Return To Conquer

Physically flawless being a A$1.3 million Magic Millions yearling
Perfect performace winning all four starts at stakes level
A G1-winning two-year-old by Snitzel

Service Fee $15,000 plus GST, LFG

When you’re backed by three generations of horsemen and women, it means something. It speaks of instinct, experience and the quiet conviction that recognises a stallion prospect the moment he walks into the yard.

Return To Conquer arrives at Waikato Stud with that endorsement behind him.

The unbeaten Group 1-winning son of four-time Champion Sire and Champion Two-Year-Old sire Snitzel, he joins the Waikato roster in 2026, with three generations of the Chittick family placing their collective confidence in a colt, who paired elite racetrack performance with pedigree depth and undeniable physical presence.

His story at public auction set the tone. Purchased for A$1.3 million as a yearling from Blue Gum Farm’s draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Return To Conquer drew serious attention. Bloodstock agent Bruce Perry was among those eager to secure him, John O’Shea drove the bidding into seven figures, and it was David Ellis CNZM who ultimately landed the final winning blow.

In the tangerine colours of Te Akau and under the expert guidance of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, that early belief was swiftly justified.

Return To Conquer won all three of his trials before stepping out in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) in November 2024. Sent out a red-hot favourite as a pre-Christmas stakes winner, he delivered in style, scoring by 2.5 lengths eased down, a performance that suggested there was plenty more in reserve.

Given a freshen-up, he returned in February 2025 for the Gr.3 Collin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie. Posted three wide and under minimal urging, he still proved too strong, cruising home to win by three-quarters of a length. Two weeks later, Te Akau raised the bar again in the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m), and he duly accepted, bringing up his third stakes victory and maintaining his unbeaten record.

The progression felt seamless. Again sent out a hot favourite, with Champion Australian jockey Blake Shinn aboard, he culminated his preparation in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes, delivering Te Akau its 100th Group 1 winner in the process. It was a grand tussle in the straight, but with the heart and determination of a top-class colt, Return To Conquer dug deep to prevail, earning himself a well-deserved break rather than pressing on to the Golden Slipper, for which he had qualified.

Four starts. Four stakes wins. Unbeaten.

“From the moment I first inspected him at the Magic Millions’ sale, he stood out,” said Ellis. “He was a magnificent individual – strong, athletic and beautifully balanced – with the pedigree to match. He developed into an elite racehorse under Mark (Walker) and Sam’s (Bergerson) guidance, retiring unbeaten in four starts. All four of his victories were at stakes level, including the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes. Records like that are seldom found.

“Just as importantly, he has a beautiful temperament and a real presence about him. We buy these well-bred colts to compete and win at the highest level and Return To Conquer did exactly that. To see him retire unbeaten and now head the renowned Waikato Stud is immensely satisfying – it gives him a tremendous platform, and it is a wonderful result for the New Zealand breeding industry.”

While Mark and Garry anchored operations in Matamata, Harry and George travelled to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne base, between managing the Waikato Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, to cast their own eye over the colt.

“Ben Gleeson showed him to us and he was really impressive, he has a good brain on him, and he’s such a dude,” said Harry. “Speaking to Jamie and Chanel (Beatson, Ohukia Lodge), he was the best they broke in that year. Everything about him is impressive – from his pedigree to his performance, temperament and physical presence.”

“He’s a beautiful horse and very precocious,” added George. “One of the things I took away was, yes, there is plenty of Snitzel in there, but there is a touch of Lonhro, too. I’d be very pleased walking out to get him from the paddock each day and bringing him to the barn or showing him to clients. We’re very excited and proud to be a part of the next stallion for WS.”

His pedigree underpins the performance. Out of Vaujany, an unraced daughter of Lonhro and a three-quarter sister to six-time Australian sprint winner Andermatt, and descending from Portillo, winner of the Gr.2 Surround Stakes and runner-up in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes, Return To Conquer carries a page that blends speed, quality and proven class.

“At the end of the day, (he’s) a Group 1-winning son of Snitzel and a good specimen. To get all those things together is not easy,” said Garry Chittick. “We have a very good spread of stallions, so he fits into our mix well.”

Return To Conquer stands as a powerful symbol of legacy in motion, backed by three generations of the Chittick family and poised to carry the story of Waikato Stud into its next era.