Gallant Battleborn another Rock ‘n’ Pop winner

Battleborn (McCarthy/Racing Photos)

Waikato Stud graduate Battleborn struck the first winning blow of his career at Bendigo this afternoon.

Trained by Brent Stanley, the Rock ‘n’ Pop three-year-old was successful over 1400m for apprentice Mitchell Aitken.

Battleborn’s victory was not unexpected as he had finished in the money in four of his previous six appearances.

He was bought out of the Matamata farm’s 2016 Premier Sale draft at Karaka for $210,000 by Cloud 9 Thoroughbreds and CB Bloodstock.

His dam Vanilla Sky won twice and the O’Reilly mare has also left the stakes winner and Group One performer Raid (Pins).

Battleborn’s pedigree page further features the dual Australian Group One winner Stratum Star.

The Waikato Stud-based Rock ‘n’ Pop has now left 14 individual winners, including the black type performers Go Dixie, Gold Spice, Paris Rock and The Lord Mayor.

Recent News
27 October 2026

Ocean Park’s With Grace seals NZ Cup berth

South Auckland mare With Grace secured her berth in next month’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton when extending her winning sequence to four with victory in the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway 2100 at Te Rapa on Labour Day Monday.

Read More
27 October 2026

Bonecrusher Stakes next for Justin Case

Trainer Kris Shailer has confirmed that his exciting three-year-old Justin Case will bypass next month’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in favour of stakes targets closer to home.

Read More