News

5

Jul 2025

Spring Potential for Darby Racing's Raging Force

Unplaced in the G3 ATC Breeders’ Plate last spring on debut, Raging Force came out of that race with an injury that required significant time on the sidelines, but since returning to full work his progress has been swift. Trained by Peter Snowden, Raging Force returned with a maiden win at Muswellbrook on June 1 and followed up with an explosive four length win at a midweek Randwick meeting before upping the ante to Saturday grade. The talented son of Cosmic Force took the rise in class in his stride, settling behind the leader for Tommy Berry and letting down with an impressive change of gear. He forged clear to win the 1100m contest win by two lengths over stakes-placed filly Horseshoe Hill with a big gap of nearly five lengths back to the next horse. A $150,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Mullaglass Stud for Darby Racing, Raging Force has the overall record of three wins from four starts with prizemoney just shy of $170,000 and spring targets are on the horizon. “He was very impressive again and more importantly, he would have learned a lot from that,” said assistant trainer Aaron Lau. “He took a bit of cover and he won't be able to just walk out and lead every single race, but he switched off nicely and it was a patient ride by Tommy and good to get the job done. “He's got a great attitude. He's got a lovely big action on him. He's probably better on top of the ground as well, but he's very progressive and exciting going forward. “We just wanted to see him come here today and do it. It's all well and good winning at the midweeks, but coming on a Saturday and putting on a performance like that, you can really of map ahead going forward.” The path to the $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose has many stepping stones along the way and Tommy Berry sees Raging Force as a possible contender. “I think every winter you sort of find one or two nice colts or fillies that have just taken a little time to mature, and he is one of them and you look at him now and nothing fazes him,” said Tommy Berry. “He's got a great attitude. When he jumped so well, I really wanted to take the lead with him today and just take bad luck out of the equation, but when they went too quick for him, he came back to me relaxed and handled the situation perfectly. “He's up and running now, heading towards the Rosebud, Run to the Rose, Golden Rose, where you meet horses that have already proven themselves at the top level, but are still just getting fit. “He's the fit horse on the scene, and he might be able to catch them napping, hopefully. “He's learning his craft every time, and I still think he's a prep away from being at his best, but that's exciting to see.” Bred by Dr Richard McClenahan of Mullaglass Stud, Raging Force is the first winner from stakes-placed Stryker mare Miss Loren, who traces back to the family of Group III winning filly Dandolera. Mullaglass Stud sold a yearling colt by Captivant from Miss Loren at Inglis Classic this year for $30,000 and she has a colt to follow by Zousain and is back in foal to him again. Raging Force looks a bright prospect for young Newgate sire Cosmic Force, who has had a great season with four stakes-winners to his credit– Give Me Space, Stay Focused, Cosmic Fire and Wonder Boy – and he stands at a fee of $16,500.Copy: Breednet, Images: Georgia Young Photography

