Throughout a proud history spanning more than 50 years, the NZB Filly of the Year Series has repeatedly unveiled superstars of the racetrack and the breeding barn. But the 2023-24 edition of the series turned out to be one for the ages, with three different fillies going on to win Group One races during the season and one standout racehorse that could not be caught.
At the end of the exciting 11-race series, the name added to the honour roll as the 52nd Filly of the Year was the exceptional Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High).
Having won the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group Two Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m), Molly Bloom had amassed 28 points – a total that would take plenty of catching despite her taking no further part in the series and the grand finale that was the New Zealand Oaks.
Originally purchased by Wexford Stables for $150,000 from Seaton Park’s Karaka 2022 draft, Molly Bloom is set to part ways from trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott to start her next chapter in the care of ex-pat Kiwi and leading trainer Chris Waller.
Now under the majority ownership of Australian Ozzie Kheir, Molly Bloom’s recent Queensland campaign has since seen her place in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) and run a commendable fifth in the Group Two The Roses (2000m).
With the glamour three-year-old filly now transferring to the care of Chris Waller, co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan reminisced on the prestigious achievement for their talented filly.
“She is such a good quality filly and to win this time-honoured award is recognition of her class,” he stated.
“It’s always a dream to buy a filly of her quality and we loved her from the day we first saw her at Karaka. She’s certainly lived up to what we hoped she would be.”
“Thank you to NZB for their longstanding sponsorship of the Filly of the Year Series, it is such a prestigious title acknowledging three-year-old filly excellence and we are delighted that she has won it,” he added.
Molly Bloom’s connections have earned $50,000 in bonus cheques including $10,000 for breeder Seaton Park, $10,000 for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and $30,000 for her syndicate of owners.
She joins the NZB Filly of the Year Honour Roll alongside racing star Legarto (NZ) and talented star fillies turned elite broodmares, Belle En Rouge (NZ), Amarelinha (NZ), Bonneval (NZ), Katie Lee, Daffodil (NZ) and many more.
The NZB Filly of the Year award will be accepted later in the year at the 2024 Horse of the Year awards ceremony, while the 2024-25 Series will kick off in September with dates to be finalised. For more information about the NZB Filly of the Year Series, visit here.
