Sun shines at The Valley
Vibrant Sun's happy owners including buyer Sheamus Mills (2nd from left) celebrate her Alexandra Stakes victory. (PHOTO: Gary Wild)
The Autumn Sun’s daughter Vibrant Sun became his 4th stakeswinner when her determined chase was rewarded in Saturday’s $200,000 Alexandra S. 1600m G3 at The Valley.
Exactly five years after his final Group 1 victory in the Rosehill Guineas, the champion son of Redoute’s Choice further underlined his growing worth as a sire with his 8th stakes performer, The Autumn Belle, runner-up in the Clare Lindop S. LR at Morphettville, and an impressive new winner, Slinky at Kembla Grange.
“Got her!”
Vibrant Sun cracks the black-type code in the G3 for the fillies 👏@MickPriceRacing pic.twitter.com/EUwA9PzhXS
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 23, 2024
Vibrant Sun’s Group success at her 6th start confirmed the promise she had shown in her 8-length maiden win at Geelong in November, and her co-trainer Mick Price’s confidence that she was ready for Group company and beyond.
“She’s clean-winded, she’s sound, I brought her here Tuesday morning and worked her by herself and she peeled off a 1200-metre gallop just full of gusto – got a great brain on her….Black type fantastic for her and the Australasian Oaks would be the pinnacle of her preparation this time in.”
Jockey Thomas Stockdale said, “I’ve probably never been so confident coming into a Group 3 on a filly that’s on her way up. I worked her during the week and she’s just gone from strength to strength and she’s still not quite there yet…the further we went, the stronger she was getting.”
Bred and offered at Magic Millions Gold Coast by the Barnes family’s historic Queensland farm Canning Downs, Vibrant Sun is the second foal of Group 3 and multiple city winner Vibrant Rouge (by Written Tycoon). She was purchased for $260,000 by agent and part-owner Sheamus Mills with the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr stable.
The Autumn Sun joins Harry Angel at the head of the current Australian Second Season Sires’ table by individual stakeswinners, thanks to Autumn Angel, Autumn Ballet & Vibrant Sun among a total of 29 winners.
The Autumn Sun has 22 lots catalogued for Inglis Easter 2024 including 8 fillies & 10 colts offered by Arrowfield.
