China Horse Club enjoyed a terrific weekend on the breeding front, with Hughes and Aurum Belle posting black-type victories and Rachini further enhancing her profile with a strong Group 1 performance. It was a timely reminder of the quality emerging from CHC’s burgeoning breeding program and from yearlings presented through its farm, The Chase.
At Caulfield, Hughes produced a career-best performance to win the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m), adding another stakes success to his record in style. The son of Russian Revolution stopped the clock in track-record time, breaking the longstanding 1400-metre Caulfield benchmark previously held by Exceed And Excel. Hughes is out of No More Tears and is a half-brother to Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner and young sire Ozzmosis, further adding depth to an elite pedigree.
Aurum Belle
In Western Australia, Aurum Belle continued her rise with victory in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) at Ascot, extending her unbeaten record and adding further black type to an already exciting résumé. Bred in partnership with Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, the daughter of Snitzel was sold through The Chase draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Rachini also advertised the strength of stock coming off The Chase with a brave front-running fourth in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick. The Zoustar filly was originally sold through The Chase draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and has quickly emerged as a filly of real promise.
Rachini
“To see Hughes break a track record in Melbourne, Aurum Belle continue her unbeaten run in Perth, and Rachini build her profile in elite company made it a special weekend for our graduates and for The Chase,” said China Horse Club’s Michael Smith.
“We are aiming to breed and sell top-class horses, and the truest measure is racetrack success, so it was a great affirmation to see such fantastic results for our graduates and their connections across Australia.”