Bootlegger secured his first Stakes victory when taking the Listed Morphettville Guineas at Morphettville on Monday, 9 March.
The three-year-old, trained by Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray, showed determination in the straight after setting the early tempo. Under Emily Finnegan, Bootlegger took control with 300m to run before holding off Cannae by a half-length, with Dirty Old Town a short neck away in third.
Bootlegger is out of the English mare Princess Youmzain and was bred by Vintage Bloodstock. Passed in at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, he has now recorded three wins and three placings from 10 starts.
The victory adds further momentum to the season of his sire Too Darn Hot, whose progeny continue to perform at Stakes level around the world.
Globally, Too Darn Hot has now sired 259 winners of 495 races, including 33 individual Stakes winners of 58 Black-Type races. Among them are five G1 winners, highlighted by Tropicus, who captured the G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield earlier this season.
His international success has also been reflected on the track in Dubai, where Native Approach landed the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint and Title Role captured the Listed Jumeirah Two Thousand Guineas at Meydan.
Commercial demand for Too Darn Hot’s progeny remains strong. Yearlings by the triple G1 winner have sold for up to $750,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, following earlier sales of $725,000 on the Gold Coast, NZ$475,000 at Karaka, and $375,000 in Sydney this season.
Bootlegger, bred and owned by great client Robert Hill Smith becomes a Stakes winner in the Listed Morphetville Guineas.
Well done Robert!
He’s by Too Darn Hot @DarleyAus @DarleyEurope and was born and raised at Twin Hills. pic.twitter.com/Z0EHXzyCSm
