Third G1 Winner for Melbourne Cup Winning Sire Shocking

Media Release - Monday December 26

Graham Richardson savoured one of the highlights of his career as Defibrillate brought a long-range plan to fruition in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day – a second consecutive triumph in the weight-for-age feature for Richardson and his training partner Rogan Norvall.

Warren Kennedy gives a big thumbs up as Defibrillate takes out the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) Photo Credit: Kristin Ledington

The Matamata pair captured last year’s Zabeel Classic with the perennially under-rated $15 outsider Tiptronic, who won eight races and more than $800,000 in a 52-start career that ended with his retirement earlier this month.

But Richardson and Norvall had a more-than-able replacement in the form of Defibrillate, who returned to New Zealand this spring after a highly successful stint in Melbourne that netted eight wins including three at Listed level.

The eight-year-old son of Shocking finished third in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in October in his first start back on home soil, then won the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m) at Pukekohe on November 1.

That prompted Richardson to start working towards the Zabeel Classic, run over the same course and distance some eight weeks later. When the big day finally rolled around on Monday, Defibrillate held up his end of the bargain, stepping out of the shadows of favourites Sinarahma and Prise De Fer and claiming his first win at the elite level.

Advertisement

Defibrillate was given a perfect midfield ride by South African jockey Warren Kennedy, settling into a smooth rhythm in fifth and one off the rail.

Sydney-based mare Polly Grey set a solid tempo out in front throughout the race, and she threw down the gauntlet to her rivals with a kick at the top of the straight.

But Defibrillate and Prise De Fer emerged from the pack and soon wore down the front-running grey mare, surging past and clearing out to fight a two-horse battle to the finish.

Last-start Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) hero Prise De Fer gave it everything he had but Defibrillate found a little more in the final 100 metres and kicked away to win by a length and three-quarters.

For Richardson, who also co-bred and part-owns Defibrillate, it was a hard race to watch.

“I had my eyes closed for a fair bit of it, and the four of us who were up there in the stand did some yelling,” he said.

“But what a result. This is a real thrill – one of the very best wins of my career. The owners are all close mates, we’re a good team, and it’s great to share this with them.

“It’s been a real team effort by my outstanding staff, who have been with me for a very long time, and of course Rogan at home.

“It was always the plan for this horse to have a bit of a gap between runs coming into this race, and it’ll be the same again with the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) his likely next start in February. Having a bit of space between his runs seems to suit him really well.”

Richardson bred Defibrillate in partnership with the McInteer Family Syndicate, and they share ownership with half a dozen others, including fellow Matamata trainer Lance O’Sullivan. Another co-owner is former Black Caps captain and now England test cricket coach Brendon McCullum, who returned from a recent clean sweep in Pakistan to be on course for Monday’s big win.

Monday’s Zabeel Classic also provided a first taste of Group One glory in New Zealand for Kennedy, a multiple premiership winner in South Africa who has made an immediate impact in his first couple of months in our riding ranks.

The 42-year-old has already ridden 20 winners, three of them at black-type level, and he also won Monday’s $100,000 Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final (1500m) aboard Habana.

“To come to a new country and have such a huge amount of support, and then to repay them with results like this is absolutely amazing,” Kennedy said. “It feels just like my very first Group One.

“The horse was an absolute professional. I just let him relax, and he seemed to enjoy the good, genuine pace, which was a bit stronger than I’d feared it might be. He started to build into the race, found his gap and really unwound. Once he did that, I knew he was going to be hard to beat.

“He was trained to perfection, they had him incredibly well, and he’s run accordingly.”

Shocking

Defibrillate is the third Group I winner for Rich HillStud's Shocking joining I'm Thunderstruck and Fanatic. – NZ Racing Desk

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic Gr1 2050m

Pukekohe Park Track: Good(3) Time: 2:05.37
1
Defibrillate
- 8g Shocking (AUS) x Our Chickaroonie (NZ) (Groom Dancer (USA))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: W B Kennedy 59
2
1.8
Prise De Fer
- 7g Savabeel (AUS) x Foiled (AUS) (Snippets (AUS))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 59
3
4.3
Polly Grey
- 8m Azamour (IRE) x Allanah (NZ) (Zenno Rob Roy (JPN))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57
4
7.1
The Mayor
- 8g Rock 'N' Pop (AUS) x Soph (NZ) (Lord Ballina (AUS))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: C Zackey 59
5
7.2
Le Sablier
- 8m Tavistock (NZ) x Phillipa Glass (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ms K Fursdon Rdr: M Hashizume 57
6
7.7
Chase
- 6g Zed (NZ) x Dantessa (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: S Nickalls Rdr: J K Riddell 59
7
8.8
Sinarahma
- 8m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: C J Grylls 57
8
8.9
Soldier Boy
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x Forty Love (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: G H Sharrock Rdr: S R Weatherley 58
9
9.5
Harlech
- 6h Darci Brahma (NZ) x Obsession (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: C E Lammas 59
10
13.3
Slave To Love
- 5m Savabeel (AUS) x Moochi Me (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: S C Spratt 57
More Reading...
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.