Derby Hero for Pierro

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 7
He might have won a Golden Slipper and been the Champion 2YO of his generation, but as a sire Pierro is taking his brilliance in a new direction with a Group I VRC Oaks winner in the spring in Pinot and now a Group I ATC Australian Derby winner in the autumn.



The Peter Gelagotis trained colt Levendi put the writing on the wall when winning the Group II ATC Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday over 2000 metres and again showed his class and tenacity when stepping up to the 2400 metres of the Blue Riband.

Levendi levels up to Ace High and refuses to loseRidden a treat by Mark Zahra, Levendi settled midfield and after turning for home set out after quality colt Ace High, who won the Victoria Derby and was looking to make it a Derby double.

Ace High never shirked his task for a second, but when you put a Pierro into a dog fight, that's the dog you want to be on.

Just like his father, Levendi refused to lose, wearing down the other colt to win by a nose with nearly six lengths back to third place-getter Tangled.

The runner-up lodged an unsuccessful protest with Levendi (images Steve Hart) declared the winner to the great delight of his connections.

"He was really strong, you could see at the top of the straight he was going to figure in the finish," said Manny Gelagotis, who shared in the victory with his brother Peter.

"Full credit to Ace High, it was a great battle, but fortunately we got the job done."

Levendi has won five of 10 starts earning over $1.6 million in prizemoney for his big team of owners.

A $140,000 Magic Millions purchase for Manny Gelagotis from the Widden Stud draft, Levendi was bred by long time Widden client Robert Anderson.

Foaled and raised at Widden, Levendi is the second winner for stakes-placed Redoute's Choice mare Lipari, a daughter of Group I winner Tully Thunder.

She has a yearling filly by Sebring that will be offered by Widden Stud at Inglis Easter as Lot 207.



The second Group I winner for Pierro, Levendi is one of six stakes-winners this season for his sire, who has 21 entries for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup
Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.