Smart Winner for Curraghmore

Media Release - Sunday May 23

Curraghmore Stud principal Gordon Cunningham continued his good form with Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard’s Ballymore Stables when Tevere broke her maiden status at just her second start when storming clear to win over 1200m at Te Rapa.

Tevere (centre) breaks her maiden status with a comprehensive victory at Te Rapa Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

“Tevere is the third horse I’ve had in training with Ballymore,” Cunningham said.

“The first was Chicharita who won the Royal Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) and she finished fourth in the New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m).

“The second was Tofane, who we sold after she trialled and last year she won the All Aged Stakes (Gr.1, 1400m).”

Tevere, who had featured prominently at four trial outings before finishing a solid fourth on debut at Avondale last month, put that raceday experience to good use on Saturday, as she overcame a wide draw to score handsomely in the hands of Michael McNab.

Settling third last in a strung-out field, Tevere stood the leader 12 lengths passing the 600m, but quickly improved her position as McNab set her alight approaching the home straight. Tevere stormed down centre track to win easing up by one and three-quarter lengths from pacemaker Corretto.

“They were going quickly and she showed a sharp turn-of-foot to win easily,” McNab said.

Cunningham, who retained the filly after withdrawing her from the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, was fulsome in his praise for the work done by co-trainer Pam Gerard with the daughter of Contributer.

“Pam Gerard has done some terrific work developing this filly,” Cunningham said.

“She’s been very patient and she was impressive on Saturday and looks exciting.”

Advertisement

Gerard had been happy with Tevere since her debut effort and felt she was ready for a winning turn.

“She’d worked well through the week and had a senior rider aboard,” she said.

“She was jumping around and certainly ready to do something.

“She’d eaten well and looked good, although starting to get a bit longer in the coat coming into winter.

 “I felt she may not mind the slow track, but Michael said while handling it she would probably appreciate it better.

“I thought she may have been good enough to overcome the barrier and was pleased to see her race and win so well.

“I’m thrilled for Gordon and his staff at Curraghmore. They all put so much into it and we’re just glad to get these fillies going and be a part of their success.”

Tevere is the fifth foal from Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) winning mare Italian Princess, all bred by Cunningham, and became her fourth individual winner.

Italian Princess is a half-sister to dual stakes winner Defibrillate, who now races out of the Patrick Payne stable in Melbourne after being prepared for his early racing in New Zealand by Matamata trainer Graham Richardson, who retains a share in the six-year-old son of Shocking and also prepared Italian Princess throughout her racing career. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
No Fluke – How Good is Autumn Boy?
When Autumn Boy made a winning debut at 50-1 at Canterbury last month beating his high profile stablemate Central Coast, some may have wondered if there was an element of fluke about the win… there wasn’t.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Proisir filly Wins 3YO Winter Championship
Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso sent Levakia on a big road trip on Saturday in search of reasonable track conditions, and the plan paid off with victory in the $60,000 ITM/GIB 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka.
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.