Aimee’s Jewel (NZ) Steps Up in Breeders’ Stakes

Bought for only $10,000 at the 2018 Karaka May Sale, Aimee’s Jewel (NZ) (Proisir) has emerged as a bright new star of New Zealand fillies and mares’ racing. 

The four-year-old swept to victory in Wednesday’s $80,000 Group Three Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton. It was her third win from just five career appearances, boosting her career earnings to $68,765.

Aimee’s Jewel began her career with two impressive victories on heavy winter tracks, then finished a luckless fourth at Otaki and was runner-up in an open sprint at Awapuni.

Trainer and part-owner Trudy Keegan threw her in at the deep end on Wednesday for her first black-type start. Aimee’s Jewel capitalised on a ground-saving ride by Lisa Allpress, pounced late in the race and scored by half a length.

“It’s amazing,” said Keegan, who shares ownership with her husband Vaughan, along with Troy Pannell. “I was thinking, ‘Wow, Lisa – you’re brave’ as she was riding for luck. Lisa knows how good she is, that’s why she was there.

“This horse is not just special to me, she is special to a lot of people. She has just got that something extra.”

Aimee’s Jewel could now be given a Group One opportunity at the beginning of next month.

“As long as she comes through this okay, we may go to the Captain Cook Stakes (1600m),” Keegan said.

Allpress has now won three races from four rides on Aimee’s Jewel.

“She is just amazing with the feeling that she can give you when you can settle her, and she has got such a powerful finish,” she said.

“I saw her at the jumpouts and they’d asked me to ride her and I’d taken another ride that day. As soon as I saw her cross the line I went straight around to Trudy and asked if I could please ride her next time, so it will be hard to get me off her.

“I think she is untapped and she just does what she has to, so onwards and upwards.”

Vendor	Curraghmore
Purchaser	Mr TC Pannell
Breeding	Proisir – Aimee’s Idol
Sale	Lot 3, 2018 Karaka May Sale, $10,000
Bred by	Suncroft Bloodstock