Stefi Magnetica continued the red hot run for her stable with a brilliant win in Saturday’s A$4 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick.
The top-class daughter of All Too Hard, a A$140,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, swept the feature race on Day One of The Championships for in-form trainer Bjorn Baker.
Stefi Magnetica (Jason Collett) wins at Randwick (Pic – Magic Millions)
“I must say it’s a massive, massive thrill,” Baker said. “I’ve got my biggest clients in this horse.”
“I’ve got a great team. From vets, everyone, Cressfield who we bought her off, Jason Collett, I think he’s ridden more winners for me in Australia than anyone.”
“It’s very, very special. I needed to win a big race at The Championships and my team did. We’re mindful of that. We’ve had a great year, great two to three years, we’ve been zero here but we’re back.”
The win was the second Group One victory for Stefi Magnetica following her outstanding win in the Stradbroke Handicap last year. Her earnings have soared to over $5.8 million.
“Very valuable for Ridgmont, the Cunningham family, and she is, she’s worth a fortune. And I think Jason will be a bit like me. He needed a big win through this carnival as well.”
“It’s very special. My wife Andrea, she was here and she had to go.”
The win meant plenty to Baker and he offered up a humorous “excuse” for his tears following the win.
“Hayfever. It’s very bad at this time of year. It means a lot.”
“It’s one of the iconic races and so special to be here with such a great bunch of owners.”
“It’s very special. I’ve got a great team. I’m the luckiest man in the world. Just so special today.”
“I must say, I don’t know what the stake money is today, I’m still thinking about the Golden Eagle in the spring. Is there such a thing as greed? I’ve got it bad.”
“She’s not the biggest, but she’s the toughest. She’s her own personality. She’s a tough, tough, young lady and she’s been up against the best,” Baker added.
Jockey Jason Collett was all smiles after the race.
“I’m kind of shocked, to be honest. I was in front at the line and was like, ‘holy hell, sh** I’ve just won,” Collett said.
“I was just trying to get her comfortable. Most of that race they went a very slow tempo but I was in the right spot and her turn of foot was electric.”
A daughter of former Group One Stradbroke Handicap winner Mid Summer Music, Stefi Magnetica was bred and sold by Cressfield to Baker, Cunningham Thoroughbreds and Clarke Bloodstock at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She is one of five winners produced by her dam, a daughter of Oamaru Force. Mid Summer Music has also produced group winner Hellfest and group performer Euphoric Summer – a Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic winner.
Stefi Magnetica follows in the hoofsteps of Wellington, Alligator Blood, Behemoth and Forbidden Love – all Group One winners by leading Vinery Stud sire All Too Hard sold as yearlings on the Gold Coast.
- Winner: Stefi Magnetica
- Breeding: All Too Hard-Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force)
- Race: ATC Doncaster Mile Gr1 (1600m)
- Sold for: A$140,000
- Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
- Earnings: A$5,832,550
- Breeder: Cressfield Thoroughbreds
- Vendor: Cressfield
- Buyer: Cunningham T’breds/Clarke B’stock/Bjorn Baker Racing
- Owners: Ridgmont (Mgr: M Cunningham), K Salagic, Currie & Young Family
- Racing (Mgr: J D E Currie) & J Vitek
- Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Warwick Farm)
