$1.1m colt Godfather sold for $55,000 chasing city win for new trainer and owners

Godfather is the one-time $1.1m colt who was purchased online for just $55,000 and steps out in the city on Saturday after being gelded earlier this year.

One-time $1.1m colt Godfather winning at Ipswich for his new trainer and ownership group. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Godfather was the $1.1m colt who promised the world but seemingly delivered an atlas.

But after being purchased online for just $55,000 – a fraction of his price when he went through the ring as a yearling at Magic Millions – Godfather is getting a fresh chance at a racing career.

Formerly owned by well-known owner James Harron and trained by the Peter and Paul Snowden, new syndication company Edge Thoroughbreds decided to take a punt on the son of I Am Invincible.

He was gelded soon after being purchased and sent to Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn who produced him first-up last month for a win in a six-horse Class 5 race at Ipswich.

• EXCLUSIVE: The Everest to get Group 1 status this year

Now Godfather heads to the big smoke at Eagle Farm on Saturday, looking to realise some of the potential that saw him win the Listed Phelan Ready when he made his racing debut in December 2022.

Godfather in his former racing colours when winning on debut for the Snowdens in 2022. Picture: Natasha Wood/Trackside Photography

Things went pear-shaped when Godfather was well-beaten in the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions and there was some issues that were later discovered.

But Brendan Nelson, director and co-founder of Edge Thoroughbreds which was established last December, was more than happy to fork out $55,000 for Godfather earlier this year.

• ‘White line fever’: Callow back in city after stint as Uber driver

“We felt as a new business that we needed a horse that had a bit of clout behind it and had a great pedigree,” Nelson, who has had a 30-year career as a town planner, said.

“After the Magic Millions he needed to have tie-back surgery, so that always puts off breeders a bit.

“We felt if he was gelded and given a freshen at a new stable he could be a good horse, so that’s exactly what we did.

“We took him out to Ipswich just to open the batting, he won that reasonable comfortably even though he had a big blow after the race.”

Despite the initial lofty price tag for Godfather as a yearling, Nelson said it was a no-brainer opting to geld the galloper.

He said the start-up goals of the new syndication business were about delivering prize money returns to owners.

Godfather carrying the colours of Edge Thoroughbreds. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

“(James) Harron wouldn't have sold this horse if he felt he had a career as a stallion going forward,” Nelson said.

“Our business is not necessarily about making stallions at this point.

“It is about delivering prizemoney straight up for owners.

“We set ourselves up late December with a view to offering a new form of syndication business which is built primarily on pedigree and potential and trying to keep prices pretty low so that it broadens the appeal.

“I’ve been in town planning for 30 years but I always enjoyed the horses and I wanted to move my career into something I really loved doing.

“When we kicked the business off, we decided to go all in and make a good fist of it.”

Godfather now races in the cerise/magenta and navy blue colours of Edge Thoroughbreds which are striking for a reason.

“We wanted our racing colours to stand out and be a little bit different,” Nelson said.

“We are also going to be introducing some ladies (owned) horses, so we were keen on having racing colours which would appeal to women.”

Originally published as $1.1m colt Godfather sold for $55,000 chasing city win for new trainer and owners