Pins mare takes another winning step

30 October 2013

Progressive mare Etoile Filante furthered her record in a driving finish at Pukekohe Park this afternoon. The patiently-handled daughter of Pins was making the third appearance of her current preparation and now boasts career statistics of three wins and a placing from six appearances.

The four-year-old was bred by WS with David Williams, who races the mare from the Byerley Park stable of Peter and Dawn Williams. Etoile Filante settled in the last trio before she was drawn wide at the top of the straight and then finished resolutely under Mark Du Plessis for the victory.

She is out of the Zabeel mare Etoile du Nord, who won five races including the Listed Marton Cup and she was a multiple Group placegetter. It is also the family of the Gr 1 Breeders’ Cup mile winner and successful sire Artie Schiller.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

The two of you will be aware of my ongoing concern as to the future of our sport. You could argue I have a vested interest; well, I did have, but my interest now is to give the future generations the opportunity my generation had. Now I can tell you, hand on heart, there were many financial thin times. 1975 was my fledgling start with five mares on 130 acres that occasionally flooded with the well-bred, non-race-winning Super Gray.

12 August 2026

Classy Debut Victory For Major Beel’s Brother Savagram

From a pedigree known all too well by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, 3yo Savabeel colt Savagram (NZ) kicked off his race career in the best possible way, highlighting himself as a potential black-type performer.