Brazen Beau yearlings make Millions debut

Brazen Beau’s success on the track continues to be replicated in the saleroom as the latest chapter in his remarkable story unfolds.

The Champion sprinter has become a remarkable sire with 26 Australian-bred yearlings (some of whom fetched six-figure amounts when offered as weanlings) likely to create a buzz at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale in January 2018.

This excitement around Brazen Beau first emerged at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in June 2016 where he led the first-season sires' table as eight mares in foal to the champion sprinter sold for an average of $253,750 and a top price of $570,000.

The Champion Australian sprinter of his generation was bred by former jockey Bernie Howlett, who has the rare distinction of having ridden, trained and bred a G1 winner.

Howlett offered the son of I Am Invincible at the 2013 Inglis Classic Sale where he was knocked down to syndicator Grant Morgan for $70,000.

For Morgan, Brazen Beau ticked all the boxes: “We went looking for a two-year-old type and I Am Invincible had really impressed me.”

“Brazen Beau had beautiful balance, was strong everywhere, looked tough and had a great attitude. I could see him growing into a magnificent two-year-old.” 

Everything Morgan saw in Brazen Beau came to fruition as he made his debut at Canterbury in February 2014 with a four-and-a-half-length victory.

Within three months the colt had won at G2 level and a month later placed in the G1 J.J. Atkins Stakes in Brisbane.

Then he finished fifth in the G2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington before returning to Sydney to win the G2 Roman Consul Stakes.

That November trainer Chris Waller brought a fitter and stronger colt back to Melbourne and Brazen Beau duly won the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes confirming his special status.

“This horse is the complete package. Just look at him: he’s strong, well-balanced. He’s the perfect horse,’’ Waller said after that victory.

That victory led to Darley’s purchase of Brazen Beau, who next finished second in the G1 Lightning Stakes before achieving the rare feat of winning the G1 Newmarket Handicap as a three-year-old.

Waller described that victory over a field including two of the world’s highest-ranked sprinters as “one of the most dominant in this race for decades”.

“Obviously he’s beaten a world-class field and he’s beaten them with a bit of contempt really,” he said.

“You don’t see that kind of performance every day. He’s beaten some very good horses and beaten them easily.”

Jockey Joao Moreira, the Hong Kong champion, was equally enthusiastic: “Once I just pressed the button and put him under a little bit of pressure he gave me such a good, strong kick.”

“With a furlong to go, I knew I was going to win, he was just attacking the line, putting all that he’s got into the race.”

Brazen Beau concluded his racing career in England with the highlight an unlucky second place in the 2015 G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. He joined the Darley stallions roster in Australia in 2015 and in Britain in 2016.