Salty Pearl: Starblue Rising Star and Flagbearer for Tagaloa
- adriensenechaud7
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 31
At just three years old, Salty Pearl is already making serious waves on the Australian racing scene and she’s doing it as one of the standout early progeny of exciting young sire Tagaloa, who stands at Yulong.
The striking filly first announced herself with a powerful second-place finish in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush, followed by a gritty third in the Group 3 David Coles Stakes. She then stamped her class with a stylish win in one of the most competitive two-year-old handicaps on a Saturday at Caulfield a performance that turned plenty of heads and marked her as one to follow.
Trained by Australia’s leading horseman Ciaron Maher, Salty Pearl has proven she’s not just precocious, but full of untapped potential. With her early credentials and natural talent, Maher has set his sights on ambitious spring targets as this rising star continues her climb toward the top tier of Australian racing.
Salty Pearl Returns with Gritty Third in Atlantic Jewel Stakes
On September 6th, Salty Pearl made a striking return to the track in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley, finishing a brave third in a high-class field of spring hopefuls.
Drawn wide and forced to go back early, she settled near the rear as the leaders set a strong tempo. Few gave her a chance from that position, but Salty Pearl had other ideas. Hugging the rail and slicing through the field, she unleashed a powerful finish from nearly 15 lengths off the pace to surge into third in the final strides.
The run was full of merit a testament to her determination, race sense, and turn of foot.
She returned from her spell with a career-best rating of 92.5 first-up, a strong indication that she’s come back even better and is primed for a big spring. Statistically, horses with that profile often take another big step second-up and that’s exactly what she did.
Salty Pearl winning at Caulfield on Saturday 31st May 2025.
Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude: 3rd, Beaten 0.08L in Blanket Finish
Back at Caulfield on September 27th, Salty Pearl lined up in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, one of the key lead-ups to the spring’s marquee Group 1 for three-year-old fillies.
In a dramatic four-horse finish, Salty Pearl fought hard right to the post and finished 3rd, beaten just 0.08 lengths, less than half a head in a truly blanket finish. It was a run full of class, grit, and determination, confirming her place among the elite fillies of her generation.
Salty Pearl: Group 1 Black Type
Salty Pearl produced a powerful finish to run fourth in the 2025 Group 1 Thousand Guineas, clocking the fastest final 600m and 200m of the race. It was a sharp reminder of her class and closing speed against top-level company.
Now a multiple Group and Listed placegetter and a metropolitan winner, Salty Pearl is putting together a strong race record. This latest performance further enhances her profile both on the track and as a broodmare prospect with Group 1 black type now secured. Her spring campaign is building momentum at the right time, with her consistency and professionalism shining through.
Salty Pearl Lands Valuable Stakes Win at Moonee Valley On cox Plate day
SALTY PEARL delivered a career-best performance on Saturday, claiming the Group 2 Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley in outstanding fashion. The win secured valuable black type for the progressive filly and confirmed her as one of the more exciting three-year-olds of the season.
Ridden patiently by Ben Allen before producing a sharp turn of foot in the straight when the gap arises, Salty Pearl displayed her trademark determination and class to score decisively. The performance underlined her consistency and maturity, attributes that have continued to develop with each run.
The victory takes her career earnings beyond $470,000 which is more than six times her purchase price representing an exceptional return for her connections and adding significant residual value as a future broodmare prospect.
Following her Valley success, Salty Pearl will enjoy a good break before heading north for an autumn campaign in New South Wales, where the Group 1 Surround Stakes at Royal Randwick looms as her main target. With her current trajectory and proven ability at Group level, she looks well placed to make her presence felt on the Sydney stage.
Salty Pearl continues to reward her connections with her professionalism, toughness, and talent and her latest win is another exciting step in what promises to be a very bright future.
Read article from Dane McLeod from TTR:
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