The 2023 renewal of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) won’t be forgotten in a hurry by anyone associated with Sledmere Stud thanks to a brilliant colt foaled, raised and sold as a yearling running out of an emphatic winner of the ‘breed-shaping’ event.
Staged on Day 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Coolmore Stud Stakes brought together as good a field of 3-year-olds as it was possible to assemble and ultimately witnessed Ozzmosis lead from start to finish under regular rider Rachel King.
Rated magnificently by the Sydney-based hoop, Ozzmosis scored by a length-and-quarter ahead of I Am Unstoppable in second and the 2023 Golden Slipper winner Shinzo in third.
Trained by Bjorn Baker on behalf of Darby Racing and an extended ownership group, Ozzmosis took his record to four wins from just five starts, having finished third in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) on the only occasion he has tasted defeat. While his prizemoney now sits at $1,432,200, his worth as a future stallion prospect is expected to dwarf that figure, having already been secured by Newgate Farm when that time arrives.
Speaking immediately after the win, Baker remarked in part: “This horse has been outstanding from the first gallop he had. Darby Racing have been great supporters, they keep finding good ones. Massive result, this horse is a superstar.”
Baker added: “It is a massive day and we’ve [now] got a Zoustar colt going to stud.”
Sledmere’s influence on this year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes was monumental. No fewer than five valuable colts in the 19 horse field could be associated with the farm in one form or another, and 2022 yearling sale graduates actually finished first, fourth and fifth.
In addition to Ozzmosis, the Hayes’ trained Arkansaw Kid ran a bottler to finish just out of the placings in fourth, marginally ahead of Veight in fifth. Remarkably, all three colts were sold through either our 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale or Inglis Classic Yearling Sale consignments and are all now bona fide 3-year-old stakes winners at the top of the tree in the division.
Well done to Darby Racing, Bjorn Baker Racing and Rachel King on a job very well done. And well done to the Sledmere Stud team who can also take great pride in this momentous achievement!