$2.8million Colt wins $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic
The equal most expensive yearling by champion sire Snitzel ever sold, $2.8million Magic Millions purchase The Next Episode was co-bred and sold by Widden Stud, who retain a share in his ownership, and this exciting colt added another feature win to his burgeoning resume at the Gold Coast on Friday night.
A last start winner of the Listed BRC Dalrello Stakes (1000m), the Ciaron Maher trained colt started favourite for the $1million MM National 2YO Classic (1000m) and produced a brilliant finish from off the pace to charge home and win by a length and a half with his regular rider Jason Collett in the saddle.
“Hey Siri, play The Next Episode by Dr. Dre.” 🎶
The $2.8 million colt lets rip down the outside and shows a sharp turn of foot to claim the $1 million @mmsnippets National Classic in style at the @GCTurfClub 👊#QLDisRacing pic.twitter.com/ajCP6vB99H
— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) May 22, 2026
The Next Episode became fractious in the gates before they started and was inspected by the vet before taking his place gicinv connections a few anxious moments.
“Well, it was a bit nerve-wracking at the start, but look, he’s a very, very, very good colt,” said a relieved Ciaron Maher post-race.
“It was a bit of a plan for a while, this race. He showed us he had plenty of ability early and we just had to wait for him and this prep he’s really shown his class.
“To do it like that, it’s pretty exciting for the future. The owners have all stumped up a bit of cash for him and, so far, he looks cheap.
“You know, Jason had a lot of confidence in the horse. I knew everyone else was nervous, but I knew one person wouldn’t be, and that was… him so yeah wrapt that he was on and had a lot of confidence about the horse”
Having ridden him in all bar his first start, jockey Jason Collett was in awe of his colt’s turn of foot.
“He was in the gates a lot longer and so there’s a bit of work to do there. His ability is quite scary,” Collett said.
“His turn of foot is so good. I don’t know if I’ve ever ridden a horse with a turn of foot like this, it’s just electric.”
With three wins and a placing from five starts and prizemoney in excess of $800,000, The Next Episode will have plenty of Black Type options in the spring.
Bred by Widden in partnership, The Next Episode is a half-brother to Group III placed winner Price Tag and they are the first two foals from Group III winning Denman mare Humma Humma, a half-sister to stakes-winner Tycoon Humma.
Humma Humma was bought for $1million by Widden Stud off the track at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and has produced four foals in a row before missing last spring after delivering a filly by Zoustar.
