Galaxy A Rising Star In Expressway


Happy Galaxy emerged as one of the country’s most exciting three-year-olds when he easily beat his older rivals in today’s Group Three Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm.

Another exceptional prospect to emerge from the Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale, Happy Galaxy could be spelled with spring riches in mind after successfully making the transition to weight-for-age.

The son of Nadeem has now won consecutive races in Melbourne and Sydney and is delighted the Hawkes family who prepares him.

“He’s come a long way in a short space of time,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.

“No one has got a better record for three-year-olds at weight-for-age than Dad and he knew what he was doing and the horse continues to win and that’s all that matters.”

Hawkes said a decision to run Happy Galaxy today was only made this morning after he was floated to Sydney from Melbourne where he’d won the Zeditave Stakes at his most recent start.

“He got back yesterday morning and we wanted to wait until this morning. He had a nice trot around and canter this morning. He came off the track bucking his brand off.”

“So I rang Dad at about 7.25 and told him it was all go and he said no worries.”

A decision as to another start or a spell will be decided in the coming days.

“We’ll see how he pulls up. He’s had a few runs in now and he’s come a long way in a short space of time. He may enter the paddock, we’ll just see how he goes,” Hawkes added.

Happy Galaxy was sold twice by Magic Millions. He was first offered by his breeder, Evergreen Stud Farm, at the 2011 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale where he was purchased for $120,000 by Magic Millions as agent.

He was there prepared for that October’s Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale by Washpool Lodge – the same team that produced Melbourne Cup star Shocking and Macau champion Viva Pronto.

At the Gold Coast in October, 2011 he attracted the attention of Macau based brothers Nicholas and James Moore, and flanked by their trainer father Gary they went to $220,000 to secure the prized colt.

The Moores purchased the likely prospect for their client, Chinese based businessman Ye Hanqiang. The delighted owner was on course at Warwick Farm today to celebrate the victory.

As it stands Happy Galaxy boasts the impressive record of five wins and two placings and a fourth from his eight lifetime starts.

His earnings have already raced to $289,100 and that figure looks set to grow markedly during 2013.

The seventh stakes winner for Redoute’s Choice’s Blue Diamond Stakes winning son Nadeem, Happy Galaxy is a well bred colt.

He is one of two winners, from two to race, for the three time winning and Sydney performed King’s Best mare Seven Stars.

A daughter of the Coolmore Classic winner Porto Roca, Seven Stars is a half sister to the Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso.

Porto Roca in turn is a half sister to New Zealand Group One winner Bluebird the Word as well as the dam of current day Aussie stakes winners We’re Gonna Rock and Crack a Roadie.

Winner: Happy Galaxy
Breeding: Nadeem-Seven Stars (King’s Best)
Race: ATC Expressway Stakes G2 (1200m)
Sold for: $120,000
Sale: 2011 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Evergreen Stud Farm
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Sold for: $220,000
Sale: 2011 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Washpool Lodge
Buyer: N & J Moore Bloodstock
Earnings: $289,100
Owner(s): H Ye
Trainer: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes (Flemington)