$1.3million Unbeaten Snitzel Colt Gets First Group One

Breednet - Saturday March 8

Expensive colt Return To Conquer extended his unbeaten record to four as he brought up a significant milestone for the Te Akau Racing operation when winning the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Return To Conquer winning the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The son of Snitzel was bought by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for A$1.3 million as a yearling on the Gold Coast in January of last year and his latest success made it 100 Group One wins for Ellis and his team at Te Akau Racing.

Starting a warm $2.10 Fixed Odds favourite, Return To Conquer enjoyed a perfect run in transit for top Australian jockey Blake Shinn who had him relaxed beautifully in midfield before angling into a challenging position approaching the home turn.

Advertisement

Shinn asked for an effort at the 250m and the favourite strode to the front but had to endure a testing battle in the final few strides as Landlocked stormed at him, just missing by half a head to land the major spoils.

Mark Walker, who prepares the colt in partnership with Sam Bergerson, paid tribute to both Ellis and the horse as he summed up the performance shortly after the placings were confirmed.

“Since Dave established the stable that is the 100th Group One win,” Walker said.

“Full credit to team leader (Ellis) as he has bought many many winners and with this guy he spent $1.3 million without any owners earmarked and it shows just how good he is.

“It (the race) looked to be quite smooth sailing until the last 100m, but watching it live can be difficult and I’m pleased for Blake to get the win.

“We never make decisions on race day and we will wait until he trots out on Monday before we work it out from there.”

Walker hinted a start in the biggest two-year-old event in Australia, the A$5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday 22 March at Rosehill is on the cards, as Return To Conquer holds a nomination for the race.

“We are open to the idea (a Golden Slipper bid) but he is still a young horse, still developing and growing so we will enjoy today and regroup,” he said.

“He has a great temperament, is bombproof and he is unbeaten for a reason as he has the will to win.”

Shinn was quick to acknowledge the close relationship he is building with Te Akau Racing which includes winning the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) in January aboard Damask Rose, his mount in the inaugural $3.5million NZB Kiwi (1500m) later in the day.

“The blinkers went on today to encourage him to put a field away as he gets there (the front) and thinks his job is done,” Shinn said.

“He rallied hard today when the second horse came at him and he is unbeaten still and may be ready now for a reset as he has had a long prep.

“It’s great to win for Te Akau today as I’ve built up a great relationship with David Ellis and the team. I’ve come over in the last few months and put a bit of work in with them and that helped me make the decision to come here today and ride for them.

“What David has created here is a world class business and I feel fortunate and lucky to get the call up.”

Return To Conquer, who is out of the Lonhro mare Vaujany, has now had four starts for four black type wins and has banked $534,750 for owners the Te Akau 2024 Stallion Breeding Syndicate.

Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING.NZ
LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Yearlings from Return To Conquer's family currently entered for sales include:

Adelaide Yearling Sale: Lot 51 by Wild Ruler - Valiant Stud

Adelaide Yearling Sale: Lot 138 by Lonhro - Mill Park Stud

Advertisment

Race Result - Sistema Stakes Gr1 1200m

Ellerslie Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:11.44
1
Return To Conquer
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Vaujany (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: B Shinn 57
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $1,300,000
Seller: Blue Gum Farm, Euroa, Vic (As Agent)
Buyer: D C Ellis CNZM (BANZ)
2
0.2
Landlock
- 2g Merchant Navy (AUS) x Blue Blue Sky (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: K Stott 57
NZB Karaka Book 2 $20,000
Seller: Woburn Farm
Buyer: CW Cole Racing
Inglis Australian Weanling Sale $0
Seller: Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains
Buyer: Passed in - $ 30,000
3
1.2
To Cap It All
- 2f Capitalist (AUS) x Oh My Mimi (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S C Spratt 55
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $280,000
Seller: Ridgmont, Segenhoe
Buyer: Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock
4
1.5
Tale Of The Gypsy
- 2f Written By (AUS) x Gypsy Snitz (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 55
5
2.3
He Who Dares
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: C J Grylls 57
6
2.4
Lucy In The Sky
- 2f Hello Youmzain (FR) x Too Many Diamonds (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: W B Kennedy 55
7
3.4
Vega For Luck
- 2c Lucky Vega (IRE) x Badea (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: M J Dee 57
8
3.5
Lollapalooza
- 2f El Roca (AUS) x Carnival (NZ) (Showcasing (GB))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: M Hashizume 55
9
3.9
Miss Ziggy
- 2f Brazen Beau (AUS) x Zigwig (NZ) (Zacinto (GB))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: D Moor 55
10
5.7
Marokopa Falls
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Beside You (AUS) (Ready's Image (USA))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: Liam Riordan 55
11
12.2
Curzon Park
- 2g Ribchester (IRE) x Sunshine Park (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: K A Pertab Rdr: N S Parmar 57
More Reading...
Stakes-Winning Debut for $1.3million Snitzel Colt
Exciting Snitzel colt Return To Conquer headed into his raceday debut in Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) with a big price tag, big reputation and big expectations, and the million-dollar colt produced a Pukekohe performance worthy of the hype.
$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.
$1.3million Colt Leads Snitzel and Te Akau 2YO G3 Trifecta
Exciting two-year-old colt Return To Conquer remained unbeaten when he headed home a Te Akau Racing and Snitzel trifecta in the Group III Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) on Saturday.
Unbeaten Snitzel 2YO Looking for G1 Win With Blake Shinn
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will head to Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday with a number of leading prospects, and the country’s leading trainers are looking forward to being a part of the monumental meeting.
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.
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. 
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!
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.
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.
G3 Victory for $1.3million Snitzel Colt
Te Akau Racing’s million-dollar colt Return To Conquer delivered again in Saturday’s Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie, improving his unblemished record to four trials and two raceday appearances.