WINNER: No Curfew Impressive

Bringing noteworthy form, No Curfew (3 g Vanbrugh – Supreme, by Falkirk) won the $18,500 NZB Mega Maiden Series 1400 metres on 15 November at Rotorua and struck a lucrative bonus in doing so!

No Curfew fought hard for third in the Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 3 October at Matamata, where second placed Joyeuse (Sword Of State) then finished third in the Group 2 Sarten Memorial over 1400m, which gave further credence to his prospects of breaking through. 

Handled patiently by stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM, No Curfew was allowed to find his feet from barrier eight, improved from ninth at the 600m with a circling run, and sustained a strong gallop to get up near the line.

It was a big effort by the horse and a top ride by Bosson, while additionally to the winning stake ($10,360), the owners won an extra $20,000 and trainers received $5,000 as part of the NZB Mega Maiden Series.

The New Zealand Bloodstock and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing initiative, supported by Entain/TAB, is available to horses purchased at Karaka, and who are entered for the Karaka Million Series.

The $1 million in bonuses is made up of 40 Mega Maiden Bonus races each season across New Zealand.

“It was nice to see him relax and travel into the race the way he did,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. “It was a lovely ride by Opie and good effort by the horse.

“He brought good form to the race, and it should also be a strong form race that he’s won, so it’s promising for his future.

“He’s always shown ability and mentally he’s just starting to put it together now. We look forward to him stepping up in grade, now, and the way he won it looks like he’ll handle it.”

Breaking through at his third start, following two placed performances, No Curfew ran 1400 metres in 1:24.3, last 600m in 34.9 (approx.), on Soft5 footing, and paid $4.50 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Owned by the Te Akau Wild Times Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), No Curfew was purchased by Sir David Ellis for $100,000, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, at the 2025 Karaka Book 1 Sale. He was then syndicated by Te Akau's Marketing Manager Julia Rose Ellis amongst a predominantly younger group of new owners.

From the same draft, in 2021, Sir David had bought ($50,000) his full brother Wild Night who became one of the best three-year-olds in New Zealand. He won the Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) amongst five wins in a row, while finishing second in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) and third in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).

Wild Night was also syndicated and managed by Julia Rose. The pair are sons of talented Australian three-year-old Vanbrugh, winner of the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), by Champion Sire and sire of sires Encosta de Lago (Fairy King). 

The Spring Champion Stakes, a stallion making race, has been won by the likes of Savabeel (Zabeel) and Dundeel (High Chaparral).  Vanbrugh also won the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) and Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m).

In addition to Wild Night, and now No Curfew, Supreme has also left Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) winner Play That Song (Showcasing), who finished second to Te Akau colt, now stallion, Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel) in the Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m).

No Curfew's grand-dam Maxamore (Volksraad) won the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), and left four-time winner and stakes' placed Faxed, also by beautifully bred speed sire Falkirk (Tale of the Cat). Going back further in the family, fifth dam Brown Satin won the Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m).

At the time of purchasing No Curfew, Sir David said: “Wild Night is a really talented racehorse and it’s great to be able to buy his brother for such a good value price. 

“It’s a huge advantage to have already seen a pedigree cross work so well and certainly makes it easier when inspecting other progenies from the mare by the same sire.

“Understandably, he has a very similar physique to Wild Night, and definitely has the right genetics, being from a talented family with plenty of depth.”

No Curfew has a very good cross in his bloodlines of both Mr. Prospector and Danzig, both hugely influence stallions and sires of sires.  

No Curfew was strapped by Kendyll Lee. 

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