There has always been a big boom on the Extreme Choice x Shadow filly Apocalyptic following her flashing second on debut last December and we finally saw her back at the races at Randwick on Saturday and it proved well worth the wait!
Trained by Michael Freedman, Apocalyptic was sidelined with a lingering foot abscess following her debut last year, but with two recent trials under her belt, the powerhouse bay took her place first up in the $300,000 G2 ATC Furious Stakes (1200m).
The least experienced runner in the field, she did everything right for Tommy Berry from barrier one and powered into the race when shown clear running in the straight.
Apocalyptic surged to the line with a well-timed finish to score by a long neck over bridesmaid Tupakara (Trapeze Artist) with Savvy Hallie (Hellbent), who won the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes, a close third.
Bred by Kate Nivison’s Etak Thoroughbreds, Apocalyptic was a $400,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for MyRacehorse Pty Ltd/Michael Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxland Bloodstock and runs for a big syndicate of owners with Nivison also retaining a share.
She is the second foal and second winner from Shadow, an unraced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) granddaughter of dual G1 winner Virage de Fortune, whose grandam is the great champion Emancipation.
The third foal from Shadow is a grey colt by Extreme Choice that was sold in the Coolmore draft at Inglis Easter this year fetching $1.7 million when purchased by Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock / B2B Thoroughbreds.
Godolphin bred Shadow and on-sold her for $140,000 to Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when in foal to Harry Angel, so has proven to be an outstanding investment for Etak Thoroughbreds.
After having a year off in 2023 she was covered late last season by Pierro after missing to Extreme Choice.