G2 success provides new Stakes winner for Too Darn

Perth colt Afireofgidgeecoals has caused an upset in the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate to become the latest Stakes winner for his sire Too Darn Hot.

One of the outsiders in Western Australia’s most prestigious race for juveniles, Afireofgidgeecoals produced a lethal finish after pushing his way into the clear at the 300m.

With five lengths to make up on the leaders, Afireofgidgeecoals knuckled down strongly before winning by three-quarters of a length at Ascot on Saturday, 18 April.

He recorded 1.10.78 for the 1,200m as leading trainer Dan Morton celebrated his third win in the race alongside jockey Lucy Fiore’s first.

Afireofgidgeecoals is the last of nine foals left by his Australian dam Caiguna.

Sold through breeder Gray Williamson’s Mungrup Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Afireofgidgeecoals fetched $180,000 when sold to Shane Stafford.

He is the 34th Stakes winner globally for Too Darn Hot, the son of Dubawi who has established himself as one of the most commercially sought-after stallions in the world.

That demand was emphasised at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale with a $2.2 million colt, the highest-priced Too Darn Hot yearling sold in Australia.

He was one of two seven-figure yearlings, with a colt from La Magique selling for $1.3 million.

From nine yearlings presented at Easter, Too Darn Hot’s progeny sold for a gross of almost $6.77 million at an average of $751,667 and a median of $440,000.

This season, his Australian Stakes winners include G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Tropicus, G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Tornado Valley and G3 Gimcrack Stakes winner Shiki.