Trotting gelding Jilliby Topgun, a graduate of our Melbourne sale in 2021, is quickly working through the grades at the Victorian provincials after overcoming a health scare as a three-year-old.
Bred by Warragul enthusiast Ken Connor, his wife Kim and mother Barbara, the son of What The Hill was sold to Goulburn Valley horseman Russ Thomson as a young horse.
“We had too many horses at the time,” Connor recalled.
Thomson subsequently offered Jilliby Topgun at auction and knocked him down to the powerful Lee stable for $24,000.
The gelding began his racing career as a two-year-old, recording three placings from six starts.
“He got sick with a bad virus and almost died as a three-year-old. The Lee’s managed to save him and put him back into work but he wasn’t the same horse,” Connor stated.
He was later sold to Stanhope husband-and-wife training duo Mark and Lisa Pitt.
“Unfortunately they couldn’t get him right initially,” Ken said. “Lisa told me that the making of him will be to put him in the paddock and give him a good spell.
“The proof is in the pudding. He’s won four since including three wins from his last six starts.”
Jilliby Topgun is out of the Lawman mare Midnightatpinevale, a Group 1 winner at three.
Her first offspring, Everybodyluvskenny, won four races and was a dual Vicbred Super Series finalist for Connor’s KC Racing Group.
Jilliby Topgun was her next issue, followed by a Southwind Frank colt who injured himself and had to be put down, a three-year-old filly by Helpisontheway and a yearling gelding by Sundon’s Courage.
“Lindsay Rogers will train the yearling for us,” Connor said.
“I plan to get Midnightatpinevale and the Helpisontheway filly in foal this season.”
We always enjoy seeing our graduates go on and do a great job for themselves on the track, and Jilliby Topgun is certainly doing that. We congratulate all connections involved in his journey so far and look forward to following him as he continues to rack up the wins!
From APG Media
