Amazing Atishu (NZ) Flies Past Five Million

For Kiwi syndicators Go Racing, the $260,000 purchase of Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) from breeders Waikato Stud's Karaka 2019 draft, has turned into more than A$5m and memories to last a lifetime.

The seven-year-old marvel scored her third Group One victory in Saturday’s A$1m Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. She has now had 46 starts for 11 wins, 15 placings and A$5.095m – more than 21 times her sale price.

Previously the winner of the Group One Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and Group One Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, Atishu’s two previous attempts at the Empire Rose Stakes had come up just short.

The Chris Waller-trained mare ran on strongly from third-last to finish fifth in 2022, then launched a huge finish from the back to come up just short of runaway leader Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) last year. Saturday was her richly deserved day in the Derby Day sun.

Rider James McDonald settled Atishu into a comfortable position in ninth, well within catching distance of the leader all the way around the Flemington track.

McDonald angled Atishu to the centre of the track at the top of the straight, then cranked up her engines. Soon after Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) dashed to the lead and took command, Atishu swept up alongside her and threw down her challenge.

Amelia’s Jewel lifted and fought back, but Atishu overpowered her in the final 50 metres and pipped her at the post.

“What a mare she is,” McDonald said. “She just turns up and performs. I’m incredibly proud of her. The team have presented her in immaculate order and she’s done the job.

“Her performance when she ran second in this race last year – I couldn’t believe that she got beaten. But then, as it’s turned out, Pride Of Jenni became an absolute star.

“She’s just a quality mare. I’m really proud of her.”

Atishu began her career in New Zealand, winning four of her nine starts for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh including the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) and Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m). She was NZB Southern Filly of the Year in 2020-21.

Transferred across the Tasman in 2021, Atishu has become a real favourite among the star-studded Waller stable.

“She’s a beautiful mare,” Waller said. “She’s been here a long time, and horses like her are so special. When they’ve been with you that long, they’re certainly a big part of the team. They continue to fly the flag and make you proud.

“We thought she was building up well towards this, and knowing how well she goes at Flemington gave us confidence more than anything. She’s a year older, so she just takes that bit longer to find a grand final. We had a little bit of confidence today that the grand final was here this week.”

Atishu may now back up next Saturday to defend her title in the Champions Stakes. Waller will also be represented in that race by Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock), who won the Group One Cox Plate (2040m) by eight lengths in her most recent start.

“There’s a pretty good chance she’ll be back next week,” Waller said. “She’ll have some good opposition there, but she won’t be worried about them. She’ll be saying ‘look out for me’.”

Vendor	Waikato Stud Ltd
Purchaser	Go Racing (Auckland)
Breeding	Savabeel – Posy
Sale	Lot 316, Karaka 2019 Book 1, $260,000
Bred by	Waikato Stud Ltd