28

Jun 2025

Group 1 Tatts Tiara To Snowden Racing's Tashi

From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m). Tashi wins the G1 Tatts Tiara - image Grant Courtney A homebred for Corumbene Stud, who also bred and sold her sire Sebring, Tashi has been trained throughout her career by Peter Snowden. She won on debut at Randwick on June 15 three years ago and is one of those mares that has made steady, but not spectacular progress ever since. Tashi worked her way through the benchmark racing before moving up to stakes company last year and so begun an incredibly frustrating run of seven stakes-placings until she arrived in the promised land at last on Saturday. Given a great ride by Tom Sherry, the stars aligned for Tashi as she surged clear to win her first ever stakes race in the G1 Tatts Tiara by nearly two lengths over local rival Abounding with long shot Zoustar mare Olentia filling out the trifecta. Tashi now has the overall record of five wins and 14 placings from 26 starts with earnings topping $1million and Peter Snowden was ecstatic. "She's been tremendous all prep, so nobody could begrudge her the win," Snowden said. "She kept putting her hand up every start, so I'm really proud of her. "There were no half measures today, she won dominantly. She kept getting beaten short half heads, it was a tremendous run last week in the Dane Ripper, I think this is her 11th run this campaign so huge credit to her." "Tom (Sherry) rode her an absolute peach today, I think it's his first Group 1 so I'm so pleased for him and the mare.” First G1 for Tashi and Tom Sherry - image Grant Courtney Sherry was on Tashi last start when she finished second in the Group II BRC Dane Ripper, so was delighted to get the win, his first in a G1 race. "It's been a long time coming for me," Sherry said. "The stars aligned today, and I can't thank Peter and his team enough. It's been a long road and it's been a tough year, but moments like this make it all worthwhile. "When I came up outside Abounding, I got the jitters and went full bore. "I've worked really hard to get here. Winning a Group One for a lad from Ireland is a very big deal for me. "I'm so proud of this mare and it feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Things like this don't happen to people like me, so I'm delighted." Tashi may well be the last G1 winner for her sire Sebring -image Grant Courtney Bred and retained to race by the Altomonte family owned Corumbene Stud, Tashi is the bets of two winner from three foals to race from the Shadwell bred Street Cry (IRE) mare Ghenwaa that was bought by Corumbene Stud for $300,000 from the 2018 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale. Ghenwaa is a winning half-sister to stakes-winners Taraayef and Haybah from the family of dual Derby winner and sire Rebel Raider. Corumbene Stud sold a yearling colt by Capitalist from Ghenwaa at the Magic Millions this year for $80,000 to Ricky Yiu and she produced a colt last year by Russian Revolution before going to Toronado (IRE). Tashi is the 83rd stakes-winner for Sebring and is his ninth Group I winner.Copy: Breednet

25

Jun 2025

Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick

Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track. Trained by Peter Snowden, Raging Force was sent to Muswellbrook on June 1 when resuming from a lengthy spell to score an easy win and then had a tick over trial at Wyong before trying his hand in town. Sent out a short priced favourite for the 1100m juvenile contest at Randwick on Wednesday, Raging Force gave Tommy Berry an easy steer to lead all the way and win by four lengths. “He wandered around at Muswellbrook when he won and that's why I gave him another trial the other day and just confirmed his education a bit more. The winkers have certainly made a big difference to him as well,” said Peter Snowden. “He's a talented horse with a good upside. We put him in the deep end with the Breeder’s Plate, and he had an injury that happened in that race, so he was out for quite an extended time. “He's over it now, and he's come back out a brand new model of himself and he’s one to watch going forward for sure.” Raging Force looks a bright prospect for young Newgate sire Cosmic Force, who has had a great season with four stakes-winners to his credit– Give Me Space, Stay Focused, Cosmic Fire and Wonder Boy – and he stands at a fee of $16,500. Tommy Berry was full of praise for Raging Force. “He's been building up to something like that. He's been a lovely horse at home for a long time, but he's had a bee in his bonnet at times and just needed to grow up a little bit,” he said. “I think it's been a master stroke from Pete to take him these big long trips away; up to Musswellbrook was great as they get a good day out and then the trip away to Wyong for a trial, he needed that because of his manners is in the mounting yard, but today I was so confident going to the gates on him. He was just in a really good frame of mind. “He's pretty fast, but he relaxes well enough to get 1400, although he’s a Cosmic Force, so he's bred to be fast. he's done a great job at stud. “He's producing really precocious, fast types and this is another one, so full credit to Newgate and their team.” A $150,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Mullaglass Stud for Darby Racing, Raging Force is the first winner from stakes-placed Stryker mare Miss Loren, who traces back to the family of Group III winning filly Dandolera.Copy: Breednet, Images: Georgia Young Photography

