2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
There were 17 G1 winning 3YO’s in Australia this season and only one was a G1 winner last season at two and that was Too Darn Hot (GB) colt Broadsiding, who was the Champion 2YO Colt with G1 wins in the ATC Champagne Stakes and BRC JJ Atkins.
He returned at three to win the G1 Golden Rose (1400m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) with a third placing in the Cox Plate also on his CV earning him a ticket to a stud career at Darley with his fee set at $66,000.
Switzerland was the only colt to come out of last year’s Golden Slipper to go on and win a G1 race at three and he too has gone to stud standing at Coolmore at a fee of $60,500 .
Australian G1 3YO Winners 2024/2025
The only other short course 3YO G1 winners were the colts Private Harry and Reserve Bank, who beat older sprinters to win their G1 races in The Galaxy and The Goodwood respectively.
Reserve Bank won a maiden at Bendigo at his only start at two, while Private Harry was unraced at two and is undefeated from five starts at three.
Fillies were very much on the ascent this year with Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment winning six G1 races between them, while the fillies Aeliana and Feminile both won Derbies
Lady Shenandoah had two starts at two for two placings, one of them in a Listed race, while Treasurethe Moment had two starts in June at two at Geelong for a second and a maiden win.
Aeliana was unraced at two, while Femminile had two starts for a Listed win in Adelaide.