Pantoja

While most of our shortlist at the latest Inglis Digital sale sold above our valuations, we are thrilled to have secured a quality gelding in PANTOJA, a handsome three-year-old from a very famous family, for just $37,500 (fall of hammer). We believe this represents exceptional value for a lightly-raced horse with clear upside.

By Pariah, PANTOJA has only had five career starts but has already shown sharp ability and strong potential for improvement. He broke his maiden in dominant fashion, winning by 3.2 lengths as a $1.35 favourite, with impressive figures to support the performance. His prior run, a fourth at Rosehill, was also full of merit. Since that race, seven of the eight runners who have raced again have all won. Among them was Snitzanova, whom PANTOJA beat home that day. Snitzanova went on to win three straight races, including at Group 2 and Group 3 level, before starting at single-figure odds in the $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.

We are pleased to confirm that PANTOJA will head to leading South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott. Michael is enjoying an outstanding season, training winners at over 20% and operating from a top-class private facility. He is a close friend of PANTOJA’s previous trainer Clayton Douglas, who gave the horse a glowing recommendation and felt he would thrive in Michael’s environment.

With just one career win and a Victorian rating of 62, PANTOJA will be very well placed in South Australia. The drop in competition compared to Victoria, combined with generous prizemoney and lower training rates, makes this a smart move. Michael is confident that a horse of this profile will be well suited to Saturday-grade races worth $50,000 or more and may even earn back most of his purchase price in just one run.

We believe PANTOJA has the scope to progress right through the grades and provide both a rewarding and profitable ownership experience. He will make the move to South Australia later this week, where Michael will assess him and we will then put together a campaign plan. With only one run under his belt this preparation, we expect to see him back at the races shortly and invite you to be a part of the exciting journey.

This is an exciting opportunity to get involved in a lightly-raced horse with plenty of upside. He won’t need to improve much to be highly competitive and win races for his new ownership group. We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Michael Hickmott on this horse, and both of us are confident it will be a rewarding and enjoyable journey for all involved.