The Spar Oh So Mighty Again

Racing in terrific form, The Mighty Spar (7 g Savabeel – O’Dianne, by O’Reilly) recorded consecutive victories when taking out the A$50,000 Bill Roycroft Steeplechase (3200m) on 15 June at Terang (Victoria). 

Having jumped flawlessly when making it two from two on the course in the Ecycles Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m) on 18 May at Casterton, The Mighty Spar was ridden again by Champion Jumps' Jockey Steven Pateman and on recent sparkling form, looked a top three chance.

Tucked in behind the leaders, The Mighty Spar travelled easily and jumped fluently. He appeared to be cruising when improving to third at the 900m and despite carrying (73kg) considerably more than his rivals, he was simply too strong over the concluding stages. 

“He (Pateman) gave him a gun run, obviously he had to carry a big weight, giving seven kilos to the second horse and 11 kilos to the third, but in the end, class prevailed,” said commentator Rick McIntosh. 

A $3.30 fixed odds equal favourite with third placed Raise The Note (Raise The Flag), The Mighty Spar drifted to pay $4.10 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a brilliant win, especially carrying that weight, and he really toughed it out to the line,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“It was another great ride of Steve Pateman’s. The horse is giving away weight each time now, because of his record, but he’s in such great form that he’s able to cope.”

The Mighty Spar was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by the Te Akau 2019 Karaka Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

A great campaigner to be involved in, since powering home from last to win his Maiden over 1400 metres as a three-year-old at Matamata, The Mighty Spar has now registered 10 wins, including five over fences, eight seconds, and 10 thirds. 

Tranferring to Te Akau's Cranbourne stable just over a year ago, The Mighty Spar has earned just on $340,000, with $200,000 of that coming in the last 13 months in Australia.

By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and nine-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), who proved himself one of the most versatile stallions in Australasia, The Mighty Spar has a lovely cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer on the dam side of Zabeel (Sir Tristram), the sire of Savabeel, and through the sire line of dam-sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon).

The Mighty Spar was strapped by Emma Wilson.