Huntsville has stamped his authority on Bathurst’s biggest meeting of the year, Bathurst Gold Crown night, producing a standout performance that highlights his growing impact as a sire in the Southern Hemisphere. In doing so, he achieved a Group One siring double, producing winners in both finals of the juvenile features, the earliest Group One races of the season for the two-year-olds.
The fillies set the tone early, ladies before gentlemen, with Birdsong starting the night in style, taking out the first of the Group One features, the Gold Tiara Final, in a performance that underlined her enormous potential. Trained by Kerry Ann and Robbie Morris (Lucky Lodge), owned by Ben and Mel Settree and bred by Brooklyn Lodge, the filly is out of Dizygotic Lass (by Art Major USA). She remains unbeaten from four starts, four wins, an ultra-impressive beginning to her career.
Jacwill Kid then delivered in the Gold Crown Final for the colts and geldings, completing Huntsville’s clean sweep of the night’s two Group One two-year-old features. Trained by Geoff Webster, owned and bred by Helen Plumb and driven by Will Rixon, the two-year-old gelding has now had three starts for two wins and a second, including victory in his heat the week prior. Out of Ruby Delight (by Bettors Delight USA), he has been very dominant throughout the series and looks to have a very promising future.
It was certainly a night to remember for Huntsville.
Earlier on the program in Race 2, Huntsville also sired Don Hunter, winner of the Gold Crown Consolation for colts and geldings, completing a siring treble of two-year-old winners on the night.
To sire the winners of both Group One finals, across colts & geldings and fillies and also produce the winner of the corresponding consolation on the same night is a rare and significant achievement, particularly with all winners being two-year-olds. It not only demonstrates elite performance at the very top level, but also underlines the depth and consistency within Huntsville’s progeny.
Performances like this don’t happen by chance. They reflect a stallion leaving his mark across an entire crop, producing horses capable of competing and winning on the biggest stage.
This is only Huntsville’s second racing crop in Australia, and his first since joining Cobbitty Equine Farm, making the achievement even more significant. From limited opportunities, he has already produced outstanding results, with his progeny averaging earnings of $57,062. Already a proven force in the Northern Hemisphere, where he has consistently ranked among the top five on major sire standings in recent years. Highlighted by finishing as the leading 3YO pacing sire on average earnings per foal in 2025, Huntsville is now rapidly establishing himself as a dominant influence in Australia as well.
And if this night at Bathurst is any indication, Huntsville’s influence is only just beginning.
Congratulations to all connections involved across a remarkable night, a result that reflects outstanding horsemanship, breeding and belief in Huntsville’s future.
