Mr Brightside is a New Zealand-bred thoroughbred racehorse trained in Australia. He is notable for winning 10 Group One (G1) races. He is also famous for rarely running poorly and his very high place percentage, racing in the strongest class and distances in Australia for 4 consecutive seasons. He is also considered one of the best purchases in horse racing history, purchased for 7k and currently has earned more than 18 million over his career.
Background Mr Brightside was bred by Ray Johnson in partnership with his late wife, Martha. He was sold as a yearling for $22,000 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale, but failed to meet his $50,000 reserve when entered again at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. Later, Ray Johnson bought him back on gavelhouse.com for just $7,750 and the ownership was shared with Ralph Manning and Shaun Dromgool.
Racing career
Mr Brightside was initially trained by Ralph Manning at Cambridge and on 10 February 2021 made his debut at Matamata in a $10,000 maiden race over 1400m. Ridden by champion jockey Opie Bosson, he was caught behind other runners and had to be satisfied with a 5th placing behind Comme Bella Fille.
He did not race again in New Zealand and on 31/03/2021 he was exported to Australia.
During his Australian racing career he has been trained by the Hayes brothers. His notable performances have included:
DatePlacingRaceJockey1st2nd3rd 10/10/21 1st Listed Bet with mates Cup Craig Williams Mr Brightside Wicklow TownMilton Park 30/10/21 4th G1 Kennedy Cantala Stakes Craig Williams SuperstormIcebath Cascadian 5/03/22 4th G2 Blamey Stakes Craig Williams Inspirational Girl ZaakiCorner Pocket 19/03/22 4th All-Star Mile Craig Williams Zaaki I'm ThunderstruckStreets Of Avalon 2/04/22 1st G1 Doncaster Handicap Craig Williams Mr Brightside I'm ThunderstruckIcebath 13/08/22 1st G2 P B Lawrence Stakes Craig Williams Mr Brightside I Am SupermanBuffalo River 3/09/22 1st G2 Feehan Stakes Craig Williams Mr Brightside Inspirational GirlSpanish Mission 25/09/22 5th G1 Underwood Stakes Craig Williams Alligator BloodMo'unga Zaaki 8/10/22 4th G1 Might and Power Stakes Craig Williams AnamoeI'm ThunderstruckZaaki22/10/22 7th G1 Cox Plate Craig Williams AnamoeI'm Thunderstruck El Bodegon 5/11/22 3rd G1 Kennedy Champions Mile Craig Williams Alligator Blood Tuvalu Mr Brightside 11/02/23 5th G1 C F Orr Stakes Craig Williams Jacquinot Gentleman RoyNugget 25/02/23 2nd G1 Futurity Stakes (MRC) Craig Williams Alligator Blood Mr Brightside I'm Thunderstruck 18/03/23 1st All-Star Mile Luke Currie Mr Brightside Cascadian The Inevitable 1/04/23 1st G1 Doncaster HandicapZac Purton Mr Brightside My OberonNugget 19/08/23 1st G2 P B Lawrence Stakes Craig Williams Mr Brightside PinstripedAegon 2/09/23 1st G1 Memsie Stakes Craig Williams Mr Brightside Princess GraceI Wish I Win 16/09/23 1st G1 Makybe Diva Stakes Craig Williams Mr Brightside Alligator BloodOsipenko 14/10/23 2nd G2 King Charles III Stakes Craig Williams FangirlMr BrightsideMy Oberon 28/10/23 2nd G1 Cox Plate Craig Williams Romantic Warrior Mr Brightside Alligator Blood 11/11/23 2nd G1 Kennedy Champions Mile Craig Williams Pride Of Jenni Mr Brightside Alligator Blood 10/02/24 1st G1 C F Orr Stakes Craig Williams Mr Brightside Pride Of JenniBuffalo River 24/02/24 1st G1 Futurity Stakes (MRC) Craig Williams Mr Brightside Pericles Buffalo River 16/03/24 2nd All-Star Mile Craig Williams Pride Of Jenni Mr Brightside Cascadian 30/03/24 5th G1 Australian Cup Craig Williams Cascadian Pride Of Jenni Atishu 13/04/24 3rd G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC) Craig Williams Pride Of Jenni Via SistinaMr Brightside 31/08/24 2nd G1 Memsie Stakes Craig Williams Pinstriped Mr Brightside Gentleman Roy 14/09/24 1st G1 Makybe Diva Stakes Craig Williams Mr Brightside Pride Of JenniAntino 27/09/24 2nd G2 Feehan Stakes Craig Williams Pride Of Jenni Mr Brightside Antino 12/10/24 2nd G1 Might And Power Craig Williams Deny Knowledge Mr Brightside Atishu 26/10/24 4th G1 Cox Plate Craig Williams Via SistinaPrognosis Broadsiding 9/11/24 1st G1 Kennedy Champions Mile Craig Williams Mr Brightside Antino Fangirl 8/02/25 2nd G1 C F Orr Stakes Craig Williams Another Wil Mr Brightside Steparty 22/02/25 1st G1 Futurity Stakes Craig Williams Mr Brightside Tom Kitten I Wish I Win 8/03/25 2nd G1 All-Star Mile Craig Williams Tom Kitten Mr BrightsideLight Infantry Man 30/8/252nd G1 Memsie Stakes Craig Williams Treasurethe Moment Mr Brightside Buckaroo 13/9/251st G1 Makybe Diva StakesCraig Williams Mr BrightsideAeliana Via Sistina18/10/252ndG1 King Charles III Stakes Craig WilliamsCeowulf Mr BrightsidePier
Pedigree
References