Stakes winner Barber is the latest in a string of ex-Godolphin gallopers to join the Richard Litt stable and he might just prove one of the most astute acquisitions yet.
The 2023 Blue Diamond Prelude winner was purchased for $215,000 by Jason Micallef’s Monarch Bloodstock through Inglis’ December digital sale.
Monarch Bloodstock is a relatively recent addition to the syndication ranks but Litt believes they will have plenty of fun with Barber, who will have his second start for his new connections in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) at Gosford on Saturday.
“He was bought by Jason Micallef from Monarch Racing, which is a pretty new syndicator making his way in the last couple of years in Sydney and he has supported me loads with horses,” Litt said.
“I appreciate him giving him to me and he fits our mould, an older sprinter having a bit of a change of atmosphere.
“Godolphin are always wonderful people to buy off. The horses have always been well looked after, they’re well bred, they’re well everything.”
While Litt is best known for his deeds with dual Group 1 winner Castelvecchio, he has enjoyed his share of success with former Godolphin horses such as Morton’s Fork, Sedition, Catapult and Huon.
He is optimistic Barber can continue that trend, the four-year-old making a positive start with an encouraging third at Canterbury last month when he was held up for clear running at the top of the straight.
“He is a big, gross horse so he went to Canterbury a little underdone but was unlucky not to win, really,” Litt said.
“His work since then has been excellent. He likes soft ground by the looks of his form and Tyler (Schiller) is back on with 53 kilos.”
Barber was also paid up for a Listed sprint in Brisbane on Saturday but after drawing wide there, connections opted to head to Gosford, although a trip to Queensland remains on the cards.
“I think he’s exciting and hopefully, he can run really well and then we can take him to Brisbane for the winter. That would be the plan,” Litt said.
“He is sound as a bell and he is an amazingly well looked after horse so I’m very happy to have him.”
Barber holds entries for both the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
