A year of champions and G1 successes

It was a Group 1 year from start to finish for Avenue Bloodstock. 2024 will be remembered for the achievements of champion Porta Fortuna but there were also Group 1 successes for Anisette, Celestial Legend, Land Legend and Massive Sovereign.

Porta Fortuna was a private purchase in conjunction with Philip Shelton of Medallion Racing on behalf of Barry Fowler/Medallion Racing ’20/Steve Weston/Dean Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and had been one of the top 2yo fillies of 2023 when her wins included the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes. In 2024, the Caravaggio filly picked up where she left off for trainer Donnacha O’Brien, running a narrow second in the G1 1,000 Guineas before winning the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, G1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and G1 Matron Stakes at the Curragh.

Her outstanding season gained deserved recognition when she was named the Cartier Champion 3yo Filly of 2024.

“It’s one of those awards that you hear about but never dream about being over here to win,” said Dean Reeves. “Just to get an invitation and have a horse of that calibre to be nominated is thrilling enough for us. But to come over and win is just over the top.

“We’ve had the ride of a lifetime – a summer that we’ll never forget.”

Porta Fortuna stays in training as a 4yo.

In what was a remarkably international year, other Avenue Bloodstock flagbearers scored at the top level in the US, Australia and Hong Kong.

In the US, Anisette consolidated her place as one of the top Californian fillies with wins in the G1 Gamely Stakes and G2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap for trainer Leonard Powell. A private purchase on behalf of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners in late 2022 with Aron Wellman, the Awtaad filly also won the G1 Del Mar Oaks and G1 American Oaks as a 3yo and retired as the winner of almost $1 million in earnings. She was sold at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale for $1.8 million to Willingham.

‘He’s unbelievable’

There was also top-level success in Australia for Bon Ho’s Legend Racing.

Celestial Legend, a yearling purchase with trainer Les Bridge, took the G2 Hobartville Stakes prior to capturing the G1 Randwick Guineas, in which he overcame a wide trip to defeat G1 winner Militarize, and the G1 Doncaster Mile over older horses.

“I just love this horse. I felt the same as I did on Everest day (when Classique Legend won),” said Les Bridge following the Doncaster Mile. “This is some horse. He’s unbelievable. I didn’t think he could win – I thought he won’t get out. They just don’t do what he did. He’s a terrific, a superstar.”

The Dundeel colt was purchased for A$220,000 out of the Arrowfield draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He currently boasts earnings of A$3,458,525.

Legend Racing’s colours were also carried to victory by Land Legend in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick. The Chris Waller-trained son of Galileo locked horns with Zardozi early in the straight and in a thrilling finish, outnosed his rival for a narrow score.

Land Legend was initially trained by James Ferguson, for whom he won the Moet & Chandon St Leger at Randwick upon his arrival in Australia. The Galileo 4yo was a €100,000 Arqana October Sale yearling purchase by Avenue Bloodstock and has amassed A$1,277,942 in earnings.

Australia was also the scene of Arapaho’s win in the G2 Sandown Classic at Caulfield. The son of Lope De Vega, who was a €140,000 purchase by Avenue Bloodstock at the 2020 Arqana Autumn Sale in conjunction with his trainer Bjorn Baker and Clarke Bloodstock, has been a fine servant for connections over the years, with his record also including a win in the G1 Kia Tancred Stakes.

In Hong Kong, Chan Kam Hung’s Massive Sovereign looked a young horse out of the top drawer when storming to victory for trainer Dennis Yip in the G1 Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin. In the process, the son of No Nay Never clocked the fastest time in Derby history – 1m 59.85s – since the race distance was changed to 2000m in 2000, bettering champion Golden Sixty’s time of 2m 00.15s, set in 2020.

Massive Sovereign was a private purchase in conjunction with Andy Lo on behalf of Chan Kam Hung.

It was also a year of growth for Avenue Sales. Our draft at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale turned over 710,000gns and was led by Zoinnocent, who sold in foal to Too Darn Hot for 330,000gns to Willingham.

We would like to thank all our clients for their support this year and wish everyone a prosperous New Year.

Massive Sovereign wins the Hong Kong Derby. Photo – HKJC