Headley Grange rides to victory in a previous race. The 5 year old gelding will be hoping to go back to back with another Group 1 win this Saturday at Eagle Farm. Headley Grange will be joined on the day by another local connection when Savagery Vibe, part owned by the Shea family lines up in its first Group race on the same day.
Headley Grange will step up again and take on some of last fortnight’s rivals and some new ones in his quest to win consecutive Group 1 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Bred and part-owned by Robert “Bob” Manwaring of Harden, the son of Exosphere out of the Hard Spun mare Hard Go Jo has risen from Manwaring’s original ownership back into the sales ring and back into more permanent ownership by the family. He was purchased for $120,000 before embarking on the second part of his career with Trainer Joe Pride purchase to a bona fide Group 1 winner. His journey embodies persistence, sharp judgment, and the unpredictable magic of racing.
Manwaring, a hobby breeder with a keen eye, bred Headley Grange. He saw untapped potential in the gelding early on. After initial racing efforts, Manwaring had a disagreement with the horse’s first trainer, insisting the colt was “too good for the bush.” When the trainer challenged him to buy him out, Manwaring did just that, putting the horse through the 2023 Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale. HDB Bloodstock secured him on Manwaring’s behalf for $120,000 after just three career starts. The rest, as they say, is history.
Under the expert care of Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride, Headley Grange transformed into a model of consistency. A tradesman-like performer who rarely let his connections down, the bay gelding built a formidable record through sheer grit and tactical versatility. By mid-2025, he had already notched multiple wins, including a standout victory in the Listed Civic Stakes at Randwick, where he showed his trademark tenacity.
Jockey Jason Collett, who rode him to that Civic Stakes win, praised the horse’s fighting spirit: “He’s a nice horse. The tempo of that race was different… He has quickened off it and then he’s had to tough it out. He just found another gear. When they came to him at the 150 (metres) he went again, so that’s a really good sign.” Trainer Pride echoed the optimism, noting the step up in class: “Nice to see him step up to that higher grade today. That’s never easy to do in a high-pressure race with plenty of opposition. He’s come back particularly well this preparation.”
Headley Grange’s form continued to climb. In the spring of 2025, he delivered a career-high effort in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill, winning convincingly from a wide barrier and making it multiple wins in the preparation. His record stood at 11 wins from 22 starts at that point, with prizemoney approaching $1.7 million.
The pinnacle arrived on May 30, 2026, at Eagle Farm in the Ladbrokes Kingsford Smith Cup (Group 1, 1300m). In a thrilling, high-pressure contest, Headley Grange, ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, produced a perfectly timed run from just off the pace. He threaded his way through the field to edge out a star-studded cast in a blanket finish.
Headley Grange defeated Jimmysstar by a short head, with Fangirl a further neck away in third after making enormous late ground. Further back were the likes of Another Wil, Private Eye, Desert Lightning, Transatlantic, Splashback, Rothfire, and others — many of them established Group performers and household names in Australian sprinting.
It was a maiden Group 1 victory at start number 28, capping a career that had seen him place respectably in numerous elite races during the Sydney autumn, including the Canterbury Stakes, George Ryder Stakes, All Aged Stakes, and Doncaster Mile. His total earnings now exceed $2.46 million, with 12 wins from 28 starts.
Trackside, an emotional Manwaring was in awe. “I knew he’d run a big race, he’s been too consistent not to and it’s amazing to see him get his Group 1,” he said. Reflecting on the horse’s origins, he added: “I bred him and had an argument with his initial trainer, I said he’s too good for the bush so he said ‘buy me out then’ so we put him on Inglis Digital and I got a mate to come in with me because I knew we’d have to pay a bit for him but the rest is history. He’s up close to $2.5m now, it’s unbelievable but hopefully there’s more to come even in a few weeks in the Stradbroke.”
This ascension from modest online sale to elite status highlights the value of platforms like Inglis Digital, which have launched numerous Group 1 winners. Headley Grange joins an illustrious list of graduates who have punched well above their purchase price.
