Drama has surrounded Alligator Blood's G1 career, but there was no doubting his ability

Bred by Australian entrepreneur Gerry Harvey, Alligator Blood was sold at the 2018 Magic Millions sales for A$55,000 to the Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate. Alligator Blood is a bay gelding trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, who are based at Randwick. He is sired by the stallion All Too Hard out of the dam Lake Superior. An unraced Fastnet Rock mare, Lake Superior is a half-sister to the Listed Christmas Cup winner Cantonese (Redoute’s Choice). Their dam is the winner and two-time G1 placegetter Kylikwong (Red Ransom) and the family of the six-time G1 winner Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom).

Alligator Blood was untested to win his first five starts before he finished runner-up to Super Seth in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas and then returned to Queensland for a break. Alligator Blood's first Group one victory was in the 2020 Australian Guineas. The former Queensland-trained galloper was then sensationally stripped of his 2020 Magic Millions win by Queensland stewards, and the $1.165m winners cheque, following a positive swab to the banned substance altrenogest. After launching an appeal over the disqualification, Alligator Blood's disqualification was voided in a decision handed down by the Supreme Court in December 2022, effectively giving owner Endresz and fellow owners back the race. David Vandyke was his original trainer (2018-2020), then Billy Healey took over (2021) and the horse was finally placed with the Sydney partnership of Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott from 2022 onwards.

In early 2022, Alligator Blood was banned from racing in the state of New South Wales. Racing NSW stated this was due to the majority owner being an undischarged bankrupt and not meeting the standard for horse ownership in New South Wales. In August 2022, Alligator Blood was also banned from racing in the state of Victoria by integrity officials. Alligator Blood eventually returned to racing and convincingly won the Queensland's premier racing event, the 2022 Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap. Alligator Blood confirmed his status as one of the country’s best middle distance performers in November 2022 with a brilliant all the way win in the $3 million Champions Mile at Flemington. The son of All Too Hard was able to hold out all rivals for a strong half length success – his fourth at Group One level. Alligator Blood appreciated the drop to a mile after a gallant fifth when just 2.1 lengths from Anamoe in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).

Alligator Blood won his first Underwood Stakes with both of the two market fancies, I’m Thunderstruck and Zaaki finishing third and fourth, respectively. Tim Clark took Alligator Blood to the lead with Zaaki eventually sitting on his girth as the six horse field ran in three pairs for the majority of the 1800m event. The Group One field hit the 600m mark where they bunched up with only about 3 lengths covering them as Zaaki levelled up with Alligator Blood, but by the time they had hit the 200m mark, Tim Clark had his gelding back in front by half a length and kicked clear to take home the $1 million feature. Alligator Blood capped a massive day for Magic Millions graduates when he scored a brilliant first up win in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Sandown, beating Mr Brightside and I'm Thunderstruck. In confirming his status as an elite galloper, Alligator Blood was able to notch his fifth G1 victory in a powerful performance, despite determined challengers.

The Gr.1 Underwood Stakes in September 2023 was won by a rejuvenated Alligator Blood, who demonstrated his superior class to produce a dominant win at Caulfield and retain his title won 12 months before, as the retiring Damien Oliver added a 129th group one victory to his CV. The superstar clinched his seventh Group One success in October and showed he was on track with a dashing win in the 2023 Might and Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield. Second for much of the race, Alligator Blood swept on the lead at the top of the straight before dashing clear in the straight and holding out his rivals for a comprehensive success. Alligator Blood made it back to back Group One wins for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable following his brilliant last start success.

The galloper suffered a serious injury at trackwork in 2024. Connections had hinted an autumn campaign could be Alligator Blood’s last with the hope to retire the champion at the top of his game. Simpson says it’s remarkable what the horse has been able to achieve after being told he would never race again after being diagnosed with kissing spine in late 2020.

RACE RECORD - 32: 14-5-1

EARNINGS - A$ 6,875,925

Caulfield Guineas Prelude (2019)

Vo Rogue Plate (2019)

C S Hayes Stakes (2020)

Australian Guineas (2020)

Stradbroke Handicap (2022)

Underwood Stakes (2022, 2023)

Champions Mile (2022)

Futurity Stakes (2023)