Racing Confidential: Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker to train for American billionaire John Stewart

Trainers Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker have been selected to train four of the six yearlings purchased by American billionaire John Stewart.

American owner John Stewart (right, pictured with Inglis managing director Mark Webster) has some “big news coming” in the next few weeks. Picture: Supplied

American billionaire John Stewart has announced Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker will be training some of the owner’s superbly-bred Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchases.

Stewart took to social media to reveal Waller has been selected to train the I Am Invincible-Booker filly that sold for $3 million, the second highest priced-lot at Easter behind Winx’s $10 million filly.

Waller is also training Stewart’s colt by Wootton Bassett out of Tulip which he purchased for $900,000.

Another huge result for @coolmorestud as their I Am Invincible x Booker filly sells for a tremendous $3 million. Congratulations to @rresoluteracing on their purchase of Lot 443 at #InglisEasterpic.twitter.com/3TQ35Cb2og

— Inglis (@inglis_sales) April 8, 2024

Baker has been given the Lope De Vega-Hint Of Pink filly which was knocked down for $425,000 and the Dundeel colt out of Game Of Thorns which Stewart secured for $240,000.

Stewart revealed he will announce on Friday which trainer is given his final two Easter purchases, the I Am Invincible-Faith In Hand filly that cost $650,000 and the Street Boss-This Time Bridie filly he picked up for $225,000.

The American owner-breeder who is taking world racing by storm also hinted to standby for some “big news coming to Australia in the next few weeks”.

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The maestro Les Bridge has revealed stable star Celestial Legend has a similar temperament to the trainer’s former champion Sir Dapper.

“Celestial Legend, for a colt, is such a beautifully natured horse,” Bridge said.

“Before he won the Doncaster (Mile), he went to sleep in the stalls. He reminds me of Sir Dapper, he used to go to sleep on racedays.”

Bridge said Celestial Legend is likely to barrier trial at the end of next month before a spring preparation aimed at the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 2.

Huge win, Celestial Legend! 🤍❤️

Congratulations, Bon Ho, Les Bridge, @G1TySchil and the team... 👏

🎥 @SkyRacingAU | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/R3eaXfCDSB

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 6, 2024

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The programming anomaly that has the Listed McKell Cup (2000m) and Stayer’s Cup (2400m) on the same Rosehill Gardens meeting on Saturday did not adversely affect either race.

There were 13 final acceptors for the McKell Cup and 11 for the Stayer’s Cup although Awesome Wonder has been withdrawn.

But it is understood the programming will be reviewed with suggestions the Stayer’s Cup could be moved deeper into winter next year.

The Rosehill meeting boasts 11 races after 36 acceptors were received for the benchmark 78 race over 1800m, prompting the decision to have two divisions of 14 plus four emergencies.

This is the second time this winter a Sydney Saturday meeting has had 11 races after Royal Randwick on June 8 when the Lord Mayor’s Cup was added to the program after the previous week’s Rosehill meeting was washed out after five races.

Caulfield also has 10 races on Saturday after a benchmark 78 handicap over 2000m attracted 27 acceptors so the race was split as there was a field limit of 13 with the rail out 12m.

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Coolmore Australia supremo Tom Magnier was at England’s famous Royal Ascot carnival last week and revealed the robust nature of Australia’s racing and breeding industry was a hot topic.

“We (Coolmore) had six winners at Royal Ascot, it was incredible and Aidan (O’Brien, trainer) and Ryan (Moore, jockey) were on their ‘A’ game,” Magnier said.

“But all everyone could ask me about was how good Australian racing is and why it is so popular.

“People in Australia should be so proud of the product we have, it is the envy of the world.”

Originally published as Racing Confidential: Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker to train for American billionaire John Stewart