The brilliant Group 1 victory of Sepals (Calyx x What’s New 4g) in the $1m Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has capped off an outstanding run of form for Vinery Stud graduates this spring, with three stakes winners in the space of seven days.

Already a Group 3 winner of the CS Hayes Stakes earlier in the year, Sepals returned in style this preparation, storming home first-up to win by four and a quarter lengths over the Caulfield 1400m before stepping into Group 1 company. On Saturday, despite drawing barrier 14 of 15, champion jockey Craig Williams was able to settle the gelding on speed, take control at the top of the straight, and hold off the late charges of Miss Roumbini and Australian Guineas winner Feroce.

For trainer Cliff Brown, it marked a significant milestone with his first Group 1 victory since returning from Singapore. “Very happy. I’m really pleased for everyone. He’s a special horse, and he deserves the attention that he gets,” Brown said.

Williams was also quick to highlight the gelding’s class, “From an outside barrier, this horse made effortless work of it, and I could do what I wanted on him because he was very well-prepared and he’s a bloody good horse too. It’s hard to win Group 1s, and he’s done it. That’s not it for this horse either, he’s got more to come.”

Sepals now boasts an imposing record of five wins from seven starts and earnings of $905,990.

A Vinery Story Through and Through

Bred by Greg Perry and offered through Vinery Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft, Sepals was purchased by Brown for $80,000. His pedigree was familiar territory for the trainer, having prepared his dam, What’s New (NZ), to six wins in Singapore, including dual Listed successes that earned her the title of Champion 4YO & Older Female in 2019.

What’s New, a daughter of Vinery’s own Casino Prince, has since produced a 3YO Star Turn gelding named Cashemcowboy, as well as a yearling colt also by Star Turn. Adding another chapter to the family story, Sepals’ granddam Pussycat Dream recently delivered a colt by Vinery’s exciting young sire Hawaii Five Oh.

It’s a pedigree deeply rooted in Vinery’s breeding program — with Sepals, his dam, and granddam all tied closely to the farm across multiple generations.

A Spring to Celebrate

Sepal’s Group 1 glory is part of a remarkable streak for Vinery graduates this Spring, with 3YO colt Sixties and Ole Kirk’s Legacy Bound also claiming Group 3 and Listed victories seven days prior. The success further underlines the depth and strength of the stud’s bloodlines, with all three of the graduates’ families each going back at least two generations on the farm.

With multiple black-type winners already on the board, and the spring carnival still unfolding, Vinery Stud is proud to see its graduates continuing to shine when it matters most.