Hitotsu was the only horse to have repeated the deeds of the great Mahogany and Tulloch

Hitotsu's sire, Maurice was a champion miler, winning in the Tenno Sho and Hong Kong Cup, both at 2000m at his final two starts, confirming not only his stamina, but his versatility and class. Hitotsu is the third foal of Love Is Fickle (by Redoute’s Choice) from New Zealand Group 1 winner She’s A Meanie, a $250,000 purchase by John Messara from Glenlogan Park at the 2013 Magic Millions Sale. She’s Meaner in turn is the dam of the Group Two winning sire Lean Mean Machine and the dam of stakes winner Ballistic Lover. Hitotsu started his career with Cranbourne trainer Wendy Kelly, who paid $100,000 for him at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, before he was bought by Ozzie Kheir and partners late in his two-year-old season.

After winning a 1350m Donald maiden at his first start for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Hitotsu finished fifth in the Caulfield Guineas behind Anamoe before winning Group one races at what would prove to be his final three starts. Retiring to Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley, co-trainer Ciaron Maher rated Hitotsu as one of the most talented horses he'd ever trained, with his lung capacity certainly elite. His tracking data indicates his top speed was elite, amongst the best he’s ever had and maybe even superior to Group 1 winning sprinters Coolangatta and Bella Nipotina. Precocious enough to contest the Gr.3 Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings), the feature race itself and the Gr.2 VRC Sires’ Produces Stakes as a 2-year-old, it was as a 3-year-old that Hitotsu really made his mark.

He won an Australian Derby off one start and the Group 1 Australian Guineas, no less. The first since Mahogany in 1994 to win the Victoria Derby - Australian Guineas - Australian Derby treble. Hitotsu is the first 3yo since Dundeel to win three consecutive Australian Group 1 events. The legendary Tulloch is the only other horse to have completed that same treble, which puts Hitotsu into rareified air. Hitotsu stepped up to 2500m in taking out the Victoria Derby from Allegro. However, in first up from a 14 week spell, Hitotsu scored along-neck victory over the resolute Light Saber in a top-line Australia Guineas field over 1600m on a Soft 6 track at Caulfield, again with John Allen in the saddle. A month later, and again first-up, it was Hitotsu’s hard-fought neck victory in the $2m Australian Derby over 2400m at Royal Randwick that has him certainly seeking Champion Australian honours. In the Australian Derby, he just refused to be beaten - Hitotsu got knocked down at one stage and then just charged through the gap to win. As a middle-distance stayer, he was unsurpassed. It was former Irish jumps jockey, John Allen's 11th Derby win.

A suspensory ligament injury ruled him out of the last spring carnival and after a series of setbacks, including a serious leg infection - his shock retirement was then announced. The Ciaron Maher/David Eustace stable and the ownership group were pondering the Cox Plate with the son of Maurice but those plans were scuppered and he instead begun a stud career. Kevin Payne, one of the original owners who followed him to the stable said it was an "absolute tragedy" that Hitotsu had to be retired. The renowned stud Arrowfield can now claim six graduate winners of the Australian Guineas, following the victories of Wandjina (2015), Miss Finland (2007), Flying Spur (1996) and the half-brothers Baryshnikov (1995) and Zabeel (1990). 

RACE RECORD - 8: 4-0-0

EARNINGS - $3,179,250

G1 Victoria Derby

G1 Australian Guineas

G1 Australian Derby