favoured Icelady pre-race, but you don’t mind being wrong under these circumstances,” Jack Turnbull said.
“To get a Group One quinella is very special for Ciaron and the whole team.
“That was very, very impressive. Saintly Dancer is a serious filly. There’s been a question mark whether or not she goes further, and looking at her physically you’re probably a fraction apprehensive, but she just keeps proving us wrong. She’s now a Group One winner, and that’s what it’s all about.
“For a filly bought for $100,000 to become a Group One winner is a dream. It’s what it’s all about and gives everyone the chance to get into a racehorse. The journey that she has taken us on, and First Light, has been amazing so far. She’s been lightly raced, she will strengthen up further and will get better.”
Saintly Dancer has the overall record of three wins and two seconds from six starts with prizemoney of $1.1million.
A $100,000 Magic Millions purchase from Wentwood Grange for First Light Racing Pty Ltd/Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, Saintly Dancer was bred by the Hawkins family’s Llanhennock Trust and is the second winner from three foals to race from Thinkyoucandance, a winning So You Think daughter of imported US Group III winner Orchestrator (USA).
Saintly Dancer is the first Group I winner in Australia and third overall for St Mark’s Basilica, who is back at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $38,500.
