Ultra Happy with Nicconi Filly

Media Release - Saturday December 10
The New Zealand arm of Sean Buckley's extensive Australasian racing and breeding operation is making its presence felt, tasting success at Te Rapa with two year-old Nicconi filly Caesour's Dream.

Caesour's Dream - Trish DunnellUnder his Ultra Thoroughbreds banner, he was successful with the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Street Ranger at Hastings on Thursday and stablemate Caesour's Dream followed suit with victory in Saturday's Wentwood Grange 2YO Premier.

"We've got horses in Sydney and Melbourne and a big base in Adelaide with Phillip Stokes," Ultra Thoroughbreds' general manager Toby Koenig said.

"The focus is on New Zealand as our international base. It's been a super week and things are really starting to click for us."

They also have Coerced Witness, a Star Witness mare who won four races from Stokes' stable, with Baker and Forsman.

"We'll be looking for some black type for her before she goes to stud next year, she'll be going to Savabeel," Koenig said. "We've got half a dozen mares we're now breeding from at Waikato Stud.

"We'll be selling at Karaka as well with colts by Shamus Award and Savabeel, who were foaled at Waikato, in the Bradbury Park draft."

A homebred for Ultra Thoroughbreds, Caesour's Dream is the first winner for Caesour's Promise, a daughter of South African Group I winner Perfect Promise (SthAfr), who also won the Group I MRC CF Orr Stakes in Australia for Ultra Thoroughbreds.

Caesour's Dream had been placed at her first two starts before she led all the way to open her account at Te Rapa.

"She did everything right after she raced greenly the other day at Otaki," Baker said.

"She's a lovely filly and we might look at a stakes race at Ellerslie for her over Christmas, but she will be even better in the autumn."

Buckley is no stranger to Group One success in New Zealand - he won the 2009 NZ Bloodstock Breeders' Stakes with the Lee Freedman-trained Dane Julia – and plans are afoot for a crack at another feature.

"Captain Duffy is nominated for the New Zealand Derby," Koenig said. "We're fielding some offers from Hong Kong for him, but if he isn't sold he'll go over."

Trained by Stokes, Captain Duffy has won two of his nine starts including a front-running victory over 2200 metres in the Listed Geelong Classic. – NZ Racing Desk.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Cool Archie Return Delayed
The highly anticipated return to the races for exciting colt Cool Archie has been put on ice with co-trainer Chris Munce revealing the colt has an issue.
Mick Dee Chasing More Kiwi Glory
Expat jockey Mick Dee is set to return to one of his happiest hunting grounds, Ellerslie, with a full book of rides on Boxing Day headed by El Vencedor in the Gr. 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m).
Inglis Digital year concludes on a high - Two Mares Sell for $140,000
Two well-related mares stole the show in today’s Inglis Digital December (Late) Online Sale, selling for $140,000 each in the final auction of 2025.
Racing Australia Issue a Statement on Black Type
Racing Australia Chairman Rob Rorrison has released the following statement. 
Pretty Powerful Continues Winning Run for Yes Yes Yes
The last foal of blue hen Pretty Penny, Pretty Powerful returned for a new campaign as a gelding at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and he made it a winning return.
Vote for Your Favourite Foal of 2025
We thank everyone for their participation in this year’s Foal Gallery with an amazing selection of babies from all over Australia and New Zealand making it a real showcase for breeders big and small and the task of selecting just six for our audience to vote for is not an easy one.
First Win for $1million Jet
He was bought for $1million at Magic Millions with stallion potential in mind, but Zoustar three year-old Jet found the winner’s circle for the first time at Warwick Farm on Wednesday as a gelding.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday December 17
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
The Remarkable Rise of Zambardo
The one time scruffy weanling that emerged to challenge the mighty Via Sistina (IRE) in the Group I VRC Champions Stakes was one of the finds of the spring, how far can he go?
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia announces 2026 Next Crop Committee
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of the 2026 Next Crop Committee, a national group of passionate and forward-thinking industry participants committed to supporting the next generation of Australia’s thoroughbred industry.