Often the bridesmaid, Fangirl is now beginning to create her own legacy on the track

Fangirl is a 5yo bay/brown mare from Australia trained by Chris Waller, who is based at Rosehill in Sydney. She is sired by the stallion Sebring out of the broodmare Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De Lago) who won 7 from 29, including three Listed races and a 2nd in the Gr.3 Herald Sun Stakes in 2011. Little Surfer Girl was offered at the 2008 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Coolmore Stud and purchased by Ingham Bloodstock NSW for $1,500,000. Her dam, Special Harmony (Spinning World) was an exceptional galloper, racing 23 times for 10 wins and four places, and earned stakes of $1.8 million. She was trained by Lee Freedman’s and won the Gr.1 VRC Oaks in 2003, and the Edward Manifold Stakes in 2004.

Given that Fangirl has performed at Group One level multiple times and amassed nearly $8 million in career earnings, the mare is regarded in an elite class of racing thoroughbred. In Oct 2023 at Randwick, Fangirl ridden by James McDonald scored her most significant win to date, getting the money in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes, defeating 2023 star, Mr Brightside. Fangirl smashed the Victorian Mr Brightside over the 1600m at Randwick on a good track, her preferred conditions, and was then backed into $6.40 in the Cox Plate, but could only manage 7th after enduring a checkered passage. Runner-up to Anamoe at Group 1 level on no fewer than three occasions, as well as to I Wish I Win (NZ) in the $10 million Golden Eagle as a 3-year-old, Fangirl stamped her authority on the division with a commanding victory in the re-branded Gr.1 George Main Stakes. Ridden to victory by James McDonald in the famous Ingham family cerise livery, Fangirl clearly outpointed a top-class field which included the multiple Group 1 winners Mr Brightside and Think It Over, as well as a couple of overseas visitors, namely Light Infantry Man (Fr) and Buckaroo (GB) with exceptional European credentials. With James McDonald's superior equine skills, Fangirl was positioned favourably after starting from barrier two and only required a timely move into the open to secure her victory. Eased off the heels of stable companion Rediener, Golden Mile and My Oberon approaching the Randwick rise, Fangirl burst to the front halfway down the straight and never looked like being caught.

Fangirl finished second to Think It Over in the Gr.1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in March 2024 after winning the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) a fortnight earlier. For master trainer Waller it was his sixth Apollo Stakes victory and his first since the mighty Winx back in 2019. Once again jockey James McDonald timed his Apollo run to perfection on the well-backed favourite, with Fangirl settled one off the fence well back in the field. Attractable looked to steal the show leading throughout and rounding the turn, but with one click of the button JMac let his ride fire with 300m to go. She quickly put the result beyond doubt, flying past all those in front to put three plus lengths on them in the blink of an eye.

Having had to settle for a string of feature race placings behind Anamoe for much of her four-year-old season, Fangirl begun to assert herself as one of the country’s better weight-for-age horses in early 2024.

RACE RECORD - 25: 8-5-3

EARNINGS - $7,721,765

2023 King Charles III Stakes (Gr.1)

2023 Winx Stakes (Gr.1)

2022 Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr.1)

2024 Petaluma Apollo Stakes (Gr.2)

2022 Tab Light Fingers Stakes (Gr.2)

2021 Carbine Club Stakes (Gr.3)

2021 Reginald Allen (LR)

2nd 2024 TAB Verry Elleegant Stakes (Gr.1)

2nd 2023 The Agency George Ryder Stakes (Gr.1)

2nd 2023 Tab Chipping Norton Stakes (Gr.1)

2nd 2022 Winx Stakes (Gr.1)