First Winner for Jon Snow

Media Release - Thursday February 29

Group One winner Jon Snow got off the mark as a sire on Thursday when his son King Of The North took out the Farewell Dave Bradford (1400m) at Matamata.

It was the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding’s third start, having run fourth on debut over 1200m at the Waikato track in January before placing over 1300m at Te Rapa a fortnight later.

King Of The North winning at Matamata on Thursday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Jon Snow stands at Clearview Park, near Timaru, and farm principal Aaron Tapper was rapt to see King Of The North get his sire on the board.

“It was very exciting,” Tapper said. “He raced the day before we had a filly go through at Karaka where he got third at Te Rapa. It would have been nice if it was that day (he won), but it is really good to get a win.”

The victory was made even more special for Tapper given the fact King Of The North was foaled and raised on his property for breeder Tim Harrison prior to heading north to Te Runga Stud where he went through their 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft and was purchased by Wexford Stables for $60,000.

“He was born and raised on the farm here before he went north. He was pretty impressive then,” Tapper said. “He was a typical Jon Snow, they are all pretty leggy as foals and they grow into their body really well.

“I remember going up to Lance and Andrew at the sales when they bought King Of The North just to say congratulations and thank you. They said that they bought him as their next Derby runner. He is a couple of months behind, but there are a couple of Derbys coming up, so who knows?”

A New Zealand Bloodstock graduate himself, Jon Snow was purchased by Andrew Forsman on behalf of the Zame Partnership out of Haunui Farm’s 2015 Select Yearling Sale draft for $65,000.

Advertisement

Forsman, alongside Murray Baker, trained the son of Iffraaj to four wins and eight placings from 23 starts, including victories in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m), Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m), and Gr.3 JRA Cup (2040m). He also placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m), and Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m). 

“We lease him off the Zame Parnership,” Tapper said. “When we were offered him it was a given that we would take him because he was such an impressive racehorse.

“For the South Island to get something of his quality was great, so we jumped at the chance.

“His temperament is fantastic and all of his foals seem so much more relaxed, they are nice types, and we are pretty happy with him.

“His pedigree is awesome. We just need more on the track.

“I got a booking for him yesterday for this coming season and to have a winner on the board will certainly help.”

Earlier on the card, Tapper celebrated another success for his other stallion Echoes Of Heaven when his son Manawa took out the Matamata Function Centre 1600 for trainer John Bell. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Farewell Dave Bradford Mdn 1400m

Matamata Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:24.63
1
King Of The North
- 3g Jon Snow (NZ) x Higher Authority (NZ) (Authorized (IRE))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: M Hashizume 57.5
NZB Karaka Book 2 $0
Seller: Te Runga Stud Ltd
Buyer: Withdrawn
2
1.8
Toa Tuahine
- 3f Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Alpine Julz (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: C K Ormsby Rdr: Ngakau Hailey 54.0
3
2.2
Full Moon Fever
- 3g U S Navy Flag (USA) x Moon Tide (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: P Graberg 57.5
4
2.4
Lightning Dream
- 3f Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Alana's Dream (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: O P Bosson 55.5
5
3.4
Alation
- 3f Swiss Ace (AUS) x Assertion (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: C R Barnes 55.5
6
3.6
Trout
- 3g Preferment (NZ) x Tavy (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: M Van Lierde Rdr: M Cameron 57.5
7
3.6
Up With Charm
- 3g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Ataahua Daydream (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: K A Pertab Rdr: L H Satherley 57.5
8
3.8
Living In Hope
- 3g Telperion (AUS) x Astounded (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: R R Manning Rdr: Tayla Mitchell 55.5
9
3.8
Lemon Curd
- 3f Per Incanto (USA) x Miss Caruso (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: F T Ritchie Rdr: U A Holmquist 55.5
10
3.8
Lovely Friends
- 3g Almanzor (FR) x Salkantay (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: P S Richards Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57.5
11
6.3
Rosie's Dream
- 3f Staphanos (JPN) x Ishiarose (NZ) (Ishiguru (USA))
Tnr: C J Wood Rdr: Joe Doyle 55.5
12
13.1
Pensamoi
- 3f Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Lady Louboutin (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W B Kennedy 55.5
More Reading...
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.