Pierro’s $1 Million Son Dragon Leap Stakes His Claim for the NZ Derby

Mark Smith - Wednesday January 1

Talented three-year-old Dragon Leap (Pierro) stamped his Derby credentials with his winning effort in the Group II Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Wednesday.

It was the second win and first stakes victory for the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding who more than made up for his last-start indiscretion when costing himself the win in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) when racing greenly in the closing stages of the race.

Dragon Leap makes it win number three for James McDonald as he takes out the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas (1600m) Photo: Trish Dunell

With the addition of blinkers, Dragon Leap was a lot more settled on Wednesday, sitting midfield for jockey James McDonald for the majority of the race before running on late to get the better of race favourite Riodini (NZ) (Proisir) by a long neck, with 2-1/2 lengths back to Star Of Bombay (NZ) (Atlante) in third.

“At least he didn’t make a fool of himself this time,” jockey James McDonald quipped. “It’s well-documented he should probably be unbeaten, but he is just going to keep getting better and better as the preparation goes on.”

Advertisement

“If you didn’t know he was as good as what he is you would say he is very green and he is probably six months away, but he is a pretty cool horse.

 “He gave me a really sweet ride. With the blinkers on for the first time he was a little bit fired up the first furlong and a half, but then he got into a lovely rhythm from there.”

Despite his immaturity, McDonald has a high opinion of the gelding and believes he is a serious contender for next month’s Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.

“He will run 2000m on his ear and he will be a lovely Derby ride for someone,” he said.

O’Sullivan was rapt with the win and the former champion jockey was full of praise for visiting Sydney hoop McDonald.

“When you have got great owners who outlay a lot of money to buy a nice horse and to come out and do that is a great thrill for Andrew, myself, and all the team at Wexford,” he said.

“We saw a talented horse and an extremely talented jockey. We have all watched James ride over the carnival and he is probably the greatest jockey that New Zealand has ever produced.”

O’Sullivan is excited to have a leading Derby prospect heading into next month, but said they are yet to finalise his lead-up runs into the race.Dragon Leap as a yearlingDragon Leap becomes the 21st 

“He is one of those horses that is slow maturing and there is no doubt in the autumn he is going to be a far better horse,” he said.

“We looked at the Levin Classic (Gr.1, 1600m) but we decided against it because we thought he just didn’t need a trip away, so that’s not on the radar. How we get to the Derby we will just have to work it out.

“I certainly wouldn’t swap him with any other, but it is just great to be going into our main three-year-old race with a horse that has the capability of running in it and having a chance.”

A half-brother to the Group 1 ATC Randwick Guineas winner Inference, Dragon Leap was purchased for $1,050,000 by Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd / Wexford Stables / Andrew Williams Bloodstock out of the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

His multiple stakes-placed dam Pontiana (Redoute's Choice) has an unraced 2yo Vancouver filly named Montia and a yearling colt by So You Think. She was covered by I Am Invincible this season after missing to Yarraman Park Stud’s champion sire in 2018.

Drago Leap becomes the 21st stakes-winner for Pierro who has 10 lots catalogued for Book 1 of the NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka, 19 at the Inglis Premier, 13 at the Inglis Classic and 25 at the Magic Millions.

NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas Gr2 1600m

Ellerslie Track: Good(3) Time: 1:34.86
1
Dragon Leap
- 3g Pierro (AUS) x Pontiana (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
Pierro
2
0.4
Riodini
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x Giardini (NZ) (Perfectly Ready (AUS))
Tnr: N W Tiley Rdr: S T Collett 56.5
3
2.9
Star Of Bombay
- 3f Atlante (AUS) x Astardia (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: C J Grylls 54.5
4
3.9
Sherwood Forest
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Chasing Mammon (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Dee 56.5
5
4.0
Holy Mongolemperor
- 3c More Than Ready (USA) x Raziyya Of Sydney (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
6
4.2
Our Creed
- 3g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Clerihew (GB) (Lomitas (GB))
Tnr: M G Forbes Rdr: C E Lammas 56.5
7
7.1
Heart Of The Ocean
- 3f Tavistock (NZ) x Special Diamond (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: D S Johnson 54.5
8
12.0
My World
- 3g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Sacsayhuaman (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Jared Prangley Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
9
22.6
Free To Shine
- 3g Unencumbered (AUS) x Show Bling (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: J K Riddell 56.5
More Reading...
Nicks That Click – One of the Best
Two of Australia’s biggest farms in Arrowfield and Coolmore have very different stallion rosters, but in the instance of this nick they have created a match made in heaven.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.
2025 G1 Cox Plate Field and Barrier Draw
A field of nine has been finalised for the 2025 Cox Plate with favourite Via Sistina drawing gate seven for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while one three-year-old has accepted to run in Nepotism.
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.
Christmas Number One!
There’s been a quiet changing of the guard at the top of the Australian General Sires List in the past week as Golden Slipper winner Pierro moved past his Coolmore peers Rubick and Declaration of War (USA) to take the top spot as we head into the Christmas holiday.
Best On Breeding
Group 1 action with the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington where the 'favourite for everything in 2020' Russian Camelot will have the red carpet rolled out, with other highlights being the return of Farnan in a fascinating Group II  Run to the Rose Stakes at Rosehill, and with stakes action and million-dollar babies galore, just buckle up for another magnificent day of racing aroun
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
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”.
$550,000 Pierro Filly Brings Joy to Queenslanders
Coolmore’s Golden Slipper winner Pierro is currently the leading sire in the country by earnings and stakes-winners, but has been somewhat flying under the radar at Magic Millions with a filly from Phoenix Park selling on Friday for $550,000.