Can one say, the $1m James Squire Golden Rose Stakes is Sydney’s third 3YO Spring Classic, as it’s certainly a leader in the nation’s sire-making classics.
Championed by former Sydney Turf Club President Mr Bill Picken, it was rebirthing the former Peter Pan Stakes that was run September at Rosehill Gardens, and with a $1 million purse.
First won by the Noel Matfield-Smith gelding In Top Swing in 2003 before going to claim the Caulfield Guineas, it was Duporth in 2008 that a colt won, who later sired Group 1 hero Hey Doc.
“About the time that I noticed a drop in the Golden Slipper nominations I could see our racing and breeding was looking for change, and the Golden Rose soon enhanced the Golden Slipper.”
“The speed 2yo sires of Star Kingdom, Todman, Biscay and Sostenuto were dwindling, and our breeding industry was expanding with more British, European and American ‘miler’ sires.”
“A plus for the future of the Golden Rose, that many of the imported stallions were mated to the speed Todman-Biscay tougher style line mares that produced a top-quality sprinter-miler.”
“Many resulting foals had the speed and stamina to contest and win the Slipper lead-up races as the Todman and Gloaming, but not the brilliance of the Slipper, and waited for Randwick.”
“The Sires of 1400m and the 1600m Champagne Stakes expand with fresher distance 2yo’s and challenged the Slipper winners in a contest that’s worthy of the Sydney 2YO Triple Crown.”
“In addition, the former top-line 2yo’s, now 3yo’s, can stay in Sydney as the Golden Rose is their Spring Group 1 and now no need to travel to Melbourne, or wait until the Randwick Spring.”
“The Golden Rose is run alongside the Group 2 Golden Pendant of 1400m for fillies and mares, with two weeks prior the Group 2 Run to The Rase of 1200m and earlier The Rosebud at 1100m.”
Of course, on President Jim Fleming saying “That’s got legs – I’ll support it,” the Board accepted the proposal and with the Golden Rose entries combined with the Slipper, nominations rose.”
“Although difficult, the Peter Pan was Group 2, but the Golden Rose had to drop to un-Listed with the name change even though with $1million hike, but has grown to Group 3, 2 and Group 1.”
And, again it’s the blue of Godolphin who have Broadsiding as $3 favourite with betting sites in Australia, ridden by James McDonald, its the navy blue of Coolmore with Storm Boy at $4.80.
With Broadsiding Jumping from Gate 1 of 11 for James Cummings, and to give Godolphin eight race wins, its Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with Adam Hyeronimus on Storm Boy in Gate 11.
Winner of the Fernhill Handicap in April as his first win, Broadsiding then won the Champagne Stakes of 1600m, and in June the BTC Sires’ Produce Stakes of 1400m and JJ Atkins Stakes 1600m.
With Broadsiding having four wins and $1.9m in stakes, its Storm Boy with five and $2.78m being third in the Run to The Rose and winning the San Domenico Stakes and $3.5m MM 2YO Classic.
Home-bred by Godolphin, it’s news that Broadsiding’s champion sire Too Darn Hot will not shuttle again, as he’s from the winning Street Cry mare Speeding, being the family of Flit, Gold Hope.
With Godolphin looking for Broadsiding to stand beside fellow Golden Rose winners Bivouac and Astern at Darley Kelvinside, it’s Coolmore who will have Storm Boy standing at Jerry Plains.
In Coolmore purchasing Storm Boy for $50 million as a stallion prospect prior to the Golden Slipper, it was also fact that his unbeaten Triple Crown winning sire Justify is also not shuttling again.
Bred and sold by Coolmore at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott buy for $460,000, he’s the first foal of winning Fastnet Rock mare Pelican, from Seachange.
Godolphin also have the Run to The Rose winner Traffic Warden at $4 with Ben Melham from Gate 9, Kerrin McEvoy on Linebacker at $6 for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, and Anode at $13.
