Coolmore Raised Stakes Success
It was a close run race for Coolmore Breeder of the Year in 2025 and while Julia Ritchie got the title this year our other two contenders Kate Nivison and the Ingham family both achieved outstanding results at Randwick on Saturday with horses that were raised at Coolmore.
Kate Nivison bred talented filly Apocalyptic (3f Extreme Choice x Shadow, by Medaglia D’Oro), who cast off maiden status to win the Group II ATC Furious Stakes (1200m) at just her second start.
Trained by Michael Freedman, Apocalyptic was sidelined with a lingering foot abscess following her debut second at Randwick last year, but with two recent trials under her belt the powerhouse bay took her place first up in a quality line up.
The least experienced runner in the field, she did everything right for Tommy Berry from barrier one and powered into the race when shown clear running in the straight.
Apocalyptic surged to the line with a well timed finish to score by a long neck.
Freedman was relieved to find Apocalyptic was the filly he believed her to be.
“I was hoping I didn't end up with egg on my face running a maiden here,” said Freedman.
“She has been showing both Tommy and I at home quite a bit. I was just hoping she would come and put in a good performance and give me some encouragement going to the Tea Rose (G2 1400m), so to come away with a win is really special.”
Bred by Kate Nivison’s Etak Thoroughbreds, Apocalyptic was a $400,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for MyRacehorse Pty Ltd/Michael Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxland Bloodstock and runs for a big syndicate of owners with Nivison also retaining a share.
She is the second foal and second winner from Shadow, an unraced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) grand-daughter of dual Group I winner Virage de Fortune, whose grand-dam is the great champion Emancipation.
The third foal from Shadow is a grey colt by Extreme Choice that was sold in the Coolmore draft at Inglis Easter this year fetching $1.7million when purchased by Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock / B2B Thoroughbreds.
After having a year off in 2023, Shadow was covered late last season by Pierro after missing to Extreme Choice.
The Ingham family were in the frame with their homebred gelding Lindermann (6g Lonhro x Self Esteem, by Stratum) who won the Group II ATC Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
Trained by Chris Waller, Lindermann won the Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas at three and has the overall record of six wins and nine placings from 31 starts with prizemoney topping $2.2million.
Lindermann is the best of four winners from stakes-placed Stratum mare Self Esteem, who had a filly by Pierro last spring.