10

May 2025

Beadman Bolts Away with G3 Ken Russell Memorial

When the China Horse Club/ Newgate and partners stallion syndicate elected to name an expensive Snitzel colt Beadman there would have been high hopes he could honour the name and it looks like a good decision was made. Trained by Peter Snowden, Beadman, named after champion Australian jockey Darren Beadman, has show ability for the get go. He showed talent in two barrier trials in March and April before a debut second at Kembla and a win at Newcastle, but jumped right out of the ground at the Gold Coast on Saturday when stepping up in class for the $200,000 Group III Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m). Ridden by James McDonald, Beadman relished the heavy track and romped home to win as he pleased beating previously unbeaten Hellbent filly Sunrays by a widening eight lengths with Group I winner Startante’s little brother Fabulantes in third place. It was the first ride on Beadman for James McDonald and he was impressed with good looking chestnut. "He's always promised a lot and he's a beautiful type. So he's definitely got a bright future. That was the definition of sustained speed,” said McDonald. "I couldn't hear them coming, which was a bit of a worry because I didn't want one of them to blouse him. I hadn't expected him to be that far in front of them, so I was able to be pretty soft on him late. “He's a big colt and he's still learning his craft, so he won't take any harm from that and I'm sure he'll win another race up here." Peter Snowden will be looking for bigger fish for Beadman to fry with the $1million Group II BRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) on May 31 is a likely target. "The only question was whether he could handle that sort of track. He handled it pretty well at Newcastle but this one was a bit different. He kept skipping along on it, and for James to let him stride before the corner, I knew they must be going pretty well,” he said. “The progression he's made just this last month is pretty incredible. "He's clearly very talented, and he doesn't know how good he is. He doesn't overdo it in his trackwork, he's a very laid-back customer. He did give me the feeling that we could come up here and win a decent race with him, but he's certainly surprised me today with that performance. "We'll soak up the win first, but I don't think seven furlongs will be any problem for him so we'll definitely be looking towards the Sires with him." A $900,000 Magic Millions purchase from Arrowfield for China Horse Club/Newgate/Go Bloodstock/Trilogy, Beadman has had two wins from three starts earning nearly $150,000 in prizemoney Bred by Arrowfield in partnership with Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Beadman is the best of three winners from French stakes-winner Iffranesia (Fr), who is by influential sire Iffraaj. Iffranesia had no yearling at the sales this year, but had a colt by Snitzel last year and is now on foal to Dundeel. Beadman is the 159th stakes-winner for Arrowfield’s champion sire Snitzel, who is the leading sire of 2YO’s in Australia this season.Copy: Breednet

3

May 2025

$1.4million Written Tycoon Colt Wins G3 Hawkesbury Guineas

Written Tycoon has an amazing crop of three year-olds running for him this season that has now yielded an impressive 12 stakes-winners with expensive colt Media World taking out the $250,000 Group III Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) on Saturday. The highest priced yearling from that stellar crop when purchased by Yulong for $1.4million from Fairview Park Stud at Inglis Easter, Media World broke his maiden at Hawkesbury on this day last year when winning the non Black Type Clarendon Stakes for juveniles. Trained by Peter Snowden and ridden by Tyler Schiller, Media World was second up from a spell and looked good scoring first up in midweek company last month, so was expected to run well again albeit up in class. Media World got to the front in the straight and held off a late bid from Just Party to win by a head taking his overall record to three wins and three placings from 10 starts with prizemoney topping $340,000.A trip to Brisbane would now be on the cards for Media World with races like the Group III BRC Fred Best Classic and possibly the Group I BRC Stradbroke Handicap on the radar if he continues to improve. Media World was bred by Frank and Christine Cook’s Mystery Downs and they retain a share in his ownership.He is the first foal of Group III winner Epaulette mare Meryl, whose next foal, a colt by Capitalist sold for $320,000 at Inglis Easter when bought by MG Price Racing & Breeding / Roll The Dice Syndication / Rogers Bloodstock. Meryl certainly throws a good type as her third foal, a filly by Pierata sold for $330,000 at Inglis Easter this year to Randwick Bloodstock and she has a Pierro filly to follow. Media World is the 76th stakes-winner for Written Tycoon, who is listed as private by Yulong for this spring.Copy: Breednet, Images: Georgia Young Photography

30

Apr 2025

Tassort 2YO Filly Too Good

Just days after Tassort narrowly missed G1 success in Adelaide where his star three year-old filly Ameena was edged out of victory in the SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes, he struck at Canterbury with another promising filly. Trained by Peter Snowden and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Miss Freelove showed good potential at her first start two weeks ago when running third at Warwick Farm and went to the post as favourite.She led and controlled the race comfortably before dashing away to win the 1100m maiden by more than two lengths prompting praise from her trainer. “She travelled really well and I thought, watching the race coming to the corner, if she doesn't find something here, we're in a bit of trouble, because she had such a soft lead,” said Peter Snowden. “Kerrin rated her well and it was good to see her win the way she did. “I like her, I've always liked her and she’s by a stallion sire (Tassort) that's doing a great job and they keep improving. I like her, she's doing a great job. I just keep on improving although how far we go in this prep will be decided by how she pulls up.” Miss Freelove carries the Trilogy Racing colours and was a $110,000 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase for Trilogy Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock from the draft of Twin Hills Stud. Bred by Redbank North, she is the third winner from three to race from Vee, an unraced half-sister by Sebring to stakes-winner Terror Force. Miss Freelove is the fifth winner from 13 starters out of the second crop of Tassort, who stands at a fee of $38,500 this spring at Newgate Farm.Copy: Breednet

