Mapperley Stud Celebrate First winner for Puccini

Media Release - Wednesday November 17

Mapperley Stud sire Puccini sired his first winner at Rotorua when the Peter McKay trained Giacomo won impressively over 1560m.

Trainer Peter McKay had a long association with Puccini over his illustrious career so it was entirely fitting that he was also responsible for training the stallion’s first race day winner. 

Puccini

Giacomo lining up in his 3rd career start relished the step up in distance and also appreciated the firmer track on offer at Rotorua.

“It was good tough win, he switched off throughout the race beautifully, when he hit the front he looked around and waited for them a bit, but was strong through the line” said Peter McKay

Advertisement

“I think he will stick at a mile next time out, but I would like to see him in better company over Christmas time in those 2000m 3 year-old races, he still holds a nomination for the Derby” 

Puccini himself really came of age during the summer of his 3 year-old campaign when he won 3 Guineas races on the way to his famous Derby victory. He was the dominant colt of his generation which saw him crowned Champion 3 year-old Horse of The Year. 

He became a dual Gr.1 winner at 4 after winning the Thorndon Mile and closed out his career a winner of 7 individual Group races and earnings of $1,098,562. 

“We are thrilled to see Puccini get his first winner, and the fact Peter trained it makes the win even better. He’s always had a decent opinion of the Puccini’s in his stable” said Stud Master Simms Davison

“We always knew that they were going to be 3 year-olds that would only get better later in the season. Puccini was most effective on a good track and we really saw him at his best over the mile plus trip” 

Puccini stands at Mapperley Stud in 2021 for a fee of $3,000+gst 
Advertisment
More Reading...
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup
Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.