KNIPPENBERG wins on debut in Singapore for Fortuna Racing

Two hours after the Fortuna Racing galloper, LEADERBOARD, had taken out the 150th running of the iconic Wellington Cup, their 3yo Gelding KNIPPENBERG (I Am Invincible – Red Fez) scored on his debut run in Singapore in the Restricted Maiden 1200 Turf event for prizemoney of S$75,000. Ridden by the evergreen veteran Ronnie Stewart, KNIPPENBERG jumped away well from a good barrier, settled into a nice rhythm one out and one back on a track that was rain affected. Traveling well in the run, Knippenberg was cruising as they turned for home, Stewart asked him for an effort from about the 300m mark and he went to the line a clear winner with a margin of 1.8 lengths in a time of  1.10.32 on a track that was quite rain affected.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Knippenberg’s Trainer, Donna Logan of Te Akau Racing Stables, was over the moon with the result. “Make no bones about it” she said post race, “this horse is a serious galloper – he has shown us a lot from day one, we have asked him for a bit during his first preparation and he has responded in serious fashion every step of the way – he has a bright future here in Singapore. Huge congrats to John Galvin of Fortuna Racing, once again he has picked out a nice tried horse from the Inglis Digital platform – he has made a habit of that over the years and so well done to him and his team of owners,”

Knippenberg – Wins on debut – Kranji 28th January 2023

Fortuna Director, John  Galvin, watched the race on his cellphone while traveling on the train from Trentham Racecourse in New Zealand back to Wellington – just two hours previously his Irish bred stayer, Leaderboard had won the 32oom Wellington Cup. John reports as follows “Jessica (my wife) and I were on the train heading back to Wellington – we had the Wellington Cup trophy with us – the train was very crowded with race goers who were in a very happy mood after a big day at Trentham – everybody wanted to come and get selfies with the Cup and I announced that we had a runner in Singapore making his debut shortly and that I thought he was a pretty good chance – many jumped on their phones to have a bet and as Knippenberg strode to the lead with 200m to go, the whole carriage descended into absolute chaos with people yelling and screaming – it was a surreal experience. But Knippenberg was very, very good on debut – he has shown Donna and her team a lot since arrving in Singapore and we were quietly confident that he was going to run very boldly on debut – well done to Donna for handling this horse so well and he was given a great ride by Ronnie Stewart”

Ronnie Stewart, returns to scale after piloting Knippenberg to his debut 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 indivuals from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia

Winning connections with Knippenberg and rider Ronnie Stewart after the race