The 2023 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) will be assigned a special chapter in the 100-plus year history of Sledmere Stud in light of Victoria’s premier juvenile contest becoming a major triumph for the farm. Represented by not one but two graduates, the contest witnessed almost the perfect outcome when Little Brose and Arkansaw Kid ran first and third — being separated by only one rival in the 16-horse field.
Both trained by Ben and JD Hayes out of the famed Lindsay Park Racing establishment, Little Brose and Arkansaw Kid overcame checkered passages in the straight to fight out a memorable finish to the contest, the former bursting clear of the pack to score by a clear-cut margin. Stable companion Arkansaw Kid fought hard to the line to the claim third after being held-up at a crucial stage of the finish when stuck on the inside of the field midfield on the fence.
Proudly, Little Brose and Arkansaw Kid are both members of Sledmere Stud’s 2020 foal crop and lived every day of their formative period on the farm. Subsequently offered for sale as yearlings on behalf of their respective breeders, Little Brose realised $200,000 at the Magic Millions Coast Coast Yearling Sale in January 2022 and Arkansaw Kid $190,000 at the Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale the following month — both being bought by Lindsay Park.
Following their brilliant performances on Saturday, Little Brose took his earnings to $1.4 million after just four starts — plus increased his potential stallion value considerably as a Group 1 winning 2-year-old. Arkansaw Kid has amassed $482,000 after just three starts to date.
Saturday’s first and third in the 2023 Blue Diamond Stakes comes 12 months after fellow Sledmere Stud graduates Revolutionary Miss and Sebonack finished second and fourth respectively in the 2022 renewal. All four were consigned and sold as yearlings by the farm’s sales team before going on to perform with such great distinction in Victoria’s No.1 2-year-old event.