Mr Brightside (NZ) Goes Back-to-Back in Makybe Diva

The connections of Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) have had plenty of practice when it comes to singing his praises after big-race triumphs, but even they were left struggling for superlatives after Saturday’s A$750,000 Group One Crown Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Mr Brightside’s successful defence of his Makybe Diva Stakes title was his seventh Group One victory and his 17th win overall from 36 starts. Bought for $22,000 from the 2019 Karaka May Sale as a yearling by Phill Cataldo, and passed in with a $50,000 reserve at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale, he has gone on to earn more than A$14 million.

The sensational seven-year-old is the first horse to record two consecutive wins in the Makybe Diva Stakes since the race was renamed in honour of the great Makybe Diva (Desert King) back in 2007. Even under its previous name, the Craiglee Stakes, there had been no back-to-back winners since the 1950s.

“He’s a bit of a history-maker, winning this race twice and also being a dual Doncaster (1600m) winner as well,” co-trainer JD Hayes said. “He’s unbelievable. He truly is unique. We don’t take it lightly having a horse like him. He’s been so important to our careers.

“For him to come back and perform like that today is huge. He’s like a fine wine – just getting better and better.”

Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes brought together an exceptional cast of eight runners, seven of which had previously won at Group One level.

Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) emerged as one of the stars of Australian racing with blockbuster front-running wins in last season’s Group One Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Champions Mile (1600m) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), and she adopted those same daring tactics on Saturday as she opened up a commanding lead and threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the field.

Pride Of Jenni was showing no signs of slowing down at the turn, and it took something special from Mr Brightside to emerge from the pack and reel her in down the Flemington straight.

Responding to the urgings of regular rider Craig Williams, Mr Brightside slowly but surely edged closer and closer to Pride Of Jenni. He drew up alongside her with 100 metres remaining, then outfought her through a desperate final few strides to win by a long neck.

The first two finished more than four lengths ahead of the remainder of the field, which was headed by fellow Karaka graduates Antino (NZ) (Redwood) and Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) in third and fourth respectively.

“That was thrilling – what a spectacle,” JD Hayes said. “Pride Of Jenni was so brave out in front, as she always is, and our bloke had to knuckle down to the task. He’s a model of consistency and we’re so glad to have him.”

Williams was awestruck by Saturday’s performance.

“He’s just a sensational horse,” he said. “Ben, JD and Will Hayes have done a great job training him. I’m just the one with the privilege of riding him on raceday.

“It was a hard slog on a wet track today, but he has that tenacity and will to win. He’s an amazing racehorse.”

Ben Hayes believes it is appropriate that Mr Brightside has now recorded two wins in the race named after another of the greats of the Australian turf.

“There's only one Diva, and there's only one Mr B,” he said. “There is. He's such a special horse. He's amazing. I've said it a million times, but he just keeps performing and never lets us down. And it's so important. He's definitely the most consistent horse in Australia.”

The 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will be held at Karaka on November 20 and 21.

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