John will be in attendance along with what is bound to be a solid group of Syndicate Members. A good performance on the day may well see “Lara” set for races like the Group 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes Feb 14th and the Group One Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie on Champions Day March 7th
Our Australian based Steeplechaser, Leaderboard, is in great shape as he heads towards his first jumpout of this new preparation on 15th December – as you may well know this is his last preparation and what an absolute “warhorse” he has been for us over several seasons now.
Mark Walker and I have been working hard on a plan to find his “successor” and we think we may have achieved that with Legend Of Kings – we did consider acquiring (as we did with Leaderboard) a tried horse from the Tattersalls sale in October, however that market has effectively become closed off to us as demand from the big Aussie and Arab buyers has simply driven up prices to ridiculous levels and there is no “value” there any more.
But favouring the Irish/Uk bred staying types, we have turned our attention to that type of horse, who has won in the UK, been brought down to Australia, shown form there, but now been moved on by their previous owners, because they have not proved competitive enough in the very demanding Australian racing scene.
Recognising that there is a big gap in class between Aus racing and NZ racing, we have focused on trying to find the right physical type with the right pedigree and the sort of form that is encouraging enough for us to be confident that we are on the right track to acquire a type that can be successful over ground in NZ, plus have the potential to be a successful jumps type in the future – and we think with this selection we may have nailed it – read more below – and note by the way that earlier this year the Pitmans acquired a similar type (also by Camelot and bred on a similar cross to “Arthur”) – from Inglis Digital – he is called Rosso, he had similar form to “Arthur”, winning in the UK but running places only in Australia, and now he has won twice in NZ at distance including a 5.5 length demolition job in the 2600m race at Riccarton on Cup Day – he has now been set for the Wellington Cup – I am sure you get my drift – and like “Arthur” they did not pay a lot for him – read more below and I look forward to hearing from you
Don’t Miss this one – a beautifully bred European staying type – bred to get a decent trip and with the end of Leaderboard’s illustrious career in sight in Mid 2026, we sought to identify a “tried horse” who had the potential to be a “Cups” type horse in NZ, but also have the potential to be a jumper as an older horse – “Arthur”, as we have nicknamed this horse, ticks all these boxes and acquired for a lot less than our budget –
he represents great value
1% – $700
2.5% – $1750
5% – $3750
10% – $7000
and $50 per month per each 1% from 1 February 2026
“Arthur” arrives in NZ 17th December and will go straight into training at Te Akau Matamata Stables and should be ready to trial late Jan/early Feb
5yo Gelding Legend of Kings (by Camelot out of Joshua’s Princess)
Click HERE to see LEGEND OF KINGS parading
Mark Walker has the following to say about this horse;
“John as you know, we set about trying to find a lovely staying type suitable for NZ Racing and Legend of Kings certainly ticked a lot of boxes for me as I conducted research on him – he certainly has the right sort of pedigree for a genuine staying type and physically, he is a lovely horse, very athletic and possessing a great walk. Showing early promise in the UK, he didn’t quite live up to his ownership groups expectations in the very competitive Australian scene, but I think he will be perfect for NZ racing, particularly at trips of 2400m plus. I also think he has a bit of physical strengthening to come and so we are looking forward to getting him to New Zealand where I am sure he can be very competitive on the flat, but also with his pedigree and physical type, he has the potential to develop into a nice jumper as well in time ”
Review all the above information and purchase a share in LEGENDS OF KINGS today from the link HERE or make contact with John 021 921 460 if you would like more detailed information
==============================================================
Annual Fortuna Owners Day set for Sunday Feb 8th – Matamata Race Course
Mark your calendars – in 2025, we moved our Annual Owners day from its traditional late December spot to an early February slot – this had two major benefits – firstly it moved us away from the pre Christmas “clutter” with a lot happening in people’s lives and, secondly, it gave us the opportunity to parade any yearlings we had acquired at the Magic Millions Gold Coast and NZB Karaka sales to those attending. So we are all booked in – this time it will be held in the Gazebo (not the Epsom lounge as it was in 2025) and we have a very “special” Guest Speaker in 2026 – our lips are sealed on that one at the moment, but all will be revealed in due course – we will be promoting this more in coming weeks, so no need to take any action just yet
==============================================================
Guest Commentator – Des Coppins
Greetings John and the Fortuna Team
Trentham gave us a taste of what’s to come with its elite finish in the TAB Classic; inches away from a triple dead heat. Craig Grylls hit an important mile stone with his 1400th; George Rookeracked up his first group one while Kelly Myers rode her 50th winner at Trentham and it was so good to see another Fortuna two year old winning on debut at Te Aroha in the form of Lara Antipova who bolted in.
