First Southern Hemisphere Stakes Winner for Animal Kingdom

Mark Smith - Saturday April 28

The news that Animal Kingdom (USA) would not be returning to Arrowfield Stud in 2018 was the cue for the Kentucky Derby winner to be represented by his first stakes-winner in Australia and this one looks something special.

The Darren Weir-trained Peaceful State trailed the field coming around the home turn in Saturday's Listed H C Nitschke Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville before storming home under John Allen to defeat Smooth Landing (Snitzel) by a length with Platinum Angel (Snitzel) a short-head back in third.

Advertisement


Narrowly defeated by Grunt in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 3, Peaceful State beat just one home in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas at his most recent starts but was found to have a respiratory infection.

"It was a great win. He is a very talented horse, Weir told racing.com.

"The way the race was run it was probably set up for the back-markers.

"He just needed a bit of luck getting through the pack and he stormed home late.

"He'll probably go to the Adelaide Guineas then he will head up to Queensland for the Queensland Guineas. The way he ran today he is back on track".

A homebred for Katsumi Yoshida, Peaceful State is a half-brother to Australian Horse Of The Year, 7-time Group 1 winner Weekend Hussler.

He is the sixth and final foal of the Helissio mare Weekend Beauty who is a half-sister to the Group III winners Phantom Chief and Saturday Fever out of the Group III winner and multiple Group 1 placed Not On Friday (At Talaq).

Weekend Beauty is also the dam of Talaq Dancer (Black Hawk) who is the dam of Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner Lucky Hussler.

Peaceful Kingdom is the fourth stakes-winner for Animal Kingdom (USA) (pictured) and the first in the southern hemisphere.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two win as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favouurite.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.