The Brother's War Mare Asgarda Surprises in Newhaven Park Country Championships Final

Mark Smith - Saturday April 6

While the mood may have been momentarily gloomy at Kooringal Stud when the favourite Bandi’s Boy did not run to expectations, it would have picked up considerably when The Brothers War (USA) mare Asgarda launched down the centre of the track under Kayla Nisbet to spring a surprise in the $1,000,000 Newhaven Park Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick.

Asgarda puts a space on them (image Steve Hart)

A 5-length winner of her only start on a heavy track; the Doug Gorrel-trained 4-year-old showed her appreciation of the conditions to defeat the Zoustar gelding Gallant Star

By one and a quarter lengths with the Supido mare Rapbidash a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Advertisement

In improving her bank by a factor of five, Asgarda advances her record to five wins, three seconds, and a third from 12 starts with earnings of $764,700.

“It’s just the most wonderful feeling,” an emotional Gorrel said.

“That horse has been entrusted to us by Kooringal Stud and this big fella Lance Gilbert (breeder) from Griffith and all his mates, it’s just a dream come true.

“My kids and my wife are here, I can’t believe it. I really can’t.”

“She’s a lovely horse, we knew we had a really nice horse but they don’t give these races away.

“She’s $21 for a reason, she’s supposed to finish midfield and she’s won the bloody thing.”

“I went at the furlong post, but she just put a length-and-a-half, two lengths, on them at the 250 mark I reckon.”

Winning Owner/Breeder Lance Gilbert said it was the thrill of a lifetime.

“What a great thrill for everyone. Doug’s done a fantastic job with the this mare, she’s all courage this mare, she’s had her ups and downs this prep but let me know you she’s one tough cookie,” he said.

A $1 million dollar smile (image Steve Hart)

It was also a career highlight for winning jockey Kayla Nisbet.

“It’s a huge thrill. We say time and time again what a great initiative this has been for country participants, but to be able to win it is a huge thrill,” Nisbet said.

“It’s given all country participants an achievable goal to strive for and to be able to win it is very exciting.

“She’s so easy to ride, she really helps herself, she always bounces well and puts herself up on the speed.

“Her last couple of runs I’ve probably ridden her a bit out of her comfort zone just because they’ve been in ordinary fields and I haven’t wanted to get in behind too many of them.

Enjoying the moment (image Steve Hart)

“Today, with good speed and a good draw, I knew we were going to get a nice run in behind them, and she just showed an electric turn of foot.”

A homebred for the Gibert and Clapham families, who race her with Kooringal Stud’s Stuart Lamont, Asgarda is the first named foal of the winning Husson (ARG) mare Minsk, whose dam Deboshnokov (Stravinsky) is a half-sister to Group 1 VATC One Thousand Guineas heroine Inaflury (Zabeel).

Minsk is among a handful of mares to visit the Fastnet Rock stallion Fastnet Express for four consecutive seasons.

The Brothers War (War Front) stands at Kooringal Stud, with his fee listed as on application

Advertisment

Race Result - Newhaven Park Country Championships Final 1400m

Randwick Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:23.61
1
Asgarda
- 4m The Brothers War (USA) x Minsk (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Doug Gorrel Rdr: Ms K Nisbet 54
2
1.2
Gallant Star
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Miss Valor (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: Brett Robb Rdr: S Clipperton 56
3
2.9
Rapbidash
- 4m Supido (AUS) x Hadiklaim (AUS) (War Pass (USA))
Tnr: Lyle Chandler Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
4
3.3
Rainbow Connection
- 6g Choisir (AUS) x Gaudeamus (USA) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: B Shinn 56
5
3.6
Bianco Vilano
- 5g Foxwedge (AUS) x Cap Bianco (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: R T Stubbs Rdr: Craig Williams 59
6
3.9
Tribeca Star
- 4g Star Turn (AUS) x Classy Manhattan (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: N Rawiller 56.5
7
5.6
Atmospheric Rock
- 4g Your Song (AUS) x Space Odyssey (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: J R Collett 56
8
6.4
Associate
- 4g Star Witness (AUS) x Tragic Moment (USA) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: Danielle Seib Rdr: Zac Lloyd 56
9
6.9
Bandi's Boy
- 4g The Brothers War (USA) x Tibidabo (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: J Ford 59
10
7.2
Auzstar
- 6g Zoustar (AUS) x Lucky Country (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: M P Quinn Rdr: Tyler Schiller 57.5
11
7.7
Listen To The Band
- 9g Tickets (AUS) x Fuji Girl (AUS) (Fuji Kiseki (JPN))
Tnr: C Lundholm Rdr: J Pracey-Holmes 57.5
12
8.1
Sharp Shock
- 4g Bull Point (AUS) x Shamtastic (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: R P Northam Rdr: Reece Jones 56
13
8.5
Musical Affair
- 4m Your Song (AUS) x Matras (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M D Griffith Rdr: Rachel King 54
14
8.8
That's Molly
- 5m Dissident (AUS) x Grand Excess (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Glen Milligan Rdr: Ashley Morgan 57
15
14.3
Russley Crown
- 5g Shamus Award (AUS) x Flys Away (AUS) (Shaft (AUS))
Tnr: S I Singleton Rdr: J Parr 57.5
16
15.2
Agirlsbestfriend
- 4m Star Turn (AUS) x Bring Me The Bling (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: M P Quinn Rdr: Jenny Duggan 54
More Reading...
One to Watch – Echuca
Twin Hills Stud’s Peltzer had an impressive winner at Echuca on Tuesday for his breeder Olly Tait.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Almanzor Colt Wins G2 Italian Derby
Wootton Bassett sired the winner of the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Sunday in Camille Pissarro and then overnight his champion Cambridge Stud based son Almanzor (Fr) produced the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano (2200m).
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 2
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G3 Fred Best Showdown for Quality Colts – Rosemont vs Yulong
The rescheduled $300,000 Group III BRC Fred Best Classic (1350m) brings stakes racing to a Wednesday this week with a field of 17 to go around at Doomben and at the head of the market is a pair of quality colts.
In-Demand Stallions Feature in NZB Weanling Sale Catalogue
The catalogue for the 2025 NZB National Weanling Sale features the progeny of a broad range of sires, from proven topliners to exciting up-and-comers as well as the brand-new kid on the block, Profondo.
Impressive First Winner for St Marks Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was the 2021 European Horse of the Year and the son of Siyouni is on the board as a sire with his first winner after Rogue Supremacy scored an impressive debut victory.
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.