Sword Of State colt in Slipper mix

Warwoven has struck another significant blow for our young stallion Sword Of State across the Tasman by booking his place in the A$5 million G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.

The Bjorn Baker-trained colt comfortably accounted for his rivals in the G3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill to force his way into the line-up for the richest two-year-old event in the world.

Warwoven jumped well to settle close to the action and was untroubled to dispatch his rivals in the run home for the third win of his four-start career.

“It was great to see him do that, he’s a promising horse. He had to do a bit of work, so hopefully he can peak next week,” Baker said.

Regular rider Rachel King was delighted to guide Warwoven to a Slipper berth.

“He’s qualified now, and so he should be. We would have been devastated if he wasn’t there, because he’s proven he deserves his spot,” she said.

“He’s still got improvement to come, he’s still very casual. He’s got a fantastic attitude, nothing worries him.”

Warwoven colt was sourced by Baker’s bloodstock agent Jim Clarke at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was offered by breeder Kia Ora Stud and sold for A$380,000.

He is the first foal of the Makfi mare Needle And Thread, who won the G2 Royal Stakes and placed at Group 2 level in the Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic and Eight Carat Classic and G3 Sunline Vase.

Warwoven is Sword Of State’s second Australian black type winner from his first crop with Torture claiming the Listed Debutant Stakes and also finished third in the Karaka Millions 2YO Classic.

At home, State The Obvious has been a winner in our colours while we also race the homebred State Of Valour who finished a last-start third in the G1 Sistema Stakes.

Sword Of State also headlined New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2026 National Yearling Sale at Karaka where his son, a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Ceolfwulf, was bought out of our draft for $1.1 million.

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