New SW Iffraaj - Grail Seeker Wins G2 Wellington Guineas

Media Release - Saturday March 16

Australian hoop Kyle Wilson-Taylor has made his first visit to New Zealand a memorable one by guiding promising filly Grail Seeker to a hollow victory in the Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham.

The Queensland-based rider struck up a friendship with trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott when he rode trackwork for the pair during the Queensland winter carnival last year, and was quick to take up an invitation to ride members of their team at Trentham including the daughter of Iffraaj along with El Roca filly Cupid’s Arrow in the feature event, the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

Kyle Wilson-Taylor guides Grail Seeker to a comfortable victory in the Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Wilson-Taylor has more than 320 winners to his name in a short career so far, including a maiden Group One victory aboard Palaisipan in last year’s Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm, but had never previously ridden outside Australia until Saturday.

Advertisement

He showed an immediate affinity with the roomy Trentham track as he produced an exemplary effort aboard Grail Seeker, settling her quietly near the rear and biding his time until asking her for an effort in the final 200m of the contest.

Grail Seeker burst through the pack to dash away from her rivals, winning easing down by three lengths from the late closing Witz End, with outsider New Millenium battling on gamely for third.

Co-trainer Andrew Scott heaped plenty of praise on Wilson-Taylor as well as the filly, who he believes has an exciting future ahead of her.

“She was pretty dominant there and it is great for Kyle to come over and ride her and a huge thrill for Team Wexford,” Scott said.

“She really deserved a win like this as it would have been a real shame if she had gone to the paddock without a win like that in her three-year-old campaign.

“She has a good future as she is a big, raw filly who is only going to get better with age.

“Kyle was in Queensland last winter and we got talking to him, we thought what a nice guy and he can really ride.

“When he rang us out of the blue, we were happy to get him on and hopefully he is keen to come back again and ride her, as she relaxed the best she ever has for him.”

For his part Wilson-Taylor was thrilled to repay the O’Sullivan Scott camp for the faith they showed in him after meeting up last winter.

“That’s very satisfying and shows that helping people out when they need a hand can lead to good things,” he said.

“Geez what a good filly as she got me out of a bit of trouble and she was just dominant.

“I had planned to get back and ride for luck and I’m just pumped.

“She has a very short, sharp turn of foot and we were able to ride her to execute that.

“I’m just very thankful for the opportunity and it is great to ride a good winner here.”

Raced by Trevor Clarke and Chris Jones, Grail Seeker was a $130,000 purchase by Rudy Liefting under his Kakapo Lodge banner from her breeder Jamieson Park’s draft during the Book 1 Sale at Karaka in 2022.

Her dam Starwish is a Redoute’s Choice daughter of Gr.1 Australia Stakes (1200m) winner Stella Cadente and she comes from a family that includes stakes winners Deep Image, Brilliant Bisc and outstanding Hong Kong sprinter Dashing Fellow. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Life Direct Wellington Guineas Gr2 1400m

Trentham Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:23.74
1
Grail Seeker
- 3f Iffraaj (GB) x Starwish (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 55
2
2.8
Witz End
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Gallwitz (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: S R Weatherley 57
3
3.3
New Millennium
- 3f Charm Spirit (IRE) x Next Century (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: L Sutherland 55
4
3.8
Bedtime Story
- 3f Per Incanto (USA) x Happy Endings (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Guy Lowry & Leah Zydenbos Rdr: M Cameron 55
5
3.9
Geriatrix
- 3c Almanzor (FR) x Its Our Showtime (NZ) (Showcasing (GB))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: M Hashizume 57
6
4.1
Revolt
- 3g War Decree (USA) x Fascinate Me (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: M P Breslin Rdr: A Comignaghi 57
7
5.1
Lantern Way
- 3c Satono Aladdin (JPN) x No More Doubt (NZ) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: J K Riddell 57
8
5.2
Irish Legacy
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: R T Elliot 55
9
5.4
My Lips Are Sealed
- 3f Ace High (AUS) x Tellmeaboutit (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: L J Allpress 55
10
6.9
Up The Anti
- 3c Divine Prophet (AUS) x Bisou Bisou (AUS) (Shaft (AUS))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: K R Hercock 57
11
7
Pericles
- 3g Rubick (AUS) x Empyrean (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
12
7.5
Tokyo Tycoon
- 3g Satono Aladdin (JPN) x All About The Coin (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: O P Bosson 57
13
9.3
Tossuforit
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Adorabeel (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S C Spratt 55
14
12.3
Moet Down
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Cancel (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55
More Reading...
Family Legacy Delivers Blue sky at Night
Blue Sky At Night gave owner-breeder’s Isabel and Alistaire Barker a massive thrill last Saturday at Te Rapa when taking out the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m), extending the couple’s great association with her family.
Late 210,000 guineas Sale for Savabeel Mare in foal Too Darn Hot
The five-year-old broodmare SEDAKA, offered in foal to TOO DARN HOT on a Southern Hemisphere cover, has been sold for a record 210,000 guineas to Kestrel Thoroughbreds’ Bruce Slade on behalf of Nocab Racing, making her the top priced lot in the Tattersalls Online December Sale and the highest priced broodmare ever sold on the platform.
OTI Move on Promising Pierro 3YO
Tony Pike is confident Golden Century can realise his full potential over ground and his opinion has been endorsed by a major international player.
Pause for Thought
You see a yearling and you love the yearling, but then you see the x-ray and you are given pause for thought - what happens next?
Hong Kong Runners for Sebring Sun in 2025
Bargain priced sire Sebring Sun has done a remarkable job with small numbers for Craig Ruttley’s Glenthorne Park Thoroughbreds and while his 25 lifetime winners from 41 runners have all come in Australia, that is set to change in 2025 with the export to Hong Kong of two of his promising three year-olds.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday December 17
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Willydoit Chasing Classic Success for My Racehorse
Shaun and Emma Clotworthy are enjoying the best of both worlds with their highly regarded three-year-old Willydoit.
Sharp 'n' Smart Ready for Summer Campaign
Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart is set to head to Trentham on Saturday to kick-off his summer campaign and ready for a Group One assignment at the Upper Hutt track next month.
$1.53 Million Showjumping and Polo Add to the Magic Millions Carnival
Magic Millions confirmed the much-anticipated line-up of teams and competitors across the entertainment-packed Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Doug Jennings Park on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The Land of Plenty For All – Why Australian Racing is the Best in the World!
We all know the champion racehorses of 2024 that are household names, but what about the horses that are legends in the homes of their owners?