Australian bred juvenile Fighting Warrior produced a stunning late surge to win the R500,000 Group One Golden Horseshoe (1400m) at Greyville overnight.

Sold by Magic Millions as a weanling and yearling, Fighting Warrior confirmed his status as one of the star rising three-year-olds of the country when he steamed home under Stuart Randolph to beat Mushreq and Sidestep.

The race favourite and fellow Magic Millions graduate Gimmethegreenlight also flew home, after bungling the start, for a close up fourth placing. His effort was tremendous under the circumstances.

But in the end it was Fighting Warrior, a son of former top racehorse and popular colonial sire Magic Albert, who proved best on the day with an eye catching success.

Fighting Warrior, trained by Ivan Moore, carries the colours made famous by champion international sprinter Rocket Man.

He is raced in partnership by Rocket Man’s sole owner Fred Crabbia and well known South African bloodstock agent Andy Williams – the man who purchased Rocket Man as a yearling.

The youngster was originally sold by his breeder Attunga Stud for $15,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.

He was then prepared and sold by Oakwood Farm for $29,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He was turned out one of the steals of the sale – now being one of South Africa’s top juveniles and one of the most promising prospects for races over a mile and further later in the year.

Fighting Warrior is the fourth Group One winner for Magic Albert – a former outstanding Magic Millions graduate.

He follows in the hoofsteps of Australian stars Ilovethiscity and Albert the Fat and kiwi gun Magic Cape.

His dam, the twice Sydney winning Wallenda mare Dark Blue, won four races up to 1400 metres prior to retiring to stud.

She is a half sister to the Group One Bayer Classic winner Prussian Blue and Queensland stakes placed kiwi galloper Grace and Favour.

Dark Blue’s dam in turn, the unraced Imperial Seal mare Royal Cipher, is a half sister to the Group One Railway Handicap winner Ensigh Ewart.

Winner: Fighting Warrior
Breeding: Magic Albert-Dark Blue (Wallenda)
Race: Greyville Golden Horseshoe G1 (1400m)
Sold for: $15,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Attunga Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: World Wide Bloodstock
Sold for: $29,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Oakwood Farm (As Agent)
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Owner(s): Messrs ALA Crabbia & Andy Williams
Earnings: R386,500
Trainer: Ivan Moore

Photos courtesy of Gold Circle.