Outstanding Derby Win for Mill Park’s Warning

Warning (Declaration of War – Livia) joined an elite list of Group 1-winning graduates from Mill Park Stud at the Victoria Derby. The chestnut gelding proved himself the best stayer in the $2 million race, keeping up a relentless gallop under jockey Damien Oliver to cross the wire three and a quarter lengths ahead of the rest of the field.

“He began so well I changed plans pretty quick,” said Oliver. “He was a bit keen early, but once Thought Of That went around him, he lobbed into the one-one and he had a good rest. I knew I had such an economical run and that he would stay well as he’s such a clean-winded horse, so I thought he would finish it off that strongly.”

The Victoria Derby was Warning’s second win, and first at the Group 1 level, following a second placing in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic in his last start and a win in the Listed Super Impose Stakes the start prior.

Mill Park Stud has produced countless Group 1 winners over the last couple of decades, and in recent years a new wave of talent, including two other Caulfield Cup winners in outstanding mare Southern Speed, now at stud in Japan, and Fawkner, who earned nearly $4 million. A long-time Kentucky Equine Research client, Mill Park uses All-Phase and Equi-Jewel to feed and rear their young horses. The farm also relies upon Gro-Trac to monitor their growth and address anomalies that may indicate increased risk for future skeletal problems or signal the need for management changes.