Kiwi-breds land another Classic as Wigmore wins South Australian Derby
New Zealand import Wigmore (Sweynesse) has been in work on both sides of the Tasman for six months but that didn’t stop him motoring home for a narrow victory in the South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Wigmore was purchased by OTI director Terry Henderson from clients of trainer Caley Myers after finishing fourth to Road To Paris (Circus Maximus) in the New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) at Ellerslie in March.
“Terry came up and told me he had 25 per cent left so I put a few mates in which makes this a massive result,” trainer Phillip Stokes said after the stable newcomer nailed VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) winner Strictly Business (Grunt) in a $41 blow-out for punters.
Stokes was claiming back-to-back wins in the Classic following Femminile (Dundeel) who won with Lachie Neindorf aboard 12 months ago. Neindorf missed the ride this year but his dad Steve has a share in Wigmore.
“We just brought him along slowly. He ran midfield first-up for us in the Chairman’s Stakes on Anzac Day and did an amazing job to win today,” Stokes said.
“He didn’t even need a jump-out being such a clean-winded horse. He’s done really well in the last week and he’s a natural stayer. Who knows? In time we could have a Melbourne Cup horse.
“I’ve had a bit of luck with these types of horses like Daqiansweet Junior who was also from New Zealand. They can leave it on the track if you overtrain them.
“We’re getting up there now with nine Group 1 wins but don’t ask me what we do with him next. There’s the Queensland Derby but I’m not sure if I want to go that way.”
Stand-in jockey Teo Nugent rode a perfect race on the Soft 7 surface in Adelaide.
“He’s been trained to the minute and felt super when I was legged up,” the winning rider said.
“He’s a typical Kiwi and I switched off the heels of Kaye Jay into the straight and was confident bringing him down the middle of the track. He was only getting warm in the final stages and it took me a while to pull up.
“It’s my second Group 1 and it’s been a few years between drinks but it’s fitting to get one for Phil. I promised him when I was about 12 that I was going to be his apprentice.”
Wigmore’s progression through sales rings, is almost as impressive as his rapid rise to become a Group 1 winner at just his eighth start.
Originally offered online as a weanling in 2023 on Gavelhouse.com by Hallmark Stud, Wigmore was purchased by Ed Stapleton and Dylan Ralph of Ralph Thoroughbreds for just $1700.
The pinhook paid dividends, with the colt being resold out of Book 2 of the 2024 NZB Karaka Sale for $25,000 to Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers. Entering the stable of Caley Myers, Wigmore didn’t take long to show potential, winning at his third outing in January, with his rapid rise culminating for Myers with a fourth in the NZ Derby in March. This attracted the attention of OTI Racing and the gelding changed hands yet again, this time privately, resulting in a change of colours and country, and resulting in yesterday’s Group 1 victory.
He was bred by Karlene Murdoch and owns a stout pedigree as a half-brother to New Zealand Cup (Gr 3, 3200m) winner Mondorani (Burgundy).
Further down the page, his third-dam Arborea (Imperial Prince) was one of the best fillies of her generation at three winning the VRC Oaks, Wakeful Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) and One Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) in the spring of 1993.
Wigmore’s sire Sweynesse (Lonhro) stands at Novara Park in Cambridge and he’s an all-purpose stallion, siring Champion Hong Kong Sprinter Lucky Sweynesse through to Group-winning stayers Only Words, Trust In You and Special Swey.