Silent Achiever Draws Barrier 9 for AJC Derby

10 April 2012

NZ Derby heroine Silent Achiever (O’Reilly) has drawn barrier nine for her Gr.1 AJC Derby assault this Saturday.

Following in the hoof prints of last year’s winning O’Reilly filly Shamrocker, Silent Achiever is the only filly in the classic and will carry 54.5kg with the services of Hugh Bowman aboard.

Prepared by Roger James and raced by Kevin Hickman, Silent Achiever is rated as the current $4 second elect behind last start Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas winner, Laser Hawk.

Silent Achiever finished third to Laser Hawk on that occasion, but lost no admirers owing to the extra ground canvassed.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

No Corner last week; this week the Annual Thoroughbred Racing Awards night certainly deserves acknowledgment. It is the second of two nights of measurement of Thoroughbred achievements for the year, with the first focussing on our Breeders’ awards.

9 September 2026

Savabeel’s Group 1 daughter Belle Cheval retired

Belle Cheval, by champion sire Savabeel, enjoyed a stellar career: placing in the NZ 1000 Guineas, winning the Almanzor Trophy and Uncle Remus Stakes, finishing second in The Kiwi, then claiming Group 1 glory in Australia’s Vinery Stud Stakes before retiring to broodmare duties.