Sebring 3YO Salutes

Media Release - Wednesday October 18
Smart three-year-old Ever Loyal broke maiden ranks in fine style at Te Aroha on Wednesday after running into some well above average rivals at his first two starts.

Ever Loyal - Race ImagesThe son of Sebring finished fourth on debut behind current Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) favourite Te Akau Shark. The strapping gelding was then second at Ruakaka to another highly-credentialed Te Akau Racing galloper in Embellish.

"It was a reasonably soft win in the end," said winning trainer Tony Pike. "Based on his form you'd expect that third-up today. He's a work in progress and he's only going to get better with racing. He settled nicely today.

"Once he works it all out he's definitely progressive enough to head through to Group class as a three-year-old."

Despite having a strong team of three-year-olds on the path south to the 2000 Guineas, Pike has not ruled out adding Ever Loyal to the travelling party.

"We'll probably find out a lot more after the Sarten on Monday to see where the better three-year-olds are at. But a big roomy track at Riccarton and a mile is probably going to suit him.

"Whether it comes up a touch quick, we're not quite sure but we'll just see how he comes through the run. He's always been well above average."

Winning rider Jason Waddell was delighted with the performance in defeating the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained Bak da Master by a comfortable length and a-half.

"He's been beaten by the two favourites for the 2000 Guineas, but he turned the tables on the tangerine [of Te Akau Racing] for once," Waddell said.

Waddell said removing the blinkers in preference to a norton bit was vital to the improved performance.

"He was a bit aggressive in the blinkers last start and the norton just gave me a lot more control today and he relaxed beautifully."

A $240,000 NZB Premier purchase from the Lyndhurst Farm draft, Ever Loyal is the third winner from Miss Lucille, a Rory's Jester grand-daughter of champion sprinter Special. He was a successful pinhook having been bought first from the Newgate Farm draft at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale by Karl Brown Bloodstock – NZ Racing Desk.



Advertisment
More Reading...
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.
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.
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
G1 Manikato Next for Alabama Lass
New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass will press on for a tilt at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley later this month following her runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the Melbourne track last Saturday.
$3.3million Gun Runner Colt Tops Keeneland September Day 1
Keeneland’s 2025 September Yearling Sale began Monday with double-digit gains while posting a record average price of $653,208 and selling 15 horses for $1 million or more led by a colt by Gun Runner for $3.3 million to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm. The average topped the previous record $611,038 for a single session set during Day 2 in 2024, and the number of seven-
Tragic News from Milburn Creek – Vale, Secret Admirer
Spring brings so many foaling stories from our studs each year and while the majority have a happy ending, sometimes things sadly don’t go as planned.
Kiwi Cup Hopeful Headed to Melbourne
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature.
Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances
Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
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.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.