Sunsets

It was a strong Inglis Digital catalogue last week, and right at the top of our wish list was a Group 3 winner named SUNSETS. We were thrilled to secure him for just $70,000 (fall of hammer), well below our internal valuation.

He’ll be a familiar name to many, having won the Group 3 Caulfield Classic as a 3-year-old, defeating multiple Group 1 winner Riff Rocket. He then backed it up with a narrow 3rd placing behind Riff Rocket again in the Group 1 Victoria Derby. Since that standout spring campaign, Sunsets has placed in both the Murtoa Cup and Moe Cup, and was beaten just over two lengths in the $500,000 Victorian Country Cups Final at Caulfield. While his most recent preparation may look below-par on paper, we’re confident that with a change in environment, stable, and riding tactics, we can turn things around and get him back to his best.

He’ll now head into the care of the in-form Ben, Will and JD Hayes at Lindsay Park. The stable picked up another Group 1 win on Saturday with War Machine and added three more winners at Sandown, further extending their lead in the Victorian Trainers Premiership with 218 wins. They are 32 wins clear of their nearest rival, Ciaron Maher Racing. With state-of-the-art facilities at their private Euroa base and a team operating at the peak of their powers, it’s no surprise to see them getting these results. As you’ll hear in the video above, the boys are confident they can get Sunsets back to his best and give his new ownership group a great ride.

Sunsets has a strong pedigree to match his race record. By Dundeel out of the Group 2-placed Fastnet Rock mare Waterloo Sunset, he was purchased as a yearling for $150,000 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Sale. Like many by Dundeel, he needed time to develop, but once he hit his stride as a 3-year-old, he showed serious talent. He was a dominant maiden winner at Donald, ran 2nd in the Victoria Derby Preview behind Gold Bullion, then finished 4th in the Listed Super Impose Stakes after being forced back from a wide gate. His next start saw him turn the tables with a tough win in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic, beating Riff Rocket with a gap to the rest. He followed that with a strong 3rd in the Group 1 Victoria Derby, beaten just over a length.

Since that campaign, he’s mixed his form but still managed to place in two Country Cups. We firmly believe he has more to offer and with the Hayes team taking over, we’re excited about what lies ahead.

He was thoroughly vetted before purchase, with the Lindsay Park veterinary team giving him the all-clear. He’s now arrived at Caroline Price’s spelling farm, King’s Park, where he’ll enjoy a few weeks off before heading into training at Lindsay Park Euroa.

If you’re looking to be part of a stable that is absolutely airborne, and want to race a horse on Saturdays at Caulfield, Moonee Valley, and Flemington, this is a great opportunity. We’re confident that with the right approach, we can get Sunsets back into the winners circle very soon.

PDS Pending