Another Derby Hero for Tavistock - Sister for Sale

Media Release - Saturday March 5

Twelve months after living up to expectations with a Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite, Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott went back-to-back with a very different kind of triumph at Ellerslie on Saturday.

In contrast to their 2021 Derby hero Rocket Spade, who came into the classic as a $4 favourite with outstanding lead-up form under his belt, O’Sullivan and Scott were well and truly under the radar in 2022 with last-start maiden winner Asterix.

Johnathan Parkes guides Asterix to an upset victory in the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

But the well-related son of Tavistock rose to the occasion and came of age in spectacular style, going from last to first to land a 45-to-1 upset at the expense of odds-on favourite La Crique.

Adding to the theme of history repeating, Asterix carried the Kelt family’s distinctive emerald green and red colours. The same silks were worn by O’Sullivan himself when he won the Derby as a jockey with Popsy in 1993. Coincidentally, both winners clocked the exact same time of 2:27.24.

“That win with Popsy was a fair few years ago now, and it’s a lot harder to win this race as a trainer,” O’Sullivan said.

“This is a great thrill. Sam Kelt bought him for $450,000 at the Ready to Run Sale, and he’s been rewarded for that big investment. He’s got some of his family involved, and he brought Mark Greatbatch (former Black Cap) into the ownership as well, and this is a fantastic result for all of them.

“Sam is the most optimistic guy you could ever train for. He was a believer all the way through, and he told us three weeks ago that we were going to win the Derby. We weren’t quite so sure, but those quality genes kicked in down the straight.

“It’s probably safe to say we were more nervous last year with Rocket Spade, we had some high expectations there, while this is a great surprise.”

Sixth and eighth in his first two starts in January and early February, Asterix stepped up over a middle-distance and cleared maiden grade with a narrow victory at Tauranga on February 16.

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Asterix Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

Saturday marked a monumental leap in class, but Asterix delivered.

“Unbelievable,” said Scott, who has now co-trained four Derby winners. “It’s a great team result. All of the staff have worked so hard on this horse. We’ve had times where this preparation was nearly gone, and we’ve had to do so much work on his feet along the way. But we got here, and he was probably the strongest stayer genetically in the field, and we are over the moon.”

Advertisement

Given a well-judged ride by Johnathan Parkes, Asterix was a clear last as the field found their positions and passed the finish line with a lap to go.

Parkes began to get his mount rolling down the side of the track, and he swooped around the extreme outside to lodge his bid at the home turn.

Asterix charged to a clear lead in the straight and kept up a strong gallop all the way to the finish, scoring by a length and a half from a late-finishing La Crique. The time of 2:27.24 is the equal fourth fastest Derby in history.

“This is huge for me,” Parkes said. “It’s a race I’ve always wanted to win, and it’s one of the real pinnacle races we’ve got in New Zealand. It hasn’t always been easy in my career with injuries and weight, but a win like this makes it all worthwhile.

“I just rode him to instructions – they wanted me to ride him quietly, get him nice and relaxed and then finish strongly. He actually clipped a heel coming out of the gates and was lucky to stay standing, but he recovered really well from that.

“He’s just a real stayer, and I think there’s plenty more ahead of him. He’s a lovely horse, and he just outstayed them.”

Asterix was bred by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock and is out of Mourasana, a British-bred daughter of Shirocco. Herself a Listed placegetter in France, Mourasana is a half-sister to the Group Two winner Mouramara, who is the dam of three stakes winners including Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) winner Mourayan and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) placegetter Mourilyan.

Lot 434 - click to see her page.

Curraghmore will offer a full-sister to the Derby winner at Karaka this week, catalogued as Lot 434 in the Book 1 session.

The Derby was something of a hard-luck story for the beaten favourite La Crique, who jumped from the inside gate and found herself badly boxed in approaching the home turn. By the time Vinnie Colgan found a way out into clear air, Asterix was off and gone.

