G3 Quinella for Ghibellines

Media Release - Saturday March 25

Live Drama gave a flawless performance on the main stage at Riccarton on Saturday to post the second black type victory of her career.

Live Drama and Kavish Chowdhoory land the Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) Photo: Race Images CHCH (Ajay Berry)

With 55.5kg, the mare was ideally suited to the set weights and penalties conditions of the Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and duly added the feature to her Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) title.

Rider Kavish Chowdhoory kept the leaders within his sights and, when the field fanned out at the top of the straight, they came through on the inner to kick clear and the six-year-old held a strong gallop to the post for a comfortable victory.

Live Drama was overdue to add to her record as she had finished runner-up in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge (1600m) at her previous start off the back of another second placing in the Listed Timaru Stakes (1400m).

“She’s carried big weights all the way through so this race suited her really well,” Robinson said.

“It was her day today and I’m just so pleased that she pulled it off because she deserved it, she always tries her very best.

“She has always run in the best of company and we’re all so very proud of her.”

While Saturday’s event was perfect for Live Drama, future opportunities in the South Island might be scarce and part-owner Robinson is unsure what his next step will be.

“She is very hard to place down here with her place in the handicap,” he said.

“We’ll let the dust settle and see how many points she gets for this win. We’ll sit down then and decide what we’re going to do.

Advertisement

“We’ll try and map something out and make a few decisions. She comes first and we’ll be looking after her.”

Ghibellines

Live Drama is a daughter of Ghibellines, who stands at the Anderton family’s White Robe Lodge and he also sired the Brian and Shane Anderton-trained runner-up Burgie, while the winner’s stablemate Avaquinella took third money.

Burgie had been a lead-up winner in Rating 82 company and admirably handled the rise in class with a stout finishing run from the back while Avaquinella also found the line strongly for her placing.

Live Drama has proved to be a grand money spinner for connections, who bought her out of White Robe’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s South Island Sale for $8500.

She has won nine of her 30 starts and her stake earnings have now topped the $280,000 mark.

Live Drama is from the immediate family of the Anderton-trained Cherry Creek, who won the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and produced the three-time Group Three winner Coulee.

“She’s quite valuable as a broodmare now she’s a Group Three winner as well,” Robinson said.

“She’s been a terrific horse to train and a pleasure to have in the stable.

“She has got a few little quirks, but we just know her inside and out and we don’t have any issues with her.” – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Valachi Downs Si Breeders' Stk Gr3 1600m

Riccarton Park Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:36.48
1
Live Drama
- 6m Ghibellines (AUS) x Sheeza Drama (AUS) (Pure Theatre (AUS))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: K Chowdhoory 55.5
2
0.8
Burgie
- 4m Ghibellines (AUS) x Norah (NZ) (Gallant Guru (AUS))
Tnr: B & S Anderton Rdr: T R Moseley 55
3
1.2
Avaquinella
- 5m Proisir (AUS) x Vania (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: A Comignaghi 55
4
3.2
Elizabeth Rose
- 5m Contributer (IRE) x Scarlet Queen (AUS) (Fasliyev (USA))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: J Kamaruddin 55.5
5
5.2
Divine Sava
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x Divine Shiva (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C R Barnes 55
6
5.5
Namibia Miss
- 6m Shocking (AUS) x Etosha Lass (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: Brandon May 55
7
8.1
Miss Ella
- 4m Iffraaj (GB) x Miss Zenella (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S R Weatherley 55
8
8.3
Fettercairn
- 5m Highly Recommended (AUS) x Princess Halo (NZ) (My Halo (ARG))
Tnr: Sally Wynne Rdr: B M Murray 55
9
9.7
Ears Back
- 4m Jakkalberry (IRE) x Makesmewonder (AUS) (Grass Wonder (USA))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: J J Fawcett 55
10
11.9
June Bug
- 4m Highly Recommended (AUS) x Ruby Stravinsky (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: M E Cunneen Rdr: L Sutherland 55
11
14.7
Lady Telena
- 5m Vespa (NZ) x Langara (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Kennedy Moore Rdr: T Jonker 55
12
63.7
Royce Roca
- 5m El Roca (AUS) x Mount Albert Lions (NZ) (Almutawakel (GB))
Tnr: R McKay & A Harrington Rdr: T L Newman 55
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.