Cangon graduate posts thrilling Kirkham Plate debut win

First published 29/10/2025

Cangon Stud Farm bred and raised Thrill Hunter made a big impression on debut when landing the $160,000 Kirkham Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes day.

A second-crop daughter of Ole Kirk trained out of the Hawkesbury stable of Terry Croft, Thrill Hunter fought off all challengers over the closing stages to claim one of the early juvenile events of the new 2-year-old Sydney racing season to score by a long neck. In so doing, the promising filly defeated a highly-regarded daughter and son of the ill-fated stallion Wootton Basset (GB) in the form of Pearl of Dubai (2nd) and Defensemen (3rd) raced by Sheikh M B K Al Maktoum and Coolmore & Partners respectively.

Bred by Cangon Stud Farm matriarch Jenny Mackay, Thrill Hunter was consigned by Sledmere Stud at the 2025 Australian Easter Yearling Sale at which she was sold for $280,000 to Wynne Pastoral Partnership.

The victory was a big thrill for everyone in the extended Cangon Stud Farm-Sledmere Stud family. The filly showed stakes winning ability in landing an early season 2-year-old event previously won in more recent seasons by Tiger Of Malay and Time to Reign — subsequent Group winners now standing at stud.

Thrill Hunter made a big impression on winning rider Ash Morgan who stated after the victory: “She has got a lovely attitude, she pinged the gates and pricked her ears. When I put them away she had a float again.”

Morgan added: “She is very tough, and she is a long way from where she’s going to be … it was a good win.”

Thrill Hunter’s dam, Seeking Attention, was sent back to Ole Kirk in 2023 and produced a full-sister to the Kirkham Plate winner.