Heroic Valour (NZ) Remains Unbeaten

Valuable colt Heroic Valour (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) is already on the honour roll of Group 1-winning Karaka graduates, but another stakes victory at Ruakaka in his first start of the new season on Saturday further enhanced his reputation and value.

Purchased for $400,000 by Te Akau Racing principal and perennial leading buyer David Ellis, Heroic Valour has yet to taste defeat on a racetrack. With a superb win in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Tavistock Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), he extended that record to a perfect four out of four.

Ridden by Matt Cameron for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, Heroic Valour was in a difficult midfield position halfway down the straight, but then he provided a reminder of his class and determination. He relentlessly charged down the outside, hitting the lead and holding on to win by a head.

Fellow Karaka graduates The Soultaker (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj), both trained by Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs, finished second and third.

“There’s a lot of pressure bringing a horse like this back to the races,” Richards said. “David Ellis bought him at Karaka with the intention of making him into a stallion. Hopefully we’ll carry on towards the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

“He did it the hard way today. Matt Cameron rode him superbly. He didn’t have things all his own way, he copped a check at the top of the straight and then got squeezed up again and took a while to get into the clear.

“He’s not a horse who’s ever going to win by much, but he gives it his all and he’s a very good horse.”

Heroic Valour was unbeaten in three starts last season, winning on debut at Trentham before adding the Listed Reid & Harrison Slipper (1200m) and the Group 1 Diamond Stakes (1200m). Saturday’s fourth win boosted his prize-money earnings to $188,750.

The colt is out of the Nassipour mare Myrrh (NZ), the dam of eight winners from 11 foals to race. Heroic Valour is the dam’s second stakes winner, following in the footsteps of Doncaster Handicap winner Triple Honour (NZ) (Honours List).

Heroic Valour was bred by Katom, Cobra Bloodstock Australia Pty Ltd & Austramore Pty Ltd. He is raced by the Te Akau 2015 Breeding Syndicate.

The Te Akau team were clearly pleased with their purchase of Heroic Valour even before he made his debut – Ellis returned to Karaka last January and secured a full-brother for $510,000.