Darci La Bella adds stakes victory to burgeoning record

Media Release - Saturday October 8

Progressive mare Darci La Bella added a valuable black-type victory to an already outstanding race record when she strode clear to win the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera.

 Darci La Bella claims stakes success in the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) Photo credit: Race Images – Grant Matthew

The winner of eight of her 14 starts before contesting Saturday’s Group Three feature, the daughter of Darci Brahma went into the race as a warm favourite after finishing fourth to outstanding mare Imperatriz at Group Two level two starts back before winning comfortably in open handicap company a week ago at Te Rapa.

Advertisement

Sent out at a $2.10 quote for trainer Allan Sharrock, punters had no cause for concern as rider Lisa Allpress guided the five-year-old mare to a convincing three length victory over Secret Amour and Victorem.

Sharrock cut a satisfied figure after the plan he had worked out for his charge had come together on the day.

“She is a good mare, just a little horse and I thought she deserved that win today,” he said.

“I purposefully gave her a run last week, where she won at Te Rapa, to take some of the exuberance out of her and to get her ready for the 1400m today.

“She ran the trip right out and I’m very proud of the performance and of her.”

Sharrock plans to give Darci La Bella, who is the younger half-sister to another top performer in his stable in Tavi Mac, at least one more start in this preparation before sending her to the spelling paddock and possible retirement.

“I might look at a race like the Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) for her after she has a little break, but I’m not sure about what might be after that,” he said.

“She is not a big mare and now with a rating of over 100, she is at a tough place in the weights in a handicap race.

“She has got her black-type win and a fourth at Group Two level as well, so she might end up in the broodmare paddock next year.

“She is a valuable mare given she is a half to Tavi Mac, who has won four stakes races as well, so we will just wait and see what the future might hold for her.”

Darci La Bella has now won nine of her 15 starts and over $213,000 in prizemoney for Sharrock who co-bred and owns the mare with long-term clients Ann and Hec McCallum along with Ron and Noel Stanley. – NZ Racing Desk

Visit the profile page for DArci Brahma

DArci Brahma in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
2YOs at Flemington - G3 Maribyrnong Plate Sale Mail
Juvenile racing will kick off Melbourne Cup day on Tuesday with an early start at 10.45am for the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) with nine colts and four fillies engaged.
Melbourne Cup Tips – Tara Talks Racing
Tara Talks Racing is now online having had a Sunday arvo drink or two as we go through the Cup horses, so what do Clocker and I like for this year’s Melbourne Cup?
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.