Famed Arcadia Family Produces New SW for Peters

Media Release - Saturday July 12

New Zealand-bred three-year-old Arcadia Park passed his first black-type test with flying colours in the A$125,000 Listed Aquanita Stakes (2019m) at Bunbury on Saturday becoming the latest stakes-winner for the famed 'Arcadia' family nurtured by Bob Peters.

Arcadia Park captures Aquanita Stakes at Bunbury. Photo: Western Racepix

The Michael Grantham-trained gelding went into the race with two wins and three placings to his name from eight career starts, most recently a smart last-start success over 1600m at Pinjarra on June 28. The Aquanita was a step up in class and distance, but Arcadia Park was well and truly up to the task.

Arcadia Park was ridden by Clint Johnson-Porter and settled in second place as the six-horse field made their way around the Bunbury circuit at a sedate pace.

Johnson-Porter allowed his mount to stride up alongside the leader coming up to the turn, and Arcadia Park hit the front as he straightened for home.

Arcadia Park got his head to the side in the straight and drifted across the track in both directions, but he dug deep when challenged by the favourite Our Paladin Al and kicked back strongly to win by a neck.

“He was left by himself in the straight and was looking around a little bit,” Johnson-Porter said. “He initially shied at the barriers and ran away from them a little bit, and then he went to duck into the mounting yard as we approached the line. So he’s still new, and it was an impressive win by him today.”

Advertisement

Arcadia Park’s nine-start career has now produced three wins, three placings and A$242,500 in stakes.

Bred and raced by Peters Investments Ltd, Arcadia Park is the latest in a long line of stakes winners to carry Bob Peters’ distinctive cerise and white colours.

Ocean Park is the sire of Arcadia Park.

Arcadia Park became the 23rd individual stakes winner for Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park and is the best of four winners from Domesday mare Arcadia Dream, whose five wins included the Aquanita Stakes as well as the Gr.2 Western Australian Derby (2400m). Arcadia Dream is a half-sister to Peters’ triple Group One winner Arcadia Queen, along with fellow black-type winners Arcadia Prince and Arcadia Rose.

“This horse seemed to be all over the place, didn’t he, but he won well,” Peters said. “I was quietly confident coming into the race. I knew that the Domesdays handle the wet and the Ocean Parks handle the wet, so I thought he might be able to run a good race. He’s still got to learn how to go straight, but it was nice to see him get up.” – NZ Racing Desk.

Visit the profile page for Ocean Park

Ocean Park in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Aquanita Stakes LR 2019m

Bunbury Track: Heavy(8) Time: 2:12.79
1
Arcadia Park
- 3g Ocean Park (NZ) x Arcadia Dream (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Grantham Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 56
2
0.4
Our Paladin Al
- 3g A Lot (USA) x Flirtatious (AUS) (Purrealist (AUS))
Tnr: Russell Stewart Rdr: W Pike 56
3
1.7
Elite Missile
- 3g Smart Missile (AUS) x Frenchs Forest (AUS) (French Deputy (USA))
Tnr: S J Miller Rdr: B Parnham 56
Smart Missile
4
2.7
Redback Flyer
- 3g Playing God (AUS) x Parc D'amour (AUS) (Bletchley Park (IRE))
Tnr: M L Lane Rdr: Chris Parnham 56
5
2.9
Patron Express
- 3g Patronize (AUS) x Comme Ci (AUS) (Verglas (IRE))
Tnr: J F Miller Rdr: Brayden Gaerth 56
6
4.2
Bondi Bay
- 3g Bondi (AUS) x Bellay (AUS) (Al Samer (AUS))
Tnr: Ms S L Miller Rdr: Natasha Faithfull 56
More Reading...
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
There was just one heat for juveniles at Randwick on Monday morning, but it held good interest with Breeders Plate third place-getter Revengeance given a tick over outing, while the heat winner is bred on a nick that clicks.
First winner for White Robe Lodge's Ancient Spirit
Ancient Spirit (Ger) is on the victory board and White Robe Lodge is expecting his progeny to continue to build winning momentum as the season rolls on.
Consistency Key On Day One of 2025 Breeze Ups
After the rescheduling of dates for NZB’s anticipated 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups, Day One kicked off on Monday at Te Rapa Racecourse with consistent times, weather and track conditions.
Vale, Dual Cox Plate Hero So You Think
In Cox Plate week when we remember some of the all time great Cox Plate winners, So You Think is a name that will always come into the conversation with tragic news from Coolmore on Monday announcing his sudden passing. 
Sires With Winners - Monday October 20
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Applications Now Open for 2026 Aushorse Graduate Program
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Aushorse Graduate Program.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
Foals From Famous Families
There’s now over 400 foals on the Breednet Foal Gallery and it’s easy to spend a bit too much time having a look for whatever might interest us but here’s a few born into famous families that always take the eye.
Delacroix Brings Dubawi Outcross to Coolmore Roster
Blueblood 3YO Dubawi colt Delacroix has been retired and the dual Group I winner will stand at Coolmore in Ireland in 2026.