Seize The Day Superb

On his way to Group One racing, Seize The Day (2 c I Am Invincible – Zimaretto, by Anabaa) recorded a smart second-up victory in the $25,000 AKW Farrier Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 11 March at Matamata.

An easy trial winner prior to racing, Seize The Day ran the fastest last 600m (34.2) when closing solidly for third on debut in the Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 21 February at Ellerslie, and rated a top three chance.

Ridden again by stable jockey Opie Bosson ONZM, Seize The Day raced keenly in the early stages when working forward outside the leader, but steadied to the 600m, quickened to lead at the 300m and exuded a good action while racing clear to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

“He felt good,” said Bosson, on dismounting. “He took a while to come back to me and wanted to over-race a fraction, but he travelled beautifully from the 600m.

“He’s a lovely big horse, with a massive stride on him, and gives you a nice feeling when he lets go. 

“He had run through the line well at Ellerslie, after getting a bit lost when balancing up. But once he did, he found the line and it was an encouraging run. 

“He’s gone forward in his work since then and everything pointed to a good run today. I think he’s going to be pretty competitive over 1400 metres.”

In the race before footing upgraded to Good4, Seize The Day ran 1200 metres in 1:10.3, last 600m in 34.8, and continued to tighten in betting to pay $1.30 on the TAB tote.

“He’s a lovely colt and put it all together and showed it out there today,” said Sam Bergerson, on course, training partner with Mark Walker.

“He was probably a little bit keen, which is hopefully not a chink in his armour as we look to step up to 1400 metres in the Group One at Trentham, but he was really dominant up the straight and it was exciting to see.

“He’s always shown us plenty at home and obviously he went down as a short-priced favourite at Ellerslie, but we were still very happy with the performance and how he went through the line. 

“It was good to see what he did on the home track today and we’re excited to get him down to Trentham in a couple of weeks.”

Walker added: “It was timely to get the Maiden win at his second start. He would have learned a lot from his first two starts and we can lift our sights to the Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at the end of March.

“He’s a beautiful looking horse, developing all the time, is going to a make a fantastic three-year-old, and he’ll have one more start this season in the Sires’.

“It was a good ride of Opie’s, he summed it up to go forward, travelled nicely, and there’s more improvement to come.”

Seize The Day will now attempt to emulate the feat by stable-mate and Champion Two-Year-Old La Dorada (Super Seth) in the $550,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on Saturday 28 March at Trentham, a race she won last year and one that Te Akau has won nine times.

Accepting on behalf of the owners, assistant trainer Reece Trumper said: “He’s owned by some very good clients of Te Akau that have been with us for many years, and he’s got a very bright future.”

Owned by the Te Akau 2025 Magic Colts Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Seize The Day was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for A$600,000 at the 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sales, from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “He’s a beautifully put together colt, with great balance, poise, and very alert and eager to please.

“All the foals out of the mare have won, which is quite incredible, with plenty of them winning as two-year-olds.

“He certainly has the pedigree and looks the type to race as a two-year-old and stretch out further at three. He really is a ripping colt.”

Seize The Day is by triple Australian Champion Sire I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), also the sire of Imperatriz, whom Ellis purchased in 2020 at the Gold Coast. The winner of 10 Group One races, the most for her sire, Imperatriz was New Zealand Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter in Australia, and World Champion Sprinter. Retired and sold in June 2024 for A$6.6 million, she became the highest priced filly or mare ever sold in the Southern Hemisphere, which increased her overall earnings to $14.5 million.

His dam Zimaretto is by Champion racehorse Anabaa (Danzig), winner of the sire making Group 1 July Cup (1200m), who sired winners of $46 million in prize money, including French Champion Three-Year-Old Goldikova, winner of 14 Group One races.

Zimaretto has proved a first-class broodmare, with Seize The Day becoming her ninth individual winner of 25 races, including three Group and Listed winners.

Seize The Day has a lovely balanced cross of Danzig, the sire of Danehill, in his pedigree, on the sire-lines of both I Am Invincible and Zimaretto. 

Seize The Day was strapped by Aiman Azrul. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz