Elsdon Park, a thoroughbred nursery located just outside Matamata, is on the lookout for an Experienced Foal Watch Attendant(s) to help welcome into the world its exciting class of 2024.

This Fixed-Term contract would date from August 1st, 2024, until October 31st, 2024, with the hours being from midnight until 9 am during weekdays and 6 pm until 6 am on Saturday and Sunday nights. The role can be tailored around 2 people with rostered days off.

Responsibilities include:

The successful applicant will have:

Remuneration is dependent on experience.

If this sounds like you, then we very much look forward to hearing from you!

For more information, please contact Sarah Scott: 027 412 4606, office@elsdonpark.com

Applications close 31st May 2024

Panic winning the Listed South Pacific Classic 1400m. Photos: Bradleyphotos.com.au

Joshua Smith, NZ Racing Desk

Matamata thoroughbred nursery Elsdon Park have had a memorable week in Sydney with the progeny of young broodmare Daniela’s Magic, culminating in stakes success at Randwick on Saturday.

While the eight-year-old daughter of Per Incanto never made it to the races, her progeny is more than making up for it, with her first foal, Panic, extending his record to four wins from six starts over the weekend when taking out the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) for trainer Michael Freedman.

Bred by Elsdon Park principal Lib Petagna, the three-year-old son of Time Test was offered through Blandford Lodge’s 2022 Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by bloodstock agents Mick Wallace and Paul Moroney for $80,000.

He has proven to be an astute purchase, having now accrued more than A$179,000 in earnings.

“He was in the last draft that we sold under Blandford Lodge,” said Elsdon Park General Manager Kerrie Cox, with Petagna owning a share of the farm at the time before investing in what is now Elsdon Park.

“He was a beautiful type and a lovely moving horse. He was the first foal and he was just big and strong, a lovely mover, and had a great head on him.”

Cox said his yearling half-brother by Ardrossan is cast from the same mould and sold accordingly through the farm’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft earlier in the week.

“We had a really good Easter Sale where we sold three horses, including the half-brother to Panic, who was the only Ardossan in the sale,” Cox said.

“He made A$260,000 and when talking to Michael Wallace over there, who bought Panic with Paul Moroney, he said he (Panic) was going to be running in a stakes race and they were pretty confident.

“It was great to see him get that win, especially in a big field like that.”

They are the only two live foals out of Daniela’s Magic to date, who is now in-foal to Yulong’s Alabama Express.

“Lib owns a share in Alabama and it has turned out to be a pretty good mating,” Cox said.

“She is a lovely type of mare. She is leaving a really nice types and they look like athletes.”

Daniela’s Magic is a full-sister to Group One performer Saracino, who went on to win four races, including the Gr.2 Danehill Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m), Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m). He was also placed in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Gr.1 NRM Sprint (1400m), Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m), and two editions of the Listed Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m), earning nearly A$500,000 in prizemoney.

Meanwhile, Elsdon Park has experienced further success on the track in Australia of late, with the Petagna-owned Kalapour placing in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on Saturday, while farm graduate Hezdarnhottoo became Elsdon Park’s first winner at Randwick a fortnight ago.

“Kalapour won the Tancred (Gr.1, 2400m) a couple of weeks ago, and was a really commendable third in the Sydney Cup,” Cox said.

“Hezdarnhottoo was the first horse that was branded at Elsdon Park and he won as a two-year-old in Sydney a few weeks ago. That was pretty exciting for us to see our brand cross the finishing line there.

“I think there have only been four two-year-olds to the races so far with our brand on and they have gone pretty well. We have had Macaluso who was stakes placed as a two-year-old and also ran in the Karaka Millions.

“We have had some nice success with that first crop. It wasn’t a very big first crop so it is nice to see those results coming through as two-year-olds already.” 

Elsdon Park’s Per Incanto broodmare Daniela’s Magic has enjoyed a week to remember.

On Saturday her JML Bloodstock-bred Time Test son Panic won the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick for the Michael Freedman stable.

Panic winning the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au

Earlier in the week, her yearling colt by Ardrossan proved popular at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, selling to KPW Bloodstock for $260,000.

Daniella’s Magic’s yearling colt by Ardrossan.

Bred by JML Bloodstock herself, Daniela’s Magic is a full sister to the Gr.2 winner Saracina.

Daniela’s Magic is currently in foal to Alabama Express.

Panic and Tommy Berry winning the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au

By NZ Racing Desk

The in-form stable of Michael Freedman notched another stakes success during the Championships when the Lib Petagna-bred Panic scored a narrow victory in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Freedman sent out Manaal to win the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Ducasse to win the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Day One of the Championships and was quick to claim further stakes glory on Day Two.

A three-year-old son of Time Test, Panic was always prominent throughout under jockey Tommy Berry and dug in late to stave off the challenge of favourite Razors.

“It’s been amazing. For a relatively small team to be competing at this level and getting a few winners, it’s a big thrill and a huge credit to the whole team. They’re a great bunch of staff,” Freedman said.

“I was getting a little bit anxious that last bit. Tommy made the suggestion that we put a set of winkers on him earlier in the week. He has ridden him a bit and he was a bit wayward at Wyong when he got in front the other day, so credit to Tommy with the gear change.

“I would love to eventually see this horse ridden with a bit of cover. When you see what he can do at home when he works off the back of another horse, he’s a nice sort of horse. I think there is more in store for him.”

Further stakes options beckon Panic, who has now won four of his six starts and made it back-to-back victories this preparation after winning over 1200m at Wyong.

“I will see how he pulls up,” Freedman said. “The Hawkesbury Guineas (Gr.3, 1400m) in three weeks’ time is an option or maybe something in Queensland. We will just get through today and have a bit of a think.”

Winning jockey Tommy Berry said Panic had been an immature type with good ability.

“I thought he was always going to make it up to this grade, I just didn’t think it would be so early with what he has been doing at home,” Berry said.

“It’s a great training performance by the team. They have given him that win (at Wyong) to boost his confidence first-up and he has definitely gone on with it now.”

A son of Little Avondale Stud stallion Time Test, Panic is one of seven stakes winners for the well-bred son of Dubawi.

Bred by Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, Panic is out of Per Incanto mare Daniela’s Magic, a full-sister to Group Two winner Saracino.

Panic was purchased by Mick Wallace and Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $80,000 from the draft of Blandford Lodge at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale.

Panic as a yearling.

Elsdon Park’s General Manager Kerrie Cox is chalking up the farm’s Inglis Easter Sale debut as a success.

Each of the three yearlings that made the trip to Sydney were sold in the ring with the farm averaging an impressive price of $536,667, with the sale average being $427,805. This statistic saw Elsdon Park end the sale as the fourth top vendor by average.

“They were our final yearlings to sell for the year and it was our first time to Easter,” Cox said. “We were so pleased by how they were received by the buyers and the positive comments.

“We had selected types that we thought would suit the market and we were rewarded with great prices and terrific people buying them.”

The farm’s top priced lot was the I Am Invincible filly out of three-time Group One winner Lucia Valentina who was secured by John Singleton for $700,000.

The Ardrossan colt out of well-related mare Daniela’s Magic was knocked down to Kevin Walls for $260,000 acting for Ron and Judi Wanless under his KPW Bloodstock banner.

Rounding out the trio was the full brother to multiple stakes winner Lost And Running who was purchased by respected bloodstock agent Andrew Williams for $650,000.

“It was pretty remarkable to have John Singleton purchase from the draft, especially at Easter,” Cox said.

“The filly was very special to Lib being out of his matriarch mare and we were so pleased that Kris Lees, who trained Lucia, will train her and we can follow her career pretty closely.

“We’ve had such a successful trip and it is important to get those horses into Australia, show them to the market and get them into those stables.

“We’ll be back.”

-Tara Madgwick, Breednet

John Singleton is more usually seen on the buyers list at Magic Millions, but he swung into action at Inglis Easter on Sunday purchasing the Elsdon Park consigned I Am Invincible filly from triple Group I winning Champion 3YO Filly Lucia Valentina for $700,000.

Foaled in New Zealand, she is a half-sister to Group I placed Luella Cristina and is the fourth living foal of a $4.3million earner by Savabeel that won the Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2016 when trained by Kris Lees.

Singleton was accompanied at the sale by Lees, who will also be training the filly.

“She’s by a champion sire from a champion mare and Kris will be training her,” Singleton told Jemma Cutting of Inglis.

“In the past I’ve bought mostly from Magic Millions as Gerry (Harvey) is a mate and I was one of the partners there, but these days I’m a free agent and I’m enjoying the day here.”

Elsdon Park have three yearlings at Inglis Easter with the remaining two youngsters to be offered tomorrow and they include the full brother to $4.3million earning sprinter Lost and Running.

Elsdon Park Yearling Manager Yvonne Shanks and our Lucia Valentina filly looking on prior to selling to John Singleton at Inglis today.
Yaldi winning at Pukekohe under Kozzi Asano. Photo: Kenton Wright, Race Images NZ

Elsdon Park’s Ardrossan gelding Yaldi made the best possible debut at Pukekohe today, bolting in for a dominant win in the TAB 1200.

Raced with David and Nikki Wilson, the Forsman Racing-trained two-year-old entered the contest with three trial wins from as many starts, and never looked in danger throughout, racing home after making all under jockey Kozzi Asano to score the one-and three-quarter length win.

“We knew he obviously had good raw ability and we expected a bold showing today, but each of his trials had been educational so he was also relatively green heading into this. He jumped to the front though and just cruised,” said trainer Andrew Forsman.

“It’s a little surprising that he’s doing all this so early as he’s quite a big two-year-old. He’s going to develop into a lovely three-year-old.

