Maher colt out to make G1 State-ment in 2025 Champagne Stakes

Rising star State Visit is looking to turn early career promise into elite success when he contests the Champagne Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Bred by Coolmore from high-profile sire Wootton Bassett and out of Group 1-winning mare Celebrity Queen, State Visit was retained by his owners following his dam’s $2.5 million sale after her Oakleigh Plate win.

The colt has impressed in his three starts to date, and his team hopes he can take the next step in Group One company over the mile for the first time.

“The mile he will be trying for the first time but he switches off well and he’s a very fit horse,” said Ciaron Maher’s foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord.

“We’d obviously love to win a Group One or two with him.”

Since breaking his maiden at Canterbury in February, State Visit ran third in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) before going down narrowly to Vinrock in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

James McDonald will ride the colt for the first time, navigating from the outside draw in the 12-runner field.

“At his first start he was very impressive running good sectionals but he was still very new,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“Second start he had to go all the way back and make his run on the outside, which is not easy to do, and last start he was very good. Jason (Collett) said he actually didn’t see the horse (winner Vinrock) on his inside and that’s why he came back again in the end.

“He’s got the best attitude, a beautiful action. He is a lovely colt so we will try to get that Group One win.”

Currently, Nepotism is favourite at $4.20 for the Champagne Stakes, with Within The Law at $5 and State Visit close behind at $6.50.