Festivity - 4th Taupo Winner

Hotshot of the day, Festivity  (3 f I Am Invincible - Mabsam, by Stratum) proved the best of good things when racing away to win on debut in the $10,000 J Swap Contractors Maiden 1100 metres on 30 December at Taupo.

After spacing her rivals by seven and three-quarter lengths at the trials on 16 December at Te Aroha, Festivity could hardly have been more impressive and in the demolition process she provided trainer Jamie Richards with his fourth winner on the programme.

A $410,000 purchase by David Ellis at the 2018 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, owners in the Te Akau 2018 Fabulous Fillies' Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) may not have got rich from the $1.50 tote price, but the manner of victory and expectations for what lies ahead would certainly warm the cockles. 

“Festivity is one of the biggest thrills I've had this season because she's one of three lovely fillies I bought at Karaka,” Ellis said. “But, it's been frustrating at times for Jamie (Richards) and me and the syndicate members who include Karyn, my wife. 

“We've had one expensive filly that hurt herself, but we've also had 10x Group 1 winner Melody Belle's half-sister by Not A Single Doubt (Exaltation) who won impressively on debut and now Festivity has done the same.

“So, although not everything has gone to plan I think there are some fun times ahead for the owners. 

“I bought Festivity from Windsor Park Stud, who gives Te Akau huge support, and Enzo (Di Leoni) who breaks in all our horses here at the stud just came in and said: 'Dave when we were breaking them in Festivity was always your pick'. 

“She's by the leading sire in Australia, and I liked her so much that I bought her half-brother this year by Mongolian Khan (named Conquering Khan) from Windsor Park. It's a slower maturing family. They're not two-year-olds, but it looks like Mabsam is a pretty exciting broodmare. Also, the grand-dam is by Zabeel and that's a huge boost to any pedigree. 

Intent on leading, rider Michael McNab soon had Festivity in front and all her rivals off the nickel as early as the 400m. With a five-length advantage passing the 200m, she had the liberty of easing down to win by six and a quarter lengths in a creditable 1:04.4 for the 1100 metres.

“She showed us plenty at home, but we needed to take time due to her immaturity, but she's there now,” said stable foreman Paul Richards.

“We'll take her home and assess her and see how she does. The team at the middle barn has done a good job and presented her really well.

“I thought Michael (McNab) did a good job, too. We left it to him and said to ride her as she jumps. She was just too good in the finish. It's all learning for her, but she looks like she's got a very bright future and we're lucky to have her.

With a healthy buffer at the top of the premiership and 58 wins for the season, trainer Jamie Richards was right in his appraisal of Festivity.

“Jamie (Richards) doesn't often say too much about them, but he rang Aidan (Rodley - McNab's jockey agent) and said she just wins,” McNab said. “He was dead right.

“She jumped well, travelled at a good clip and then quickened up off that nice gallop. She's a beautiful horse. It's always a question when they get rain at the trials and then come onto a firm track, but she felt smooth. I couldn't fault her and she did everything spot on. Dave (Ellis) and Jamie will map out a path and hopefully I get to stay on her.”

“Festivity was our last runner for the 2019 year and I'm immensely proud of Jamie and all the team,” Ellis said. “He leads the Trainers' Premiership with a strike rate of 5.1, which is very hard to achieve and you only record those types of statistics when you're putting the right horses in the right races.

“When we started the season, my goal was 60 wins by the end of the year and we've almost got there - 58 wins after five months is an amazing achievement by everybody and I'm pleased for all the staff because it's a great team effort.

“From the women that run the office and administration, to all the staff here at the farm, and the staff at the stables in Matamata, it's a great team effort at Te Akau Racing.

“It's been a great year. We've syndicated 70 horses this year, including selling all the shares in the horses we recently bought at the Ready to Run Sale. Mark Walker, our Singapore trainer, won the Trainers' Premiership in Singapore (the third time in nine years) and we'll be attempting to do the same here in New Zealand.”

Progeny by Leading Australian Sire (wins) I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), standing for $247,500, have been incredibly well sought after. His yearlings have sold for $2 million, $1.9m, $1.7m, $1.45m, and averaged over $400,000 this year. Mabsam was a debut winner over 1000 metres, winning to a mile, by a Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winning son of Redoute's Choice Stratum, and her three progeny to race have all won, including Group Two placed Ulusaba (Exceed And Excel).

Richards said there were several options available for Festivity, including the 3YO 1200 metres on 18 January at Trentham if he wanted to give her a trip away. 

Festivity was strapped by Mallesh Saddari.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

Back