Salute - On The Bubbles

Date: 24 Dec 2023

Salute - On The Bubbles


Retirement has arrived for one of our beloved and exciting horses - On The Bubbles.

"Bolli" (yes after Bollinger) as he was affectionately known, has been retired after a glittering career that saw him win a Karaka 2YO Million, Group 1 Sires and be runner up to the Champion 2YO of the Year title, pipped by stablemate Sword of State.

"Bolli's" brigade of supporters was well recognised with their "On the Bubbles" caps - and one of the best lines in racing was from commentator George Simone as "Bolli" saluted the judge at Ellerslie for his Karaka Million victory - 'they'll be on the bubbles all night long!'

On The Bubbles (5 g Brazen Beau – More Bubbles, by Sebring) provided his owners with many unforgettable moments:

A stable star when winning four of his six starts as a two-year-old, including the Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), On The Bubbles went on at three to win the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) and Mufhasa Stakes (Listed, 1400m) before bowing to stable-mates when second to Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) and fourth to Amalfi Prince (Sebring) in the Manawatu Classic (Gr. 3, 2000m).

Owned by Te Akau Splash of Dom Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), On The Bubbles was purchased for $90,000 by David Ellis CNZM at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale from the draft of Leanach Lodge, and retired the winner of seven races from 23 starts and prize money of $953,580.

His last victory came in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 16 October at Ashburton, but two subsequent below par efforts in the Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m) and Stewards Stakes (Listed, 1200m) led trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson to recommend retirement for Bolli.

“He was a very good horse,” Walker said. “Obviously the underlying condition he developed, with two separate wind operations, just finally caught up with him.

“But he retired sound, healthy, will make a lovely showing horse, and he deserves a really happy retirement."

On The Bubbles has been found a wonderful new home in the South where he will be as much loved as he has been by his proud owners and everyone at Te Akau.



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