Orchestral Wins $1million Aotearoa Classic - How Much for Her Full Sister?

Media Release - Saturday January 25

Quality mare Orchestral set Ellerslie alight on Karaka Millions night in 2024 with a stunning victory in one of the feature events and she did it again in 2025 with another perfect performance to claim the $1million Listed Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m).

Last season’s Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) winner went on to take out a pair of Group One victories, triumphing in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 Vinery Stakes Stud Stakes (2000m) before finishing a gallant third in the Gr.1 ATC Oaks (2400m) to round off her three-year-old campaign.

Orchestral winning the Listed Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

What followed had her army of supporters scratching their heads a little as her Spring campaign was somewhat disappointing with an indifferent showing in a campaign opener at Ellerslie followed by two lacklustre efforts in Melbourne which necessitated some more time out before resuming at Ellerslie a fortnight ago with a handy enough effort in finishing last of four over 1400m lumping topweight of 60kgs.

James knew not to panic when others were questioning her desire and she looked a different mare before the race on Saturday as she produced her hallmark home straight surge under rider Craig Grylls to down a quality line-up in the $1million feature.

Grylls had her travelling sweetly four back on the fence throughout and when he angled her into the clear at the 250m she quickly hit top gear to draw in fellow mare Mary Shan within the shadows of the post to score going away by a length and a half, with Mosinvader making up good ground for third.

James was quick to point out he never lost faith in his stable star.

“I stayed staunch and we all did around the stable, but you guys (media) came from every angle this week and asked whether she had lost her enthusiasm for racing,” James said.

“We got all sorts of grilling but she is mare and often they are better in the autumn and I think that is probably the case with her.

“We were super happy going into this with her although a bit apprehensive with the draw (barrier 3) but it assisted her as he (Grylls) was able to sneak runs and be handier than normal.

“It was a masterful ride.”

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James would not be drawn on where the daughter of Savabeel would be seen next but hinted she may stay in New Zealand for the time being.

“There is a lot of money here, but we will see how she pulls up and make a decision from there,” he said.

Grylls had James’ pre-race words ringing in his ears after finding himself in the exact position they had feared after 200m.

“My instruction from Roger was to try not to be four back the fence, but from that draw she never begins that good although she was better than normal,” Grylls said.

“I found myself in that position but I couldn’t have asked for a better run after that as there was good speed and I was able to peel her out and get her going without any traffic problems.

“She did the rest and I’m just the lucky one who gets to sit on this very good mare.

“I don’t want to sound too arrogant but she was clearly the best horse in the field on paper and it was just a matter of getting a good run and she did the rest.”

Orchestral was bred by Barneswood Farm and is the first named foal out of the O’Reilly mare Symphonic (NZ), who herself won four races and placed in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). Offered by Haunui Farm in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, Orchestral was bought by James and Wellwood for $625,000 or owners Colin and Helen Litt.

Stunning full sister to Orchestral to be offered at K1 this week.

Haunui Farm will offer her full sister as Lot 345 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling sale which kicks off tomorrow (Sunday) at the Karaka Sales Complex. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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Race Result - Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic LR 1600m

Ellerslie Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:34.90
1
Orchestral
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x Symphonic (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: C J Grylls 55.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $625,000
Seller: Haunui Farm
Buyer: Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood
2
1.5
Mary Shan
- 4m Almanzor (FR) x Shanzam (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $180,000
Seller: Prima Park
Buyer: Forsman Racing
3
2
Mosinvader
- 4h Vadamos (FR) x Devil's Melody (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: K Stott 57.5
4
3.5
You Say D'Orsay
- 4g Under The Louvre (AUS) x Black Zero (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: C J Wood Rdr: S C Spratt 57.5
5
4.3
Steely Man
- 4g Embellish (NZ) x Angeline (NZ) (Cape Blanco (IRE))
Tnr: Lynda German Rdr: G Rooke 57.5
6
4.6
What You Wish For
- 4h Embellish (NZ) x Grand Wish (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: B Shinn 57.5
7
4.7
Pericles
- 4g Rubick (AUS) x Empyrean (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms P Gerard Rdr: V A Colgan 57.5
8
4.8
Imperial Empress
- 4m Satono Aladdin (JPN) x Inthespotlight (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: W F Pinn 55.5
9
4.9
Witz End
- 4g Savabeel (AUS) x Gallwitz (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Craig Williams 57.5
10
5.1
Ravello
- 4g Savabeel (AUS) x Cover Charge (USA) (Take Charge Indy (USA))
Tnr: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton Rdr: R Hutchings 57.5
11
5.9
Frostfair
- 4m Written Tycoon (AUS) x Thames Court (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: W B Kennedy 55.5
12
6.1
Bourbon Empress
- 4m Proisir (AUS) x Amiga Mia (AUS) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 55.5
13
7.1
Solidify
- 4h Redwood (GB) x The Warrior Woman (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R T Elliot 57.5
14
8.7
Outovstock
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Orphea (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: C K Ormsby Rdr: J K Riddell 57.5
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