CHC’s Mike Smith lifts the G3 Golden Gift Trophy
The AUD5,000,000 G1 Golden Slipper sits squarely in the sights of connections of North England after he became the first two-year-old in Australia to win enough prizemoney to guarantee a start in the stallion making race.
The China Horse Club / Newgate Farm / Go Bloodstock and co. owned colt has returned AUD603,000 from his two career starts after a display of sustained speed landed him Saturday’s AUD1,000,000 G3 Inglis Golden Gift (1100m) bolstered earnings from his debut second in the G3 Breeders’ Plate.
“North England is a bombproof two-year-old, he does everything right and he is only going to keep getting better with racing. He is on his way to the Golden Slipper now,” said co-trainer Gai Waterhouse postrace.
North England wins G3 Inglis Golden Gift
“His sire, Farnan, was a champion two-year-old and it means a lot for our stable to produce his first winner – and it’s a Group winner.”
North England is among a pool of promising colts source by a syndicate that has enjoyed high end successes in Australia’s premier juvenile races in recent seasons including with the likes of G1 winners Stay Inside (2021 G1 Golden Slipper), Militarize (2023 G1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes, G1 ATC Champagne Stakes), Invader (2017 G1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes) and Captivant (2021 G1 ATC Champagne Stakes).
North England has much to do before he can join the above list of notables. But he has qualities in his favour in addition to the benefit of his training team being able to exclusively focus on his primary autumn goal as explained by senior jockey Tim Clark.
North England returning to scale
“North England has been very straight forward and a horse that has just put his ‘hand’ up early,” Clark said after riding the colt.
“Obviously, he got to the Breeder’s Plate and ran really well. He couldn’t have done much more there apart from win.
“Then Henry (Field) and the team identified this race and it’s a short turnaround. He had a little bit of time out and then had to come back in, so it’s a really long prep for them but he’s handled it really well.
“I think that attribute is very much like his old man, Farnan, who I had a lot to do with. He’s very laid-back and he’s just got the best attitude.”