After being well educated and prepared by the Waterhouse Bott Racing team and defeating Paradoxium to win Heat 1 of the first official 2YO trials, I’m Ya Huckleberry (2c Home Affairs x Key) earned his place in the 2025 Group 3 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate.

I’m Ya Huckleberry produced a highly promising debut run to finish second behind Incognito, the million dollar Stay Inside colt trained by Michael Freedman. Despite jumping from the widest gate, I’m Ya Huckleberry, who was ridden by Adam Hyeronimus showed good early speed to sit a length off the initial leader, Eviction Notice. The tempo was genuine throughout with the pressure intensifying as they rounded the home turn. I’m Ya Huckleberry gained the upper hand from Eviction Notice however Incognito travelled strongly under Tommy Berry and quickened nicely with good momentum to hit the lead a furlong from home. I’m Ya Huckleberry dug in and didn’t give up the fight but Incognito was too good going on to win the Group 3 1000m race by 0.27 lengths.

I’m Ya Huckleberry was one of only three yearlings we bought into from the Magic Millions Gold Cost Yearling Sale earlier this year. Adam Hyeronimus noted post-race that he was “on a very good horse,” suggesting the colt has significant upside despite being narrowly denied on debut. His effort marked a strong introduction to stakes company and indicated he could develop into a nice prospect moving forward.

As we approach the first Spring 2YO races, we’re excited to share that all four of the 2025 yearlings we bought into have now been officially named.

The first yearling we bought into was Lot 53 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale — the Home Affairs x Twist Tops filly, now named GIN TWIST. Gin Twist was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing and will be trained by Ben, Will & JD Hayes.

The second yearling, also from the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale, was Lot 560 — the Home Affairs x Key colt. Purchased by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds (Bruce Slade), he will race as I’M YA HUCKLEBERRY

The third and final yearling we bought into from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale was Lot 698, the Stay Inside x Murchison colt. Named LORD HORATIO, he will be trained by John O’Shea & Tom Charlton who purchased the colt in conjunction with Eric Lucas.

Rounding out the group is Lot 306 from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale — the I Am Invincible x Bonny O’Reilly filly. She was acquired by Ciaron Maher Racing and Craig Sneesby and has been named CIARON’S STAR. She will be trained by the team at Ciaron Maher Racing.

We look forward to seeing all four two-year-olds step out on the racetrack very soon.

Belle Inferno returned to winning form with a strong front running performance in the McGrath Estate Agents Benchmark 64 Handicap at Geelong over 1500m.

Rated brilliantly by Celine Gaudray, the Ciaron Maher Racing (CMR) trained mare produced a solid performance to score by just under a length. She defeated Deadly Press, with Galloping Guru finishing third in the BM64 contest run on a soft track.

The victory was a deserved result for the CMR trained galloper who capitalised on the favourable conditions to lead and kick strongly in the straight and secure the win.

Many thanks to the team at CMR and also Celine Gaudray for a superb winning ride.

Congratulations to all connections.

We bought into one yearling at the Inglis Easter Sale this year which was Lot 306, the I Am Invincible x Bonny O’Reilly filly from the Widden Stud draft. She was acquired by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Craig Sneesby.

I Am Invincible requires no introduction and the mare, the late Bonny O’Reilly was a full sister to Dahooil – the dam of the Group 1 heroine Espiona.

Bonny O’Reilly herself had a successful racing career of 16 starts with 8 wins, 5 of those in succession including a win at listed level. She was Group 2 placed in the 2017 Dane Ripper Stakes over 1350m behind Prompt Response.

The filly is athletic, correct, light on her feet and looked very forward for a late October foal. Based on her pedigree and physicality we’re hopeful she will be competing in races from 1000m – 1200m as an autumn two year old.

The third and final yearling of the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast sale we bought into was Lot 698, the Stay Inside x Murchison colt who was acquired by O’Shea Charlton Racing, James Bester and Eric Lucas.

We inspected this colt from the Highgrove Stud draft four times prior to his time in the ring and at each inspection his temperament was fantastic. He was always well behaved and keen to please.

The colt is the first foal out of the More Than Ready mare, Murchison. Murchison was a winner herself over 1406m and is the half-sister to the Group 1 winner, Steps In Time. His second dam, Rare Insight won 3 of her 7 starts including the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes at Randwick over 1400m. The Stay Inside colt hails from the same successful family as Bonny O’Reilly, Forgot You and Espiona.

We thought Lot 698 was a very good physical specimen, with a strong, balanced conformation and athletic build. What truly set him apart was his temperament – calm, willing, and intelligent.

On Day 3 of the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, we bought into another Home Affairs yearling – this time a colt.

Lot 560, the Home Affairs x Key colt from the Kia Ora Stud draft, was purchased by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bot in conjunction with Bruce Slade of Kestrel Thoroughbreds.

He is the second foal of the Exceed And Excel mare, Key, who was a debut winner over 1200 metres and was also Group 3 placed in New Zealand. His third dam is multiple Group 1 winner Princess Coup who provides quality and black type to the family.

A good-looking bay colt, he is strongly stamped by his sire. Physically, he is muscle on muscle, with strong gaskins, short cannon bones, and plenty of overall substance. He has a bold colt’s head with a sharp eye and a strong jowl.

He walks with plenty of swagger and already looks like a horse you could put a saddle on tomorrow and take him to the races. Given he’s a late August foal and so physically mature, we’re hopeful he’ll be an early type and ideally up and running as a pre-Christmas 2YO.