Oceanex Keeps the Ball Rolling for Ocean Park

Media Release - Sunday November 10

Karaka 2017 graduate Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park) sent her value skyrocketing with a determined victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 2 TAB Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

Oceanex wins the G2 Matriarch Stakes - image Grant CourtneyOceanex was a $70,000 purchase from the Premier Sale and is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

She showed bright potential from the start, winning three of her first five races. But she had endured a frustrating run of bad luck through the early part of this spring and had to settle for minor placings at stakes level.

That all changed on Saturday as Jye McNeil brought her with a perfectly timed run, outfinishing her rivals in a blanket finish.

“She's had a really good prep without having a lot of luck, but to nail it in a Group 2 makes her such a valuable broodmare now,” Price said. “So all of the bad luck is gone and we landed some good luck – happy days.

“She really deserves this win today.”

Oceanex has now had 13 starts for four wins, seven placings and A$411,270 in stakes – more than six times her purchase price at Karaka.

Advertisement

She is part-owned by Luke Wilkinson, a former bloodstock manager for the Price stable.

“It’s fantastic to see her get the job done on the big stage,” Wilkinson said. “She’s got a fantastic pedigree as well – her dam Danex (NZ) (Danasinga) was stakes-placed and has also produced a Group 3 winner (Amexed (NZ) (Pentire).

“This horse was one of the hardest ones to sell. I remember, when I worked with Mick, that she sat on the website for about six months. She cost only 70 grand, but she sat there for a while before all of this ownership group came together.

“Now we’ve got a wonderful filly who’s worth a lot of money. I’d love to breed with her one day, but I might have to save some pennies and buy some of the other owners out.”

Vendor Milan Park
Purchaser Mick Price Racing
Breeding Ocean Park – Danex
Sale Lot 116, 2017 Premier Sale, $70,000
Bred by T V Rider
Advertisment
More Reading...
New Ocean Park SW Brings Needed Joy for Cambridge Stud
In what has proved to be a tumultuous and tragic week for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the victory of two-year-old filly Taroni and then underrated mare Pretty To Sea in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie has brought a small measure of joy to the couple.
Growing Empire Retires to Yulong and Fee Set
One of the most exciting colts of his generation, Growing Empire, will join Yulong Stud’s stallion roster for the 2025 breeding season.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
Kiwi Bred Looking to Give Waller The Gong
The lure of a one million purse has been too attractive for leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Windsor Park Delighted with First SW Circus Maximus
Promising youngster Towering Vision crowned a successful couple of days for Windsor Park Stud when he credited resident sire Circus Maximus with his first Southern Hemisphere black-type winner.
Oceanex Keeps the Run Going for Ocean Park
We recently stated that few stallions have done more to advance their cause in recent months than Waikato Stud’s Ocean Park and his four-year-old daughter Oceanex didn’t let us down when she proved too good in the $300,000 Group II Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Cambridge Stud Welcome Hello Youmzain First NZ bred SW
Lucy In The Sky delivered a memorable result on multiple fronts with her historic success at Riccarton.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.