Ammirati Eyes NZ Derby After Gingernuts Win

Listed win adds an exciting pedigree update to Ammirati’s full brother ahead of NZB Yearling Sale!

Off the back of his victory in the G3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki two starts back, 3yo Savavbeel gelding finished fifth last Saturday over what was probably too short of a trip in the G2 Levin Classic (1400m) behind Super Seth’s La Dorada.

Stepping up in trip to the 2100m of the Listed Gingernuts Salver at Ellerslie on Sunday, it was the first time trainer Stephen Marsh had pushed his talented galloper out in distance, and it proved a decisive performance that now sees the gelding as a leading G1 New Zealand Derby contender.

Showing versatility in the run to ease back after leading early on, the gelding worked into the race strongly after rounding the turn and with about 300m to run, jockey Matt Cartwright asked for an effort where Ammirati responded.

Although runner-up Tulsa King made up late ground along the inside, Ammirati held a winning three-quarters of a length margin once the line was reached, taking the prize for Lib and Katrina Petagna’s Elsdon Park.

With Marsh in Australia currently inspecting at the Magic Millions yearling sales, stable rep Dylan Johnson spoke post-race.

“It’s always satisfying when a plan comes off, so you’ve got to hand it to Stephen, it was a good call,” Johnson said. “We had been toying with whether he was a Kiwi or a Derby horse, but last week he said he would like to run him at Trentham and if he came through that okay then back him up here and get him over ground.

“He had an economical run at Trentham and he hit the line well, so it set up well and it was great to see it all fall into place.

“The beauty of today’s win is that you now know he’ll run a trip and we can pick a path to the Derby.”

“He’ll work out which way to go with the choice of the Waikato Guineas (February 7) or the Avondale Guineas (February 27), but probably not both.”

Secured for $450,000 by Bruce Perry Bloodstock from our Book 1 offering at the 2024 yearling sale, fingers crossed the leading judge will be one of many chasing his full brother, who sells as Lot 467 in this year’s sale.

It was a winning treble for Savabeel on the day at Ellerslie with 3yo filly Chilling Out scoring in the third of the day while 5yo mare Atkins broke her maiden in the fifth of the day.

With Ammirati’s brother being one of 13 yearlings by Savabeel in our 2026 New Zealand Bloodstock yearling Sale, there is sure to be plenty of opportunities – click HERE to view our Current Drafts.