The Victress (AUS)
The Victress (AUS)
2 f Zousain – Liesele by Exceed And Excel
O: Te Akau 2023 Magic Fillies’ Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton Ellis Mnzm)
B: Bhima Thoroughbreds
T: Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson
S: 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale V: Coolmore Stud P: David Ellis, $250,000
W: Lindsay Goudie & Brian Hare Memorial, 1000m, January 3, Te Aroha
Stakes races now look on the horizon for The Victress (Zousain) after she made a winning debut over 1000 metres at Te Aroha on Wednesday and in the process became the first winner for Widden Stud-based sire Zousain (Zoustar).
Sent off the long odds-on favourite under Opie Bosson, the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly came to the line a half-length to the good over Elegant Jazz (Russian Revolution) with a further head back to Dancing Dolly (Ace High) in third place.
“It was a lovely ride by Opie, taking bad luck out of the equation, he controlled the speed, and she’ll improve with that,” said Walker. “She’s got a really good constitution and great brain on her.”
The Victress won her only trial in August over 650 metres at Te Rapa and Walker said she will now likely head to the Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Wellington on January 13.
“We had a bit of a setback with her in the spring, after she’d won the trial, and provided she pulls up well we’ll look at the Wellesley Stakes,” Walker said.
Te Akau have a strong recent history in the Listed contest, having won the 2021 and 2022 editions with Quattro Quinta (Darci Brahma) and Hanalei (Darci Brahma) respectively.
The Victress was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $250,000 from the Coolmore draft at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, having been pinhooked by Manson Place Bloodstock from the draft of her breeders, Bhima Thoroughbreds, for $130,000 at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale the year before.
The Victress is the fourth winner and final foal from stakes-winning Exceed And Excel (Danehill) mare Liesele, who died in 2021. Zousain stood the 2023 breeding season at a fee of $22,000 (inc GST).