Capturing Group 3 Glory

Returning to her best, Group One winner Captured By Love (4 m Written Tycoon – Moldova, by Snitzel) impressively won the $120,000 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m) on the first day of Cup Week (8 Nov.) at Riccarton.

A finalist for Champion Two-Year-Old after winning the Wakefield Challenge Stakes (Gr. 2, 1100m), Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m), and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), Captured By Love achieved the same honour when nominated for Champion Three-Year-Old following her win, a year ago, in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Riccarton.

Indicating her physical development when winning two trials before commencing, Captured By Love finished strongly for second in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 10 October at Taupo, and trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson had her perfectly prepared to deliver third-up in the campaign.

Ridden positively from the outside gate by Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz, Captured By Love was forced to race three-wide without cover, but it mattered little when her class kicked in at the 300m and she quickened to a winning advantage.

“She’s an amazing horse and very easy,” Queiroz said. “She has the class and crossed behind the leaders very well. She was ready to make ground at the 600m and over the last 200m she produced a beautiful finish.”

Winning by two lengths, Captured By Love clocked the third fastest time in history of the race, running 1400 metres in 1:21.5, last 600m in 33.0, on footing upgraded to Good3, and paid $3.10 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It’s terrific to see her back in the winner’s circle,” Walker said. “We haven’t had a lot of things go right for her, given a few meetings being interrupted by the weather, and even the barrier draw (14) today made it tough.

“Bruno rode her positively and it was a special win because Captured By Love is dear to our hearts. All the staff have had something to do with her: at the farm, Matamata, Riccarton, and Cranbourne, so she’s a stable favourite. 

“Once she went to the beach on Wednesday and Thursday, we could see just how well she was feeling. She loves it down here in Canterbury and that win will do wonders for her confidence. 

“With such a good winning effort under her belt, we can now plan for bigger and better targets through the summer.”

Owned by Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Captured By Love was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Milburn Creek.

Recording her sixth win from 16 starts, Captured By Love took her prize money earnings over $800,000.

“The racing is terrific and the track is very, very good, and I love seeing the irrigation system doing such a good job,” Ellis said. “It’s so important for them to prepare a track that plays fair to everyone and they’ve done that.

“It’s summer racing on a good track and the racing has been really good throughout the day.

“It was a huge performance by Captured By Love to win from the outside gate, especially when you’re three-wide all the way, it was a hell of an effort. She’s run a very fast time, as well, and really stretched out for a dominant win.

“She looked fantastic, has developed into a beautiful mare, and I’m thrilled for the owners. Most of them have got shares in quite a few horses with us and it’s great to have this high-class mare back winning stakes races.

“We won the race two years ago (2023), when Fashion Shoot (Savabeel) came with a huge run from back in the field and it’s great to win it again with Captured By Love.”

By Victorian nine-time Champion Sire and sire of sires Written Tycoon (Iglesia), Captured By Love is out of a mare by Snitzel ((Redoute’s Choice), who topped the Australian General Sires’ List on four occasions and now making his mark as a broodmare sire of Group One winners.  

Captured By Love was the first foal of Moldova, who won twice at 1100 metres in Australia, while the dam-line has mated tremendously with nine-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), including multiple stakes winner Savvy Nature, stakes winner Addictive Nature, and 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Hasahalo.

Accepting the behalf of the owners, Karyn Fenton-Ellis said MNZM: “There is always something special about returning to Cup Week in Christchurch, and it’s something we have such a strong connection to.

“To our trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and Hunter Durrant, our assistant trainer managing our Christchurch stable, they are world-class horsemen that love everything about the horse and dedicate their lives to them.

“At Te Akau we try to buy the best possible horses we can and it’s such a thrill when it’s reflected by performances like that of Captured By Love on the track.

“She won a Group One here 12 months ago and it’s great to see her emulate the performance today. 

“Finally, thank you to the Windsor Park Stud team, represented by Steve (Till) and Mike (Moran) here today, and to the entire Schick family whom we hold so very dearly to our hearts.”

Captured By Love was strapped by Ruby Rae-Wood. 

Te Akau, all the team and owners, would also like to extend their congratulations to Hunter Durrant & Ruby Rae, who got engaged last Sunday. 

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