10 Wins from 15 Starts and More to Come from Levante

Media Release - Sunday February 13

Trainer Ken Kelso is content to sit back and savour the thrill of winning a second consecutive Group One with star mare Levante, before any decisions on her immediate future are made.

Dual G1 winner Levante - Trish Dunell

The daughter of Proisir delighted her connections and multitude of fans when she held out the challenge of another class mare in Entriviere to take out the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m), after the pair waged a two-horse war down the Te Rapa home straight on Saturday.

Kelso, who prepares the five-year-old in partnership with wife Bev, was a happy man after watching Levante deliver again at the elite level to confirm the promise he saw in her since the day she entered their Matamata stable.

“That win was very special and to make it back-to-back Group One wins is something I think she deserves,” Kelso said.

“All the way through we have thought she could win at this level, however until her last two starts she just hadn’t had the rub of the green.

“She has been bloody unlucky on occasions, but I guess that luck is evening out a bit now.

“It was a tremendous race and although the other mare (Entriviere) was in a pocket, I thought she got out in time to run us down.”

Kelso admitted to some anxious moments when he saw rider Ryan Elliot out wide and challenging at the 600m but had the belief that his charge could do the job from there.

“I think the circumstances of the race meant Ryan got in the position he did, but there were a few concerns for a while there,” he said.

Advertisement

“When you end up winning the race there is not much more you can say, but I’m pleased he took the bull by the horns and made a decision that proved to be the winning one.

“That’s why you put those guys on and we got the result we wanted.”

Kelso will now take a few days to let the dust settle before he sits down with the mare’s connections to discuss what the future holds.

“She has always been a good eater and she got home last night and licked the bowl clean and was waiting for her breakfast this morning,” he said.

“We haven’t discussed where we go next and I spoke with Phillip Brown (co-owner) this morning (Sunday) and he was just keen to enjoy the moment before we plan for anything else.

“There are options for her, including Australia, so when we sit down there will be everything on the table to discuss.”

Levante has now taken her career record to ten wins from 15 starts and over $560,000 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk

Visit the profile page for Proisir

Proisir in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
2025 G1 Cox Plate Field and Barrier Draw
A field of nine has been finalised for the 2025 Cox Plate with favourite Via Sistina drawing gate seven for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while one three-year-old has accepted to run in Nepotism.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.