While not a Fortuna horse (unfortunately), the success of NZ owned and bred SPALATO in the Singapore Derby on Sunday 13th July was a success well worthy of celebration by all of those  involved in racing thoroughbreds in Singapore. Unbelievably, SPALATO, a 4yo Gelded son of Elusive City, had his first ever race day start on the 4th May, winning that event by 9.8 lengths. Another commanding victory winning by 4.5 lengths on the 18th May was to follow. A few eyebrows were raised when connections then made the decision to start SPALATO in the Group One Patrons Bowl on 22nd June, but the horse duly delivered, even if the margin was only a nose. Questions again were  posed about SPALATO’s ability to handle the 2000 metre trip of the Derby, given that his three previous victories had been at 1000, 1400 and 1600 metres respectively, but in a stunning display of power, SPALATO, in the hands of Champion Singapore jockey, Manuel Nunes, simply sprinted away from his rivals in the straight, winning by 4.3 lengths. Click HERE to watch race replay.

Bred in New Zealand out of the mare, Ellington (by Duke Express) by the well known equine photographer, Trish Dunnell and raced by Trish and her husband Graham Mackie, SPALATO has now won approx S$940,000 in just four race day starts plus collected a further S$50,000 as a bonus for winning the Derby. SPALATO will now go for a well deserved break and no firm plans have been announced for his future racing direction, but as well as the wonderful prize money on offer in Singapore, there are bound to be plans being hatched by Trainer John O’Hara and the connections for forays to Dubai or Hong Kong for this very talented New Zealand bred racehorse.

“A long time between drinks” was an appropriate adage when Fortuna’s 5yo Gelding VON SNITZEL ( Snitzel-Lumir) won in Singapore Friday 27th June. The last time that VON SNITZEL had greeted the judge had been 810 days earlier, in April 2012. Not that the horse has been unproductive in that time as he had won prize money in twelve of his twenty five starts.

Drawn well at Barrier two on the Turf track and in the hands of the very capable Lisa Allpress, VON SNITZEL went straight to the lead, dictated terms in front, cornered under no pressure from the rider and maintained his advantage down the long Kranji straight, winning with a two length margin in hand in the smart time of 1.23.67 for the 1400 metre trip. Click HERE to view race replay

” I am so happy for the Syndicate Members” was Fortuna Director John Galvin’s response straight after the race, ” they have had their patience tested severely in the past two years; however he has generally run very honest races and his accumulated earnings in Singapore are now around S$95,000, so he has more than paid his way. He was very unlucky last start, getting badly squeezed just short of the post and with his good barrier draw tonight, we did think he was a real chance.”

Selected by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale, VON SNITZEL is raced by an ownership group comprising 24 individuals.

Promising three year old gelding, HIGHLY LIKELY (High Chaparral-Starrinka), produced a gutsy effort in very testing conditions at Te Aroha today, when taking out a Maiden 2200 metre event at just his second race day start. Fortuna boss, John Galvin, was well pleased with his charge’s effort. ” Let’s put this in persecutive,” he said, ” this horse is just having his his second race day start, the trip is 2200 metres, the track is a Heavy 11 and he is just a three year old racing against older horses and lugging 68.5kgs, because it was an amateur riders race – that is a big effort under the circumstances and aided by a lovely ride by Jamie Richards.” Click HERE to watch race replay – HIGHLY LIKELY goes from barrier three and is in the Fortuna colours of Tangerine/Blue with White Sash.

HIGHLY LIKELY, acquired for Fortuna by David Ellis at the 2012 South Island Yearling Sale, has a lovely pedigree, by the Champion Race Horse and now successful Stallion, High Chaparral, out of the Volksraad mare, Starrinka, herself a half sister to the well performed The Meista.  Trainer Jason Bridgman and Syndicate Manager, John Galvin, have always had a lot of time for the horse, but have handled him patiently as he is still developing and maturing. “HIGHLY LIKELY is still very much a work in progress” says Bridgman, “a year from now he will be more mature and a lot stronger as a result; he has the potential to be a really top line winter galloper in the years ahead.”

HIGHLY LIKELY is raced by the Fortuna Highly Likely Syndicate, an ownership group of twenty five individuals. He was ridden in today’s event by amateur rider, Jamie Richards, whose day job is racing manager for Te Akau Racing Stables. Jamie has now had seven race day rides for four wins and two seconds, a great record in Amateur riding events. Jamie has a great pedigree himself, being the son of former South Island jockey and now successful Wingatui trainer, Paul Richards.

