Spirit of Boom sent his connections into raptures and assured himself a bright future at stud when he scored a thrilling win in Friday night’s Group One William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

When the runners flashed past the post around half a length separated the first five runners and connections of both Spirit of Boom and Fontelina were unsure just who had won.

Around a minute later the photo was displayed on the big screen and it showed Spirit of Boom, on the outside, had won the race by the barest possible margin.

Winning rider Michael Rodd punched the air in celebration when he returned to scale and realised his mount had got the result.

No matter which way the result was going, the win at racing’s elite level was falling to a Gold Coast sales graduate of Australia’s leading Group One sales company Magic Millions.

Spirit of Boom, a member of the Tony Gollan stable, was purchased for $90,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale from the Eureka Thoroughbreds draft.

Fontelina on the other hand was purchased for $135,000 from the Washpool Lodge draft at the 2010 Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale.

After a pair of Group One runner-up placings to Lankan Rupee in the both the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap, Spirit of Boom notched his first Group One success with a gallant win.

“It is really deserving that he won a Group One,” Gollan said. “I’m just so relieved.”

“He was always going to be a stallion and tonight seals the deal,” the proud trainer added.

So classy and consistent throughout his entire career, Spirit of Boom has earned his connections over $1.8 million.

He has earned himself a return to historic Queensland thoroughbred nursery Eureka Thoroughbreds to stand at stud where he is sure to prove popular with breeders.

Spirit of Boom showed ability right from the start – winning three times at two – including a five length debut win in the Magic Millions 2YO Prelude at the Gold Coast.

A great flagbearer for Magic Millions, Spirit of Boom also won the rich Magic Millions Cup in 2012 after winning the Goldmarket Handicap at the same track 12 days earlier.

The quality sprinter will get another chance to win at the elite level before ultimately heading to stud duties. He will contest the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.

Spirit of Boom is the second Group One winner for star Queensland sire Sequalo following on from million dollar mare Star Shiraz.

The sire of no fewer than 619 individual winners, Sequalo was a former star sprinter himself with 10 wins, including three at two and a feature Moonee Valley win in the Moir Stakes at Group Two level.

A half brother to his Group One winning stablemate Temple of Boom, Spirit of Boom is from former talented racemare Temple Spirit.

Temple Spirit, a daughter of Special Dane, won eight races during her career including three in Brisbane and earned black type with a third placing in the Golden Garter Handicap at Doomben.

She is a sister or half sister to even winners including Brisbane winner Raise a Shout and Hong Kong winner The King of Honour.

Winner: Spirit of Boom
Breeding: Sequalo-Temple Spirit (Special Dane)
Race: MVRC William Reid Stakes G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $90,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale
Vendor: Eureka Thoroughbreds
Buyer: Gollan Racing
Earnings: $1,835,300
Owner(s): Mrs P Gollan, B Siemsen, Eureka Stud Syndicate (Mgrs: C & S McAlpine), J Schloss, A Dunemann, J Kurtz, S Kurtz & River Junction Racing Syndicate
Trainer: Tony Gollan (Eagle Farm)

Photos by Greg Irvine.