4 WIN SATURDAY - Group 3 Star Shines Bright

Soft at the line, Sword Of Stars (3 f Sword Of State – Angelica Hall, by Guillotine) recorded a classy victory in the $100,000 Group 3 War Decree Stakes (1400m) on Saturday at Riccarton.

Having staged a big run for third when resuming in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) on 12 September at Riccarton, won by stable-mate Sweetest Thing (Hello Youmzain), Sword Of Stars asserted her dominance winning the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 4 October at Timaru, and rated a top three chance.

Ridden by former stable apprentice Wiremu Pinn, who scored earlier on the programme aboard stable-mate Queen’s Evidence (King’s Legacy), Sword Of Stars recovered to trail at the 600m, was pocketed until the 200m, but once clear she quickened stylishly and Pinn was able to ease before the line.

It was a commanding win by the beautifully bred filly, becoming the ninth winner in the race for Te Akau, while providing a brilliant lead-up to the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m).

It was also a good performance by stable-mate Zafar (Snitzel), finding the line solidly for fifth. 

Sword Of Stars holds nominations for both the $600,000 Group 1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) on 7 November and $700,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on 14 November, both held at Riccarton during NZ Cup Week.

On Good4 footing, Sword Of Stars ran 1400 metres in a polished 1:22.5 and paid $3.20 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Te Akau won the War Decree Stakes last year with South Island Champion Three-Year-Old Origin Of Love (Snitzel), after Waikato Stud stallion Noverre (Savabeel) won in 2021, while other notable winners for the stable include subsequent Guineas’ winners Tell A Tale (Tale of the Cat) and Risque (Darci Brahma), as well as Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago) and Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice).

“It’s always exciting to win with progeny of a stallion (Sword Of State) that Te Akau has bought and trained, and Sword Of Stars is doing him proud,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. 

“Wiremu (Pinn) did a good job to get her to relax behind the leaders and the manner of the win showed what she’s capable of and will do her confidence the world of good.

“We took the side winkers off in order to help her relax, which she did, and we now have to decide whether she goes two weeks into the 1000 Guineas or three weeks into the 2000 Guineas, which is a good problem to have.”

On course, Bergerson said: “The query was going to 1400 metres, but Mark (Walker) and I agreed to take the side winkers off and she got into a nice rhythm. 

“She didn’t jump away as flash as we would have liked, but she was able to recover from a good gate (4) and it was a patient ride. 

“It was great to see her attack the line like that and we look forward to getting to a mile now.

“She’s a lovely filly and I can’t thank the team down here (Te Akau Stable, Riccarton) enough for the work that’s gone into her. We’ve always really liked her and it’s great to see her at her best.

“Dave (Ellis) bought her from a really good farm, Windsor Park, and it’s also exciting for Sword Of State.”

Owned by the Te Akau Stately Hall Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), Sword Of Stars was purchased by Sir David Ellis for $350,000, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, at the 2025 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

“It’s a great Windsor Park family that Nelson Schick bred with Alan Burnet CBE, and it just keeps on producing there classy fillies,” Sir David said. 

“There are plenty of Group One winners in the family, too, and she may well become another. 

“It’s fantastic, too, for Cambridge Stud and Sword Of State, who became Champion Two-Year-Old after we bought him as a yearling in Australia at Magic Millions', and he’s doing an amazing job at stud, given his oldest are only three-year-olds.

“He was a very smart colt, Sword Of State, and he really is passing that on to his progeny. They’re beautiful types and love racing, you just need to think of recent dual Australian Group 1 winner Warwoven.” 

Sire Sword Of State was purchased by Sir David as a yearling on the Gold Coast. He won won four of five starts, including the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m), before being named Champion Two-Year-Old. He now stands at Cambridge Stud, and Sword Of Stars was from his first crop.

She comes from a gifted, athletic, family of racehorses, with trademark ability to accelerate/quicken in races, and renowned for producing not only a solid amount of Group One winners but also a host of quality stakes winners.

Trained by Te Akau for Windsor Park, her dam Angelica Hall is from one of the best female families in the stud book, and she impressed winning on debut over 1200 metres.

Lightly raced, Angelica Hall won twice over 1200 metres and placed in both the Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m) and Listed Fairdale/Goodwood Stud Handicap (1400m).

She has also proved herself as a broodmare, leaving six individual winners of 20 races, including triple stakes' winner Angelic Miss (Savabeel) and now Group winner Sword Of Stars. 

Her grand-dam Greta Hall, by top Sir Tristram sire son Kaapstad, won three times in stakes' races. She is a half-sister to Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) winner Golden Sword (Kaapstad), and the dams of Windsor Park stallion Falkirk, and Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Royal Descent (Danehill).

From third dam, broodmare sensation Lovenvain (Vain), stemmed high-quality racehorses Balmoral Keep (Balmerino), Falkirk (Tale of the Cat), Golden Sword (Kaapstad), Madam Valeta (Palace Music), and Mulan Princess (Kaapstad), to ensure one of the best families for Windsor Park.

Sword Of Stars was strapped by Phoebe Moon.

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz