Leading thoroughbred nursery Waikato Stud has strengthened its relationship with the Matamata Racing Club in the creation of a fillies and mares’ race with special meaning.
Appropriately, the race is named in honour of the late Lisa Chittick and will be contested at the MRC’s annual Premier meeting, Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day on February 22.
The Lisa Chittick Plate will be an open 1400m race run under set weight and penalty conditions with a stake of $40,000.
“It means a lot to my family and no doubt the O’Sullivan family to be able to stage a race at Matamata in honour of Lisa,” said her former husband, Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick.
“Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day was Lisa’s favourite race meeting of the year and it’s entirely fitting to see this race added to the programme.”
Waikato Stud already sponsors the Gr. 3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m), a two-year-old colts and geldings’ feature that complements the Gr. 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) for juvenile fillies. The third black-type race on the February 22 card is the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m).
“The Matamata Racing Club recognises Waikato Stud as a huge industry force, and one that Lisa Chittick made an immeasurable contribution to,” MRC chairman Dennis Ryan said.
“The club and Waikato already have a strong and long-standing relationship and we are thrilled to play our part in staging a race in memory of somebody we will always consider as one of our own.” - NZ RAcing Desk/
