The 5yo Racemare, Madame Moet (Iffraaj – Champagne Katie, by Darci Brahma) scored in the $14,000 Brian Tims Rating 60 1600 metres on Life Members Race Day at the Matamata Racing Club 7th September. Winning her Maiden without a hitch over 1600 metres in January at the same venue, Madame Moet got back and was unable to quicken when resuming in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 24 August at Taupo, but bounced back in convincing fashion in her 2nd up run. Patiently ridden by Opie Bosson, “Bubbles” as she is known around the stable, came from sixth before ranging into contention around the home turn and she quickened clear to trounce her rivals, going to the line clear by almost two lengths.

Click HERE to see the race result and replay

“She found the right race, did everything right, and it was a very good ride by Opie,” said trainer Mark Walker, bagging his 19^th win in the first five weeks of the season, three of which have been for the Fortuna Racing Team

Madame Moet – 2nd Career Win Matamata 7th September 2022 – Opie Bosson aboard

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, was on course along with a big crew of the Ownership Group said “That was great to see her bounce back – she clearly took a lot of benefit from her resuming run at Taupo and she was just too good today – big kudos to Mark Walker, he had observed that the mare was not relaxing well enough in her racing, so he introduced some schooling over the jumps into her work, made a couple of gear changes and it has worked the oracle. Mark and I started working together in 2002 so it has been a 20 year working relationship with many, many winners both here and in Singapore – it has been fantastic to have Mark back in New Zealand – he is really flying in the new season”

John also made mention of former Te Akau Trainer, Jamie Richards, “Jamie prepared Madame Moet for us up until the time he left and was her trainer when she had her first win on theis track in January – Hong Kong racing kicks off its new season very soon and we wish Jamie all the best in his new venture”

When accepting the spoils, John also made mention of Joan Jolley, present on the day racehorse owner for 22 years and longstanding owner with Fortuna Racing. “Joan was also in Tell A Tale with us when he won the 2000 Guineas in 2008, when it was a one-million dollar race”. John also mentioned long standing Fortuna stalwart, Ian Upson, who with Madame Moet’s win has now clocked up 103 wins with Fortuna

Owned by Fortuna Madame Moet was purchased by David Ellis CNZM on behalf of Fortuna for $70,000 at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Wentwood Grange. She is owned by the Fortuna Madame Moet Syndicate, an Ownership Group comprising 68 individuals

Madame Moet was strapped by Stephanie Hyde-Richards – her first for the stable.