2025 Champagne Stakes: Team Hawkes to saddle up Black Caviar relation Nepotism at Royal Randwick

Black Caviar’s close relation Nepotism can be the latest Group 1 winner to emerge from the great mare’s celebrated family when he contests the $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Champagne Stakes fancy Nepotism (left) is from the family that's produced the great Black Caviar (top right) and All Too Hard.

Black Caviar’s close relation Nepotism can be the latest Group 1 winner to emerge from the great mare’s celebrated family when he contests the $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Nepotism, trained by Hall of Famer John Hawkes and his sons Michael and Wayne, goes to the feature two-year-old race at just his third start but has shown so much natural talent already he is the early favourite at $3.80 with TAB Fixed Odds.

The crack colt’s ownership group includes Neil Werrett, who was a part-owner of Black Caviar, unbeaten winner of 25 races including 15 at Group 1 level.

Black Caviar passed away last August but Werrett said the great mare had left a lasting legacy.

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“It is impossible to put into words the impact Black Caviar has had on my life,’’ Werrett said.

“We had so many great experiences with her over many years and she is still impacting my life with her progeny and her relations.

“Because of her we bought All Too Hard, because of her we bought Ole Kirk, and because of her we bought Nepotism.’’

Werrett and his part-owners went to $160,000 to secure Nepotism at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale last year – and that looks a very astute investment now.

Nepotism is superbly by the Team Hawkes-trained Brutal, winner of the 2019 Doncaster Mile, out of Brigite, an unraced half-sister to Black Caviar.

The two-year-old made his debut in the Group 2 Todman Stakes and ran a blinder when a fast-finishing third to Tentyris and Wodeton.

Nepotism then stepped out in the Group 3 Baillieu Handicap on a heavy track and showed his class to score a comfortable win.

Take care of your own! Nepotism takes the G3 Baillieu eased down for @G1TySchil and @HawkesRacing! 💪@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/2Nba7knUcx

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 1, 2025

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“We weren’t sure how he would handle the conditions and he did drift in the betting but still won well,’’ Werrett said.

“I think the drier track will suit him on Saturday and I know John and Michael (Hawkes) are very happy with the horse.’’

Werrett raced Black Caviar’s half-brother All Too Hard, winner of four Group 1 races including the 2012 Caulfield Guineas (beating Pierro) and the 2013 All Aged Stakes at his final start.

All Too Hard was then retired to Vinery Stud where he has made his mark as a stallion and is the sire of Stefi Magnetica, winner of the Doncaster Mile earlier this month.

Ole Kirk, who is out of Naturale, herself a half-sister to Black Caviar, won the 2020 Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas before joining the stallion roster at Vinery. He is leading the First Season Sires table with his progeny including Magic Millions winner O’ Ole and stakeswinners King Kirk and Prestige Forever.

Originally published as 2025 Champagne Stakes: Team Hawkes to saddle up Black Caviar relation Nepotism at Royal Randwick