The running of the Group I BRC JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm on Saturday brought to an end G1 juvenile racing in Australia for this season, but the Group I designator only tells part of the story for two year-old racing in this country which has become ever more lucrative if you have the right horse that can jump and run.
A few years ago we ran a statistical story highlighting the fact that two year-old racing broadly speaking features only about 25% of the commercial crop and earlier in the season it’s a lot less with only around 10% having raced by early March which pretty much decides the Golden Slipper horses. Click here to read that story.
What this means is that a good two year-old is essentially operating in a sheltered workshop and many never translate that success beyond that bubble and into the real world where they have to take on all of their peers and the older horses.
Million Dollar Juvenile Races in Australia This Season
|
Race
|
Distance
|
Prizemoney
|
Winner
|
Sire
|
|
G1 ATC Golden Slipper
|
1200
|
$5million
|
Lady Of Camelot F
|
Written Tycoon
|
|
RL $3M Magic Millions 2yo Classic (RL)
|
1200
|
$3million
|
Storm Boy C
|
Justify (USA)
|
|
G1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes
|
1200
|
$2million
|
Hayasugi F
|
Royal Meeting (IRE)
|
|
RL Inglis Millennium
|
1100
|
$2million
|
Fully Lit C
|
Hellbent
|
|
G1 ATC Inglis Sires’
|
1400
|
$1million
|
Manaal F
|
Tassort
|
|
G1 ATC Champagne Stakes
|
1600
|
$1million
|
Broadsiding C
|
Too Darn Hot (GB)
|
|
G1 BRC J.J. Atkins
|
1600
|
$1million
|
Broadsiding C
|
Too Darn Hot (GB)
|
|
G2 ATC Percy Sykes Stakes
|
1200
|
$1million
|
Eneeza F
|
Exceed And Excel
|
|
G2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes
|
1400
|
$1million
|
Broadsiding C
|
Too Darn Hot (GB)
|
|
No Black Type The TBV Vobis Platinum Showdown
|
1200
|
$1million
|
Stanley Express C
|
Starspangledbanner
|
|
No Black Type MM National 2yo Classic
|
1050
|
$1million
|
Arabian Summer F
|
Too Darn Hot (GB)
|
|
No Black Type ATC Golden Gift
|
1100
|
$1million
|
Shangri La Express C
|
Alabama Express
|
That said the list of elite winners above will no doubt contain some stars of the future and Broadsiding in particular does look a standout for future success.
He has won three races this season all worth $1million and that success will see his sire Too Darn Hot (GB) take top honours as leading first season sire by winners and earnings with another of his fillies Arabian Summer claiming another of the million dollar features.
The proliferation of two year-old races for big money will see Too Darn Hot set a new record for a first season sire with his tally so far of 12 winners of $4.1million putting him second to only champion sire Written Tycoon on the leading 2YO sires list by earnings.
