Baraqiel, aptly named after a fallen angel, has overcome multiple setbacks to rise to Group 1 glory, becoming Snitzel’s 24th top-level winner with a devastating finish in the $750,000 A. J. Moir Stakes (1000m). The victory marked his eighth win from just 12 starts in a career that only began 16 months ago.
The win sparked jubilant celebrations from co-trainers Troy and Leon Corstens and Will Larkin, along with the Bennett Racing syndicate who manage a large group of owners. Arrowfield Stud, co-breeders of the gelding alongside Japan’s Northern Farm, also celebrated the rare achievement of Gerald Ryan having trained both his champion sire Snitzel and stakes-winning dam Angel Of Mercy.
Co-trainer Troy Corstens never doubted Baraqiel’s potential. “You don’t often get horses as good as him and we pictured that early on. When you get a horse that’s got freakish ability, yeah, it’s just amazing,” he told racing.com.
Next on the agenda is the $2 million Manikato Stakes (1200m) on September 26, and Corstens believes his star sprinter is also worthy of a slot in The Everest. “My word he is, he’s tough, he’s strong and he’s tenacious.”
Purchased for $150,000 from Arrowfield’s 2020 Magic Millions draft by Bennett Racing, Anthony Freedman Racing and Blue Sky Bloodstock, Baraqiel hails from a rich family. His dam Angel Of Mercy is also the mother of Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel and has a colt by Maurice recently sold for $500,000 to Japanese buyers. She will return to The Autumn Sun this season.
Arrowfield and Northern Farm have retained Autumn Angel’s full sisters, Stolen Summer and Kindred Spirit, to continue racing and breeding. Their program also includes Mother’s Mercy, a daughter of Angel Of Mercy by Redoute’s Choice, now producing foals by Castelvecchio and Dundeel.
The win adds to Arrowfield’s impressive record, with their graduates collecting 31 Group and Listed wins last season alone. Rising stars like Baraqiel, Lazzura, Skyhook and Japan’s Invincible Papa suggest that tally could be surpassed in 2025/26.
