Cormier kicks up in G1 JJ Atkins

2YO colt Cormier became the latest Group 1 performer for Maurice with a well-fought second in Saturday’s $1 million BRC J.J. Atkins 1600m G1, just 29 days after his debut win at Scone.  

He was given a perfectly judged ride by Aaron Bullock, taking the lead 300 metres out and kicking clear of all but the Hermitage-owned favourite Tron Bolt, who had also won their previous encounter at Rosehill on 30 May.

Aaron said, “He was very game in defeat. The winner beat him last start, but my horse improved again today. That little bit drier track to what it was last time, you can see him give a good run to the line. He was beaten, but he is a Group One horse in the making.”

The path ahead of Cormier is well-lit: previous Atkins runners-up include subsequent Group 1 winners Brazen Beau, Hot Snitzel & Zoustar.

He’s no solo traveller either – other promising members of Maurice’s 2023 crop include Group-placed filly Icelady & recent Sandown winner Vallice (both trained by Ciaron Maher), city-placed winner Momoka (with Stuart Kendrick), and Pomelo Chamomile, placed on debut in the Max Lees Classic (with Kris Lees).

Zap! ⚡️ Hot fav Tron Bolt delivers in the G1 JJ Atkins, and that’s a record-breaking 17 Group 1’s this season for @mcacajamez! 👏@cwallerracing @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/KYhfOeq4WY

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 13, 2026

Named for the mixed martial artist-turned UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, the imposing dark brown colt is a home-bred for Arrowfield & Pinecliff Racing and he’s trained by Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich who are on track for their best season yet with 37 wins and $2.4 million prizemoney.

Cormier is the second Group 1 performer in a fortnight for his Group 1 Oaks-winning dam Abbey Marie (by Redoute’s Choice) after the  Queensland Derby G1 third placing by Inspired Legend (by Dundeel) on 30 May. 

Cormier’s yearling full sister was a $150,000 purchase by Woodside Park Stud owner Eddie Hirsch from Arrowfield’s Inglis Easter draft in April. She is followed by a Dundeel colt and a Castelvecchio foal due in August. 

Other Arrowfield highlights at Eagle Farm were:

• The 3.3-length victory by Magic Millions graduate Skyhook (Written Tycoon-Madame Pauline by Redoute’s Choice) in the Gunsynd Classic G3 – his 4th black type success for the Ryan & Alexiou stable and a group of owners including Arrowfield’s Yearling Manager Dean Macaskill. Runner-up was the Group-winning filly Within The Law, the best performer so far left by a Dundeel mare.
• Dundeel’s triple G1-winning son Militarize added a valuable 3rd in the Q22 G2 to his $3.6 million record.
• The fairytale $3 million Stradbroke H. G1 victory of Inglis Digital buy Spicy Martini, out of Arrowfield graduate Extra Olives, also by Redoute’s Choice, from a daughter of Champion Filly Alinghi. Spicy Martini is the 32nd Group 1 winner for Redoute’s Choice as a broodmare sire who joins Fastnet Rock, Exceed and Excel & Snitzel to seal the Danehill sire-line’s domination of the 2025/26 Australian Broodmare Sires’ Premiership.
• Flying Spur‘s best sire sons Casino Prince & Magnus (59 SW between them) are the damsires of Tron Bolt and Dane Ripper S. G2 winner She’s Got Pizzazz. Tron Bolt is also a tail-female descendant of the influential mare Fanfreluche, third dam of Flying Spur.
• Oxlade S. LR winner Cool Gent is the 31st SW for Not A Single Doubt as a broodmare sire.

And finally, congratulations to superstar jockey James McDonald who claimed a new record with his 17th Australian Group 1 win this season aboard Tron Bolt. We’re very proud that 7 of those 17 elite successes were achieved with Arrowfield-sired horses, all of them in Sydney:

• Aeliana (by Castelvecchio) – Ranvet Stakes & Tancred Stakes
• Autumn Boy  (by The Autumn Sun) – Rosehill Guineas
• Autumn Glow (by The Autumn Sun) – George Ryder Stakes & Verry Elleegant Stakes
• Campione D’Italia (by Snitzel) – Sires’ Produce Stakes
• Lazzura (by Snitzel) – Coolmore Classic