27

Apr 2025

Snowden eyes record eighth Hawkesbury Crown

Champion trainer Peter Snowden is chasing a record eighth win in the Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) with talented mares Coco Jamboo (pictured above), Flying Thinker and Tashi at the stand-alone meeting on Saturday. Coco Jamboo is returning as the defending champ and is attempting to join former stablemate Aerobatics (2013-14) as the only dual winner of the big Hawkesbury fillies and mares race. Snowden has also won the Crown with Nancy (2016), Kanzan (2011), Serenissima (2010) and Sung (2008). In fact, the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting has been a happy hunting ground for Snowden ever since he started his training career with Darley in 2008. Snowden has also trained the winners of a record five Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) with Exoboom (2021), Military Zone (2019), Limes (2013) and Free Wheeling (2012). He will have Media World and Fearless in the three-year-old classic on Saturday. In fact, Media World (below) is no stranger to Hawkesbury stand-alone success himself having won the $160,000 Clarendon Stakes (1400m) for two-year-olds last year – giving Snowden another training record with his fifth win in the race after Creator (2019), Meursault (2014), Kanzan (2009) and Fravashi (2008). Media World, a superbly bred colt by Written Tycoon out of Meryl, resumed with a fighting win at Warwick Farm against older horses earlier this month. "I thought Media World did a super job in a very fast run race at Warwick Farm,'' Snowden said. "He came off the bridle a fair way out but stuck to his task really well. "He will back up in the Hawkesbury Guineas and if he runs well on Saturday then we will look at the Fred Best Classic in Brisbane.'' Fearless, a Group 1 placegetter, has been improved by two runs from a spell and Snowden is expecting a competitive effort in the Hawkesbury Guineas. Snowden said Fire Star, winner of four city races in succession when last in work, has trained on well since his first-up fifth to Pisanello at Canterbury and could take his place in the Listed $200,000 Hawkesbury Rush (1100m).Copy: Ray Thomas, Racenet

15

Apr 2025

Akaysha - One To Watch

The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win. The Peter Snowden-trained Akaysha was easy in the market despite good efforts at her two most recent trials, but with high expectations on some of the colts engaged, punters did not expect her to win. Given a quiet ride by Tom Sherry in a fast run race, Akaysha worked into the clear and accelerated well to hit the front and held off the late finish of stablemate Beadman to win by a long neck in 55.86 seconds, which is not far off the course record of 55.58 seconds Akaysha is a home bred for David Baxter’s Macquarie Stud and is a full sister to stakes-winner Ka Bling and half-sister to the dam of stakes-winner Brudenell being the sixth winner from eight foals to race from Group III winner Zingaling. Also bred and raced by Macquarie Stud, Zingaling has not had a foal since Akaysha. Akaysha is the tenth two-year-old winner this season for Capitalist, who has sired stakes-winning juveniles in Australia and New Zealand this year in Memo and To Cap It All. Copy: Breednet

