Grand jumper Some Are Bent sent his earnings past the magical million dollar barrier when he scored a brilliant win in the $100,000 Tom Corrigan Hurdle (3550m) at Warrnambool today.

Victoria’s most popular cross country galloper, Some Are Bent notched career win 14 when he held out a class field for a determined success.

The win delighted his connections, in particular his trainer, white hot horseman Robert Smerdon.

“That was more relief than anything,”  he said following the With the focus on the jumps and with a horse like him everyone is watching him.”

Smerdon said it was a great thrill to be play his part in making Australian racing history.

“I realise the money has gone up over the years but he’s the first to win over a million dollars over jumps in this part of the world.”

“It’s a big achievement for him and it’s testament to his longevity I guess.” 

And the rising nine-year-old is sure to add to his bank balance with more feature jumping events on his agenda.

“We’ll continue on hurdling and probably head back toward the National.”

“I thought it was a good effort (today) because he walked out of the gates, which he normally doesn’t do. He had to do a little bit of work to get there – and then fought them off.”

“He’d been five and a half weeks between runs so he should be improved off that – there’s nothing like match practice.”

Regular rider Brad McLean heaped praise on the horse who’s given him his biggest thrills in racing.

“He’s just a star. I think today is my 10th win on him and it takes a special horse to win ten races for you.”

“He was a bit slow out. He plays around a bit in the gates these days and in a way it was a blessing in disguise. It made him relax the first 1000 metres.” 

“He was jumping nice I let him stride up to them and that’s when he races best and he jumped grouse.”

“All up it was a top effort,” McLean summed up.

Some Are Bent has been an incredible money spinner for his connections after his purchase by the Aquanita Racing team at the 2003 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for $36,000. He’s now earned $1,021,598.

The Distorted Humor gelding was bred and sold by Rob and Maureen McBryde’s Summerset Park Stud on the outskirts of Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills.

His younger half brother Black and Bent has emerged from Some Are Bent’s shadow to emerge as a star of the turf.

The outstanding flat track and jumps performer was beaten a nose at his most recent outing and was found to have suffered a serious leg injury.

Prior to that he’d notched up six straight wins.