Graduate Baraqiel is Snitzel’s 24th G1 winner
Baraqiel (black & orange checks) drives between Alabama Lass & Arabian Summer, to become Snitzel's second A.J. Moir S. G1 winner after Wild Ruler in 2021. (PHOTO: Darren Tindale)
Named for a fallen angel, Baraqiel has risen from multiple setbacks to become Snitzel’s 24th Group 1 winner with an explosive finish in the $750,000 MVRC A. J. Moir S. 1000m G1, the 8th victory in a spectacular 12-start career that began only 16 months ago.
The result sparked joyous celebrations in the mounting yard by Baraqiel’s co-trainers Troy & Leon Corstens & Will Larkin and the large group of owners managed by syndicators Bennett Racing.
The excitement was shared by Arrowfield as Baraqiel’s co-breeder, with Japan’s Northern Farm, and Gerald Ryan, who marked the rare achievement of training both his Champion sire Snitzel, and his multiple stakes-winning dam Angel Of Mercy (by Hussonet).
Moir Stakes | Baraqiel
Baraqiel makes The Valley his own, winning the Moir & retaining his record here. @bennallen44 stands high in the irons as he crosses the line in a fairy tale finish ✨
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/AoqcG9ZuYt— Racing.com (@Racing) September 6, 2025
Co-trainer Troy Corstens’s belief in Baraqiel has never wavered, and for good reason, as he explained to racing.com.
“You don’t often get horses as good as him and we pictured that early on. When you get a horse that’s got freakish ability, yeah, it’s just amazing.”
Baraqiel’s next target is the $2 million Manikato S. G1 on 26 September and Troy is confident he’s worthy of an Everest slot and good enough to take on Ka Ying Rising & company. “My word he is, he’s tough, he’s strong and he’s tenacious.”
Baraqiel was a $150,000 purchase by Bennett Racing, Anthony Freedman Racing & Blue Sky Bloodstock from Arrowfield’s 2020 Magic Millions draft. Triple Group 1 Classic winner Hitotsu & Spring Champion S. G1 winner Profondo, both now at stud, came from the same consignment.
Angel Of Mercy, also the dam of Australian Oaks G1 winner Autumn Angel (by The Autumn Sun), has a 2YO colt by Maurice, purchased by Japanese interests from Inglis Easter for $500,000, and a yearling colt by Hitotsu. She returns to The Autumn Sun this Spring.
Arrowfield & Northern Farm have retained Autumn Angel’s full sisters, 4YO Stolen Summer (visiting Hitotsu this season), and 3YO Kindred Spirit, in training with Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich. They are also breeding from Mother’s Mercy (Redoute’s Choice-Angel Of Mercy), dam of a yearling filly by Castelvecchio and foaling to Dundeel.
Arrowfield farm & sale graduates won 31 Group & Listed Races last season and are already on track to match or exceed that tally in 2025/26, thanks to Baraqiel, Lazzura, Skyhook & Japan-based sprinter Invincible Papa.
