Ciaron Maher has an enviable record as a Group 1-winning trainer since Jameka (Myboycharlie) turned the 2016 Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) into a procession and he’s progressed to another level with a network of bloodstock agents combing catalogues and auctions around the world for his clients.
The flowing locks are gone but the logo remains and so can the strike-rate at the star-studded Doomben meeting on Saturday afternoon. Maher has accepted with six horses sporting an overseas suffix headed by Jimmysstar (Per Incanto) and Warnie (Highland Reel) in the Doomben 10,000 (Gr 1, 1200m).
Another highlight will be Accidental Bid (Phoenix Of Spain) attempting an Australian hat-trick in the Rough Habit Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) leading into the Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) later this month.
Jimmysstar was purchased by Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill on behalf of a large syndicate after winning his first two starts at Wanganui and Hastings. He was bred in partnership by Little Avondale Stud who stand his sire Per Incanto (Street Cry).
“Jimmysstar is a special horse so thanks to Ozzie, John and the whole ownership group,” Maher said. “He had a couple of gallops at Newcastle and some beach work at Anna Bay on the way up here.
“I suppose 1200m is at the shorter end of his preferred distance but he’s all quality and his recent runs at Randwick were super. He’s in good order and I’m sure he will be hard to hold out.”
Jimmysstar (6g Per Incanto – Anniesstar by Zed) completed a Group 1 treble last year in the MRC Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield, ATC All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and MRC C F Orr Stakes (1400m) back at Caulfield.
That increased his earning power by $8.32 million since crossing the Tasman in October 2023 and he has opened a $3.20 favourite for the 10,000.
Warnie (Ire) is on the fourth line of markets at $13 following a never nearer third to Splash Back (Fr) and Payline when racing first-up in the Victory Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.
“He was super in the Victory Stakes and was probably a bit unlucky,” Maher recalled. “He’s improved every prep since coming to us. His target is the Stradbroke Hcp and he’s certainly on track for that.”
Warnie had won a Bellewstown nursery as a summer 2yo in Ireland for trainer Joseph O’Brien before graduating to a black-type victory in the Churchill Stakes (Listed 1500m) at Tipperary.
Warnie (5g Highland Reel – Cumbfree by Footstepsinthesand) was purchased at the 2023 Tattersalls 2yo HIT Sale for 65,000gns (AUD131,100) by Blandford Bloodstock acting for Bennett Racing.
He won on debut in Australia at Flemington on Turnbull Stakes Day in October 2024 and, like Jimmysstar, kept improving last year with power-fueled victories in the VRC Linlithgow Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Flemington and $1 million Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham.
Accidental Bid (GB) takes on older horses at weight-for-age in the Rough Habit Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) but bookmakers aren’t taking any chances firming the classic prospect into an opening $2.60 favourite.
He will be graduating from a running double at Pakenham at his first two outings in Australia and Maher believes he’s on an upward trajectory. “He posted a big rating last start and it was a bit of a shame he didn’t get a run in the South Australian Derby.
“He’s a quality horse and very progressive. I’m looking forward to the Rough Habit and he will be hitting the line strong.”
Accidental Bid (3c Phoenix Of Spain – Comnena by Tiger Hill) had no form to speak of in England for trainer Adrian Nicolls. He was originally knocked down for 12,000gns (AUD 34,000) at the 2024 Tattersalls’ October Yearling Sale and was sold privately to Australian Bloodstock twelve months later shortly after being beaten 13 lengths at Newmarket.
“It wasn’t hard to convince the owners to sell,” Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett told ANZ News. “They were a bit surprised actually and obviously didn’t think as much of him as we did.”
Accidental Bid has a sires pedigree as a half-brother to three winners including German Stakes winner Carpathian (Elusive City). Their dam is an unraced daughter of Saint Cloud Listed winner Historian (Pennekamp) who is a half-sister to Street Cry (Machiavellian) and the dam of Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway).
Maher unveiled another promising import at Werribee on Thursday when Fyreline (Ire) won the Just Energy Maiden Plate (1400m) from Reign Capital (Churchill) and Shalaakei (Shalaa).
Jockey John Allen, who partners Accidental Bid in Brisbane today, was impressed with the winning debut. “That was workmanlike and he found plenty. Ciaron said he was a bit coltish but he balanced up and responded when I asked. It was a soft win and it’s good to see them kick off on the right note.”
Fyreline (3c Too Darn Hot – Earring by Dansili) was racing first-up since being placed on the Newcastle (UK) synthetic surface second time out last November. He was a 420,000 euros (AUD 680,00) buy for Irish agent Colm Sharkey at the 2025 Arqana May Breeze Up Sale.
His dam Earring (Dansili) is a daughter of Coolmore mare Together (Galileo) who was a Group 1 winner of the 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (1800m) at Keeneland.
Fyreline was one of three Arqana Breeze Up Sale purchases for Maher last May. A Wootton Bassett – Sarai (Nathaniel) colt made 450,000 euros and a No Nay Never – Deadly Reel (Pour Moi) colt 190,000 euros.
The Wootton Bassett is named Bassarai (Ire) and the No Nay Never is registered as Reel Deadly (Ire).)
Earlier on Thursday, the Maher-trained stayer Gilded Water (GB) won a Caulfield 1400m barrier trial for King Charles III. A Chepstow 3yo maiden winner in May 2024, he was last seen finishing a half-length second to Torranzino (NZ) in the Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) in October.
Gilded Water (5g Fastnet Rock – Fiery Sunset by Galileo) was bred by Queen Elizabeth II and Maher rates him a quality horse with a lot of ability. “He’s only lightly raced and had a couple of tough runs last prep.
“The King and Queen are up to speed and we will focus on the spring. Hopefully, he does it the right way and then the plan will be the Melbourne Cup.” – Karl Patterson