Fortuna’s promising 3yo KING SAVINSKY, who has gone to Singapore to further his career, has adjusted well to his new home. KING SAVINSKY (Savabeel-Lynisky) ran strongly in New Zealand in good 3yo company, although was luckless in both the Waikato Guineas and the NZ Derby. Seen by his connections as a strong staying prospect who would be well suited to races like the Singapore Derby (July 2015) and the Singapore Gold Cup, his ownership group approved his transfer to Mark Walker’s Singapore barn.

“He has adjusted well up here,” said Walker,” initially, he found the much hotter temperatures a bit challenging, but he has now acclimated well, is getting through some very solid pace work and is steadily building fitness. He is a big, strong type with a lot of scope and with a bit more maturity as he furnishes into his four year old year, we should see him find another couple of lengths and be really competitive up here is staying events.”

KING SAVINSKY was acquired at the 2012 Karaka Select Sale for Fortuna and is raced by an ownership group comprising thirty three individuals.

Two fillies from the Fortuna draft of six yearlings acquired at Karaka Yearling Sales are shaping up nicely at the Matamata track in their first preparation. The first of these is the beautifully bred Iffraaj-Naturo Filly, nicknamed “LORDE”. Identified pre sale by Fortuna’s Singapore based trainer, Mark Walker, as an ideal Singapore type, LORDE had developed nicely prior to her breaking in phase and after four weeks initial preparation under Jason Bridgman’s care at Matamata, she has really impressed her handlers. Bridgman described her as “a really forward filly, precocious and strong.”  Mark Walker has been in NZ this past week and after watching her work at Matamata track on Saturday morning, he said ” “She looks great, has a lovely action and looks like a real get up and go 2yo type.” The primary aim for LORDE, once she gets to Singapore will be the very lucrative 2to Series run during the months of April and May (2015). LORDE is raced by a Syndicate comprising thirty two people.

LORDE will now spell at Te Akau Stud for two to three weeks prior to going back to Matamata for a fresh preparation and will be aimed at one of the August sets of trials.

Stablemate , the Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby Filly, nicknamed “ANNIE” has also impressed. A full sister to Fortuna’s DARCI’S DREAM, a winner as a 2yo. ANNIE has  taken to her breaking in and initial stable preparation with aplomb and is also presenting as a natural 2yo type, although one with the scope to develop into a lovely, strong 3yo as well. Karaka Million registered, a primary initial aim for ANNIE will be the Karaka Million event, run for 2yo’s at the end of January 2015. ANNIE is raced by a Syndicate comprising 31 people.

Very cold conditions were the order of the day at the Egmont Racing Club meeting at Hawera on Monday. On hand were Fortuna’s John and Jessica Galvin to watch the Fortuna 3yo, HIGHLY LIKELY (High Chaparral-Starrinka), make his race day debut. A strong trials winning performance at the recent Waipa trials, HIGHLY LIKELY, nicknamed GRINGO by his handlers, had lifted aspirations for a strong showing over the 1600 metre trip. Track conditions at a Heavy 10, although sticky, suited the horse nicely as, so far, he had shown to be a dour, staying type.

Presenting in the birdcage beautifully, he certainly showed all of the physical characteristics of a stayer; long, lean, with a rib or two showing. Sent out favourite by the punters, he jumped nicely from an outside barrier before rider, Matt Cameron eased him back to settle in behind the leaders. He came under pressure from his rider before the 600 metre mark as they quickened, and was carted very wide on the turn, but once balanced in the straight, he continued to stay on strongly, finishing a close up 5th, just over one length from the winner.  While not a perfect result, he did have some bad luck in the run and Fortuna Syndicate Manager, John Galvin and Trainer, Jason Bridgman, were more than happy with his showing. ” HIGHLY LIKELY is shaping up as a genuine staying type,” said Bridgman,” the further he goes, the better he will be, but is is still raw and immature; time will be his friend.”

Acquired at the 2012 South Island Yearling Sale by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna, HIGHLY LIKELY will probably step up to the 2000 mtre distance at his next outing in two to three weeks time. The Fortuna Highly Likely Syndicate is made up of twenty five individual Members.

All sorts of interesting news this week for the Fortuna horses.

