RETURN TO CONQUER

Highly talented Snitzel colt Return To Conquer debuted in superb fashion, winning the $110,000 Listed Counties/ Challenge Stakes 2YO SW 1100m at Pukekohe in November 2024.

The winner of all three of his trials before his debut, he was sent out red hot favourite for the event and did not disappoint in the hands of Wiremu Pinn, winning by 2.5 lengths, easing down.

The valuable colt's second start on 1 February 2025 at Ellerlsie saw him installed as the red hot favourite yet again.  Not all went his way in the $120,000 Group 3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic over 1200m with him posted three wide - however Wiremu Pinn let him slide forward, bided his rime as they headed for home and then under minimal urging let him cruise home by half a length, unpressured.

Backed as unbeatable at this third start on 15 February 2025, the $120,000 Group 3 Fairview Matamata Slipper for 2YO colts and geldings over 1200m, Return To Conquer duly obliged.  

In the hands of Michael McNab, who also won the Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes aboard stablemate La Dorada, this imposing colt took control of the race at the 300m and had to dig deep to stave off stablemate He Who Dares.  The latter raced very well for just his second start, while To Bravery Born made it a tangerine trifecta in the 'boys' event'!

It was the 11th time Te Akau colts/geldings have won this feature.

Being already a valuable colt, the next target was a Group 1 title to further enhance his future stallion prospects.  Again sent out hot favourite, with Champion Australian jockey Blake Shinn aboard, for the $550,000 Group 1 Sistema Stakes 1200m on Champion's Day at Ellerslie in March 2025.

It was a grand tussle in the straight but with the heart and determination of a top class colt, Return To Conquer dug deep to prevail - earning him a well deserved break rather than heading to the Golden Slipper for which he had qualified.

The victory also brought up the century of Group 1 wins for Te Akau Racing!

Return To Conquer was retired to stud in February 2026 after injury - he will stand at Waikato Stud, New Zealand. 

Return To Conquer was one of two colts purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the Magic Millions' Sale in January 2024 for Te Akau's 2024 colt partnership. He was raced by the Te Akau 2024 Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and stepped out four times in four stakes' races, recording for four black type victories, earning $534,750 in prize money in his career.