Anamoe, a highly sought-after first-season sire at the 2026 yearling sales, has had his initial two-year-old offspring make a significant impact in public trials at Randwick on Monday morning, confirming the considerable hype.
Two juveniles representing the Darley stallion Anamoe participated in the season’s inaugural official two-year-old trials on Randwick’s Kensington track, and both emerged victorious.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt Nonu delivered an impressive victory in the fourth of five 850-metre trials for colts and geldings. Shortly after, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s filly, Runaway Diva, claimed the final heat for fillies.
Baker acknowledged that the NZ$600,000 spent on Nonu at the Karaka Yearling Sale was more than he had initially budgeted, but he is now pleased with the investment.
“He’s a really nice horse, he’s got plenty of quality about him,” Baker said. “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 3-1/2 lengths over Eagle Jac, a colt by Jacquinot, in 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 riding from her jockey than Nonu to win her trial. However, the runner-up, Everlasting Grace, made a favourable impression when finishing a narrow second under a light ride, and Bott expressed optimism about her future career.
“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 stated. “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 secured victory in the final trial of the morning, with Trapeze Artist colt Flying Houdini recording 49.05secs. Baker also had another winner on the morning’s card.
The Warwick Farm trainer presented Stay Inside youngster Out Of Bounds, who won the third trial for colts and geldings in 48.90secs, matching the fastest time of the set.
This time was equalled by Marc and Mitchell Conners-trained Exceedance filly She’s Supreme, who was victorious in the third fillies’ trial.
Michael Freedman was the only other trainer to achieve multiple trial wins, with Written Tycoon youngster Proverb navigating a clear passage to win the first trial in 50.25secs. Subsequently, Ole Kirk filly Straddha recorded 49.72secs to win the second fillies’ heat.
Peter Snowden-trained Capitalist filly Shezablaze (49.53) and Chris Waller’s I Am Invincible colt Fiji, who appeared to have a bit in hand when winning the second colts and geldings trial by 1-1/2 lengths in 49.92secs, were the remaining winners.
Given their promising beginnings, Anamoe’s progeny are expected to be popular choices for keen punters looking for the best racing odds on sports betting platforms.