Darby Racing Win G2 Ajax Stakes with Iowna Merc

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 15

The rise of Darby Racing flagbearer Iowna Merc over the summer months has been the stuff of dreams for his many owners and he took another step forward on Saturday when winning the $300,000 Group II ATC Ajax Stakes (1500m) in a thriller.

Iowna Merc wins the G2 Ajax Stakes - image Bradley Photography

Trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Josh Parr, Iowna Merc has thrived on recent racing, relishing the rise in distance and also class. A last start winner of the Group III ATC Liverpool City Cup at 1300m, he upped the ante to win this even tougher assignment by half a head following a titanic battle with runner-up Willaidow.

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"Isn't it remarkable. He's so lightly framed. He's a big tall lad like me, I feel like I can wrap my legs around him two times. He's got a big heart and a lot of will to win,” said Josh Parr, who has ridden Iowna Merc in his past three starts.

"Interestingly, Willaidow under pressure started to sneak down to the inside and my bloke followed him too. We were both trying to stay off the fence but as it turned out we fought it out the two of us down on the inside there and lucky for me we got the victory."

It was the third stakes win for Iowna Merc taking the overall record for the Winning Rupert gelding to eight wins and 10 placings from 24 starts with prizemoney topping $1million.

Iowna Merc is now a G2 winner! - image Bradley Photography

Iowna Merc is one of five stakes-winners for Written Tycoon stallion Winning Rupert, who now stands in Western Australia at Geisel Park.

Bred by Scott Darby, Iowna Merc is the best of three winners from placed Snitzel mare Mercedes, a half-sister to stakes-winner Divine Centuri. She died in 2023 and her last foal is an unnamed two year-old gelding by Time to Reign.

Interestingly, Iowna Merc is another stakes-winner bred on the Written Tycoon x Snitzel nick which has enjoyed a real surge of success this season producing stakes-winners including G1 winners Private Life and Captured By Love as well as The Playwright, Cannonball, To Cap It All and Sanniya.

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Race Result - Hyland Race Colours Ajax Stakes Gr2 1500m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:28.84
1
Iowna Merc
- 5g Winning Rupert (AUS) x Mercedes (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 57.5
2
0.1
Willaidow
- 6g Shamus Award (AUS) x Stimulated (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: M C Conners Rdr: Zac Lloyd 54
3
2
West Of Africa
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Serena Bay (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Tyler Schiller 53
4
2.5
Pericles
- 5g Street Boss (USA) x Accessories (GB) (Singspiel (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J B Mc Donald 59
5
2.6
Ducasse
- 4g Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Custard (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tim Clark 53
6
2.7
New Endeavour
- 5g New Bay (GB) x Moody Blue (IRE) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Rachel King 54.5
7
4.3
Hezashocka
- 7g Shocking (AUS) x Shezakiwi (NZ) (Brilliance (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Schofield 55
8
4.4
Freedom Rally
- 5g Rubick (AUS) x Ipioga (AUS) (Niello (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Tommy Berry 56.5
9
4.4
Just Fine
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Bint Almatar (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 57
10
5.6
Rediener
- 5g Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Wiener (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J R Collett 56
11
5.6
Von Hauke
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Tiara (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C I Brown Rdr: Bailey Wheeler 54
12
5.6
New Energy
- 6g New Bay (GB) x For Joy (GB) (Singspiel (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56.5
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