The roar of the crowd at Caulfield today wasn’t just for another Group 1 winner—it was for a horse whose journey captured the hearts of trainers, owners, and punters alike. Half Yours, purchased as a relatively untested prospect on Inglis Digital, powered past a star-studded field to claim the $5 million G1 Caulfield Cup, igniting dreams of a historic Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double.
The St Jean colt, carefully nurtured by the father-son training team Tony and Calvin McEvoy, has risen from modest beginnings to racing royalty. Bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy secured Half Yours for $305,000 at the 2024 Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale, spotting the spark that the McEvoys believed could carry them to the pinnacle of Australian racing. At the time, Half Yours had only five starts under his belt, with two wins in a Geelong Maiden and a BM64 at Cranbourne.
Today, under the guidance of jockey Jamie Kah, Half Yours demonstrated the talent that convinced the McEvoys to invest. Settling just off the fence midfield, Kah timed her run perfectly, peeling wide around the home turn and driving the $2.40 favourite past rivals with a powerful finish. The victory not only secured the Caulfield Cup but also catapulted Half Yours to $3,471,400 in career prizemoney and immediately made him a $5 favourite for the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November.
“It’s incredible how far he’s come as a horse,” Tony McEvoy said, eyes glistening. “He’s special—he’s thrived on the preparation and keeps getting bigger, stronger, and better. When he came into the mounting yard today, you just knew he’d arrived as a stayer.”
Calvin McEvoy added, “I don’t know what to say. Dad has supported me every step. We got further back than planned in the race, but he’s a great horse. Good horses do great things.”
Half Yours’ triumph marks the 112th G1 victory for an Inglis graduate since 2018 and highlights the continuing strength of Inglis Digital as a platform for finding elite racing talent. The next chance to purchase a horse of similar promise arrives this week with the October (Late) Sale, which closes for bidding at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Earlier on the Caulfield card, Autumn Mystery (The Autumn Sun) showcased his potential with a strong victory in the G3 Caulfield Classic, sending him into $7 second-favourite territory for the G1 Victoria Derby. Trainer Rory Hunter described the win as a “boyhood dream,” praising the colt’s determination. The Victoria Derby will be contested at Flemington on Saturday, November 1.
Meanwhile, at Randwick on Everest Day, Idle Flyer (Dundeel) impressed with a G3 Angst Stakes victory, prompting trainer Matthew Smith to consider a tilt at the $10 million Golden Eagle. The progressive mare, bought for $70,000 at the Classic Yearling Sale, has now won six of 11 career starts.
In New Zealand, unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) claimed the G2 Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie, continuing a remarkable start to her career. Purchased as a weanling for $32,500, the filly has now notched two stellar victories and is shaping up as a standout in the Kiwi ranks.
The week’s results also underscore Inglis’ remarkable sales performance, with the Ready2Race Sale posting record gross receipts of $19,859,000 and an impressive 79% clearance rate. Today’s on-track success demonstrates the enduring strength of Inglis Digital in delivering future champions.
Read more about Half Yours and the latest racing news on RaceBuzz.
