Farnan’s Ninja has launched his spring campaign in spectacular fashion, powering to victory in the Group 2 Missile Stakes in a new race record of 1:08.28.
A talent from day one, the Michael Freedman-trained gelding settled towards the rear of the field before improving into the race behind the leader. Once into the straight. Ninja surged clear to defeat Napoleonic and short-priced favourite Angel Capital with plenty in hand.
The victory continued an outstanding record for the son of Farnan, who now boasts five wins and three placings from just nine starts, including the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes and Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate, with prizemoney now exceeding $1.2 milion.
Freedman was delighted with the performance, revealing Ninja had not been fully wound up for his first-up assignment.
“He is having a decent blow after the race but he had to do it a bit harder than what we were anticipating,” Michael Freedman
“But to his credit he is a very exciting horse.
“I told John (Camilleri) early in the week that this horse is going really well. He wasn’t screwed right down for today, but he looks to have a good spring ahead.
“In the back of my mind, depending on how he goes in this race and more
importantly how he pulls up, l’ve been thinking of going to the Winx Stakes,
“I think we can pick our wav a little bit now there’s also a couple of nice races in Melbourne, too.”
With breeder and part-owner, John Camilleri owning an Everest slot, the $20millon sprint could also be on the radar for Ninja.
“Any trainer with a half-decent sprinter dreams of going to The Everest at this time of year and why not!
“He seems to have come back in great order and his form has been so consistent.
“If he continues to take the next step then we have got to dream big.”
Jockey Tommy Berry, who has partnered Ninja at his past five starts, is equally bullish about what lies ahead.
“He’s just a beautiful horse to ride. He’s come back the furnished product now.
“We’re pretty excited by what’s to come.”
Ninja’s record adds another significant chapter to the rapid rise of Farnan, who has now sired five Stakes winners and 10 Stakes performers from his first two crops.
The Golden Slipper-winning son of Not A Single Doubt has already produced an incredible 22 individual two-year-old winners across his first two seasons, underlining the exceptional consistency and quality being delivered by his young progeny.
Ninja was purchased for $380,000 from Segenhoe Stud at the Magic Millions by MyRacehorse Pty Ltd, Michael Freedman Racing, Gandharvi Pty Ltd and Belmont Bloodstock Agency.
He is out of Impulsive, the final foal of Group-winning blue hen Procrastinate, whose family includes Group 1 winner Laisserfaire, Group 3 winner A Time for Julia and Stakes winners Time Thief, Foreplay and Personify, the dam of Group 1 VRC Oaks winner Personal.
With Ninja now leading Farnan’s spring charge, the team at Vinery are increasingly excited about what the young sire can achieve in his next phase.
If you are considering breeding to Farnan this spring, contact the Vinery Sales Team to discuss pre-spring rates.
