Farnan’s remarkable start at stud continued at Rosehill on Saturday when Ninja delivered a commanding victory in the Group 2 ATC Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
Ninja has developed into one of the most progressive three-year-olds of the season and his Hobartville win further strengthens his sire’s position at the top of the Australian Second Season Sires Premiership.
From his first two crops, Farnan has sired 39 individual winners, including 27 this season alone, along with nine individual stakes horses and nearly $6 million in earnings. His ability to produce high-class performers from the outset underlines his emergence as one of the most influential young sires in the country.
Ninja’s Hobartville victory followed an outstanding Queensland summer campaign, where the Michael Freedman-trained gelding signalled his elite potential during a three start preparation. He won the Group 3 Magic Millions Vo Rogue Plate by nearly five lengths before a controversial second placing in the RL Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Jumping cleanly, Ninja took up a forward position for Tommy Berry and travelled comfortably throughout. After turning for home, he surged past Shangri La Boy and powered clear to win by a length and a half over Napoleonic, with Group 1 winners Autumn Boy and Attica finishing third and fourth.
“Good to see him come back and do that. It was obviously his biggest test I think,” said trainer Michael Freedman.
“He does things pretty comfortably. He had two weeks off up there at Hinterland on the water walker after he ran in the Guineas. Came back here and gave him a trial last Thursday. He trialled really nicely. He’s come a long way in the last four to six months.”
Ninja has now built an impressive record of four wins and three placings from seven starts with prizemoney exceeding $1 million. Freedman will assess how the gelding comes through the run before confirming plans for the Group 1 ATC Randwick Guineas over 1600 metres next month.
“We’ll see how he pulls up. Wouldn’t bother me at all putting him out because he’s an exciting horse for the future,” he said.
A $380,000 Magic Millions purchase from Segenhoe Stud for MyRacehorse Pty Ltd, Michael Freedman Racing, Gandharvi Pty Ltd and Belmont Bloodstock Agency, Ninja is out of Impulsive and was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds, who retain a share in his ownership.
