Kalapour Scores an Upset in Tancred Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday March 30

The 7-year-old War Command gelding Kalapour (Ire) ascended to new heights with  a hard-fought win in Saturday’s $1,500,000 Group 1 Kia Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill.

A sigh of relief from Dylan Gibbons (image Steve Hart)

A second Group 1 winner for Dylan Gibbons, the Kris Lees-trained import was strong to the line in defeating More Felons (IRE) (Churchill) by a long head with Ashrun (FR) (Authorized) one and a half lengths back in third.

The second longest-priced runner in the field, Kalapour (Ire), advances his record to six wins, four seconds, and four thirds from 23 starts with earnings of $1,554,774.

“At 8.30am on Wednesday, I nearly was going to run him in the Neville Sellwood Stakes,” Lees revealed.

“I ummed and ahhed which way to go, and it looked like it was falling away a little bit, this race, so we thought we’d give him his chance.

Advertisement

“I came here hoping he’d earn a nice cheque for connections, probably not that confident. But I’m really happy. ”

He (Dyan Gibbons) is a super kid. What you see is what you get. That’s him, all the time. He’s just a pleasure to have around. I know he’s already won a Group 1, but he’s got many more (to come). Finally we got one together, that’s great.”

“He’s in the Sydney Cup and obviously he won’t get a penalty out of today so it’s something to consider. But either way, it’s a big thrill today.”

The winner of one of four starts in Ireland, Kalapour (Ire) wasbred by Aga Khan Studs and is a half-brother to stakes-winner Kalaxana (Rock Of Gibraltar), out of the Dalylami mare Kaladena a three-quarter sister to the Group 1 Breeders' Cup Turf and Group 1 Newmarket Champion Stakes winner Kalanisi and a half to Group II winner Kalaman and Listed-winner Kaloura.

The Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes winner War Command began his stud career at Coolmore, Ireland, before transferring to Haras de Gelos in France.

The son of War Front USA) shuttled to Chile where he sired three Group 1 winners.

Advertisment

Race Result - Kia Tancred Stakes Gr1 2400m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 2:28.91
1
Kalapour
- 7g War Command (USA) x Kaladena (IRE) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 59
2
0.2
More Felons
- 5g Churchill (IRE) x Pivotalia (IRE) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 59
Churchill
3
1.6
Ashrun
- 8g Authorized (IRE) x Ashantee (GER) (Areion (GER))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: J R Collett 59
4
1.7
Athabascan
- 5g Almanzor (FR) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Tyler Schiller 59
5
1.8
Buckaroo
- 5h Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Roheryn (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 59
6
2.1
Military Mission
- 6g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Atlantic Isle (GER) (Tamayuz (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 59
7
2.5
Bois D'argent
- 7g Toronado (IRE) x Madonna Lily (IRE) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: C Schofield 59
8
6.3
Post Impressionist
- 5g Teofilo (IRE) x Island Remede (GB) (Medicean (GB))
Tnr: W J Haggas Rdr: T Marquand 59
More Reading...
Profondo Weanlings Impress
The first progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Profondo made a favourable impression during the NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka on Thursday.
Kalapour Earns a Ticket to the Melbourne Cup
Kalapour (IRE) will likely join his stablemate Cleveland in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup after he led under Damien Oliver in Saturday’s Group III Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington).
Mulberry Racing Secure Everest Slot
Racing NSW today announced that Mulberry Racing has secured a slot in the $20 million TAB Everest for a term of three years commencing with the running of this year’s race.
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Heads Vibrant Weanling Sale
The  2025 National Weanling Sale saw its first dual-code weanling session in play at Karaka, with a total aggregate of $2,410,000 outlaid across 84 lots by a strong domestic buying bench plus international support from Australia, Hong Kong and China.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
Flying Artie 2YO Wins by Four!
Blue Gum Farm have an appealing roster of three sires for this spring and while it’s all in front of Sejardan and Oxley Road, proven favourite Flying Artie remains unbeatable value and the G1 sire produced a four length 2YO winner on Thursday.