Anamoe, a highly anticipated first-season sire in the 2026 yearling sales, has seen his first offspring to debut as two-year-olds perform exceptionally well on Monday morning, reinforcing the hype surrounding him.
The highly regarded Darley stallion had two juveniles compete in the season’s inaugural official two-year-old trials held at Randwick’s Kensington track in Sydney, with both emerging victorious.
Bjorn Baker’s charge, Nonu, secured a convincing win in the fourth of five 850-metre trials designated for colts and geldings. Shortly after, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s filly, Runaway Diva, claimed victory in the final fillies’ trial.
Baker admitted that the NZ$600,000 paid for Nonu at the Karaka Yearling Sale exceeded his initial budget, but he is now pleased with the investment.
“He’s a really nice horse, he’s got plenty of quality about him,” Baker stated. “We probably went beyond our budget in New Zealand to buy him. But Anamoe was a superstar racehorse and I think he’s going to be a superstar stallion.”
Nonu triumphed by a margin of 3-1/2 lengths over Eagle Jac, a colt by Jacquinot, clocking a time of 49.02 seconds. Runaway Diva completed her trial in 49.22secs.
The filly, a $380,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling and out of Fleet Dove, required a bit more urging than Nonu to secure her win. However, her runner-up, Everlasting Grace, showed promise with a close second under a light ride, leaving Bott optimistic about her future prospects.
“I think the Anamoes in general have been very impressive; great constitutions the way they’ve handled themselves and physically she’s a great example of them,” he commented. “She’s a lovely, strong type and I think there’s a lot of improvement to come off the back of today with her. It was great to see the way she responded under pressure and she just kept finding.”
Waterhouse and Bott also celebrated success in the final trial of the morning, as Trapeze Artist colt Flying Houdini posted a time of 49.05secs. Baker also notched another win during the session.
The Warwick Farm trainer presented Stay Inside youngster Out Of Bounds, who won the third trial for colts and geldings in 48.90secs, achieving the fastest time of the morning alongside another competitor.
This benchmark time was matched by Marc and Mitchell Conners-trained Exceedance filly She’s Supreme, victorious in the third fillies’ trial.
Michael Freedman was the only other trainer to secure multiple victories, with Written Tycoon youngster Proverb navigating a tricky passage to win the opening trial in 50.25secs. Later, Ole Kirk filly Straddha recorded 49.72secs to win the second fillies’ heat.
Other winners included Peter Snowden-trained Capitalist filly Shezablaze (49.53) and Chris Waller’s I Am Invincible colt Fiji, who appeared to have reserves when winning the second colts and geldings trial by 1-1/2 lengths in 49.92secs.
Punters are already circling the talented progeny of Anamoe, with many looking to back them at the next available racing odds on Australian betting sites.
