Bred to Believe – The Itchintogo Story Behind the Magic Millions

Kristen Manning

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Last updated: Fri 16 Jan 2026 03:58

Kristen Manning 16 Jan 2026

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Itchintogo, a promising $60K yearling, wins twice leading up to the Magic Millions
Trainer Tony Gollan praises its maturity and growth in recent races
Breeder Ben Lucas anticipates Itchintogo's potential to be a top performer

The stage is set at the Gold Coast Turf Club for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. (Getty)

This time last year, those laying down the big cash for the flashy bred yearlings at the Gold Coast had this Saturday in mind – the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the sale company’s showpiece contest.

One of those, the $380,000 buy Warwoven, is odds-on to remain undefeated, but it does not look a one-horse race, with one of the dangers being another horse with a couple of wins on his resume.

That horse, Itchintogo, was still roaming the paddocks of Lucas Thoroughbreds in the aptly named Scenic Rim when Warwoven and all but one of his fellow Magic Millions aspirants were coming in and out of the boxes at the sales complex.

Whilst longshot Double Cool was sold at the National Yearling Sale, the others were all sold in January – except Itchintogo, who was secured by Glenhuntly Lodge for $60,000 at the Magic Millions March Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Heading to the stables of Tony Gollan, the gelding, on the back of good trial form, was sent out favourite at his Doomben debut in mid-November. Making the pace, he was run down only late by Ziplock, the second favourite in Saturday’s big race.

Three weeks later, Itchintogo took his place in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes at Doomben where, after sitting outside the leader, he was able to take over from the 300m to break his maiden in fine style.

Odds-on when heading to the Gold Coast last weekend, Gollan – a fan of having his more mature youngsters race close to the Magic Millions – saw Itchintogo go straight to the lead in an 1100m contest.

Never in any doubt of defeat, he put 4½ lengths on his rivals, exciting Gollan, who told the press that he “loved the way he executed the race today.”

“That’s the best he has been for me in his three starts and that augurs well now for the seven-day back-up. He has actually grown and lengthened in the prep, which is unusual for a two-year-old in work, but his muscle tone is great, his health is great.”

Excited watching that race, and all the more so this week, is Ben Lucas, who was happy to have provided Telemon Thoroughbreds’ Sun City with his first stakes winner.

A shareholder in that Group 3-winning Zoustar horse, Ben has a long association with Itchintogo’s family, having bred his dam Itchintowin out of one of his first broodmares, Tichiba.

A full sister to the Listed winner Straussbridge and a half to the Group winners Alberton Star and Sir Alberton, Tichiba was purchased for Ben by his father David (of Willowbend Stud) as a way to help kick off the Lucas Thoroughbreds business.

“He gifted her to me to get me started,” Ben said. “She was my first broodmare.”

The dam of five winners, including the stakes-placed Roses For Claire, Tichiba did a good job with Itchintowin, who won five races, including a couple in town and one at the Gold Coast where her son hopes to shine on Saturday.

Ben certainly has a soft spot for Itchintowin, who sadly died late last year, with Itchintogo her final foal.

“I sold Itchintowin as a yearling and a client bought her, so I was able to spell her through her racing life,” Ben said, following her career and pleased to buy her back (for just $1,600) when she popped up online a few years later.

Ben was happy to send his mare to Sun City on two occasions, noting that “both stallion and mare were good types.”

Itchintogo is the second foal from that match-up, the first being the three-year-old Switch The Stars, who trialled well prior to an Eagle Farm debut fifth for the Tony & Maddysen Sears stable in October.

The third stakes-performed horse bred by Lucas Thoroughbreds, who have only ever bred with small numbers, Itchintogo impressed Ben from the get-go, remembered as being not only a nice type but also “cheeky and smart.”

And he was pleased to be reunited with the horse at the races last weekend.

“He was a bigger, stronger version of his yearling self,” Ben said, “and he looked like he was trained to the day.”

The farm has been home to a number of classy gallopers, including Golden Slipper winner Farnan, who carries the stud’s brand, as does the Blue Diamond Prelude winner Letzbeglam, while the Grand Prix Stakes winner Encoder (who races in the Magic Millions Subzero on Saturday) was a graduate of another Lucas Bloodstock Magic Millions March Sale draft.

Ben has been busy at the sales this week, enjoying good success selling a Jacquinot filly to Darren Blair for $220,000, an Invader filly to Chinese owners for $250,000, and a Justify colt to Garry Palmer for $400,000.

The sales have been keeping Ben busy, but he is excited about Saturday and hoping to again pop out to the track to cheer on Itchintogo, who could well provide him with his biggest racing moment.