15

Mar 2025

Memo ‘Australia’s Best Maiden’ No More

With $600,000 in the bank and four placings from her first five starts Capitalist filly Memo was ‘Australia’s best maiden’ until she went to Rosehill on Saturday where she kicked the bridesmaid tag to the kerb with a late charging win in the $250,000 ATC Magic Night Stakes (1200m). Trained by Peter Snowden, Memo was up and going to win at the official two year-old trials last spring and has been kept going ever since with a summer campaign for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in which she ran second to O’ Ole. She finished out of the placings for the first time when eighth to Within the Law in the Group III ATC Sweet Embrace Stakes, but was able to turn that form around with a withering finishing burst. Memo enjoyed a sweet run in transit back in the field on the fence and when angled into clear running she hit top gear as the widest runner and zoomed past her rivals to win by half a length for Kerrin McEvoy and has now won over $750,000 in prizemoney. Peter Snowden is not only the trainer, but also a part-owner and is not keen to back up in the Golden Slipper. “It’s unlikely she will run. She’s had a long preparation and the Percy Sykes (G2) might be more her go,” he said. “To my mind, it’s a very hot day and to try and back up a filly that has had a long prep like that might be a bridge too far. “If we go to the Percy Sykes she could have three or four days in the paddock and bring her back in. She’s held good condition and is a very fit filly. We’ve just got to get her mindset right as that’s a hard race to win and I’m not taking it lightly, but she’s a damn good filly.” Foaled and raised at Newgate, Memo was a $350,000 Magic Millions purchase for her trainer and runs for an ownership group that includes her breeders Love Racing. She is the second foal and first winner for Group III placed Fastnet Rock mare Notation, a daughter of South African Group I winner Chocolicious (SAfr). Newgate sold a Stay Inside colt from Notation at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $380,000 to Yulong and she was covered by Capitalist last spring after having the previous year off. Memo is the 23rd stakes-winner for Newgate Farm’s Capitalist, who won the Golden Slipper in 2016 and was also trained by Peter Snowden.Copy: Breednet, Images: Georgia Young Photogtaphy

25

Feb 2025

Amreekiyah - One to Watch From Kembla

Promising debut winner at Kembla on Tuesday in the Emirates Park colours is Justify (USA) filly Amreekiyah, who has a half-sister by Home Affairs to be offered at Inglis Easter. Trained by Peter Snowden and ridden by Braith Nock, Amreekiyah has been handled patiently and was unsighted at two, but showed nice ability in two trials this year. She was allowed to find her feet in the run and let down with a surging finish to power home and win the 1300m maiden by a neck doing her best work on the line. A $420,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft, Amreekiyah runs for Emirates Park and various Snowden stable clients. She is a half-sister to Group II winner Yaletown and is the second winner from multiple Group placed stakes-winner Marianne (NZ), a Darci Brahma mare from the family of recent stakes-winner Prairie Flower. Coolmore sold a full sister to Amreekiyah at Inglis Easter last year for $800,000 and will offer her yearling half-sister by Home Affairs as agent for Morning Rise Stud this year as Lot 50. Marianne produced another filly by Justify last spring and was then covered by Wootton Bassett (GB).Copy: Breednet

25

Oct 2024

Snowden stacks the bases in Brian Crowley

High Octane headlines Peter Snowden’s three-strong contingent for the Brian Crowley Stakes. The Brian Crowley Stakes will be a pivotal assignment for talented colt High Octane and trainer Peter Snowden is putting him on notice to perform. Snowden is certain the Blue Diamond Preview winner is the class horse of the race and he is hoping an outside gate gives the three-year-old the chance to prove it. Resuming with an encouraging third to Gatsby's in The Rosebud (1100m) in August when he had to thread between runners, High Octane had a hit-and-run trip to Melbourne where he finished fourth to Growing Empire in the Poseidon Stakes (1100m). He again found himself in among rivals from a rails draw when finishing sixth in Group company last start and from the outside alley at Randwick, Snowden wants to see him rediscover his best form. "It is D-Day for him, especially with this ownership group (Newgate stallions syndicate). They don't muck around too long with them, and he got the warning sign last start so he's got to perform on Saturday," Snowden said. "But it looks like a good race for him. I think he is the best horse in the race and he has been racing without a lot of luck. "He gets a good rider on board (Joao Moreira) and drawn seven is a plus for him because he doesn't like being buried away inside of horses. "He should be able to get clear air here and get to the outside. I think you'll see a better performance from him on Saturday." Snowden is also looking for the usually consistent King Of Roseau to lift in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) after he over-raced when down the track in the Tapp-Craig (1400m) last start. Winkers come off the colt and Snowden is hoping that performance was an anomaly. "He was disappointing the other day but he over-raced badly and he has never done that," he said. "It was a slow-run race, seven-furlongs, and he got posted three-deep and just saw clean air and took off. He pulled way too hard and he was a shot duck on the corner. "I am wiping that race out of my mind. "If he gets cover and gets back to his old form, he is certainly capable of winning. He just needs to do things right again." The lightly raced Manos rounds out Snowden's team after a stylish maiden win at Warwick Farm earlier this month. "It's a big jump from maiden class to that class but the good alley should give him a soft run and he does have ability," Snowden said. "He is not without a sneaky chance, but High Octane is definitely my top pick in the race." Snowden is also looking for another bold run from Coco Jamboo in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) after her luckless first-up fourth behind favourite Olentia in The Nivison (1200m). "It's a good field, Grahame Begg's horse (Magic Time) is probably the class horse in the race and the one to beat, but I'm happy with her and I was rapt with her first-up run," he said. "She is very genuine. She puts in and she stays in and tries really hard. She is tough as nails."

