Azamour's Aloisia Powers to Victory in the One Thousand Guineas

Mark Smith - Saturday October 14

Second in last season's Group I JJ Atkins Stakes at Doomben back in June, former New Zealander Aloisia took to the big stage in Saturday's Group I MRC Thousand Guineas (1600m) where she earned trainer Aaron Purcell his first winner at the highest level.

Placed at Trentham in two starts at two in New Zealand, Aloisia caught the eye of bloodstock agent Phil Cataldo who negotiated her sale to OTI Racing.

She was sent to Ciaron Maher for whom she won first-up over 1400 metres at Flemington encouraging connections to take the quantum leap to the Group I JJ Atkins Stakes at Doomben where she had little luck when second to Capital Gain.

Aloisia was again out of luck at her 3yo bow when a close-up fifth over 1400 metres at Caulfield.

Following Ciaron Maher's 6 month suspension, Aaron Purcell took over the running of the stable.


If she did not have the rub of the green in those two races she more than made up for it in the Thousand Guineas.

Under a rails-hugging ride by Luke Nolen, Aloisia came from midfield without having to go around a horse.

The daughter of Azamour hit the line strongly to defeat Shoals (Fastnet Rock) by one and a quarter lengths with Alizee (Sepoy) three-quarters of a length back in third.   (photo Grant Courtney)

"I obviously took over a stable that was in great shape.

"I've known Ciaron and his staff for a long time and I know how they go about things and the procedures and how professional how they go about things.

"I was confident that if I let the guys do their job the results are going to come.

OTI's Terry Henderson revealed how he came out owning the daughter of Azamour.

"Thanks to (bloodstock agent) Phil Cataldo back in New Zealand who selected this horse for us and said you should buy it," Henderson revealed.

"To put it in the Maher stable and now the Purcell stable is really satisfying.

"It's lovely to buy them when they are not too expensive and come out and win Group Ones 12 months later."



Aloisia comes from the first and final New Zealand conceived crop left by the Aga Khan's Night Shift stallion Azamour who won the St James's Palace Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes as a three-year-old, before taking the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as a four-year-old.

Retired to Gilltown Stud in 2006, Azamour shuttled for the first time to Brighthill Stud in New Zealand for the Southern Hemisphere season in 2013.

Tragically he died the following year at Gilltown Stud.

One of the 75 mares he covered at Brighthill was the stakes-placed Perfectly Ready mare Queen Boudicca, the dam of Aloisia and a 2yo filly by Keeper named Wyetta and a yearling colt by Swiss Ace.

Queen Boudicca was covered by Dalghar (FR) last spring. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
2024 HTBA Awards Night
Over 340 industry leaders, clients and supporters, attended the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association 2024 Annual Awards in Scone to recognise the Hunter’s elite equine athletes.
NZ Eventer Annabel Tuthill Turns Her Hand to Racing
Former New Zealand eventer Annabel Tuthill has added another string to her equine bow by taking out her thoroughbred trainer’s license.
Zoustar 2YO Salutes at Cambridge
The decision to bypass a trial opportunity with I’m All In proved on the money when the youngster successfully resumed on his home course.
Calyx Filly Husk Breaks Maiden at Sandown
Third on a heavy track at Warwick Farm when on debut last December, the 2-year-old Calyx filly Husk made the trip south to break her maiden in Wednesday's Sportsbet Fast Form Hcp (1000m) at Sandown-Hillside.
King Charles III new patron for NZTBA
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is delighted to announce that His Majesty King Charles III is their new patron.
Back to Stakes Class for This Filly
The most impressive winner at Ipswich today was a filly by one of the most under-rated sires in the country.
New 2YO Stakes-Winner for Too Darn Hot
With his service fee pushed to $110,000 in Australia this spring, Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot (GB) was on the board overnight with the first stakes-winner from his second crop in the Northern Hemisphere with promising filly Hot Darling taking out the Listed Prix des Reves d’Or Jacques Bouchara (1000m) at Vichy in France.
$730,000 Parmalove Tops Inglis Digital
A rollercoaster week of emotions for Gus Wigley and the Inglewood Stud team ended on a high tonight when Parmalove realised a sale-high $730,000 in the Inglis Digital May (Early) Online Sale.
NZB Ready To Run Sale Sale-Topper Breaks Maiden at Canterbury
Narrowly defeated at his career debut at Kembla on April 27, the 2-year-old Star Turn colt Megastar Heart went one better in the Golden Mile @ Darley Hcp (1400m) at Canterbury.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 15
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.