3yo Gelding HIGHLY LIKELY (High Chapparal-Starrinka) will make his race day debut this coming week. An impressive trial winner recently at Waipa, coming from last to first to win his trial, this strapping Gelding has all the hallmarks of a winter galloper. As we write this, two venues are options for his debut, Hawera on Monday or Pukekohe on Wednesday. Fellow 3yo REDOUTES FORTUNE (Redoutes Choice-Lady’s Delight), also trialed well at Waipa recently for a 2nd placing and is being readied for his race day debut.

Promising 2yo OUR DRAHMA QUEEN (Darci Brahma-Queen Cha Cha) returned to Matamata Stables during the week after enjoying a nice break after trailing nicely in the early Autumn. Out of a High Chapparal mare, this lovely filly is shaping as a very nice 3yo type.

Other 2yo’s still in the paddock at Te Akau but soon to return to work for their spring preparations are DARCI’S DREAM (Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby), who has already won as a 2yo, and the strong trials performers DURAN (Darci Brahma- Breezed) and PRINCE HENRY (Henrythenavigator – Ocean of Tears); all three of these horses have strong 3yo aspirations.

SIR DARCI (Darci Brahma-Dominant) a three time winner as a 3yo, is also coming to the end of his spell and his connections are looking for him to extend his very good record  into his 4yo year. Fellow 3yo, the filly SELINE (Pentire-Dion), still a Maiden, but never out of the money from five race day starts, is also spelling; a slow maturing type, she will benefit from a nice winter spell before resuming as a 4yo in the Spring.

In Singapore news, a big Friday night racing coming up for Fortuna horses, with READY FORTUNE (More Then Ready-Bahira), Double Jeopardy (Mettre en Jeu-Flyin Finnish) and VON SNITZEL (Snitzel-Lumir) all due to compete. Stable mates EATONS GOLD (JetSpur-Road Ranger) and OUR RIVER DANCER (Danehill Dancer-Distinctly) are both recovering from knee surgery.  2yo Filly, SECRET SPICE (Sahkees SecretCaparison) – who put in a strong run for fourth recently at just her 2nd race day start, has come to the end of a mini break and will resume work shortly. A recent Singapore arrival is the well performed 3yo, KING SAVINSKY (Savabeel-Lynisky), who exited quarantine there this week and is now in the capable hands of Mark Walker’s team. Singapore bound 2yo ROYAL ASCOT (Keeper-HighRank) is coming to the end of a paddock spell and will head to Singapore once he has trialed again here in New Zealand.

Finally, all six of the Karaka 2014 acquisitions are coming along nicely in their various stages of development. First out of the blocks was the Darci Brahma-Twelve Carat Gelding, nicknamed BUTCH; a really strong type, he has already completed his initial stable preparation and is enjoying a spell at Te Akau Stud. Two of the four fillies we acquired, the Iffraaj-Naturo, nicknamed LORDE and the Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby, nicknamed ANNIE, are now in the final stages of their first stable preparation at Matamata. The other two fillies, the Savabeel-Lynisky, nicknamed BELLA and the beautifully bred Bachelor Duke-Keepa Cruisin, nicknamed EBONY, are coming to the end of  of their breaking in phase at Te Akau Stud and will soon travel to Matamata to heve their first stable preparation. Last but by no means least is the big, strong yearling Colt by Sakhees-Secret-Spin N Grin, nicknamed JACK. Singapore bound, he has 3yo type written all over him and he will commence his breaking in phase soon.

Shares are still available in BELLA, EBONY and JACK. Click HERE to see more details of these three Opportunities.

Acquired by Fortuna at the Karaka Yearling Select Sale, this lovely big strong yearling Filly, nicknamed BELLA, has been described by Fortuna’s Thoroughbred Selector, David Ellis as follows, ” if you wanted to buy a horse capable of contesting big staying races like the Caulfield or Melbourne Cup, this is the type of horse you would buy.”  David is of course referring to the physical attributes that this Filly possesses.

Her Sire, SAVABEEL, is on fire as a Stallion, currently sitting third on the NZ General Sires list, but most importantly with seven individual Stakes Winners this year, notably COSTUME winning the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa and LUCIA VALENTINO taking out the Group One Vinery Stakes in Sydney, with that filly then running a gallant 3rd in the Australian Oaks. BELLA’s dam, LYNISKY, has been a prolific broodmare with all four of her progeny that have reached being winners on the track.

