KNIPPENBERG storms to victory in brilliant fashion at Singapore’s Kranji race track 20th May 2023

KNIPPENBERG, the three year old gelding by I Am Invincible out of Red Fez, produced an outstanding performance in the Novice 1200 Turf event for prizemoney of S$75,000 in the hands of the regular race day rider Ronnie Stewart. Race day tactics for KNIPPENBERG, given his good barrier, was finish up in the box seat one out from the rail. As it turned out he finished up one back but on the rail. Traveling beautifully in the run, Stewart had a lapful of horse as they turned for home but was stuck in behind the two leaders with nowhere to go. Resisting the temptation to come off heels and go to the outside, Stewart demonstrated the patience of Job, waiting and waiting for the gap to appear. Eventually it did come but paper thin and both horse and rider exhibited great courage to push through the narrow gap on the rails and once through, KNIPPENBERG surged away, going to the line clear by 1.5 lengths in the smart time of 1.09.54 for the 1200m trip.

This victory was a great result for the Gelding’s connections as Fortuna Director John Galvin, who had traveled to Singapore from his home in New Zealand, to watch his charge storm to victory explains. “Knippenberg won impressively in Restricted Maiden Grade on debut 29th January, then ran an unlucky 2nd in Novice Grade at his next start. He was then set for the 3yo Sprint, the first leg of the 3yo Series over 1200m – drawn the outside barrier, he stormed home for a 4th placing. Stepping up to 14oo in the 3yo Classic, he was sent out favourite, had a beautiful run, went up to win but failed to run out the trip. Donna Logan and I then made the decision to bypass the Singapore Guineas over 1600m, deciding to step him back to the Novice 1200 instead. Donna hardly did anything with him in the intervening two weeks and he was presented in great order for the 1200m and duly obliged, assisted by a heroic ride from Ronnie Stewart. Well done to Donna and her team for getting us this great result.”

Click HERE to see the race replay – Click HERE to see the head on replay  

Knippenberg’s Trainer, Donna Logan of Te Akau Racing Stables, was very pleased with the result. “ I have always thought a lot of this horse, he has a lot of ability. We had to make the decision after his slightly disappointing run in the 3yo Classic as to whether to press onto the Guineas or go back to Novice Grade over 1200om. Tha latter was my instinct and big kudos to John Galvin of Fortuna Racing for supporting that decision”

Knippenberg – Making it 2 wins in Singapore – Kranji 2oth January 2020

Ronnie Stewart, returns to scale after riding Knippenberg to his 2nd Singapore win 

KNIPPENBERG had originally raced in Australia for his breeders Phoenix Thoroughbreds and been trained for them by the Ciaren Maher/David Eustace team. Showing just moderate form from two race day starts, his owners decided to offer him for sale at the Inglis Digital Sale (June 2022) – he was acquired by John Galvin for A$32,500 and sent to Singapore to race. John was assisted in his selection process by Mark Walker, the former Singapore based Trainer for Te Akau Racing and now leading Trainer for them in NZ

Knippenberg is owned by the Fortuna Knippenberg Syndicate, an Ownership Group of 46 individuals from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia – he has now won twice and had two minor placings from five race day starts and has accumulated just under S$100k in stakes monies

Winning connections with Knippenberg and rider Ronnie Stewart after the race