Anthelia: A Rags-to-Riches Weatherbys Super Sprint

Last year, Anthelia landed the feature race of the day - the Weatherbys Super Sprint - having been purchased for just £6,000

Wednesday 15th July 2026

Taking on the hot favourite Havana Hurricane, Anthelia stunned racegoers as she stormed to victory in the 2025 Weatherbys Super Sprint – the five-furlong contest – securing trainer Rod Millman’s third success in the race.

The Weatherbys Super Sprint, open exclusively to two-year-old thoroughbreds purchased for £65,000 or less, was first run in 1991. The concept was created by Lord Carnarvon and Richard Hannon Sr, and since then the Hannons have dominated the race, recording 11 victories, including four for Richard Hannon Jr.

Last year, Hannon saddled three runners in Logi Bear, Corniche Girl, and Raakeb, but none could match Anthelia, who claimed the biggest win of her career.

Purchased at the Goffs UK Premier Sale in August 2024 for just £6,000, Anthelia arrived at Newbury as a two-time winner and one of the cheapest horses in the field.

Her victory added her name to a small list of Super Sprint winners bought for less than £10,000, proving once again that top-class talent is consistently emerging for the sales ring.

The last horse to win the Super Sprint having been purchased for such a small fee was Bettys Hope, also bought and trained by Rod Millman. Purchased for just £3,000 in 2018, she went on to land the 2019 renewal by a head from Richard Fahey’s Show Me Show Me.

This year, Rod Millman returns with Devon Angel and Courage Best as he bids to retain the Super Sprint crown. Devon Angel – also purchased from Goffs UK Premier Sale – looks for follow in Anthelia’s footsteps after being purchased for just £16,000.