| Warwoven could head to the Southern Hemisphere’s weight-for-age championship after another stunning win at the highest level in Saturday’s Group One $3 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m). |
| Sent out the favourite after a runaway last start win in the Group One Golden Rose in Sydney, Warwoven made the switch to Melbourne with ease, cruising home in the stallion making contest by almost two lengths. Rider Rachel King had the crack Bjorn Baker trained colt positioned fifth for much of the race before she switched her charge off heels approaching the corner. The pair then produced their now customary sharp sprint to reel in star local three-year-old Blind Raise and score a soft and famous victory. It is the third straight year that the breed shaping Caulfield Guineas has been won impressively by a Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase. Warwoven follows in the hoofsteps of Autumn Boy and Private Life to snare the mile Classic. “It is a bit emotional, actually,” Baker’s Assistant Trainer and Racing Manager Luke Hilton said. “There was a bit more pressure today. There was more excitement in Sydney but there was a fair bit of pressure with him today.” “The race probably didn’t pan out what we thought. Incredible ride, Rach, Had her wits about her. She knew what she had under her and when she hadn’t moved on him on the corner I thought he must be travelling well.” “He’s an outstanding colt. Bjorn has said for a long time that he could be one of those special horses that don’t come around too often. He’s proving him right so far.” Another win at Group One level has left their Magic Millions 2YO Classic disappointment, when scratched on race morning, just a memory now. “As Bjorn said a couple of weeks ago, everyone was in a lot of hurt in January but we banded together. Credit to the owners, they were phenomenal, they understand that these things can happen and Bjorn has been able to pay them back now.” “Jim Clarke and the sales team have done a fantastic job. A first season sire (Sword of State) and they bought a beautiful colt.” Hilton is the husband of the winning rider and he was clearly proud of his wife who handled the occasion with coolness and class. “It is very special. Over the past 24 hours she has copped a lot of instructions and running through the race play-by-play which she doesn’t appreciate because she is better off flying by the seat of her pants but she did well and it means a lot.” “I see how hard she works and the ups and downs she goes through, it is an amazing game and it can be very tough as well.” The win was the tenth at the elite Group One level for King and she was not surprisingly heaping superlatives on Warwoven. “He leaves me speechless, this horse,” a beaming King said. “He’s unbelievable.” “There were a few question marks today, we didn’t know how he’d handle going this way around and Caulfield’s not an easy track to come to first time Melbourne way, but he’s just got so much class and he was still arrogant again.” “I know a lot of people said, ‘how can he peak again?’, but I don’t think he has peaked. I think there’s still more there.” “I’ve certainly never sat on a horse like this and he’s pretty unbelievable.” King paid tribute to Baker and bloodstock agent Jim Clarke for finding the star. “They’re unbelievable. The whole team behind them. Right from the start, Jim from the sales and Bjorn’s team have done an amazing job.” “We thought it was sort of dreams over a little bit back at the start of the year, but they’ve done an amazing job to just be patient with him and let him have his time and it’s really paid off,” King added. Warwoven was purchased for $380,000 by connections including Ridgmont, Baker and Clarke from the draft of breeder Kia Ora Stud at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. As it stands he’s notched six wins from nine starts and earned almost $3 million in prizemoney – his stud value is anyone’s guess! Warwoven is a son of Sword of State, who like his superstar son and champion sire Snitzel, was purchased by connections from the Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The now Cambridge Stud based Sword of State won the Group One Diamond Stakes at two – among four wins as a juvenile and six overall. Warwoven’s dam Needle and Thread, a daughter of Makfi, won the Group Two Royal Stakes in New Zealand over 2000 metres and is a sister to stakes winner and three time Group One runner-up Savile Row. Winner: Warwoven Breeding: Sword of State-Needle and Thread (Makfi) Race: MRC Caulfield Guineas G1 (1600m) Sold for: $380,000 Sale: 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Earnings: $2,987,150 Breeder: Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd Vendor: Kia Ora Stud Buyer: Ridgmont/Bjorn Baker Racing/S & J Gosling/Clarke Bloodstock Owners: Ridgmont (Mgr: M Cunningham), Kia Ora 2009 (Mgr: RW Rose), S Gosling, Mrs J Gosling, GS Racing (Mgr: SA Gray-Spencer), J and A Sydney Racing (Mgr: JP Stevens), KR Ferrel, K Salagic & Mrs AK Clarke Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Warwick Farm) |