1

Oct 2024

Generation Next: 'Work hard, apply yourself, and surround yourself with the best people'

Hard work and patience are key ingredients to progressing in the thoroughbred industry, and Colum McCullagh, climbing from a stud gardener to racing and bloodstock manager for Peter Snowden, has them both in spades. Growing up in County Meath, Ireland, McCullagh’s earliest memories of the thoroughbred industry consist of regular trips to the local jumps racing yard with his father. “My dad had a couple of point-to-pointers - slow ones, mind you,” McCullagh told TTR AusNZ. “I used to be put up on the pony, walking around the yard at that stage.” Colum McCullagh riding as a 4-year-old | Image supplied McCullagh would not pursue a career in the saddle, but he would re-engage with the industry as a late teenager when he took up a summer gardening job with Robert Byrne’s Platinum Bloodstock. His employment coincided with the start of yearling preparation, and it wasn’t long before McCullagh found himself holding the end of a leadrope. “I learned the ropes there (Platinum Bloodstock) on horse husbandry and how to handle them properly,” said McCullagh. “It was quite clear to me early on that I caught the bug and I (have) never looked back.” After finishing school, McCullagh spent a year working full time for Platinum Bloodstock, before moving to Kildangan Stud, the Irish base of Darley Europe. He would work the breeding season, summer in New York working in construction for his brother-in-law, then return for the breaking-in season in the autumn. Colum McCullagh whilst at the Irish National Stud in 2015 After three years with Darley, McCullagh applied for the revered Irish National Stud thoroughbred breeding management course. “That was a really good jump start,” said McCullagh, who was part of the 2015 intake. “It’s obviously a very well-renowned course, and it gave me a foundation for what way I wanted to go and how to get there.” McCullagh added polish to his resume for the rest of that year with sales work and breaking in yearlings, and it would be in that winter, while working for Moyglare Stud in County Kildare, that he would be inspired to make an international move. “It was December in the cold depths of winter in Ireland and we were lunging yearlings,” reminisced McCullagh. “It was hammering down with rain, the wind was howling, it was freezing cold, and I said, I (have) got to go somewhere warmer.” A warm Australian welcome Landing in Australia soon after, McCullagh headed straight to the Hunter Valley to work for Arrowfield Stud. “(Arrowfield) is a household name in the Australian breeding industry,” he said. “I got to do a bit of everything there, I’ll always be thankful to the Messaras for giving me that opportunity.” In June of 2016, he was introduced to Warwick Farm’s resident multiple Group 1-winning trainer Matthew Smith, which would lead to his first proper exposure to the Australian racing industry. Matthew Smith | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan “Thankfully he (Matthew Smith) saw some sort of spark in me, and offered me a role,” said McCullagh, who became Smith’s racing manager for the next two and a half years. Smith had never had a racing manager before, and McCullagh described working together with him to figure out how that role could best serve Smith’s successful training business. “I had some great guidance from him, and also Melissa (Smith), who is really the backbone of the business. They gave me a fantastic grounding on the racing side of things.” McCullagh continued, “Matt is very good with a stayer, (and) he really has a knack with older mares.” Shining examples of Smith’s success have been Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow) and Nimalee (So You Think {NZ}), who were both 5-year-olds when victorious at the highest level. “He’s grown that business a lot since I left and he’s got no bigger supporter than me, it’s great to see him doing so well,” added McCullagh. “We were lucky enough to have Fierce Impact in the stable when I was there, and then I left and he won two Group 1s, which I missed out on!” Fierce Impact (Jpn) | Standing at Leneva Park Stud Imported to Australia in late 2017, Fierce Impact (Jpn) retired to stud with three top-flight victories to his name, capped by the G1 Makybe Diva S. His oldest progeny appeared at the yearling sales earlier this year, landing in the stables of renowned judges Lindsay Park, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, and Michael Freedman. New connections In early 2019, McCullagh made the move to Randwick and took on the role of racing manager for Peter and Paul Snowden. “The role I have