2 days ago
2025 JJ Atkins champion Cool Archie is so versatile that trainer Chris Munce isn't sure where he'll end up
'He's probably the best horse that I've ever trained.'
Brisbane trainer Chris Munce has never doubted the immense talent of his wonder colt Cool Archie.
But the newly crowned JJ Atkins champion is so versatile that Munce is about as muddled about the spring plans for his stable star as rival trainers are in devising a scheme to beat him.
Cool Archie has gone to the paddock after an incredible but gruelling campaign that saw him catapult from a maiden win to Group 1 glory in the space of just two months.
From the first crop of Newhaven Park-based stallion Cool Aza Beel – a Group 1-winning son of Cox Plate-winner Savabeel – Cool Archie has demonstrated his remarkable versatility in nine career starts.
He's won from 1000m to 1600m, racing on and off the speed on both firm and heavy tracks, in the process taking his career prizemoney past the $1.6m mark.
'The world is his oyster because he could be anything,' said Munce, who will attend the famous Royal Ascot Carnival in England this week alongside son and co-trainer Corey Munce, plus Cool Archie's colourful owner Max Whitby.
'Is he a stayer, is he a sprinter, is he just a middle-distance horse? We don't know because we haven't got to the bottom of him.'
Cool Archie WINS the G1 J.J. Atkins! � @munceracing
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025
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Cool Archie has put forward a convincing case to earn this season's Champion Two-Year-Old honours, with his value as a stallion prospect skyrocketing after stamping a Group 1 on his CV.
'It doesn't get much better than this,' said Whitby, also raced Cool Archie's grandsire Savabeel.
'If he's not voted Champion Two-Year-Old of the year then I'll drop my duds. He can be anything – five straight (wins) is unbelievable.
'You show me a better two-year-old around the country. He deserves it on his merit.
'I think this bloke (Cool Archie) has got everything – he's won a maiden, black type, now Group 1 in literally his first prep so to speak.
'I'm just over the moon and so proud of him, the jockey (Martin Harley) and the Munces.'
• ' There were dark days': Harley's Group 1 glory caps inspirational return
Munce heaped praise on Irish jockey Harley, who has jetted off for a well-deserved break in the UK, where he will also attend Royal Ascot races this week.
'I just think he's very professional and he's a good judge,' Munce said about Harley, who has ridden Cool Archie to five successive victories this campaign.
'He assesses horses very well and their level of ability. He can give you a good guide and feedback on how they're going.
'He doesn't just steer them around for the wages, he actually takes a bit of interest in them and pride in his work.
'He enjoys giving constructive feedback to help the trainer improve the horse.'
"You can mount a case he should be 2YO of the season."
Cool Archie just keeps getting it done! What a star â� @munceracing @michaelmaxworth @bernadetecooper @BenWayAUS @CoreyGoodSkillz @BradJGray
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2025
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There are spring options aplenty for Cool Archie next campaign and while the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on November 1 looms as a likely target, Whitby said he and Munce had also discussed the possibility of setting the colt for the Group 1 $20m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 18.
Team Hawkes -trained Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes winner Briasa already locked in.
