Regally-bred mare wins at Geelong

Queen Leonora (NZ) ridden by James Winks wins the Westfield Geelong BM58 Handicap at Geelong Racecourse on November 01, 2018 in Geelong, Australia. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

A Group One pedigree was to the fore for Waikato Stud at Geelong on Thursday.

Queen Leonora struck for the second time in her brief career when victorious over 1500 metres.

The 4-year-old is trained for the Matamata nursery by long-time friend and supporter Danny O’Brien.

By Savabeel, Queen Leonora is from one of the farm’s most successful families.

The mare is out of the O’Reilly mare Lego, a sister to the stakes winner Wolfwhistle.

She is also a three-quarter sister to the Gr.1 WATC Derby winner Guyno.

Their dam is the Gr.1 Kelt Capital Stakes and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks winner Legs.

The pedigree also features the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Xtravagant.

Recent News
9 July 2026

Oilman’s stud stake could change course of NZ breeding

Eighteen months ago, Texas oilman Nelson Bunker Hunt walked through the lush Waikato pasture of Matamata’s Balcarres Stud and announced he wanted some just like it for his own.

Today he has-360 acres about a mile down the road which has been transformed from a dairy farm to one of New Zealand’s leading horse and cattle breeding establishments.

Read More
9 July 2026

WS graduate Honour Roll out to add stakes success at Otaki

Waikato Stud will be cheering on one of its promising graduates on Friday when Honour Roll contests the Listed John Turkington Forestry Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. The WS-bred son of the late Champion sire …

Read More