Oaks dream alive for Almanzor Filly

Media Release - Wednesday March 1

Waikato Hospital radiologist Xavier Kos is dreaming of an Oaks victory with his filly Mehzebeen after she broke through for her maiden win at Awapuni on Wednesday.

Kos moved to New Zealand from France, where he developed his interest in thoroughbreds, and Mehzebeen is his first foray into horse ownership in this part of the world.

Mehzebeen winning at Awapuni on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images

Mehzebeen winning at Awapuni on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images

Under their Sarai Stud banner, Kos and his wide Beatrice Hild went to $50,000 to secure Mehzebeen out of Pencarrow Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Sale draft at the behest of former New Zealand Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston, who now works for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“We bought her on the advice of Danny Rolston, who is part of the team (of owners) with his parents and their friends. Danny is a friend of mine and a good horseman,” Kos said.

Advertisement

“We also have Mark Davis, a cardiologist that works with me, and Sonia Waddell from Riverdale Farm (in the ownership).

“It’s not every day that you can win a race, so we need to enjoy the good times, and she’s the first horse we bought when we came to New Zealand four years ago.

“We have a few mares now at home, and we are probably more into breeding than racing. But we bought Mehzebeen with a view to breed in the future and she’s from a good family of Sir Peter Vela’s.”

While Kos wasn’t able to be on track to witness Mehzebeen’s debut victory, he can’t wait to head to Trentham on March 18 to watch her compete in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

“It’s a shame we were not at Palmerston North today, but I’m at the hospital working, and we will definitely be there for the Oaks at Trentham,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable that we will soon have a filly in a Group One race. She’s a big filly, needs some time to mature and will probably be better as a four-year-old.”

Kos has recently returned from France where he visited Haras d’Etreham who stand Mehzebeen’s sire Almanzor.

“I have been away in Europe and I told Nicolas De Chambure, who is head of Haras d’Etreham, where Almanzor stands in France, that we have the dream of having the second Group One winner for Almanzor,” Kos said.

Trainer Mark Walker was pleased with Wednesday’s performance and is now looking forward to the Oaks later this month with his filly.

“It was a good strong staying effort by the filly and a lovely ride of Opie’s (Bosson),” Walker said.  

“She stepped up in trip after a good effort over 2000m. She’s bred to get that sort (2200m) of trip, improved each race, and she’ll head towards the New Zealand Oaks now.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Trelawney Stud Excited to Offer Shanwah Half-Brother at Inglis Easter
Shanwah’s victory in the Gr.2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday was timely for his breeder’s Trelawney Stud, who are set to offer his half-brother at Inglis’ Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April.
World First G1 Success for Rachel King in Japan
Leading Australian jockey Rachel King is no stranger to Group I success, but achieved a first in Japan on Sunday in becoming the first woman to ride a G1 winner on the JRA circuit when steering Costa Nova to victory in the February Stakes (1600m) on the dirt.
G1 Bonecrusher Stakes Next for Orchestral
Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood will head into next week’s Champions Day at Ellerslie with a trio of leading chances, with all three pleasing in their final hit-outs at the Auckland track on Saturday.
One to Watch – Grafton
Kooringal Stud’s bargain blueblood sire Sandbar has been the most searched stallion on Breednet this year through hypothetical matings and that’s thanks to his unbeaten super exciting 2YO Shaggy and at Grafton on Monday he produced another scintillating debut winner.
New SW for Almanzor - Mehzebeen Wins Listed Metropolitan Trophy
Misfortune has been a recurring theme in Mehzebeen’s 18-race career, but she made her own luck at Riccarton on Saturday with an emphatic front-running victory in the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m).
A Torryburn Gasp Before their Plain Bay Fellow Wins G1 No 4
The Torryburn stud team, watching as they always do when their ‘plain bay fellow’ races, would have had a gasp or two mid race but it ended up as easy as it comes with Voyage Bubble making it three Group I wins from his last three starts in the Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday February 23
Here is the full list of 73 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday February 24
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Back to Back Stakes Wins for Almanzor Stayer
After going into the New Zealand Cup Carnival without any black-type victories to her name, Mehzebeen leaves Riccarton with two of them including Saturday’s time-honoured Gr.3 Martin Collins 161st New Zealand Cup (3200m).
G1 Pedigree Watch – Helen Street Making Her Presence Felt
We saw two brand new Group I winners in Australia on Saturday and both super interesting on the pedigree front with one of them a $1.4million yearling and the other a Kiwi bred sprinter, who continued the G1 winning run for the Street Cry sireline and we also take a look at why you need to know more about Helen Street.