Contributer's Snow Patrol Brilliant on Debut

Mark Smith - Wednesday August 9

It looks all upside for the 3yo Contributer (IRE) debutant Snow Patrol following his brilliant performance in the Ladbroke It! Maiden Plate (1300m) at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.

Kick-starting his career in style (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Damian Lane for Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr), Snow Patrol overcame a wide run to defeat the $975,000 Snitzel colt Amigo by a length, with the Justify colt Delivering three-quarters of a length back in third.

Advertisement

Michael Kent (Jnr) said he and Mick Price had eyes for only one horse at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.

"I remember it very well; Mick and I were both there, we worked the entire sale, had all the information, and he was the one horse we had to buy, and we bought him," Kent Jnr said.

"We tipped in Ace Bloodstock, and he is their first winner. We put the other half with many of our good clients and a few close to me, like my best friend Bill Barber.

Snow Patrol a $170,000 NZB Ready 2 Run purchase

"He is a beautiful horse – big strong, well-muscled. He had a great action at the breeze-up.

"It was an impressive win in a strong maiden. He sat deep and kept finding and was strong past the post."    

After leaving the ring unsold when offered by Haunui Farm in Book 2 of the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Snow Patrol was a $170,000 purchase for Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the Lilywhites Lodge draft at the 2022 NZB Ready To Run Sale.

The son of Mapperley Stud's dual Group 1 winner Contributer (IRE) is the first foal of the unraced O'Reilly mare O'Rocker a granddaughter of dual Group III winner Bhandara (NZ) from the family of Sharvasti and Tourbillion Diamond. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbroke It! Mdn Plate 1300m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:18.07
1
Snow Patrol
- 3g Contributer (IRE) x O'rocker (AUS) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Damian Lane 58
2
1.0
Amigo
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x You're So Good (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: L Nolen 58
Inglis Ready2Race Sale $0
Seller: Blake Ryan Racing, Sydney
Buyer: Withdrawn
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Arrowfield Stud, Scone
Buyer: Passed in - $ 300,000
3
1.8
Delivering
- 3c Justify (USA) x Paper Round (GB) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ethan Brown 58
4
1.9
Nearing Liberty
- 3c Impending (AUS) x Freedom Road (AUS) (Good Journey (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Brown Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
5
2.0
Gallant Prince
- 3c Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Southern Venture (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: Craig Williams 58
6
4.5
Wolfy
- 3c Tivaci (AUS) x She's Popular (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: M Zahra 58
7
4.7
Bogues
- 3c Justify (USA) x Coral Coast (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: J Maskiell 58
8
8.2
I Eff Oh
- 3g Santos (AUS) x Longoria (AUS) (Lujain (USA))
Tnr: L Kennewell & L Yeomans Rdr: Zac Spain 58
9
10.2
Mercante
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Breccia (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: N A Blackiston Rdr: R Downey 58
10
11.2
The Satisfyer
- 3c Russian Revolution (AUS) x Joy Toy (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Newitt 58
11
11.4
Blue Royale
- 3f Puissance De Lune (IRE) x Bluetrice (AUS) (Lake Coniston (IRE))
Tnr: R J Besanko Rdr: Carleen Hefel 56
More Reading...
All Roads Lead to Australian Guineas for Snow Patrol
A field of eight 3-year-olds put their autumn aspirations on the line in Saturday’s $300,000 Group II Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes at Caulfield, and Snow Patrol and Southport Tycoon singled out for a stirring finish.
Who Do You Pick? Star Mares of Tomorrow
In chatting with our guest Jim Clarke this week on our Tara Talks Racing podcast we discussed a topic that will no doubt spark plenty of interest from our audience, if you could have one three year-old filly to take forward and race next season at four, who would it be?
Belclare Seeking to Find Best Form Back in Australia
Dual Group One winner Belclare’s return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.
Bloodstock Brains Behind the Big Stables
The modern world of big business horse training sees all the major players having trusted bloodstock agents as an integral part of their team and in the case of Bjorn Baker that person is Jim Clarke of Clarke Bloodstock.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
FBAA Professional Development Day- Food for Thought
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia’s third Continued Professional Development Day was again held at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and was hosted by MC Vin Cox.
Arrowfield Announce 2025 Fees
In the wake of his third Golden Slipper winner and his career-best yearling sale results, multiple Champion Sire Snitzel heads the 2025 Arrowfield stallion roster at an unchanged fee of $247,500, while Castelvecchio has earned a deserved fee increase.
The Boss Lady Wins G3 Roma Cup and a Quokka Slot
Roma Cup Day at Ascot is a celebration of equine speed with the three feature races all run over 1100m and Street Boss (USA) provided the star of the show in The Boss Lady, who has been tonight announced to fill the $5million Quokka slot for Peters Investments.
Kiwi Sprint Star Crocetti Arrives in Perth
Kiwi Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.
Almanzor Mare Benefits from Maturity
Time was always going to benefit Mehzebeen and the Almanzor mare continues to emphasise that in her five-year-old season.