Waikato invest in next generation with Return To Conquer to join its roster

Joining a long legacy of breed-shaping stallions to stand at Waikato Stud, three generations of the Chittick family have placed their confidence in Return To Conquer, with the A$1.3 million yearling and unbeaten Group 1-winning son of the four-time Champion Sire and Champion Two-Year-Old sire, Snitzel, to take his position on the Waikato roster in 2026.

“We’re very excited and proud to stand such a top-class racehorse with a beautiful pedigree and impeccable looks,” said stud principal, Mark Chittick. “He will complement our broodmare band extremely well and to have Kia Ora remain in him adds to the excitement; the Australasian industry will get every opportunity to support him at this introductory fee. To stand a horse bought by one of the best judges in the industry is a real privilege, and it’s a testament to the Te Akau Racing team to have him retire with an unbeaten stakes record.”

Purchased from Blue Gum Farm’s draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$1.3 million, the colt had many admirers, including Bruce Perry, but it was John O’Shea who pushed the bidding into seven figures, with David Ellis CNZM having the final winning bid.

“From the moment I first inspected him at the Magic Millions’ sale, he stood out. 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,” explained Te Akau Principal, David Ellis CNZM.

“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.”

Return To Conquer won all three of his trials before making a winning debut in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes by 1.25 lengths. He continued his stakes sweep, culminating with victory in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes three starts later by a length under Blake Shinn. Across four career starts, he retired unbeaten with a total winning margin of nearly four lengths.

With Mark and Garry at home in Matamata anchoring operations, Harry and George travelled to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne base, in between managing the Waikato Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, to give the colt the final tick.

“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,” continued 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.”

While his performance mirrors his impeccable physique, his pedigree reinforces them. His dam, Vaujany (Lonhro), was unraced but is a three-quarter sister to six-time Australian sprint winner Andermatt, and his granddam, Portillo, won the Gr.2 Surround Stakes (1400m) and finished second in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) as a three-year-old.

“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,” explained Garry. “We have a very good spread of stallions, so he fits into our mix well.”

Return To Conquer will stand at an introductory fee of $15,000 plus GST, LFG.