The evergreen Mr Brightside enhanced his already glittering CV Sept. 14 when securing back-to-back wins in Flemington's Makybe Diva Stakes (G1), which saw his career earnings rise to an incredible $14,067,890 (US$9,434,762).
Trained by brothers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, the now 7-year-old gelding made sure he has never gone more than four races without securing a victory as he fended off seven rivals in the weekend's sole group 1 contest.
Ridden by Craig Williams, the son of Bullbars (Elusive Quality), who had defeated Alligator Blood (AUS) by 1 1/2 lengths in the 2023 renewal, ran down long-time leader Pride Of Jenni inside the final 100 meters, crossing the line a half lengths ahead of the Ciaron Maher-trained mare.
There was a longing 4.2-length gap back to the third-placed Antino, in what was Mr Brightside's seventh career group 1 victory.
"That was thrilling. What a spectacle," JD Hayes said. "Pride Of Jenni was so brave out in front as she is, and our bloke had to knuckle down to the task. He's a model of consistency and we're so glad to have him.
"He's unbelievable. He truly is unique. We don't take it lightly to have a horse like him in the stable. To come back now as an older horse and perform like that is huge. He's like a fine wine.
JD's brother Ben also spoke of the tenacity Mr Brightside has shown on timeless occasions, and how he felt the gelding had improved from his first-up second in the Memsie Stakes (G1), where he was beaten 0.4 lengths by Pinstriped, who could only manage seventh on Saturday.
"He's such a special horse. He's amazing," Ben Hayes said. "I've said it a million times, but he just keeps performing and never lets us down. And it's so important. He's definitely the most consistent horse in Australia.
"He's got this habit now of sucking his tongue back, and we just feel sometimes he gets his tongue over. And we don't want that to happen in a race.
"So we played around with the tongue tie, and we felt that just annoyed him more.
"Still got his tongue out, where today we just put the tongue control bit on. And it's just enough to stop him getting his tongue back, and we can relax as trainers."
Craig Williams, who was securing an incredible fifth career win in the Makybe Diva Stakes, was emphatic in his praise for Mr Brightside.
"He's a sensational horse. The Hayes' have done a great job," Williams said. "Will who straps the horse told me he's in great order.
"I was very bullish about his chances today. The way he felt, the way he pulled up. It was a harder slow today but he's got that tenacity to win. He's an amazing racehorse."
