Te Akau Racing take Karaka Million 2YO with Almanzor Colt

Breednet - Saturday January 22

The more things change, the more they stay the same was the feeling after the running of the Doubletree By Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Dynastic wins the Karaka Million 2YO. Photo: Kristin Ledington

On a night that generates enormous interest throughout New Zealand it was the familiar tangerine and blue racing colours of Te Akau Racing carried by the Jamie Richards-trained Dynastic who scooped the lion’s share of the $1million prize pool for owners the Te Akau 2021 Stallion Syndicate.

By Cambridge Stud-based stallion Almanzor, Dynastic had disputed favouritism with the unbeaten Wolverine throughout the week and it was fitting the pair would set down to fight out the finish as they swooped into the race from midfield to issue their challenges side by side in the closing stages.

Rider Opie Bosson was at his brilliant best as he got every ounce of effort out of Dynastic in the last 100m to draw clear of the game Wolverine and win by a length and a half with his stablemate Fellini running on resolutely to claim third. 

The victory provided Richards and the Te Akau Racing stable with a sixth consecutive victory in the race (the first two with Richards in partnership with Stephen Autridge) and possibly Richards’ last as he leaves New Zealand in April to take up a contract to train in Hong Kong.

An emotional Richards was full of praise for his charge as he spoke about what the victory means to him as he prepares to leave New Zealand racing.

“They were going along a bit, which was always going to set it up for something to come off the speed,” he said.

&ldq

uo;What an amazing thrill to get six in a row and to have Almanzor get his first New Zealand winner in a $1million race.

“I’m delighted for Brendan and Jo (Lindsay) and everybody at Cambridge Stud, also all of our staff at home.

“Dave (Ellis) has done it again and that man on top (Bosson), what a champion.

“As everyone knows, things are going to change for me in the near future and hopefully we are not finished yet.

“There are plenty of options for a colt like him as what he is doing at the moment is really a bonus for what he will do next year.”

Bred by Windsor Park Stud in partnership with long-time client John Thompson and his wife Margaret out of the Volksraad mare Meir, Dynastic was purchased from their 2021 National Yearling sale Book 1 draft for $360,000 by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis and is the first southern hemisphere winner for former European champion three-year-old colt Almanzor.

Advertisement

Ellis, who watched the race with Cambridge Stud’s Brendan Lindsay, also cut an emotional figure as he celebrated a sixth win in the race.

“It was just amazing and I was so emotional when Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) said go and lead the horse back in, I nearly had tears streaming down my cheeks,” he said.

“This is such a fun night and an amazing effort from our whole staff who prepare these horses.

“Jamie has done a great job as has Opie and I’m thrilled to have Cambridge Stud, Waikato Stud and Windsor Park supporting us in a horse like this.”

It was also a fifth consecutive win in the race for Bosson, who missed the 2021 edition through suspension and he was ecstatic to have made the right decision on which of the four Richards-trained runners to ride in the race.

“I probably wasn’t in the right spot early on, but then I saw Wolverine outside me and I managed to get on her back,” he said.

“Once the big boy balanced up, he sure has got a stride on him.

“In his trial at Rotorua he really put in some big strides and when I rode him first up when he ran second he just gave me the gut feel he was the horse to be on.

“There were so many trying to change my mind on who to ride so I’m glad I stuck true to him.

“It’s awesome to ride five in a row and I’m privileged to ride horses that David Ellis buys as he is a freak at getting them for this type of race and they go on with it as they get older.

“I’m going to miss Jamie as well as we get on so well together and while he is a loss for us, I’m sure he will make a go of it in Hong Kong.”

A half-brother to Dynastic by Mongolian Khan will be sold by Windsor Park as Lot 929 during the Book 2 sale at Karaka that starts on March 10.