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, sums up his purchase of BELLA like this, “it is probably the dream of everybody to own a horse that is capable of being a contender in the three year old Classic events like the Guineas, the Derby and the Oaks and ultimately the bigs Cup races like the Wellington/Auckland Cups and even the Caulfield/Melbourne Cups. Accordingly, we are always on the lookout for Yearlings with the pedigree and the physical attributes necessary to be such a contender. When we first conducted our pre sales inspections, this Savabeel-Lynisky Filly really caught our eye and we are rapt to have acquired her.”

Since the Sales BELLA has been enjoying a lovely long spell in the big, spacious paddock at Te Akau Stud, but recently has begun her breaking in process under the care of master horseman, James Jackson. James has this to say about her, “This filly is a really strong girl, she moves with a lot of power and has a good head on her; a smart filly who picks everything up very easily.”

The racing plan for this filly is to aim her initially at her three year old year with races like the NZ 1000 Guineas, the Eight Carat Classic, the NZ Derby and the NZ Oaks on her radar and even the Australian Oaks run at Randwick in April. Obviously, the level of success she has in these events will determine her future racing plans.

Shares are still available in this outstanding Filly @ $7,400 per 5% share and $150 per month for ongoing expenses. We will also do 2% shares at $2,960 and $60 per month ongoing and 1% shares @ $1,480 and $30 per month ongoing. Click HERE to see more details.

Contact John Galvin directly on 021 921 460 or email John HERE.

Fortuna Syndicates 3yo SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) put in a strong  performance at Te Rapa Saturday 15th March  earning  his third win from eight starts, as he fought the length of the straight to get his nose in front in the $17,500 Red Cabs (Hamilton) Ltd Rating 85 Benchmark event over 1600m with in form Sam Spratt aboard. Watch Race Replay HERE

A fortnight from a top effort for second in the Lindsay Mile at Ellerslie on Derby Day, SIR DARCI started favourite as adverse conditions worsened.

Bred by The Oaks Stud, home of Darci Brahma, SIR DARCI  was a $140,000 purchase, selected  by David Ellis from the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for  Fortuna Syndications.

SIR DARCI  overcame the inclement weather of Cyclone Lusi which saw the track was down-graded to a dead 4, impressing his trainer, Jason Bridgman. “It was a good tenacious win against older horses in a Rating 85. The track conditions were marginal for him today but he settled nicely and he quickened so fast on the corner that he probably got to the front a little too soon. It was very brave for him to keep finding like he did,” he said.

Fortuna Director John Galvin agreed, saying: “It’s never easy for a three year old to beat older horses, particularly when you are out of your grade. Jason has been very patient with him, letting him strengthen, and his natural ability carried him through today. His last two starts have been top efforts, so we were happy to see him get another win.”

Jockey Sam Spratt had plenty of praise for her mount, saying “he is a lovely horse , he travelled up nicely and  got to the front so easily, I was afraid I had gone too soon but he kept finding as they came to him. It was a big effort.”

Next on the program for SIR DARCI  is the Group 3 Manawatu Classic for 3 year olds over 2000m at Awapuni on March 29. This has been his target race ever since he was taken out of the Derby. John Galvin explains, ” The Derby simply came up too quick for him but he is looking for more ground, so the 2000 metre trip of the Manawatu Classic should suit him nicely.”

SIR DARCI is raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, an ownership group of over thirty individuals.

KING SAVINSKY contests the 2400 metre New Zealand Derby Saturday 1st March, a great thrill for the 30 Members who make up the Fortuna King Savinsky Syndicate. A true staying type, he will be in the event at the finish but does have a very wide draw for his jockey, the highly experienced, Hayden Tinsley, to overcome. A graduate of the 2012 Karaka Select Sales KING SAVINSKY is by Savabeel out of the Stravinsky mare, Lynisky.

Earlier in the day, the talented 3yo gelding, SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) will look to make it two wins in a row when he takes on a small but classy field in the Lindsay Mile, a Listed event over 1600 metres. Raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, SIR DARCI will be ridden by Matt Cameron.

Meanwhile, at Hastings, the promising 2yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM ( Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby) also a last start winner, steps up to 1200 metres on an Open 2yo event. She will be ridden by leading apprentice, Michael  Dee.