Team Hawkes to train Black Caviar’s $5m half-brother

BC3 Thoroughbreds will confirm tomorrow during the Channel 7 coverage of Australian Derby Day at Randwick that Team Hawkes, headed by master trainer John Hawkes will prepare the $5 million half-brother to Black Caviar.

black caviar

$5m half-brother to Black Caviar (above) is to be trained by Team Hawkes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

A new Australian record for a yearling was set earlier in the week when BC3 Thoroughbreds paid a staggering $5 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for the colt by Redoute’s Choice out of Black Caviar’s dam Helsinge.

Hawkes, who has trained some of Australia’s greatest racehorses of modern times including multiple Group 1 winners Octagonal and Lonhro is obviously excited to be selected to train the regally bred colt with his sons Wayne and Michael.

“If the rumours are true then we’re over the moon that we will be training the third member of this family,” Wayne Hawkes said.

It was announced earlier today that a trainer had been selected and would officially be announced tomorrow before word had filtered out that Team Hawkes had gained the nod.

Team Hawkes is currently preparing glamour three year old All Too Hard, also a half-brother to Black Caviar by Casino Prince and also trained Black Caviar’s full brother Moshe who retired to stud after winning three races from five starts.

Moshe was retired early due to a severe throat infection and stands at stud at Eliza Park.

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said that his father John was one of the most experienced trainers of expensive thoroughbreds and has the record on the board.

“At the end of the day not many trainers have John Hawkes’ record of training expensive colts and setting them up for stud,” Wayne Hawkes said.

“My father’s record speaks for itself – Octagonal, Lonhro, even an up and coming sire like Real Saga.”

Team Hawkes has also been chosen to train the Fastnet RockRiver Dove colt who was purchased by Emirates Park for $4 million on the second day of the Sales.

Caulfield Guineas winner All Too Hard is back on track to return to the racetrack after recovering from a virus which saw him a race morning scratching from the Group 1 $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 2 when a short priced favourite.

All Too Hard pleased connections with a jump out win at Flemington today and will resume in the Group 1 $400,000 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 27, the last day of the  Sydney Autumn Carnival.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.