There are lots of reasons why Magnus is currently working through his biggest (and arguably finest) book of mares at Eliza Park International this spring.

At Ascot on Saturday afternoon, there were another 457,500 reasons when his daughter Magnifisio was…well, simply Magnifisio in taking out the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.

It was the first attempt at racing’s most elite level for the Jim Taylor mare, although she had previously won five from seven black type events, including the Group 2 Lee Steere at her most recent try.

Rich Eastern State plums clearly beckon for this speedy lass who has now taken her earnings to well over the $1 million mark.  “She’s good enough to go over and have a crack,” Taylor said.  “The Winterbottom proved she’s up there with the good Group 1 horses.”

Taylor will stick to her pet trip of 1200 metres in Melbourne and feature sprints at that distance include the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington and William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley in March.

Magnus can do little wrong: although this too was the first Group 1 victory among his progeny, he also has five-time stakes winner Platinum Kingdom, Prettyhappyaboutit, Alpha Beat and Missy Cummings all successful at black type level.

But it’s 2014 that has been a year to remember and one which has truly established Magnus as one of the best stallions in Victoria…certainly his earnings of $1.62 million this season alone place him among the elite company.

Starting the day with an emphatic win by Magnus Effect at the Ballarat Cup meeting, the lightly raced Malibu Style almost gave Magnus a stakes double at Ascot when a fast finishing second to Liberty’s Gem in the Listed Placid Ark.

Magnus rounded off another big weekend with an international double on Sunday courtesy of I’m In Charge (Sha Tin) and Just Harley (Mornington).

Eliza Park International stands Magnus for a $16,500 (inc gst) fee.