Another Magic Victory for Eleven Eleven

Popular gelding Eleven Eleven (5g Fastnet Rock x Smokin Alice, by Smoke Glacken) continued his love affair with the Gold Coast on Saturday, prevailing in one of the closest finishes in Magic Millions history to land the $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m).

In edging out Holyfield and Apache Chase in a thrilling four-way photo, he secured back-to-back wins in the race to follow his success in the 2020 edition of the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.

Trainer Greg Hickman praised the ride of jockey Hugh Bowman and said he would aim to bring the gelding back for another tilt at the race in 2023.

“He went super, he got a super ride,” Hickman said.

“He got shuffled back a little but further back than we wanted but he got out and I couldn’t believe it.

“He has been a special horse, especially to be able to win here three years in a row, it’s special for everybody.

“He’s a gelding so we’ll be trying (to make it four wins).”

The win took the five-year-old’s career earnings beyond $2.9 million and saw him equal a feat achieved only by Group 1 mare Invincibella, who won three editions of the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m) at the Gold Coast between 2018 and 2020.

A $230,000 Magic Millions purchase for his trainer from the Edinburgh Park draft, Eleven Eleven was bred by Ian Smith of Edinburgh Park.

Eleven Eleven is a full brother to stakes-placed War Memorial and three-quarter brother-in-blood to Group II MVRC Stutt Stakes winner Glenfiddich being from well bred import Smokin Alice (USA).

Fastnet Rock has had his usual good sale at Magic Millions this week with seven yearlings sold in the first four sessions at an average $445,714.