| Sale topping superstar Profondo emerged as one of Australia’s most exciting racehorses with a stunning win in today’s $1 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. |
At just his third start and despite over racing early in the race the son of Deep Impact proved a class above his rivals for the easiest of wins. It was a triumph for Warwick Farm trainer Richard Litt, who with patient owners, saluted in his “grand final” in his first racing campaign. Profondo has spent much of his life in the headlines and in January 2020 it reached fever pitch when he sold for $1.9 million and topped the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Litt bid strong for his star pick of the sale, on the phone to Ottavio Galletta and his wife Wendy. The trio teamed up to snare the colt. Today Litt was almost lost for words after Profondo cruised to victory, elevating himself to one of the most exciting horses on the planet. “He’s left me speechless,” Litt said moments after the brilliant win. “We’ve had a wonderful two weeks with him” “He came here today and he was very relaxed. Gee the world is his oyster – it’s scary, we’re very excited.” Litt said the plan would now be to spell Profondo and not be tempted by a Cox Plate run. “He will go to the paddock now I think. We’ll give him a nice spell and have a good crack at the autumn.” “He’s got some amazing races coming up,” Litt added. “I’m very excited.” The incredible win provided Irish jockey Robbie Dolan with a maiden Group One success. “I don’t know what to say,” an emotional Dolan said. “Thanks to the owners who kept me on the horse today – they could have put anyone on him.” “I came here five years ago with a school bag on my back – just trying to ride a few winners.” “He’s a machine,” Dolan said of Profondo. “He’s a tricky horse to ride and Richie has done a wonderful job with the horse, to get him to win a Group One after just a couple of starts.” “I was absolutely cruising at the 400 (metre mark) outside another Group One winner and nothing was going to catch me.” A son of champion Japanese based sire Deep Impact, Profondo was bred and sold by the team from Arrowfield Stud. They raced his dam, the group winning juvenile Honesty Prevails, who like Profondo was a Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase. Honesty Prevails was purchased as a yearling by renowned horseman, the late Rick Worthington in partnership with Scone Bloodstock’s John Hutchinson and won a Group Three Widden Stakes when prepared by Worthington. Earlier this year James Harron went to $1.15 million to purchase the latest yearling from Honesty Prevails, a colt by Shalaa. Profondo wasn’t the only Magic Millions sold runner to star today with the likes of Aim (Silver Eagle) and Minhaaj (The Nivison) scoring feature wins at Randwick while Adelaide’s feature, the Hill Smith Stakes went to Derby bound runner Cerberus. Winner: Profondo Breeding: Deep Impact-Honest Prevails (Redoute’s Choice) Breeder: Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd Race: ATC Spring Champion Stakes G1 (2000m) Sold for: $1,900,000 Sale: 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Arrowfield Stud Buyer: Galletta Construction Co Earnings: $643,750 Owner(s): Galletta Construction Co Pty Ltd (Mgr: O Galletta) Trainer: Richard Litt (Warwick Farm) |
