My Nordic Prince Stakes a Claim for the Villiers

Mark Smith - Saturday December 1

With just one previous win from 11 starts in Australia, the Chris Waller-trained My Nordic Hero (GB) rewarded supporters that kept the faith in Saturday's $160,000 Group III Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Ridden by Hugh Bowman, My Nordic Hero (GB) came from midfield to overpower the very game Goodfella (Snitzel) by a half-length with Chamois Road (Choisir) a further three-quarter of a length back in third. (photo Steve Hart )

Advertisement


"He goes to the Villiers and winning that would get him into the Doncaster which is the aim," Waller told AAP.

"We probably got it wrong with My Nordic Hero last preparation.

"He had been off the scene for a couple of years and even though he was racing well, he wasn't winning, so we stepped him up in distance.

"But this preparation, his first-up run was terrific, so we thought let's keep him fresh and run him here.''

Originally trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, My Nordic Hero (GB) ran up a four-race winning streak culminating in the Listed Ruby Stakes at Killarney back in August 2015.

A son of the deceased Kingmambo stallion Archipenko, My Nordic Hero's only previous win in Australia came at Moonee Valley on June 16.

A half-brother to the French stakes-winner Alvarita (Selkirk), My Nordic Hero is one of four winners out of the beautifully-related Alborada (Alzao) who was honoured as the Champion 3yo Filly in Ireland in 1998. Her six wins included two runnings of the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Internationals Shut Out as Glorious Forever Claims Hong Kong Cup
The full brothers Glorious Forever (GB) and Time Warp (GB) looked to be enjoying their sibling rivalry in Sunday's Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin as they set a steady pace on a track that had been favouring front-runners all day.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.