Victoria Cup hero Act Now retired to stud

The racing career of Act Now has come to an end with breeder-owner Bruce Edward announcing the 10-time Group winner is set to begin stud duties.

The handsome son of Somebeachsomewhere will be available to breeders by chilled or fresh semen from Edward’s Durham Park stud, Durham Lead, on the south-eastern fringe of Ballarat.

Renowned for his brilliant gate speed and bold front running style, Act Now won 22 races and was 12 times placed from 51 starts for $910,885 in stakes.

He won three Group 1 races, four Group 2’s and three Group 3’s and was an 11-time ‘black type’ winner.

As a two-year-old Act Now won six of his 10 starts and $126,780 including the $50,000 Tatlow Stakes and the $50,000 Vicbred Homegrown Classic and finished runner-up in the $300,000 Breeders Crown.

The following season Act Now really came into his own, winning seven out of his 14 outings for a season’s high $342,755 and being accorded the Australian 3YO Pacing Colt of the Year. Numbered among his successes at that age were the blue riband $200,000 Victoria Derby-$200,000 Breeders Crown double, while he finished a close second in the $350,000 Australian Pacing Gold Final.

At four Act Now made the transition from restricted age racing to Free-for-all class with aplomb. He captured the $75,000 Victorian 4 & 5YO Championship, the $50,000 Breeders Crown, the Maryborough Gold Cup and two heats of the Inter Dominion and finished third in the $500,000 Grand Final.

Undoubtedly, the high point of Act Now’s magnificent career was his superlative success in the 2023 $300,000 Victoria Cup, coming from third last on the home turn to defeat an elite field including Leap To Fame, Catch A Wave, Better Eclipse and Spirit Of St Louis.

Jodi Quinlan, who drove Act Now in 21 of his 22 victories, said: “He was the complete racehorse. He had high speed and was tough. He was a beautifully gaited horse who wore no boots. He’s up there with the best horses I’ve driven.”

Act Now’s impeccable and well balanced pedigree contains bloodlines that have already proved very successful in Australia. It combines the speed and gait of Direct Scooter, the unrelenting stamina, gait and soundness of Abercrombie, the precocity and natural athleticism of Western Ideal and the stamina and inherent toughness of Cam Fella.

Act Now is a son of the mighty Somebeachsomewhere (1:46.8), a champion pacer of his time, and today a leading sire with 160 in the 1:50 list and the winners of over $100 million. He is now making a real impact in the breeding side through his sons and grandsons.

Molly’s Ideal, the unraced dam of Act Now, has a 100 percent record as a broodmare with five winners from five foals of racing age including four in 2:00, a Group 1 winner and two Listed winners.

The next dam, the American-bred Molly’s Lucky Star (1:54.4), left six sub 2:00 winners from six starters including the WA Diamond Classic winner Askmeilltellya. She was by Bettor’s Delight from Pacific Destiny, by Artsplace and tracing to the USA Hall of Fame Immortal Spinster, the dam of champion NZ sire Light Brigade and the grand-dam of Bachelor Hanover, a leading NZ sire and broodmare sire.

Act Now will cover 10 mares owned by Bruce and Vicki Edward and will be available to outside breeders at a fee of $4,750.

For bookings or further information contact Bruce Edward at bruce@fdale.com.au or visit the website www.durhampark.com.au

By Peter Wharton