Lord Horatio (2c Stay Inside x Murchison) introduced himself as a colt of significant upside with a determined debut victory in the Drink Wise Plate at Warwick Farm today. Ridden confidently by Dylan Gibbons, the two-year-old jumped from one of the widest barriers and used his early speed to cross the field and settle outside the leader, Celtic Spy. When asked for an effort in the straight, Lord Horatio responded and finished strongly to hold off the fast-finishing Portico over the 1000 metre trip. The colt showed professionalism beyond his experience and ran his last 600 metres in 33.76 seconds to secure an impressive debut win.

Lord Horatio was purchased at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales by O’Shea Charlton Racing, James Bester Bloodstock & Eric Lucas. By Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside out of the More Than Ready mare Murchison, the colt had shown promise in his trials leading into the race and he translated that form to raceday with authority. Tom Charlton suggested the two year old could now be aimed toward richer juvenile features, with the lucrative $1,000,000 Magic Millions National 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast his likely next target.

There was plenty to like about the manner of Lord Horatio’s win. Despite jumping from a wide gate, the colt travelled strongly throughout and responded when challenged in the straight, suggesting there is considerable improvement still to come. Tom Charlton described him as a “big, gross horse” who is unlikely to be just an early-running juvenile, indicating the stable believes he can develop into a quality performer beyond his two-year-old season.

With Stay Inside’s progeny beginning to build momentum across Australia, Lord Horatio will hopefully become one of the stallion’s headline performers. His debut victory at Warwick Farm was not only a promising start to his own career, but another significant advertisement for a young sire rapidly establishing himself as an exciting source of precocious talent in the Australian thoroughbred industry.

Many thanks to the team at O’Shea Charlton Racing and Dylan Gibbons for a fantastic ride. Congratulations to all connections.

Talented filly Gin Twist (2f Home Affairs x Twist Tops) continued her excellent juvenile campaign with a commanding victory in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, confirming her status as one of the season’s most exciting two-year-old fillies.

Confidently ridden by Luke Currie, Gin Twist led from the outset and proved too strong in the straight, fending off her challengers to secure her second stakes win as a two-year-old in her first racing preparation. She finished ahead of Oak Lightning, with Buggsy further back in third, after dictating the tempo in what was a composed, all-the-way performance.

The victory carried added significance given pre-race questions surrounding her ability to see out a strong 1200 metres. Having previously showcased her speed over shorter distances, Gin Twist answered those doubts, displaying enough stamina and professionalism to handle the trip.

Now a dual Listed winner, Gin Twist is shaping as a filly of considerable upside. She has certainly earned a well-deserved spell, and her supporters will look forward to her return for the three-year-old sprint races in the Spring.

Congratulations to all connections, with special thanks to the entire team at Lindsay Park Racing and to Luke Currie, who maintains a perfect record aboard the filly with two stakes wins from as many rides.

Ciaron’s Star (2f I Am Invincible x Bonny O’Reilly) produced an admirable performance to finish third in Saturday’s million dollar Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes, overcoming a difficult start that left her well behind the field in the early stages. The promising filly was detached by as much as six lengths shortly after the gates opened, forcing her to settle at the tail while her rivals established position up front.

Despite the early setback, Ciaron’s Star began to build momentum approaching the turn, gradually making up ground under a patient ride by Tommy Berry. While the leaders quickened into the straight, she was still facing a significant deficit, but her closing effort quickly became one of the standout runs where she ran the fastest last 600 metres of the race.

In the final furlong, Ciaron’s Star surged past several tiring runners, displaying both resilience and a strong finishing burst to claim third place and gain some important black type. Although she was unable to reel in the eventual winner Cherry Bomshell and runner-up Medicinal, her late charge suggested she may have been a serious contender with a cleaner start.

The filly’s ability to recover from adversity and finish off powerfully at Group 2 level was very promising and with natural improvement, Ciaron’s Star looks well placed to make her presence felt in the three year old fillies races in the Spring.

There’s always something exciting about a smart two-year-old winning down the straight at Flemington. On Group 1 Australian Guineas Day, Gin Twist gave a dominant performance to win the Listed 2YO Festival of Racing Stakes over 1000 metres.

After finishing third at her previous start in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview, ahead of horses such as Streisand and Ghana’s Akan, the Home Affairs filly stepped out again in stakes company and she didn’t just measure up – she controlled the race and won in superior fashion. With Luke Currie in the saddle, Gin Twist travelled smoothly and led the race throughout before letting down strongly when asked to go on and score at her third race start.

Clocking a sharp 56.92 seconds for the 1000 metres, she showed a blend of early speed and professionalism that you love to see in a young sprinter. Gin Twist crossed the line approximately 1.75 lengths clear of La Gitana, leading home her stablemate in a great result for the Hayes team.

Many thanks to the Lindsay Park Racing team and their Bloodstock Manager Josh Rix who helped us buy into the filly.

Congratulations to the Needham family and all connections.

Regardless of the grade, it’s always a highlight when your horse wins on debut and Sabertooth did exactly that at Seymour on February 20.

Stepping out in a 1300m maiden, the three-year-old Tivaci gelding from the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable showed great fight to beat Farside and Mahmudah at his first race start.

Ridden by Lachy Neindorf, Sabertooth, the full brother to Wolverine raced wide up on the speed and kept grinding away in the straight to win on the line in a head bobber!

Many thanks to Lachy Neindorf for a confident ride and to the Busuttin Racing team for getting him to the races and placing him well.

Congratulations to all connections who were rewarded for their patience.

Ciaron’s Star (2f I Am Invincible x Bonny O’Reilly) announced herself as a filly of promise with an impressive victory in the Pierro Plate at Randwick. After showing early gate speed, she travelled smoothly and settled kindly for Tommy Berry. When asked to quicken in the straight, she responded and produced a decent turn of foot to go on and defeat Better By Far and Miss Chanel by just under a length.

After an unlucky 3^rd placing on debut at Randwick behind Satin Summer and Zambales, Ciaron’s Star joined quality horses such as Switzerland and Stay Inside as winners of the Pierro Plate.

Of the four yearlings we bought into at the 2025 yearling sales, (I’m Ya Huckleberry, Gin Twist, Lord Horatio and Ciaron’s Star), Ciaron’s Star was the sole yearling we bought into from the 2025 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Many thanks to Tommy Berry, the Ciaron Maher Racing (CMR) team and Sam Lefebvre at CMR who helped us buy into the filly. Congratulations to Craig Sneesby and all connections.