Spring was in full bloom as the Vinery brand shone trackside, with a string of outstanding performances from Vinery graduates and exciting young sires, Ole Kirk and Exceedance.

A New Legacy for Ole Kirk

A headline act and an emerging star, son of Ole Kirk Legacy Bound, stamped himself amongst Australia’s most promising three-year-olds this season securing Saturday’s Listed Poseidon Stakes. This victory marked the first Stakes win of the new season for the 2024/25 Champion First Season Sire, Ole Kirk.

Making his debut down the Flemington straight, Legacy Bound jumped smartly before settling just off the speed under jockey Mark Zahra. Surging to the front at the 150m, he was strongly challenged by Tycoon Star and Navy Pilot but the gelding dug deep to secure a convincing victory at the line.

Trainer Robbie Griffiths was pleased with the performance:

“I was really cautious today—he’d never been down the straight, and the key runners already had two runs under their belts. He’s still got improvement to come, and it gives us plenty of excitement heading into the Danehill Stakes in three weeks and then the Coolmore.”

Zahra, who partnered Legacy Bound to victory in the Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes at Morphettville in April, was glowing in praise for the gelding:

“He’s got a strong will to win. We had to quicken up inside the 400m, and it turned into a real fight late—but he was up for it. He’ll only improve again from today.”

Legacy Bound is the fourth and best foal of Sanaya (More Than Ready), a Vinery-bred mare who won as a two-year-old. Initially entered for the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he was withdrawn and later sent to Griffiths to race for the Vinery Team.

Sanaya has a full sister yearling filly by Ole Kirk on the farm, and earlier this month foaled another filly by Vinery’s Exceedance.

Sixties Strikes in the Ming Dynasty

Adding further gloss to the day, the progressive colt Sixties (by Flying Artie) delivered a commanding victory in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality.

Coming off a solid fifth in the Up And Coming Stakes, the Chris Waller trained Sixties bounced to the front under Rachel King and controlled the tempo throughout. Turning for home, he kicked strongly and held off a fast-finishing Autumn Boy to score impressively.

“He was very tough and beat a very good horse, so full credit to both him and Rachel’s ride. She was able to dictate, and he gave a dominant kick at the top of the straight. He has to head to the Golden Rose now—it’s a stallion-making race and he’s put himself right in the market.” said Assistant Trainer, Charlie Duckworth.

A $350,000 Vinery Stud Easter graduate purchased by Aramco Racing, the Greg Perry-bred colt is the fourth winner from five runners for Gracie’s Lass (Redoute’s Choice), who is a half-sister to Group 1 sprinter Delectation. Sixties is also a full brother to multiple Group 1 winner and sire Artorius, and hails from the same family as dual Group 1 winner and first season sire Southport Tycoon.

Cristal Clear goes back-to-back in Sydney

To round out a successful day, Vinery graduate and son of Exceedance, Cristal Clear, kept his winning roll going with back-to-back city successes.

The lightly raced four-year-old scored his most valuable win yet in the $160,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap at Rosehill Gardens, taking his career tally to four victories from eleven starts and more than $275,000 in prizemoney.

Purchase by Group One Thoroughbreds and Annabel Neasham Racing at the 2023 Inglis Ready2Race Sale, Cristal Clear was bred by Echo Beach Bloodstock from the talented mare Cristal Eyes (All Too Hard). Cristal Eyes herself was Group-placed and is closely related to Group 2 winner Villermont and Group 3 winner Flying Evelyn, descending from the Group 1-winning mare Bollinger.

The three victories at Flemington and Rosehill highlighted the strength of the farm and the Vinery brand. With Legacy Bound emerging as a serious contender for the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, Sixties on a path toward the Gr.1 Golden Rose, and Cristal Clear another exciting Exceedance with upside heading into the spring, it was a day that showcased the depth and quality of the Vinery bloodlines.