Winner: Timeless Beauty Spot On

Rising to the task despite conditions, Timeless Beauty (2 f Wootton Bassett – Lady Iveagh, by More Than Ready) recorded a good debut victory in the $20,000 Engas Developments Maiden 2YO 1100 metres on 17 April at Te Rapa.

Having won two of three trials, most recently when keeping up a strong gallop to win on 17 March at Taupo, Timeless Beauty shaped to prove competitive if appreciative of the Heavy10 footing, and that she did.

Ridden by Samantha Collett, Timeless Beauty was able to box seat in the trail from barrier two, received a split between leader Phillyjean (Hello Youmzain) and race favourite Imperial Rose (Sword Of State) in the straight and kept working home to gain an advantage near the line.

Although the testing ground appeared to dull the turn of foot she was attempting to exude, Timeless Beauty instead drew on grittiness to get the desired result.

“It was a really tough effort to get a first-up win and she’s a filly that will only improve with more time,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson, after their 13th two-year-old win this season.

“It was a good ride by Sam Collett and nice to see her back riding winners in the tangerine, after once being an apprentice with us. She was able to utilise the draw to settle just off the pace and gradually urged her through when the gap appeared in the straight.

“She’s a filly that has the pedigree to improve over more distance and has the makings of a really nice three-year-old.

“We expect she’ll appreciate better footing too and I think it was just her class that got her through the ground today.”

On Heavy10 footing, Timeless Beauty ran 1100 metres in 1:06.7, last 600m in 35.2 (approx.), and paid $2.70 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

Owned by the Te Akau Beauty & Grace Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Timeless Beauty was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $320,000 at the Karaka 2025 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park.

By Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and leading Coolmore Stud stallion Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), who passed prematurely last September aged 17, Timeless Beauty became the third winner for her dam Lady Iveagh (More Than Ready), who showed speed to win over 1000 metres in Australia. 

Possessing a blue blood pedigree, the grand-dam of Timeless Beauty, Milliyet is by Champion Sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram), who still holds the NZ record for stakes' winners (166). 

Milliyet is the dam of Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice), Champion 3YO Filly in Australia, and triple Group One winner in the Champagne Stakes (1600m), Flight Stakes (1600m), and VRC Oaks (2500m). 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “She’s a beautiful example of both the sire and dam, and with a pedigree like she’s got it’s easy to see the quality. 

“She has a European look about her physique, with the class to show some natural precocity and the depth in her bloodlines to get over longer trips. 

“She really is a beautiful specimen, by a sire (Wootton Bassett) that is one of the best in Europe, and we’re about to start seeing his first crop Southern Hemisphere two-year-olds in action this season. 

“There is plenty of staying blood in her pedigree and we see her as an Oaks type of filly. She will just keep improving with maturity and age.”

Timeless Beauty carries a bloodline cross to three of the best sires of all-time: Mr. Prospector, Nureyev, and Northern Dancer. 

Timeless Beauty was strapped by Megan Fenwick. 

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