Karnup trainer Jason Miller will set Group 1 mare Admiration Express for an interstate campaign next season and stablemate Bonjoy will join her for the rich autumn carnivals.

Miller signalled a trip to Melbourne and/or Sydney for the rising 6yo mares after Admiration Express outclassed her G3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) rivals at Pinjarra on Saturday.  “She’s a little superstar and is always racing in Group or Listed company.  This was her grand-final for the season and she’s done a really good job.”

Admiration Express (5m My Admiration – Comme Ci by Verglas) won the weight-for-age feature by over a length from Buckets Ridge (Pride Of Dubai) and Ginger Baker (Gingerbread Man).  “The (G1) Northerly Stakes and (G1) Railway Stakes are on the radar again but I’ve been thinking about having a go over east with her and Bonjoy.”

The Strickland victory improved the grey mare’s earnings to $883,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $58,850.  It was her second strike at Group 3 level following the 2022 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and she followed up with a Listed win in the 2023 Ascot 1000 Guineas.

Admiration Express also did best of the local brigade when runner-up to French-bred Melbourne raider Light Infantry Man (Fast Company) in the G1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot last December.

Bred by Namerik Thoroughbreds owner Alan Bansemer, she is by Westbury Park stallion My Admiration (Encosta de Lago) and is a half-sister to black-type performers Fred Dag (Patronize) and Janaura (Safeguard).

The bottom-line goes back four generations to Miss Personality (Vibrant) who was a 1973 Group 1 winner of the race now known as the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.

Miller and his wife Sarah bought her for $60,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions.  “She wasn’t much to look at but we liked the family and she had that presence about her at the Sale,” Jason recalled.  “She a special horse and is the stable star.”

Bonjoy also races for a stable syndicate managed by Sarah and she was touted as a future Group 1 galloper after completing an Ascot hat-trick in the LR Starstruck Classic (1600m), Australia Day Stakes (1500m) and Ascot Mile (1600m) in February.

Bred and sold by Alwyn Park owner John Andrew for $60,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions, she will give the stable a strong second-string for the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in November.  “I rated Bonjoy better than Admiration Express early on,” Jason said..  “They were broken in together then shared a paddock and they’re just like twins.”

They also share similar sire lines.  Bonjoy is by Alwyn Park sire Maschino and he’s bred on the same Encosta de Lago – Redoute’s Choice cross as My Admiration.  So is Australia’s 2024-25 Champion Sire-elect Zoustar.