“From here he may have one or two more starts this campaign before we put him aside. There are some nice options over the next month or so, so we might even consider some black-type for him before he goes out for a spell.”

Yaldi was bred by Brown Thoroughbreds Ltd and is the 14th winner for his young Waikato Stud-based sire Ardrossan.

As a yearling, Yaldi was purchased for $50,000 at the 2023 NZB Book Two Sale by Bloodstock Agent Bruce Perry from the draft of Little Avondale Stud. See picture below.

The Kris Less-trained Kalapour winning the 2024 Gr.1 KIA Tancred Stakes in the hands of Dylan Gibbons. Photo: Bradley Photos

The Kris Lees-trained Kalapour (War Commands) capped a great week for Elsdon Park with a Gr.1 win in the KIA Tancred Stakes at Rosehill today.

The seven-year-old entered the 2400m feature as a dual Gr.3 winner and when asked for the effort by jockey Dylan Gibbons, swiftly carried Elsdon Park’s colours to Gr.1 glory, with his nearest rival crossing a head margin back in second.

Kalapour was bred by His Highness The Aga Khan’s Studs and is co-owned by Elsdon Park’s Lib Petagna along with Gurners Bloodstock Co (Syndicate), Joe Singh, William Guest, Michael Clemenger, Tim Watson, David Redgrove, Susan Redgrove, Todd Johns, Ian Clifton, Peter Filipovic, Janne Guest, Jill Cross, Narelle Malone, Sue Grayson, MJM Racing (Syndicate Manager Ralph Huddy) and Tah Boys (Syndicate Manager Anthony).

The Gr.1 winner was initially purchased by his now trainer Kris Lees and Justin Bahen after four starts in the UK. Since his Australian arrival, his 19 starts have netted five wins and seven placings.

The win follows a week where Elsdon Park not only registered its first winner bred in the shape of the Bjorn Baker-trained graduate Hezdarnhottoo, but also loaded for export to Sydney its very first draft for the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

This debut draft comprises of an I Am Invincible filly out of the triple Gr.1 winning racemare Lucia Valentina, a full brother to the Australian stakes winner Lost And Running and an impressive Ardrossan colt from the black-type family of Sarancino.

Hezdarnhottoo wining at Royal Randwick. Photo: Bradley Photos

Hezdarnhottoo credited Elsdon Park with their first winner produced off the Matamata-based farm since it was established in 2022.

Leading from start to finish at Randwick, the two-year-old colt was having just his second race day appearance after finishing third on debut at the same track a fortnight ago.

Ridden by Tommy Berry, Hezdarnhottoo was untroubled during the Toyota Forklifts Hcp (1100m), scoring a comprehensive win by a margin of one and three-quarter lengths.

Bred by Elsdon Park’s Lib and Katrina Petagna, Hezdarnhottoo races out of the Bjorn Baker stable and was purchased by Baker in partnership with Clarke Bloodstock for $170,000 out of Elsdon Park’s inaugural 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft.

The son of Too Darn Hot is the third winner from as many to race for the stakes-placed Savabeel mare Rosa Carolina who raced in Petagna’s familiar blue, yellow and apple green racing colours.

“He’s a lovely colt, a bit raw,” stable representative Luke Hilton said. “He jumped in the air at the start the other day. To Tommy’s credit he didn’t drive him mad, he let him find his feet and he worked to the line well.”

“He jumped well today, and Tommy took the race by the scruff of the neck. He had a nice colt with wraps on it behind him today.”

Elsdon Park’s General Manager Kerrie Cox said the win was an exciting milestone as they continue to build the farm’s brand.

“He was actually the first horse ever branded with the Elsdon Park cipher so he has one over one on his offside shoulder, which is special- we even have a video of him being branded to mark the occasion” she said.

“He was a real standout as a young horse so it’s great to see him go on and perform on the track. It’s not easy to get a city win as a two-year-old, especially in Sydney. By all accounts the stable has a high opinion of him.

“It’s a great advertisement ahead of us taking our first Inglis Easter consignment to Sydney next month with 3 beautiful yearlings, highlighted by our I am Invincible filly out of 3 x Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina.”

Rosa Carolina was covered by State Of Rest last spring while Roger James and Robert Wellwood went to $220,000 to secure her Almanzor yearling filly when consigned by Elsdon Park at Karaka 2024.

Hezdarnhottoo as a yearling with Libby Hales

Matamata’s newly established Thoroughbred operation Elsdon Park is seeking a part-time Office Assistant to join its fast paced, high-performing team.

This role will be fundamental to the administrative operations of the stud farm and will require a minimum of 10 hours per week, with hours able to be flexibly tailored for the right applicant.

Responsibilities include:

The successful applicant will have

If you are keen to learn, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and have a knack for office administration, we would love to hear from you.

For more information, please contact Sarah Scott on 027 412 4606 or email office@elsdonpark.com

Applications close 5pm Wednesday, March 13.

www.elsdonpark.com