10th Group 1 winner for Not A Single Doubt

Here’s a challenge: run fourth in the 2000-metre Australasian Oaks G1 and back up a week later in the SAJC South Australian Derby G1 over 2500 metres. 

And here’s another challenge: be the sire of that Derby winner and a 2YO 1200m Group 2 winner on the same day.

Shadwell Stud’s wonderful 3YO filly Qafila and her wonderfully versatile sire Not A Single Doubt made it look easy.

Qafila skipped clear of the boys at Morphettville to win by more than 3 lengths and become Not A Single Doubt’s 10th Group 1 winner, while 2YO colt Dubious was just too good at Doomben in the $200,000 BRC Champagne Classic G2.

“But the bird has flown, and the bird is Qafila!”

The only filly in the race wins the SA Derby. @lindsayparkrace @TheRacesSA pic.twitter.com/NjTdIs1NME

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 11, 2019

Bred by Woodpark Stud from the Tapit mare Zighy Bay, Qafila was offered by Attunga Stud at the 2017 Magic Millions Sale where Shadwell’s buyer Angus Gold secured her for $450,000 and sent her to the Hayes & Dabernig team at Lindsay Park. 

Qafila’s ability was obvious on debut, when she won the MRC Debutant S. LR as a Spring 2YO, and she has since competed almost exclusively in Group races, achieving 8 top four finishes, including a victory in February’s Angus Armanasco S. G2. That consistency in quality company explains why, with just three wins, Qafila has earned almost $700,000.

“She’s a tremendous filly and she deserves this Group 1. She’s been competing at the highest level her whole career and it’s fantastic to get the win for Shadwell Stud.”
– Co-trainer Ben Hayes on Qafila

Like Qafila, Aquis Farm’s 2YO colt Dubious is proving a highly professional competitor, winning the ATC Breeders’ Plate G3 on debut last September, before a Queensland campaign that produced a win and a fine second to Exhilarates in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic RLR.

He resumed in the Autumn with a third placing in the ATC Todman S. G2 and has now bounced back from an unplaced Golden Slipper run to claim a Group 2 win in dominant fashion. 

“What a dude of a colt, he’s very push-button. On the better ground he was lethal.”
– Jockey James McDonald on Dubious

Dubious, out of the French-bred mare Suspicieuse (by Elusive City), was bred  by Chesapeake Thoroughbreds & Winton Bloodstock and offered by Kitchwin Hills at the Magic Millions Sale where Aquis Farm & Ciaron Maher paid $350,000 for him.  Dubious has already repaid them handsomely with earnings of  $1,015,150.

Not A Single Doubt’s own statistics are decidedly handsome.  Qafila is his second new Group 1 winner this season after Kenedna’s ATC Queen of the Turf victory last month, and his tally of 13 stakeswinners is bettered only by I Am Invincible. 

And he can boast three same-day stakes doubles this season: Champagne Cuddles & Samizdat on 9 February, Kenedna & Classique Legend, both at Randwick on 13 April and now Qafila & Dubious.

With $9.6 million prizemoney, Not A Single Doubt holds fifth spot on the General Sires’ Premiership and is closing on his fourth consecutive $10 million+ season.