Bought as a £32,000 yearling and sent into training with Rebecca Menzies, Adonius — a son of the fast sire Soldier's Call — has been a revelation, winning his first three starts as a two-year-old. After two wins at Musselburgh, he blazed clear in the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester on 6 May 2026 to stamp himself one of the season's leading juvenile sprinters — then ran two mighty races in defeat against the best of his age, second on his Group debut in the Molecomb at Glorious Goodwood and second again in York's Listed Julia Graves Roses Stakes on 22 August 2026, beaten a length and a quarter by Sale Shark after making all the running as usual.
It's exactly the kind of horse we set out to find — and a story we intend to repeat with the horses we have available now.
Off the back of his unbeaten start, Adonius attracted serious international interest — and we sold a half-share to leading American investors Riverdee Stable and West Paces Racing of Virginia. He's now competing on the biggest stages — beaten just two lengths when second in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on 29 July 2026 after leading into the final furlong, and second again in York's Listed Roses Stakes on 22 August. America is the plan from here: Rebecca Menzies has said the paperwork is under way for Keeneland's $350,000 Indian Summer Stakes (Group 3) on 4 October, at the Kentucky track that hosts the Breeders' Cup World Championships on 30–31 October — the Juvenile Turf Sprint there being the dream that has driven the whole season. It's real proof that a well-chosen, well-managed horse can be sold on — though we'll always say it plainly: own for the experience, and treat any money that comes your way as a bonus.
The full story of a star juvenile.
| Sire | Soldier's Call |
|---|---|
| Dam | Dubai Paradise (by Exceed And Excel) |
| Bred & sold by | Monksland Stables (Tom Hassett), Ireland |
| Age / sex | Two-year-old gelding |
| Trainer | Rebecca Menzies, Howe Hills |
| Jockey | Kaiya Fraser |
| Owner | Foal to the Finish |
| Bought | £32,000 yearling (Goffs UK, 2025) |
| Record | 5 runs, 3 wins, 2 seconds (Group 3 Molecomb, Listed Roses Stakes) |
| Official rating | 101 going into the Roses Stakes — up from 94 at the Molecomb |
| Now | 50% owned by American investors (Riverdee Stable & West Paces Racing, Virginia) |
Adonius was bred and sold by Monksland Stables, the Irish bloodstock operation of Tom Hassett and his wife Clodagh. A well-known and respected name at the major British and Irish yearling sales, Monksland breeds and consigns quality young horses, and its drafts regularly produce sought-after, six-figure yearlings. We found Adonius among their consignment at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster and bought him for £32,000 — a piece of judgement that has looked shrewder with every win.
Three runs, three wins.
Adonius is evidence of our eye for a horse — the same judgement we apply to every horse we offer.
A well-chosen horse can sometimes be sold on, as with Adonius — but that's a bonus on top of the real reason to own: the experience. There are never any guarantees.
Interest from American investors shows the reach and credibility we bring to the horses in our care.
Adonius isn't a one-off. Our filly by Almanzor out of Reachforthestars — bred and raised at Elwick Stud — was sold as a yearling to 8× World Thai Boxing Champion Liam Harrison, alongside Matt Fisher and Tim Marks. From foaling barn to sale: exactly what Foal to the Finish is about. Follow her full journey in photos, from foal to yearling.
Every one of our horses starts life in a foaling barn — and Adonius was no different. From his very first hours beside his mother to those golden evenings out in the paddock, this is the start of the foal-to-finish story.
The work that goes in behind the wins — Adonius out on the gallops and being looked after day to day at Rebecca Menzies' Howe Hills yard.
A few of Adonius's big days. See the full set — plus race replays and interviews — on our Media page.
We're always looking for the next good one. Get in touch to talk about the horses we have available now.
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