Flying Artie’s first-crop 3-year-old Giannis became the first stakes winner of the 2021/22 racing season to have been sold by Sledmere Stud when winning a quality renewal of the $150,000, Listed, ATC Dulcify Stakes (1500m) at Kembla Grange.
A Group 1 placed 2-year-old of the previous racing season, Giannis resumed from a successful Queensland Winter Carnival campaign and got his spring preparation off to the perfect start when defeating Tiger of Malay in a ding-dong finish at their fourth meeting in a race since mid-May.
Bred by China Horse Club, Giannis was consigned by Sledmere Stud for the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale where he was purchased for $67,500 by Rhys and Chloe Smith, the principals of Kulani Park. Giannis was subsequently re-offered as a yearling but fell short of his reserve, a development which now sees him racing with great success in the colours of Kulani Park out of the Chris Waller stable.
Speaking immediately after the win, multiple champion trainer Chris Waller said of Giannis: “He’s always been a horse we have spoken highly of, but he’s also a horse that has needed a little bit of time so it’s great to see him come back at three and perform well. I think he’s got a pretty bright future.”
For the record, Giannis has already amassed $325,375 for his connections after just six starts.
The 2020/21 domestic racing season saw at least six Sledmere Stud sales graduates win stakes races lead by triple Group 2 winner Dame Giselle. Other black-type winners included dual Group 2 winner Yes Baby Yes, Group 2 weight-for-age winner and Group 1 weight-for-age placegetter Dirty Work, and Listed Kilmore Cup winner Pancho.
In addition to the Dulcify Stakes victory of Giannis, this season has also already seen sales graduate Icebath (NZ) add to her impressive race record with a minor placing in the Group 3 Show County Stakes (1200m), taking her career earnings to a figure in excess of $2.35 million.