Now, the story builds toward its next chapter. This Saturday, June 13, 2026, Headley Grange lines up as one of the favourites in the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, drawing perfectly in barrier 8 with Adam Hyeronimus again in the saddle. He will renew rivalries with several horses he vanquished or faced in the Kingsford Smith Cup, including Fangirl (a glamour mare carrying top weight), Another Wil, Private Eye, and others in a capacity field stacked with talent such as Rothfire, Transatlantic, Yellow Brick, and emerging stars like Regal Award.
The Stradbroke, a historic sprint showcase since 1890, promises another epic chapter. Headley Grange’s tactical speed, proven ability to handle Eagle Farm, and recent Group 1-winning form make him a formidable contender. Pride’s team has him firing, and Manwaring’s dream of further glory feels within reach.
Headley Grange’s tale is more than just wins and prizemoney — it’s about belief. Manwaring’s hunch about his breeding and potential, Pride’s patient training, and the horse’s own indomitable will have turned a $120,000 gamble into a champion story. Whether he adds Stradbroke silverware or not, this hardy gelding from Harden has already etched his name among Australia’s top-flight sprinters. In a sport full of uncertainty, Headley Grange stands as proof that consistency, heart, and a bit of faith can lead all the way to the top.
2026 Ladbrokes Stradbroke Handicap (G1, 1400m) – Eagle Farm, Saturday June 13
Final field listed by saddle cloth number (current as of June 10). Odds are approximate market indications and will change.
Fangirl (Chris Waller / James McDonald / Barrier 11 / 56.5kg) – Multiple Group 1 winner. Current odds around $6.50–$7.50. Top weight and glamour mare.
Rothfire (Robert Heathcote / Brad Rawiller / Barrier 13 / 56.5kg) – Multiple Group 1 winner. Odds around $21–$26. Local hope.
Private Eye (Joseph Pride / Nash Rawiller / Barrier 4 / 56.5kg) – Group 1 winner. Odds around $15–$18.
Another Wil (Ciaron Maher / Ryan Maloney / Barrier 17 / 56.5kg) – Group 1 winner. Odds around $11–$13.
Desert Lightning (NZ) (Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman / Luke Nolen / Barrier 5 / 55.5kg) – Group 1 winner. Odds around $41–$51.
Sepals (Cliff Brown / Tim Clark / Barrier 21 / 55kg) – Group 1 winner. Odds around $41. 7.
Headley Grange (Joseph Pride / Adam Hyeronimus / Barrier 8 / 55kg) – Group 1 winner (recent Kingsford Smith Cup). Odds around $6.00–$7.00, one of the leading fancies.
Transatlantic (Tony Gollan / Tommy Berry / Barrier 18 / 55kg) – Group 1 winner. Odds around $15.
Yellow Brick (Tony & Maddysen Sears / Jason Collett / Barrier 23 / 54kg) – Odds around $21–$26.
King of Roseau (Peter Snowden / Tom Sherry / Barrier 7 / 54kg) – Odds around $21.
Estadio Mestalla (IRE) (Joseph Pride / Chad Schofield / Barrier 10 / 53.5kg) – Odds around $17–$19.
Warnie (IRE) (Ciaron Maher / Declan Bates / Barrier 1 / 53.5kg) – Odds around $21.
Von Hauke (NZ) (Cliff Brown / Harry Coffey / Barrier 19 / 53kg) – Odds around $51.
Splash Back (FR) (Grahame Begg / Craig Williams / Barrier 12 / 52kg) – Odds around $15–$17.
Abounding (Robert Heathcote / Tyler Schiller / Barrier 15 / 52kg) – Odds around $26.
Spicy Martini (Toby Edmonds / Taylor Marshall / Barrier 2 / 51.5kg) – Odds around $19.
Tuned (Annabel & Rob Archibald / Ben Thompson / Barrier 6 / 51kg) – Odds around $61.
Regal Award (Phillip Stokes / Luke Cartwright (a) / Barrier 9 / 49.5kg) – Odds around $7.00–$8.50. Promising lightweight contender.
Emergencies (subject to scratchings):
19e. Sixties (Chris Waller / Jamie Melham / Barrier 3 / 51kg) – Odds around $11.
20e. Payline – Long odds.
21e. Welwal (GB) (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr / Kerrin McEvoy / Barrier 22 / 52.5kg) – Odds around $81.
22e. Cifrado – Long odds.
