Strong Field for NZB Ethereal Stakes

Media Release - Thursday October 19

A quality field of three-year-old fillies will put their prospects for next month's Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) to the test on Saturday when they run in a race which carries special significance for its sponsors, the A$150,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

Ethereal(NZ) (Rhythm) was bred and raced by New Zealand Bloodstock principal Sir Peter Vela and his late brother Phillip. She won eight races including the Group 1 Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, BMW and Queensland Oaks. She won the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double in 2001, the last horse to win both races in the same year.

The Ethereal Stakes was established in 2010, and its honour roll includes the subsequent Oaks winnerSet Square(Reset).

Advertisement

Last year's race had a fitting winner in the form of the classy New Zealand fillyEleonora(NZ) (Makfi), whose dam Sopra Tutto(NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) is a daughter of Ethereal.

The Ethereal Stakes will be run as Race 3 on Saturday's Caulfield Cup day programme with a start time of 1:25pm (3:25pm NZT).

Advertisment
More Reading...
The Instructor Delivers a Lesson in Listed Hareeba
Winner of the Listed MRC Blue Diamond Preview at two, four year-old Russian Revolution gelding The Instructor has had some lengthy spells in his career to date, but has been at his best since returning to racing this year and gave everything he had to cling on and win the $200,000 Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m).
Too Darn Hot SW for Legend Racing
The colours of Bon Ho and his Legend Racing were in the winner’s circle in the UK overnight with three year-old Too Darn Hot (GB) gelding Glittering Legend taking out the Listed Burradon Stakes (1m) at Newcastle.
Sires With Winners - Friday April 18
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Helsinge Family Strikes Again in G1 Champagne
From a clear last at the top of the straight to what seemed an unlikely first at the winning post, exciting Brutal colt Nepotism produced a scintillating performance to win the $1million Group I ATC Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Applications open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship
Young professionals in the thoroughbred breeding industry have a unique opportunity to enhance their careers, with applications now open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship.
Kiwi Bred Bankers Choice wins Mornington Cup
Versatile Kiwi-bred galloper Bankers Choice has provided himself with a shot at one of the biggest prizes on the Victorian spring racing calendar with victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday April 19
Here is the full list of 121 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday April 17
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – UK 2YO
Super interesting winner at Newmarket on Thursday was a Godolphin homebred two year-old colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) that won on debut and is on track for Royal Ascot.
Yulong Chasing Another Oaks with Movin Out
Kiwi-bred filly Movin Out made a successful switch from Sydney racing to a tilt at Victorian riches when she came from well back to race to a dominant victory in the $150,000 Mornington Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.