Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have been dominating on the track, pretty much ever since they formalised their training partnership in July 2018.
From Victoria to Queensland, they have made a habit of winning Group 1s.
And, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a sprint or staying race.
In 2019, they won the Doomben Cup with Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt) and the Manikato S. with Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible), who then won the William Reid S. the following year.
Etah James (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) claimed the 2020 Sydney Cup, before the ill-fated Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) was crowned Cox Plate champion. The import returned the following autumn and triumphed in the Tancred S. in dominant fashion.
Gallery: Some of Ciaron Maher Racing's Group 1 winners, images courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) was winning Classic races for fun, taking out the South Australian and ATC Derbies (he also won the Listed Tasmanian Derby) during his 3-year-old season.
Then, last spring, Hitotsu (Maurice {Jpn}) announced himself as star of the future, scoring a brilliant victory in the Victoria Derby. He returned for two races this autumn, enhancing his reputation with wins in the Australian Guineas and ATC Derby.
Marabi (I Am Invincible) went from winning a Pakenham maiden in February to becoming a Group 1 winner of the Oakleigh Plate in March.
Imported mare Lighthouse (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}) joined the Group 1 party when she ploughed through the heavy going to triumph in the Coolmore Classic, while Snapdancer (Choisir) became their most recent top-level winner when she ran away with the Robert Sangster S. in Adelaide.
The size of their stable has grown exponentially and they dominate the provincials.
Will Bourne, Gabrielle Nutt, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This season, they lead the Victoria Trainers’ Premiership by more than 100 winners, they boast a 50-plus margin in the Metropolitan title, and have a commanding lead in the Country Premiership.
Oh, and they also happen to be bloody good trainers of jumpers, and recently added the Galleywood Hurdle, Grand Annual Steeple and Australian Hurdle to their ever burgeoning record.
Put simply, there isn’t much they can’t or don’t do.
They will break new ground on the Gold Coast this week, however, when they offer their first draft at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
It must be said that Maher sold his Caulfield Cup-winning heroine Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}) at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale Book 1.
Triple Group 1 winner Jameka when racing | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Not surprisingly, Jameka – a triple Group 1 winner – made good money; $2.6 million to be precise.
This time around, though, racing’s newest juggernaut will offer five tried-horses.
And, according to Ciaron Maher Racing Bloodstock Manager, Will Bourne, it’s a sign of things to come.
“We will probably always do it for the fillies and mares that stay in work, but for those horses that are retired or in foal, we probably won’t,” Bourne told TDN AusNZ.
Will Bourne and Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We can keep them in work, they can race for new owners, whether that be with Ciaron and David or another trainer… everything we are selling is off the track, it’s not mares in foal or anything like that.
“Definitely those horses that are in work… we work them in the morning and then they come over to the sales complex.
“It enables them to stay in the system, and if someone wants to buy them and continue to race them, well, they’re fit and well and can carry on.”
“It enables them (tried-horses) to stay in the system, and if someone wants to buy them and continue to race them, well, they’re fit and well and can carry on.” - Will Bourne
Deciding who to sell
Bourne admits the process of determining which fillies and mares to sell can be difficult, but the task is made all the more easier with a collaborative approach.
Bourne said the owners’ interests are paramount and he believes they appreciate the stable’s transparency.
“It’s not always about selling mares that have reached their potential, it’s about their page, as well. Sometimes it’s really hard to justify racing some of these horses,” he said.
“It’s not always about selling mares that have reached their potential, it’s about their page, as well. Sometimes it’s really hard to justify racing some of these horses.” - Will Bourne
“It depends on what they are worth and how much it’s going to be to justify to keep racing them.
“Some mares and fillies that have no page; there’s no real value in putting them into the Broodmare Sale; they might win $80-$100,000 on the track. But, some of these mares have good pages that have reached their mark and have nice updates.
“We want to be able to manage our clients all the way through, just so it’s always our system and our updates. The owners get the one experience, which is an important part of Ciaron Maher Racing.”
The five-member draft
Lot 548 - Universal Lady (Exceed And Excel x Bound For Earth {Northern Meteor})
This 4-year-old mare is a two-time city winner that has banked $145,425 for connections from 18 starts.
Her dam, Bound For Earth (Northern Meteor), is a Listed winner and her second dam, Bulla Borghese (Belong To Me {USA}) won the G1 VRC Oaks.
“Universal Lady is a really nice mare, I think she will sell well,” said Bourne.
“She’s got a genuine page.”
Lot 548 - Universal Lady (Exceed And Excel) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lot 603 - Chassis (Al Maher x Poco Gusto {Hussonet {USA}})
Chassis (Al Maher) has only been with Maher-Eustace for three starts and was third when fresh in the Listed Hareeba S. at Mornington in March.
She is a five-time winner and dual Group 3 placegetter, with earnings totalling $451,475.
The 5-year-old has plenty of winners on her page, including Kachina (El Qahira {NZ}), The Bavarian (Grand Lodge {USA}) and Beijing Bound (Quest For Fame {GB}).
“Chassis was good, she was probably stiff not to win a stakes race for us,” Bourne said.
Lot 603 - Chassis (Al Maher) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lot 610 - Crystal Bound (Not A Single Doubt x Crystalised {NZ} {Zabeel {NZ}})
A Listed winner on debut at two, this filly ran second at Group 2 level at her second start.
She is lightly raced, having had just seven starts (with two wins).
Her dam, Crystalised (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), is a half-sister to dual Group 1 victress Zarita (NZ) (Pentire {GB), Group 2 winner Run Like The Wind (NZ) (Pins) and 12-time winner Joy And Fun (Cullen).
Lot 610 - Crystal Bound (Not A Single Doubt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lot 699 - Nice For What (Shalaa {Ire} x Bana Wu {GB} {Shirocco {Ger}})
Nice For What was placed at Group 3 level on debut and broke though for her maiden triumph at Cranbourne last start.
She is a half-sister to four-time Group 1 heroine Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}).
“She’s a now half to Montefilia and worth a decent amount, so it’s really hard to justify running her on a Saturday,” Bourne explained.
“A horse like her, I think there’s still plenty of good racing left in her; she can become a Saturday winner, but I think she will make good money in the ring and we’ve had a chat to all the owners and they’re in agreeance.
“It’s probably hard to keep her and justify racing her when she’s worth so much money in the sales ring.”
Lot 699 - Nice For What (Shalaa {Ire}) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lot 704 - Ocean’s Thirteen (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ} x Really Reputable {NZ} {O’Reilly {NZ}})
A daughter of Ocean Park (NZ), she won six races, including one in the city, amassing $175,700 in prizemoney.
She is a half-sister to dual Listed winner Reputabelle (NZ) (Pins) and her grandam, Reputedly (Quest For Fame {GB}), has thrown two stakes winners – Stickpin (NZ) (Pins) and The Bandito (NZ) (Pins)
Lot 704 - Ocean’s Thirteen (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