Heartiest congestion’s to the Fortuna owners.
Here’s a fun fact, it’s 60 years this month when the movie Dr Zhivago was released in the USA.
In case you weren’t aware or have easily forgotten Dr Zhivago’s ([played by Omar Sharif) love interest was Lara Antipova, portrayed by actress Julie Christie, who won an academy award for her performance in the movie – and let’s be honest, that was a starring role in itself with this fleet footed filly and well named Filly. Exciting times ahead team!
I’VE BEEN THINKING
1 If James McDonald was a world champion rower, cyclist, rugby player, swimmer or track and field star, would he not be a leading light for a Halberg Sportsman of the year title? He’s about to receive yet another global champion title, his 3rd.
2 When “battling” license holders like Peter Lock snare three winners from three runners as was the case last week at New Plymouth, doesn’t the love of the underdog come into play?
3 When you consider that last week from Thursday to Sunday, the North Island had 5 grass track meetings but the South Island had none apart from the Riccarton Synthetic, is that fair?
4 Could last Saturday’s Mufhasa TAB Classic turn out to be the best group one field of the season? Only the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day could trump it.
5 Ignoring the unfortunate length delay following a camera malfunction wasn’t the closeness of the outcome fitting for the quality of the thoroughbred that lined up?
6 Isn’t NZ racing fortunate to have Entain in partnership with us? Surely their serious topping up of our stakes is the main reason the jockeys rooms are now well stacked with international jockeys like the George Rooke, Warren Kennedy, Bruno Queiroz and Joe Doyle etc. Our industry needs them.
7 I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan of irrigation because it’s near impossible to spread the water evenly despite the best endeavours of our track teams. If we could rely on Wednesday deluges like last week at this time of year, the problem is solved with the warmish wind flows that follow. Trentham was a heavy 9 on Wednesday evening but almost a good 3 at TAB Classic time. How good for a such an important day?
8 After perusing the Australian Sires Premiership, two stallions look value with their 2025 service fees, The Autumn Sun ( $A66k) and Per Incanto ( $NZ60k). They are currently first and third on the table. In second spot at the moment is Fastnet Rock whose last service fee was $A165k but of course has since passed away. Behind Per Incanto in 4th, 5th and 6th are Snitzel ($A250k, now passed away); Zoustar ($A275) and I Am Invincible ($220k). We have to be proud for the achievements of Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto, don’t we?
9 Champion trainer Chris Waller phoned me not long ago and he reckons Ellerslie, Trentham and Riccarton should be the three venues that should have the best Saturday race dates. Growth in the industry stems from where the population is he reckons. Agree or not? Disclosure: I’m singing from the same hymn sheet.
10 To win three group one races twice within a year with two horses is no mean feat. Hats off to the Stephen Marsh stable who did it with El Vencedor between late December(2024) and February ( 2025) and now Provence between January (2025 ) and last Saturday. That’s huge, isn’t it?
MY THREE FROM TRENTHAM TO KEEP IN MIND
ROSSO: the Pitmans have a very exciting staying type who is being set for the Wellington Cup. He may need another win to make the field; perhaps one of the country cups around the summer holiday circuit, or maybe the Marton Cup on Telegraph Day on January 3. He had a shocking run, three and four wide for much of the way.
SUBIACO: is no world beater but he clearly hasn’t had the rub of the green in his last two. At Trentham he was never allowed to get into a rhythm and is worth staying with. To finish less than 3.5 lengths from the winner held merit.
FRANK THE TANK: is ready to win again after two sound efforts on its latest campaign. He copped a check at the start in the group 3 over 1400m. A race like the Ron Stanley Memorial Phar Lap trophy ( ex Anniversary Mile) on Telegraph Day looks a good option.
Good punting!
Des Coppins – 021 448 052
And here is a very interesting promotion, one which takes away a lot of the hassle of attending a big race day at Trentham
JOIN LISA ALLPRESS FOR CUP DAY AT TRENTHAM
HARD on the heels of jointly hosting 65 people to the Melbourne Cup champion jockey Lisa Allpress joins me and the team at Sporting Tours for a 3-day Wellington Cup tour at the end of January.
Corporate box viewing and dining at Trentham, coach transfers, Rydges accomodation and a Cup eve dinner are just some of the attractions. Check out the flier below. We’d love to have you on board. Numbers limited.
=============================================
