Season of Success: Lara Lifts Again

Brilliance comes in many forms, but few horses announce themselves quite like Lara Antipova.

An unbeaten filly with immense natural talent and an exciting future ahead, Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution – Artistic Lass, by Myboycharlie) cemented her place among the season's brightest stars when she swept to victory in the 58th running of the $225,000 Group 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) on 14 February, providing Te Akau with its 11th success in one of New Zealand's premier juvenile races.

Already unbeaten in two starts by a combined margin of 12½ lengths, Lara Antipova faced her toughest assignment to date on rain-affected Heavy 9 footing. Yet, despite the testing conditions, she produced another performance that underlined why she is held in such high regard.

Partnered for the first time by Te Akau's stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM, fresh from riding his 100th Group One winner just a week earlier, Lara Antipova travelled beautifully throughout. Bosson eased her into the race approaching the 800 metres before asking her to quicken in the home straight, where she effortlessly put the race beyond doubt, surging clear to score by an emphatic three and a half lengths.

"She's a very special filly," Bosson said afterwards. "She wasn't 100 percent in the ground and stumbled turning in, but she picked up the bit again, got up underneath me, and she's definitely a classy animal."

Even though she was the overwhelming $1.20 favourite, Lara Antipova's performance still managed to exceed expectations. She stopped the clock at 1:14.5 for the 1200 metres, with a final 600 metres of 37.1 seconds, racing clear with ease before crossing the line with her ears pricked – the hallmark of a filly with plenty still in reserve.

Owned by the Fortuna Lara Antipova Syndicate (Manager: John Galvin), she was purchased for A$100,000 by Sir David Ellis CNZM in conjunction with Fortuna Racing from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

For Fortuna principal John Galvin, the victory also reflected a long-standing and successful partnership.

"One special person I'd like to acknowledge is Sir David Ellis," Galvin said. "David and I have been working together since 2003. This year at Karaka was our 23rd sale together and every year we've bought horses, either at Karaka or on the Gold Coast."

By dual Group One-winning sprinter Russian Revolution, Australia's Leading First and Second Season Sire, Lara Antipova is out of the five-win mare Artistic Lass, while her pedigree is rich with black-type performers. She is the fourth individual winner from the mare and her first stakes winner, joining five-time winner Caring Lass and four-time winner Bubbly Lass. 

The family also features Group Two and Group Three winners Sistine Demon and Sistine Angel, along with further stakes performers Themoonlitegambler, Scully, and, deeper in the pedigree, the stakes-winning Rancheetah and Group Two winner Gallopini.

Now based at Te Akau's Cranbourne stable in Melbourne, Lara Antipova continues her preparation for an exciting Spring campaign and is scheduled to have a jump-out or trial in July. With her unbeaten record intact and enormous natural ability already on display, she shapes as a filly with the potential to add many more highlights to an already sparkling résumé.

Te Akau's previous winners of the Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m):

2025 – La Dorada (Super Seth)

2024 – Captured By Love (Written Tycoon)

2023 – Zourion (Zoustar)

2022 – Maven Belle (Burgundy)

2017 – Gold Fever (Savabeel)

2009 – Te Akau Rose (Thorn Park)

2008 – Te Akau Coup (Thorn Park)

1997 – Maxamore (Volksraad)

1995 – Bayremah (Kingdom Bay)

1991 – Super Natural (Bakharoff)