Defibrillate a Group Winner on Both Sides of Tasman

Media Release - Tuesday November 1

Defibrillate is very much a stable favourite of Graham Richardson and he provided his co-breeder, part-owner and co-trainer with a hugely satisfying victory at Pukekohe Park on Tuesday.

The son of Shocking added to his record with a second-up success in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m) to become a black-type winner on both sides of the Tasman.Defibrillate winning the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m) at Pukekohe on Tuesday. Photo: Trish Dunell

The sprightly eight-year-old has an impressive strike rate of 11 wins from 29 appearances and his will to win was well-emphasised with a hard-fought victory over The Mayor, also a former Australian black-type performer.

“That was an absolute thrill and well done to all my partners in the horse and the staff,” said Richardson, who trains in partnership with Rogan Norvall.

Defibrillate had settled back of midfield and one off the fence before rider Craig Grylls urged him forward 800m from home. After angling widest on the home turn, he produced a determined finish as he went out after tearaway leader Quiz Kid, who eventually faded to ninth.

The Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained The Mayor was a close second and his first show of form since relocating from Chris Waller’s stable with Demonetization taking third money.

Defibrillate will remain on a weight-for-age path in the immediate future with two attractive options on his radar.

“There’s the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m) and the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m), there are plenty of races around for him,” Richardson said.

Defibrillate was bred by his co-trainer with the McInteer family, who also share in the ownership group, and won two of his first three starts from Richardson’s stable before he joined Patrick Payne’s operation in Victoria where he did his connections proud.

He was twice successful in the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) and in the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) before the red carpet was rolled out on his return to Matamata earlier this year.

Advertisement

Richardson subsequently targeted the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival with Defibrillate and principally the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).

However, his plans were severely disrupted by the weather-enforced abandonment of the middle day at Hastings and the rescheduling of the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) to Matamata.

Richardson was loath to run the gelding twice in seven days so made the bold decision to pitch Defibrillate first-up into the Livamol off a five-month break and he responded with a bold effort for third.

“I hadn’t done a lot with him since Hastings, just a bit of three-quarter pace. He had been off his tucker a little bit, but he came right in the last few days and I was pretty happy with him,” Richardson said.

Meanwhile, apprentice Niranjan Parmar bit the hand that feeds when he posted his first stakes win aboard Seajetz, who finished powerfully to claim top honours in the Listed Karaka Classic (1500m).

Parmar is apprenticed to Mark Walker, whose representative Self Obsession finished a close second with Awapuni visitor Old Town Road boxing on well for third after racing on the pace.

Trained by Paul Richards, Seajetz had won his previous start in Rating 75 company at Matamata and bridged the gap to stakes company in style.

The son of Iffraaj settled toward the back in the field and wound up strongly to down the favourite Self Obsession, who also rounded off well in the straight. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Elite Broodmare Band Booked to Celestial Legend
Woodside Park Stud is proud to announce they are sending an outstanding group of broodmares to visit their exciting young sire Celestial Legend. 
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.