Richards added a second $1million prize to the stable haul two races later when Pin Me Up took out the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Doubletree Karaka Million 2yo LR 1200m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:09.60
1
Dynastic
- 2c Almanzor (FR) x Meir (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
2
2.3
Wolverine
- 2f Tivaci (AUS) x Knew It (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: L G Innes 54.5
NZB Karaka Book 2 $0
Seller: Waikato Stud Ltd
Buyer:
3
3.6
Fellini
- 2g Belardo (IRE) x Silke Top (GB) (Librettist (USA))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
4
8.9
Time Flies
- 2g Time Test (GB) x Rorippa (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: M Cameron 56.5
5
10.4
Pacific Dragon
- 2f Charm Spirit (IRE) x Daring (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54.5
6
10.6
Mascarinto
- 2g Per Incanto (USA) x Black Mascara (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: S D Cole Rdr: K Asano 56.5
7
11.7
Sacred Satono
- 2c Satono Aladdin (JPN) x Belle Joie (NZ) (Mellifont (USA))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
8
11.8
Alabama Gold
- 2c Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Attalla (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: S Autridge & K Shailer Rdr: J K Riddell 56.5
9
12.8
Gibraltar Rising
- 2c Almanzor (FR) x Star Of Gibraltar (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: S M Mc Kay 56.5
10
13.9
Gwen Stephani
- 2f El Roca (AUS) x Shezablonde (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: A C Goindasamy 54.5
11
14.7
Timeless
- 2f Time Test (GB) x Avoid (NZ) (Cullen (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: T D Thornton 54.5
12
19.2
Time Ruler
- 2g Time Test (GB) x Got The Snitz (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
13
25.1
Lord Cosmos
- 2g Pierro (AUS) x Cosmic Powers (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: J Parkes 56.5
14
32.0
Diss Is Dramatic
- 2f Dissident (AUS) x Our Drahma Queen (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: R T Elliot 54.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday September 24
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Angel Capital to Run for James Harron in Everest
James Harron Bloodstock is excited to announce a partnership with global thoroughbred powerhouse Yulong for The Everest 2025, with rising star Angel Capital today confirmed as the runner in the James Harron Bloodstock slot.
Obucci Breaks Through For Hanseatic At Sandown
With a last start second behind Frankel filly Chateau Eze who went on to record a Listed second at her next start in the Jim Maloney Stakes, the Phillip Stokes trained Hanseatic filly Obucci was sent out at double figure odds at Sandown on Wednesday, breaking her maiden by three parts of a length.
Spring Juvenile Contest at Otaki on Friday
Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell is excited about the prospects of his promising juvenile Singletary, and he is looking forward to kicking off his career in the Vets On Riverbank Two-Year-Old (800m) at his home track on Friday.
Golden Rose Sires Where Are They Now?
Since the $1million Golden Rose was elevated to Group I status in 2009 it has been won in every single year bar one by a colt with the lone gelding to succeed being Manawanui in 2011 and winning this race is a passport to a commercial stud career, so we thought we’d take a look at the fortunes of the past winners who have gone to stud in Australia.
Almanzor Colt Shines on Return
Last season’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Dynastic made a successful return to racing when he displayed a touch of class in taking out the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m).
Charm Stone share sells for $310,000 ahead of G1 Manikato
A 10% share in G1-winning mare Charm Stone has topped the September (Late) Online Sale selling for $310,000, the second highest price for a racehorse share on the platform this year.
Merchant Navy 3YO Ready to Strike Form
Cody Cole is keeping his options open with talented three-year-old Landlock as wet weather threatens to halt his initial plan to contest Saturday’s Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa.
Stakes Potential for Talented Wootton Bassett Colt
The John O’Shea and Tom Charton stable produced Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Napoleonic to break his maiden at Wyong by five lengths at the start of the month and he made it back to back wins when scoring a stylish victory at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Change of Barrier Luck for Written By's Tale of the Gypsy
Lady Luck has finally smiled on talented filly Tale Of The Gypsy, who has been plagued by wide barriers throughout her short career to date.