Alongside the revitalization of our U.S. racing stable in 2025, HnR made its first move into Oceania, joining several partnerships in Australia through Darby Racing and leading trainers Bjorn Baker, Ciaron Maher, and Gai Waterhouse / Adrian Bott.
Our interest in Australian racing had been growing for some time, but Appeared provided the catalyst to become actively involved. HnR bred the Justify colt in Kentucky in 2022 out of our mare Living the Life (IRE), campaigned by HnR to multiple graded stakes wins and earnings of more than $1 million before becoming a cornerstone of our breeding program. Coolmore's Magnier team bought Appeared as a weanling at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, then offered him the following year at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, where Peter Brandt bought in for $600,000. The resulting Coolmore–Brandt partnership sent him to Aidan O'Brien.
After a brief European campaign, highlighted by an impressive victory in a 12-furlong maiden at the Curragh, Appeared was purchased by Darby Racing for $167,908 at the 2025 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. He is now in training with Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm in New South Wales, Australia. HnR welcomed the opportunity to become involved with one of our own homebreds again, and his move to Australia provided the natural starting point for our expansion Down Under.
We have been impressed by the vibrancy and cultural significance of Australian racing, together with the professionalism, communication, and transparency we have experienced at every stage. That positive introduction encouraged us to broaden our involvement, and HnR now holds interests in six promising horses based on the continent.
Three Starts in Australia, Three Wins
Appeared won at Newcastle on his first Australian start, stepped up 320 metres three weeks later to take the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap at Warwick Farm, and then won the Chandon Handicap over 2400 metres at Rosehill Gardens on his first try at Sydney Saturday grade. Three grades in five weeks, unbeaten in Australia for Bjorn Baker and Dylan Gibbons, and a winner on two continents.
The five two-year-olds turned two on August 1 under the Southern Hemisphere calendar. Their starts will post to the results feed alongside the rest of the stable.
