Lord Darci wins G3 Winter Cup

Media Release - Saturday August 6

A rails-hugging ride by Terry Moseley paved the way for local runner Lord Darci to break a 22-year hoodoo for local Canterbury stables when he took out the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 125th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Bred, raced and trained by former All Black Bevan Wilson and his wife Robyn, the five-year-old son of Darci Brahma turned the tables on his last-start conqueror Summer Festival as he out-finished the former Italian Derby winner to win going away by two lengths at the winning post.

Lord Darci dashes away with the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 125th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton  Photo credit: Race Images South

Away well from barrier seven, Lord Darci handled the testing Heavy10 conditions with aplomb before looming into contention along the inner as the field fanned across the track at the top of the long Riccarton home straight.

Summer Festival, who had led throughout, was going strongly in front and fought hard when joined by Lord Darci at the 300m before succumbing late in the piece, with Verry Flash running on well from the back to take third albeit eight lengths in arrears of the winner.

Wilson was rapt with the performance as his charge became the first local runner to win the race since McLaskry in 1999.

“That was very satisfying as when we first laid eyes on this bloke, we didn’t even think he would get to the races,” Wilson said.

“He just keeps stepping up and it has been a wonderful thrill for us all.

“He is the seventh or eighth generation out of this family and it is just great to get a good horse again.

“He was his own worst enemy there for a while and wanted to win his races at the start.

“It took a couple of runs to get the recipe right, and now he has, it is all good.”

Advertisement

Lord Darci is the first foal out of Wilson’s eight-race winner Madam Victoria, who won four times at Listed level including the 2016 Timaru Stakes (1400m).

A mud-spattered Moseley was sporting a wide grin after the victory, his first in the race.

“I’ve always thought he was a nice up and coming horse but I did think it might be a year too soon for him,” the 55-year-old jockey said.

“With the way the track is playing I thought the older, more seasoned horses might have it but there is no doubt about it, he is a talent.

“Bevan had said to me to ensure I didn’t get there (the lead) too soon and as it turned out I did.

“I just jogged up on the corner and hadn’t moved a muscle on him, but he fought well and is a nice horse in the making.

“I hopped off the winner last year (Major Tom) and this is a race that has eluded me, so this is ticking a box, especially when you get to my age.”

Lord Darci has now won four of his 13 starts and over $115,000 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
Trainers Rewarded with Continued NZB Ready to Run Series
With the continued long-term support of Majestic Horse Transport and Dunstan Horsefeeds, NZB is pleased to announce that the Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series will return for its sixth edition this season, kicking off on Saturday at two venues. ? 
I Am Invincible Stallion Chasing Black Type in NZ
Tardelli has the looks to match his rich pedigree, and his upcoming preparation will be focussed on adding a top level performance to boost his future stallion prospects.
Are You Sending a Mare to Cogburn?
Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded on Tuesday with the rise of exciting young sire Not This Time as a big player on the world stage well and truly illustrated with 22 of his yearlings selling at an average $805,682.
Karaka Graduates Honoured at New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards
The champions of New Zealand’s 2024-25 season were crowned during the Horse of the Year Awards in Hamilton on Sunday night, where four Karaka graduates were named the standouts of their respective categories.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 9
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Impressive New Winner St Mark’s Basilica
A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.
Keeneland September Record Breaking Book 1 Concludes
Trade at Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued the enthusiasm for Thoroughbred racing prospects shown during Monday’s opening day with nearly $75 million in sales and a September Sale record session average of $675,180 and median of $550,000. Twenty yearlings sold for $1 million or more to set a Day 2 session record. 
Debut Farnan Winner for Pencarrow Stud
Three-year-old filly Passiflora showed promise at the trials and transferred that potential into raceday success when scoring on debut in the NZ Horse Ambulance 970 at Cambridge on Wednesday.