Mr Brightside reaffirmed his champion status with a gritty victory in the 2025 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, successfully defending his title in the Group 1 feature.

Mr Brightside successfully defended his Futurity Stakes title in 2025. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The seven-year-old son of Bullbars, trained by the formidable Hayes team, demonstrated his resilience and class, bouncing back from a narrow defeat in the CF Orr Stakes to claim his ninth Group 1 win.

“To see him win like that and just get in, it’s not good for the heart, but so proud of him,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told Racing.com post-win.

Mr Brightside became the first back-to-back Futurity Stakes winner since Niconero in 2008 & 2009.

“It’s a long week but we’re just so passionate about this guy and we know he’s good enough and he’s shown it here and he’s the most important horse that we’ve ever been involved with,” Hayes said.

“For him to continue and keep winning – that’s his ninth (Group 1 victory) and he’s also won an All-Star Mile and that’s Group 1 now so you could technically say 10.

“He’s one of Lindsay Park and its whole history’s best horses so we’re so lucky to have him.”

Ridden with his customary brilliance by Craig Williams, Mr Brightside ($1.70F) settled just off the pace before surging to the front in the straight.

He faced a late challenge from Godolphin‘s Tom Kitten, who finished strongly from the rear, and the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win, who also ran a brave race first-up.

However, Mr Brightside dug deep, finding enough in the tank to hold off his rivals in a thrilling finish.

“He’s an absolute marvel, it was a terrific ride from Craig,” fellow trainer Will Hayes said.

“We’re so blessed to have him in our stable and his ability to overcome a wide gate is a credit to himself. So tough.

“It was a terrific run from Tom Kitten and I Wish I Win.

“We had our heart in our mouth the last hundred because we knew we were going to be a little bit vulnerable late from the wide gate and having to work across.

“He really dug deep, and we found that inch.”

Williams was full of praise for the dual Futurity Stakes champion.

“He’s a great horse. He’s always a great product,” he said.

“We can’t do this unless we’ve got the right product. If you have a look at his rating, I think he’s lost three rating points through his whole career. It’s quite phenomenal and now it’s made him into the horse that he is. He’s an absolute powerhouse.

“Nine Group 1 wins and they don’t give them away. I could find a bit more of a margin if I could do things that I want. I’ll have a discussion with the boys, and they’ll do the right thing.”

Ben Hayes confirmed that Mr Brightside’s next target will be the All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 8.

“Of course we’ll have a go,” he said.

“He’ll improve a lot from today and all he needs is a nice barrier. He’s due one, he’s drawn wide both runs his prep. If he gets a soft run where he doesn’t have to roll forward and lead, he’s a much better chaser and he’ll be right in it.”

Mr Brightside is now the all-in $3.50 favourite in All-Star Mile betting online at Ladbrokes.

2025 Futurity Stakes Results 

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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