2025 Champagne Stakes: Trainer Sara Ryan chasing first Group 1 victory with Is It Spectacular

Is It Spectacular has already completed a couple of “firsts” for trainer Sara Ryan but there’d be none bigger than capturing the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

Is It Spectacular has already completed a couple of “firsts” for trainer Sara Ryan but there’d be none bigger than capturing Saturday’s Group 1 $1m Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

Ryan will go in search of her first Group 1 winner with her maiden runner when the lightly-raced colt lines up in the final leg of Sydney’s juvenile Triple Crown.

“His maiden win was the first city winner for a two-year-old since 1998 for (owners) Domeland and was my first two-year-old winner but to have a horse in the Group 1 is exciting, especially being my first Group 1 runner,” Ryan said.

“I had Attractable in the Doncaster last year but had to scratch him when the track came up really heavy but it’s what makes trainers, if you can make a stallion – especially as a two-year-old.”

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Ryan spent the five years at Domeland’s Central Coast property managing, pre-training and spelling horses before she was thrust into the hot-seat as the owner’s head trainer during the 2022/23 season.

Her role pre-training has meant she has spent plenty of time developing young talent like Is It Spectacular.

The son of Dundeel, a $260,000 yearling buy, showed Ryan plenty of potential early on.

Is It Spectacular went for a break following his first start – a fifth at Rosehill Gardens back in November – and broke his maiden at the second time of asking in his return with victory over 1300m at Warwick Farm on April 2.

Is It Spectacular takes out the opener at Warwick Farm winning at start two for @sara_r_racing with @SchofieldChad in the saddle! 👏 pic.twitter.com/8mjKWunF4C

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 2, 2025

• Nepotism set to prove Champagne and Caviar are a perfect match

“I love colts that are sensible and he is one of those horses that doesn’t know he is a colt,” Ryan said.

“He has enough energy in him without being naughty.

“He has always been one of those horses that has been a bit like ‘look at me’.

“He has good head on him, a good body on him and as a three-year-old I think we will see the best of him because he has got quite a big frame and still has no idea what he is doing.”

Victorian jockey Mark Zahra has been booked to ride Is It Spectacular ($61) in the Champagne Stakes in which Nepotism is a $4 favourite.

Ryan is attempting to make it back-to-back weekends with feature success following Matcha Latte’s victory in last week’s Provincial-Midway Championships Final.

🍵 Sipping victory!
Matcha Latte takes the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, another win to @AshMorgan6 for @sara_r_racing! 🎉 @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/wyRneoNKAh

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025

• Waller on verge of another Group 1 record

Meanwhile, Ryan confirmed Attractable was progressing nicely on the comeback trial and had his first trial for this preparation at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The I Am Invincible gelding hasn’t raced for close to 12 months but could be targeted at the Brisbane Winter Carnival if everything goes to plan in his comeback to the races.

“We will probably looks at the Stradbroke,” Ryan said.

“He is at that Benchmark and has to step out in those races as long as he’s come back in fine form.

“He had that setback last prep so if he keeps trialling up well he will head there.“

Originally published as 2025 Champagne Stakes: Trainer Sara Ryan chasing first Group 1 victory with Is It Spectacular