Expensive colt Devil Night lands the Blue Diamond Stakes
The Hawkes family, well-known for their substantial contributions to breeding and racing, have once again captured the spotlight with Devil Night’s impressive victory in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
John Hawkes has long been a key figure in the Australian racing scene, having prepared horses for the Ingham family at Woodlands Stud before the property transitioned to Darley Stud and later Godolphin. After branching out with his sons, Wayne and Michael, the Hawkes team has continued to thrive with a select number of horses and maintained successful relationships with various breeders, including Yulong Stud.
It was Yulong who was rewarded on Saturday, as their $1.4 million purchase, Devil Night, took out the prestigious Blue Diamond Stakes. The colt, sired by 2016 Blue Diamond winner Extreme Choice, held off a late charge from Tentyris ($21) to win by half a head, with Tycoon Star ($17) rounding out the top three.
For the Hawkes family, this win marks their second Blue Diamond triumph, following Kusi’s win in 2003. For jockey Michael Dee, it’s his second Blue Diamond victory, with his first coming on Little Brose when the race was held at Sandown in 2023.
Wayne Hawkes was full of praise for Yulong Stud’s investment, noting that Mr. Zhang, their owner, deserves all the accolades for his commitment to the industry.
With this victory, Devil Night has not only secured a Group 1 win but has also positioned himself as a future stallion on the Yulong roster, making this win even more significant.
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