“That’s racing,” co-trainer Katrina Alexander said. “That’s the sort of thing that can happen when you go out there with a target on your back, and when you draw the inside gate. It was still a courageous run, she finished it off really well and we’re super proud of her. She’s still the same horse to us.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Nz Derby Gr1 2400m

Ellerslie Track: Good(3) Time: 2:27.24
1
Asterix
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Mourasana (GB) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: J Parkes 56.5
2
1.5
La Crique
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Destiny Cove (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: S & K Alexander Rdr: V A Colgan 54.5
3
2.0
Regal Lion
- 3g Jakkalberry (IRE) x Red Delight (NZ) (Congrats (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: M Cameron 56.5
4
6.5
Soldier Boy
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x Forty Love (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: G H Sharrock Rdr: K R Hercock 56.5
5
7.0
Pinarello
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Zonza (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: J K Riddell 56.5
6
7.5
Nest Egg
- 3g Reliable Man (GB) x Run To The Bank (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: R J Bergerson Rdr: A C Goindasamy 56.5
7
8.6
White Noise
- 3g El Roca (AUS) x White Nymph (NZ) (Sir Percy (GB))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
8
8.7
Arjay's Flight
- 3g Highly Recommended (AUS) x Clareville Flight (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: M H Brosnan Rdr: T D Thornton 56.5
9
10.0
Privileged Son
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Port Providence (GB) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: K Asano 56.5
10
10.8
Ess Vee Are
- 3g Shocking (AUS) x Reiveke (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: D R Weatherley Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
11
11.1
Yes We Khan
- 3g Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Nothing But A Grin (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: A J Calder 56.5
12
16.7
Marchand
- 3g Burgundy (NZ) x Lashed (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: L G Innes 56.5
More Reading...
Spring Trial Watch – Caulfield
With a plethora of Group racing for colts and geldings last weekend and fillies to take centre stage Sydney on Saturday for the Group II ATC Furious Stakes it was interesting to see a Caulfield trial on Tuesday morning that featured six stakes-winning 3YO’s.
Winning Debut for Blueblood Frankel Filly
We usually associate the Mark Walker stable with the tangerine colours of Te Akau racing, but it was John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds colours in the frame for the astute Kiwi trainer trainer at Benalla on Tuesday carried by blueblood Frankel filly Chateau Eze.
Melbourne Racing Club Announces Official Trial Schedule for 2025–26
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) is thrilled to announce a comprehensive schedule of 15 Official Trials across the 2025–26 season, providing an essential service to trainers, owners and jockeys while addressing the industry’s increasing need for metropolitan grass access.
Vale, Robert Priscott
Former Group One-winning trainer Robert Priscott has passed away.
Gooree Park Stallion Parade
Gooree Park Stud will open the gates on Friday September 5 for a stallion parade featuring new arrival Yes Yes Yes along with resident Gooree Stud bred sires Prized Icon and Your Song – RSVP is due this Tuesday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 31
Here is the full list of 63 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Five Lots Announced for Tattersalls Online Barrier Trials Pop-Up Sale
Tattersalls Online, Europe’s leading online thoroughbred sales platform, will break new ground when offering for auction five lots who took part in the ITM Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Leopardstown Racecourse earlier this week. The sale which takes place on 3rd – 4th September can be viewed on the Tattersalls Online website www.tattersallsonline.com.
First Foals for Lofty Strike
One of the most interesting young stallions that we saw on the recent Victorian stud tour was at Swettenham Stud and it has not taken long for the big baldy face of Lofty Strike to find it’s way on to one of his first foals.
Tara Talks Racing - We Chat with the Breeder of Raging Force
The Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes was won last Saturday by exciting Cosmic Force gelding Raging Force, so this week we’re chatting to his breeder Dr Richard McClenahan of Mullaglass Stud, who has a self-confessed ‘mare addiction’!
Zoustar 7YO Chasing G1 for Cambridge Stud
South Africa will tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night and earlier in the day a horse named after one of their favourite sons will be vying for Group One glory down the road at Ellerslie Racecourse.