Mcgaw: From Bargain Purchase to Group 2 Success

Connections of Mcgaw after winning the Danehill Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on October 04, 2025 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

When Emma-Lee and David Browne moved their Sparta Racing operation from New Zealand to Pakenham in 2022, they brought with them a strong family background in racing and horsemanship. 

This is evident in one of the stable’s standout performers this year, 3YO bay gelding McGaw -  a horse that proves big results can come from modest beginnings.

Bred by Dream Thoroughbreds’ director Dave Azzopardi under his Havaparty Investments banner, McGaw is out of New Zealand stakes-winner Niki Piki Milo (NZ). Azzopardi had purchased the mare for just $16,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. By Swettenham Stud’s I Am Immortal, the Brownes purchased McGaw for $14,000 at the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

Affectionately described around the stable as a “long-legged dork,” David was quick to note the juvenile’s potential and was happy to share his thoughts to Dean Chambers, the G’Out Syndicate manager, who was tasked with calling David when looking for available horses. 

It proved an accurate assessment. McGaw made an impressive debut at Pakenham, winning by three and a half lengths. Proving no fluke, he followed that performance with a memorable victory in the $1 million VOBIS Platinum Showdown (1200m).

Offers to purchase the horse began arriving soon after his maiden win, but the group decided to hold firm.

“I think the first offer we received after he won his maiden was $600,000, which we rejected,” said Dean.

“We just want to enjoy the journey with him. If we’d sold him after his win at Pakenham, we wouldn’t have had that experience in The Showdown, and you can’t put a price on a day like that. So we’re happy to keep racing him and hopefully we can have a lot more fun with him.”

After The Showdown, McGaw was given a winter break before returning to the track in August to finish second in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes, fifth in the Listed Poseidon Stakes, before taking out the Group 2 Danehill Stakes with Damian Lane aboard. From just six starts, he has recorded three wins, one placing, and more than $840,000 in prizemoney (including over $38k in VOBIS bonuses).

Mcgaw ridden by Damian Lane wins the Danehill Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on October 04, 2025 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)

“It really is the land of opportunity here in Australia, when you can buy a horse for $14,000 and win a race for a million bucks. I’m incredibly proud of the horse, and I’m also proud of Damian,” said Emma-Lee following McGaw’s Showdown win.

Following his fifth place in the Listed Gothic Stakes, McGaw now aims towards his Spring finale of the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day. With more racing ahead as he matures, there is no doubt that plenty of highlights are still to come.

McGaw’s rise from a low-cost yearling to a Group 2-winning colt has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved, and a reminder that in racing, success stories can come from anywhere.