NZB Filly of the Year Series Springs to Life with Gold Trail Stakes

Media Release - Friday September 8

Last season’s superstars have given them a hard act to follow, but the class of 2023-24 get their time to shine when the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series kicks off in Saturday’s $120,000 Group Three HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings.

The Gold Trail Stakes is the first leg of the NZB Filly of the Year Series, which is now in its 52nd year. The prestigious series spans 11 races between September and March, over distances ranging from 1200 up to 2400 metres.

The 11 races are always keenly contested, with the best fillies of their generation vying for significant prizes for the owner, trainer, and breeder of the ultimate winner. The NZB Filly of the Year winner immediately becomes a highly valuable breeding proposition and earns her connections $50,000 in bonus cheques including $10,000 for her breeder, $10,000 for her trainer, and $30,000 for her owner.

Legarto is the reigning NZB Filly of the Year - image Grant Courtney.

The Filly of the Year Series honour roll features some of the greats of the New Zealand turf through the last five decades, such as La Mer (NZ) (Copenhagen), Noble Heights (NZ) (Sir Tristram), Our Flight (NZ) (Imperial Guard), Solveig (NZ) (Imposing), Snap (NZ) (Kingdom Bay), Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon) and Savannah Success (Success Express), who is these days best known as the dam of super-sire Savabeel.

But even by the high standards of the NZB Filly of the Year Series, the 2022-23 edition was something very special. Series winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) scored spectacular victories in the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group Two Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) on home soil, then crossed the Tasman and became the first New Zealand-trained winner of the prestigious Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.

But incredibly, Legarto’s trans-Tasman Group One double was matched by two other major players in that season’s Filly of the Year Series.

The eventual series runner-up Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) became only the third filly in history to win both the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham and the Group One Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

Advertisement

Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) finished only sixth on the Filly of the Year standings, courtesy of her win in the Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and her third placing in the Soliloquy Stakes. But she rose to stardom in the summer and autumn with victories in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m), against older horses at weight-for-age in the Group One New Zealand Stakes (2000m), and against Sydney’s finest fillies in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).

It all adds up to some very big shoes to fill this season, but there are plenty of talented young fillies lining up to take their shot in Saturday’s first leg.

The Gold Trail Stakes has assembled a field of 14, including Group Two winner Impendabelle (Impending), Listed winners Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Loch Katrine (NZ) (Ardrossan), the Group One-placed Tulsi (The Autumn Sun) and Listed-placed Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon).

Others such as the undefeated Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) and highly rated Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) have made a big impression with their victories in lower grades.

The winner of the Gold Trail Stakes will pick up 6 points in the Filly of the Year Series, with 3 points for second and 1.5 for third.

The HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Gold Trail Stakes will be run as Race 7 at Hastings on Saturday, with a scheduled start time of 3.23pm.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.