Season Review: Trobriand Eclipses Them

With only a handful of days until our stellar 2022/23 season comes to a conclusion, we are so proud of the achievements of the whole Te Akau team.  Even more proud of this past week's double century of wins (now 202) - which has never been achieved in New Zealand racing history.  We sincerely thank all of our owners and supporters for being our loyal partners in this incredible feat.

As we continue our reflection on the 34 Group/Listed victories of the season, today the spotlight falls on Trobriand who really looks an exciting rising 3YO prospect for the new season ahead - he showed his talent when 'eclipsing' his rivals ...

Unbeaten in three starts, Trobriand (2 c Kermadec – Arboreal, by Lonhro) proved too strong in the $140,000 Carlaw Park Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on 1 January at Te Rapa. 

A debut winner at New Plymouth, Trobriand won the 2YO 1100 metres in terrific style on 10 December at Te Rapa and, notching a hat-trick, secured the fourth Eclipse Stakes' victory for the stable after Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) scored in 2021.

Across easily enough to sit outside expected pacemaker Ulanova (Santos), Trobriand easily gained her measure inside the final 100m and held comfortably from stable-mate Talisker (Embellish) who finished powerfully from the rear. 

“He just does what he has to,” said jockey Opie Bosson, on dismounting from Trobriand. “He’s such a professional little horse and blinkers helped him out today. 

“Last time he was on and off throughout the race and he’s such a laidback type, so blinkers just helped sharpen him up.”

“It was good and you can do anything with him,” said trainer Mark Walker. “He’s got such a great temperament and it was a good ride of Opie’s. He summed it up very early in the race and he’s a very nice horse.”

Owned by Te Akau Island Paradise Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Trobriand was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $260,000 in January at the Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud. 

“You can’t fault a colt like him winning three on end and I thought the run of the second horse (Talisker) was just as good,” Ellis said.

“We could end up with close to nine in the Karaka Million 2YO, as we’ve still got a couple of nice horses still to run.”

With a good quality pedigree, his sire Kermadec (Teofilo) included Group One mile victories in the Doncaster Handicap and George Main Stakes, while dam sire Lonhro (Octagonal) – the black flash –was Champion Three-Year-Old, Champion Miler, Horse of the Year, and a simply outstanding Australian racehorse that won 11 Group Ones.

Te Akau has plenty of experience with the extended family, through high quality race mare and fourth dam Arletty (Centaine) having left Axiom (Zabeel) the dam of Xtravagant (Pentire).

Trained by Te Akau to a sensational 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) victory, and including the NRM Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m), Xtravagant is now a leading young sire in Australia.

Trobriand subsequently finished third to stable-mate Tokyo Tycoon (Satono Aladdin) in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m), second to him in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m), and fourth in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m), to end his season with three wins from six starts and $225,315 in prize money. 

Previous wins by Te Akau in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m):

2021 – Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) 

2012 – Warhorse (General Nediym)

1998 – Te Akau Class (Masterclass)