Te Akau Season of Success - Unbeaten Colt Shines On

Reflecting on Te Akau owners' bumper 2024/25 season of 23 Group/Listed victories, Return To Conquer did just that, remaining unbeaten at his second start - both Group races ...

The dazzling rise of Return To Conquer (2 c Snitzel – Vaujany, by Lonhro) continued with a brave and commanding victory in the inaugural running of the $120,000 Group 3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie on 1 February - marking his second stakes' win from as many starts in New Zealand.

Having launched his career in spectacular style with a dominant debut win in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) on 23 November at Pukekohe, the high-class colt was freshened by co-trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. He returned with a slick trial win at Matamata on 14 January, showing he had lost none of his speed or spark.

Despite the compact field of six, this wasn’t a race handed to him on a silver platter. After being posted three wide in the early stages, Return To Conquer was asked to work forward before the 800m mark. Settling outside the leader, he travelled sweetly and once balanced in the straight, he kicked away a furlong out to seal the win with authority - confirming why punters had backed him into $1.20 favouritism.

He clocked 1:12.5 for the 1200m on a Soft5 surface, dashing home in 34.7 for the final 600m - figures that only hint at the engine under the bonnet.

“It’s a great thrill to win the inaugural running of the Colin Jillings 2YO Classic,” said David Ellis CNZM. “Colin was a dear friend for more than 40 years, a NZ Racing Hall of Fame trainer, and the man who introduced Karyn and me. We owe him a great deal - he was a wonderful, highly respected friend to so many.”

From the moment Return To Conquer stepped onto the scene, he’s done nothing but impress. His next steps after Ellerslie were the $150,000 Group 3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (which he duly won) and then the prestigious $550,000 Group 1 Sistema Stakes on 8 March - where he once again rose to the occasion, confirming his class on the big stage.

Owned by the Te Akau 2024 Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Return To Conquer was a standout purchase by David Ellis CNZM, who secured him for A$1.3 million from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions' Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Now unbeaten in all four starts as a two-year-old and with a hefty $534,750 banked in prizemoney, Return To Conquer is back in training and now based at Te Akau's Australian stable, preparing for his return. He’s scheduled for a jump out this month at Cranbourne, with Australian spring ambitions looming large.

This colt has all the hallmarks of something truly special — the speed, the presence, the pedigree, and above all, the will to win.