Our highlights are a bit different for us last season, with standouts being our former stable stars Hit The Road Jack and Enchanted Elle performing in Australia under trainer Symon Wilde.
Shaun purchased him as a yearling and patiently waited for his first win - it took 16 starts before he finally cracked his maiden! He then went on to win three of his next four starts, including bagging the Reliable Man Trophy at Hawkes Bay. He was a tough horse to get the best out of, but once we understood him better, he went on to win seven flat races for us.
During this time we were quietly educating him over hurdles where he showed real promise. In his last season here in NZ, Shaun rode him in open hurdle trial to give him a quiet and educational taste to jumps racing. From there, we approached Simon Wylde about taking him on, with his original syndicate in the ownership.
Jack relished in the new environment, running 4th on his first start at Caufield, then winning on debut over hurdles. The biggest surprise came when he took out the Flemington Cup worth $175,000(AUS)! Jack has since won his last two hurdle starts. We are absolutely delighted for Jack's owners and love following his progress over in Australia. It's not an easy task to prepare and educate a horse to perform over fences but it's so worth it seeing them at their best. Jack has now won 11 races and total prize money of over $500,000 AUD.
Following in Jack's footsteps is his full sister, Enchanted Elle who joined Phelan Racing after her owner followed Hit The Road Jack's progress and was in need of a new trainer when Stephen Mckee retired. Elle won six flat races with us including The Taumarunui Cup and the Parliamentary Handicap. During her time at Phelan Racing, she also showed huge ability over hurdles, easily winning a hurdle trial before running 3rd on her first hurdle race in NZ.
We again contacted Symon Wilde, who agreed to take her on. From seven hurdle starts in Australia, she has recorded two 2nds and four wins - including her last three starts in a row! - We love following her journey and we’re excited to see what her future holds. She has now won 10 races and earned over $300,000 AUD.
Another one to look out for in Australia is Kawhia, who won a 1600m maiden on the flat at Te Rapa under Jasmine Fawcett. He was educated over hurdles, including a quiet hurdle trial under Hamish McNeil, before being sold to Tom Dabernig in Warrnambool. Kawhia finished 4th at the end of the season, and we’re excited to see him progress over hurdles – he has shown plenty of scope over the sticks!
Last season was a bit quiet for us but we were pleased to have some new faces appear at the stable. Arjay's Flight quickly became a stable favourite. Although a bit of a quirky character, he soon found his feet and became Yori's favourite to ride - and he was great in his first start for the stable winning under Jasmine Fawcett at Taupo and then winning again on his next start under Ngakau Hailey.
That second win is a memory we will always treasure, as Ngakau tragically lost his life in an accident last month, at just 18 years old. He was a good friend to Shaun and a talented young rider. We will always treasure the memories shared with the young apprentice - our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends - gone far too soon.
Ngakau also steered Gold Currency - another newcomer to the stable - to victory at Matamata, where he held on bravely to win by a head on his first start over 2000m. Gold Currency had shown ability in his first two starts, running second over 1300m and 1400m. He then went on to win next-up over 2100m at Pukekohe under Ryan Elliot. Shaun was pushing get him over ground, so it was great to achieve that result with him. This lightly raced son of Tarzino looks to have a bright future ahead of him, he's currently enjoying a well-deserved spell.
Another promising horse to come through is Amyer Star, an Almazor filly cleverly named by our apprentice Elen - combining the surname of her owner, former All-Black Richard Myers, with her sire Almanzor and her dam Stargazing. It was a thrill to watch her winning debut under jockey Kevin Stott, who held her in high regard, then ran 2nd at her next two starts before finishing 8th at Ellerslie. Although she pulled up well, we gave her a break at her owner’s farm. Unfortunately, she suffered a paddock accident during her spell – we are hopeful she will recover fully.
Towards the end of the season, we had a bit of a bridesmaids run, with Arjay’s Flight, Chur Nibble, Notanbadspillane, and Playinasandpit all recording placings and close seconds. They look ready to break through in the new season.
We also welcomed back apprentice Elen Nicholas who resumed race riding in May after over a year and a half on the sidelines due to injury. It’s great to see her riding winners again and we look forward to her riding a winner for us, sooner rather than later hopefully!
Below: Apprentice Elen Nicholas wins the Championship Final ($60,000) at Ruakaka onboard Reinstatement trained by Kylie Hoskin
To wrap up the season, stable favourite Hill Of Kings won his maiden hurdle at Te Aroha under Jay Kozaczek. We were thrilled for his owners – long-time supporters Chris Faulkner and Graeme Berghan, as well as Pete Neal, who does so much for our stable. From keeping our horses’ bodies feeling good to lifting stable morale, Pete is always a positive presence, and it was special to share this win with him.