23e. Skyhook – Odds around $61.
From Emergency to Champion:
Savagery Vibe Delivers Fairytale Stakes Win at Eagle Farm
In one of the most remarkable stories of the Brisbane racing carnival, rank outsider and fifth emergency runner Savagery Vibe stormed to victory in the Listed Magic Millions Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm, turning what could have been a quiet day into a memorable upset.
The four-year-old mare by Brutal out of Kiss Moon, trained by leading Queensland horseman Tony Gollan, wasn’t even guaranteed a start in the $160,000 feature for fillies and mares. As the fifth emergency, her path to the race relied on late scratchings — and when the opportunity came, she seized it with both hooves.
Ridden by Daniel Moor, Savagery Vibe was sent out at massive odds of around 60/1. But the daughter of Brutal produced a devastating late surge, charging home strongly in the final stages to snatch victory in a thrilling finish. She defeated She’s Got Pizzazz by a narrow margin, with the winning time recorded at 1:11.30.
“She loves Eagle Farm and 1200 metres,” Gollan’s stable has highlighted in post-race comments, capturing the mare’s affinity for the venue where she has now secured significant success. Strapper Taylor Ratten was on hand to celebrate the emotional win alongside connections.
The victory marks Savagery Vibe’s fifth career win from 17 starts and her first at stakes level, adding to her growing reputation as a tough and consistent performer. Bred by Orbis Bloodstock and later purchased for $22,500 through the Inglis Digital sale, she has already earned over $317,000 in prizemoney — a fine return on investment for her owners.
Part owner Bec Shea said, “Yes, it was actually pretty cool, two Harden horses. It was a listed race, the Magic Millions Helen Coughlan Stakes, which was nice. We’ve got a bit of black type with her, which is what you want.
“Cameron Cooke who we get the majority of our horses with, we bought into her down here. She was with Nick Ryan at the time.
“It is a funny story because I actually ran into Nick at the pub one night after Flemington and that’s how we ended up getting into her because he said, ‘I’ve got a nice filly, you should go in. And your mate Cookie has got it.’ So we rung him up and then by the next day we were in it. And then we got quite a few friends and a nice little group into it. Then we ran in some good races in her 1st prep down here in Melbourne.
“She didn’t win anything in town, but she ran in some really good races, so we sort of thought she had ability. And then we decided that we’d send her up to Queensland because it’s just a little bit easier to get some black type up there, as that’s what we’re aiming for, and she just has absolutely thrived up there. The change in the horse is unbelievable. She’s kept weight on, she’s been eating all her food, she wasn’t doing that in Melbourne. So I think she’s just enjoyed the sun on her back.
“Then we’ve just had this kind of frustrating but amazing prep because she ran about four seconds and just didn’t have a lot of luck. And then in that particular race, she was 5th emergency, so number 23. So she didn’t get into the field until on the Friday. So that’s why we actually didn’t go up, it was very last minute and then we were just hoping she’d come top four.
“She was $35 and she blew out to $81. And then she won really well, so she will run on Saturday at Eagle Farm in the group two.
“So she takes a step up from a listed race to a group two, which is a progression. It is kind of cool because Hedley Grange is in the group one again and then we’ll be in the group two.
“We will both be racing this Saturday. Headley Grange is in the Stradbroke, he has drawn a good barrier too, so that is good.
“It was funny because we were actually at Caulfield and we obviously all backed it and I think we were still really excited about it winning and then we weren’t expecting our horse to win too, so it ended up being quite a big night.
“Two Harden connections win big races at Eagle Farm, so that’s good.
Stepping Up to Group Company
Fresh off her stakes breakthrough, Savagery Vibe is set to take the next step in her career this Saturday at Eagle Farm, where she will line up in a Group race. The jump in class comes hot on the heels of her Listed triumph, but her proven love for the track and distance suggests she will be competitive once more.
Gollan’s team will be hoping the mare can back up her surprise win and prove that her Helen Coughlan success was no fluke. With the Brisbane winter carnival in full swing, another strong performance could see her stamp herself as a genuine stakes performer heading into the bigger races ahead.
Racing fans and punters alike will be keeping a close eye on the bay or brown mare, whose journey from fifth emergency to stakes win is an amazing feat.
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