First Responder created history on Saturday night by taking out the inaugural $175,000 Nutrien Two Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings Final at Menangle.
In doing so he became the 69th Group 1 for Art Major.
Given a perfect drive by Mark Pitt, First Responder sprinted home in 26.4 to win by 4.5 metres over Dangerous and Major Celebrity (Art Major).
The race was a major success for Emma Stewart as it was her 100th Group 1 win.
First Responder was bred by Anne and Bill Anderson’s Lauriston Bloodstock and was purchased at the Nutrien Sale by a group led by Tim Bunning for $60,000.
He is out of the Cam’s Card Shark mare Smyrna Duruisseau and thus a full brother to the former star juvenile and now Group 1 sire Follow The Stars.
It was a strong weekend for Art Major with the following notable achievements:
- First Responder – Won Nutrien Two Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings Final (Group 1)
- Interest Free – Won VHRC Caduceus Victoria Sires Classic (Group 3)
- Charlie Brown – Impressive winner at Addington. The two year old has now won his last two starts.
- Art Of Sheng Li – Won heat of the HBV Amarillen Matriarch Pace.
- Valedictorian – 2nd Pearl Classic (Group 1)
- Major Celebrity – 3rd Nutrien Two Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings Final (Group 1)
While Art Major is fully booked in Australia for this season, he still has bookings available in New Zealand.