now is very open, it can change a lot,” McCullagh said, who has expanded this role in the last five years to cover bloodstock interests as well. “It (has given) me that opportunity to learn from the best, from the racing side of things, but also the bloodstock, buying, selling, trading side of things. I’ve been lucky that I’ve learned from the best in both dimensions.” An exciting aspect has been helping the client base expand, and exploring new avenues, including tapping into the import market. “Bloodstock has always been a love of mine,” McCullagh continued. “When I went to the Snowdens, they never really bought and syndicated yearlings and imports, (but) since I’ve been there, we’ve made a huge kick in the market, and we’ve had great success doing it. There’s a huge appetite for the staying races and the prizemoney.” High-profile Northern Hemisphere acquisitions in recent years include rising star Touristic (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and high flying Huetor (Fr) (Archipenko {USA}). “We selected and purchased (Huetor) from France for a very reasonable price,” said McCullagh. “He’s won two Doomben Cups now, and hopefully he can head down to Melbourne and make his presence felt this spring.” Exciting prospects With the arrival of the new racing season, attention turns to the 2-year-olds, and the first appearances of potential breed-shaping colts. “The Snowdens have always been dubbed as juvenile trainers, with their success putting colts to stud.” In his tenure with Team Snowden, McCullagh has witnessed colts such as Captivant, Cosmic Force, and Wild Ruler secure their place at stud. “We always get the support of the colt syndicates. For us, those are our high market owners.” Two new stallion prospects have emerged in the past season in Don Corleone, set to stand at Eureka Stud, and King’s Gambit, a new addition to Newgate Farm’s formidable roster. Seeing the latter win the G2 Roman Consul was a highlight of the racing season for McCullagh. “There was a lot of work put into that horse to get him where he was,” McCullagh said. “We had a very high high that day, and then we had a very low low when he popped a temp a couple of days before the Coolmore down in Melbourne but seeing him go off to stud now is obviously exciting.” The newly turned 3-year-olds offer several exciting prospects in McCullagh’s eyes, chief among them being High Octane (Deep Field) and Bodyguard (I Am Invincible). High Octane Bodyguard On Bodyguard, “he's probably one of the best-looking horses you've ever seen, and he's back in great shape, hopefully he's in for an exciting spring.” Bodyguard has yet to step out in the new racing season, but High Octane was mostly recently seen bolting home after Group 3 winner Kibou (Maurice {Jpn}) in a Randwick trial. “Another highlight would be seeing Xidaki win the (G3) Winx Guineas,” added McCullagh. Bred and owned by Angelo 'Lucky' Pippos, Xidaki (Zoustar) was also victorious in the Listed Canberra Guineas earlier in the year. “He’s for a very special owner. It was very rewarding to get that stakes win for him, a very special moment.” Having patience McCullagh feels fortunate to be able to continue learning as the Snowden training partnership transitions back to Peter Snowden at the helm, with his son stepping back to spend time with his family. “Peter is a very hands-on trainer, always had that approach,” McCullagh said. “I learn a lot from him in terms of horse husbandry - it’s almost as if he can read horses’ minds sometimes, it’s bizarre! “I will forever be in debt for what he has taught me to date, in terms of training, business, life. He’s a fantastic mentor. Paul needs to be included in that too.” McCullagh is also appreciative of the opportunities available in the Australian industry, “if you’re willing to work hard and apply yourself, you’ll get noticed. Employers will find you.” Although he does impress the need for patience as well as work ethic. Peter Snowden and Colum McCullagh Reminiscing on a job interview with Malachy Ryan, manager of Moyglare Stud, McCullagh recalled having “the cheek” to ask for more money, “(Ryan) said don't worry, you need to not panic, money will come, and he was right. You think you want to get to the top as fast as possible, and you need to have a little bit of patience. “If you work hard, apply yourself, and - as we say - surround yourself with the best people and surround your horses with the worst horses, you'll be sure of getting a winner.”

Snowden Racing | Snowden Racing News

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Snowden Racing | Snowden Racing News

NEWS

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