Mr Brightside (NZ) Masters Ninth Group One

The incomparable Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) continued to climb the list of Karaka’s all-time greats with a ninth Group One triumph in Saturday’s A$750,000 Lamaro’s Hotel Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Mr Brightside was a $22,000 purchase by Phill Cataldo from the 2019 May Sale and was later passed in with a $50,000 reserve at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale. He has amassed A$16.98m from a 42-start career that has produced 19 magnificent wins and 13 placings.

Mr Brightside’s nine victories at the elite level have earned him a place among Karaka’s most prolific Group One graduates. That list is still headed by Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) with 14 and So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral), Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) and Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire) with 10 each.

But Mr Brightside’s three Group One wins this season have taken him past the eight scored by Hong Kong champion Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock), and he is now level with fellow nine-time Group One winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock).

Saturday’s Futurity Stakes was a typical display of toughness and class from Mr Brightside. He was facing a strong headwind while racing on the outside of the front-running Private Life (Written Tycoon), who eventually dropped out to finish last.

Mr Brightside pressed on and took command in the straight, hanging tough when challenged by Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel). He held on to win by a head.

“He’s a great horse,” jockey Craig Williams said. “He’s an absolute powerhouse. Nine Group One wins, and they don’t give those away. With those nine Group One wins, he’s a champion. You don’t win that many times at Group One level and have it be a fluke. It just shows he’s a phenomenal horse.

“He had the outside draw today against some very good horses, but he stuck his head out at the winning post. Credit to the horse and credit to all the people behind him.”

Mr Brightside is trained by the Lindsay Park trio of Ben, Will and JD Hayes.

“He’s one of the best horses in the whole history of Lindsay Park and we’re so lucky to have him,” Ben Hayes said. “To see him win like that today, it’s not good for the heart, but we’re proud of him.

“We’re just so passionate about this guy, and we know he’s good enough. He’s shown it here. He’s the most important horse that we’ve ever been involved with.

“That’s his ninth Group One, and he’s also won an All-Star Mile (1600m) which is a Group One race now, so you could technically say 10.”

Mr Brightside will now attempt to add another $2.5m All-Star Mile to his collection when he lines up in the Flemington feature on March 8. Further down the track, he is in line for a trip to Hong Kong to contest the Group One Champions Mile (1600m) on April 27.

Vendor	Phoenix Park
Purchaser	Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (Waikato)
Breeding	Bullbars – Lilahjay
Sale	Lot 159, 2019 Karaka May Sale, $22,000Lot 39, 2019 Ready to Run Sale, Psd (Res $50,000)
Bred by	R I & Est Late M A G Johnson