Jon Snow (NZ) Continues Karaka Graduates’ Australian Derby Dominance

The flags of the Kiwi breeding industry and New Zealand Bloodstock flew high yet again in the A$2 million Group 1 BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj) became the third Karaka graduate in a row to win the Randwick classic, following in the footsteps of the $60,000 Premier Sale purchase Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock) and the $220,000 Ready to Run Sale graduate Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor).

Purchased for $65,000 at the 2015 Select Sale by co-trainer Andrew Forsman, Jon Snow was an admirably consistent performer through the New Zealand season with placings in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas, Group 2 Great Northern Guineas, Group 1 Levin Classic, Listed Karaka 3YO Mile and Group 1 New Zealand Derby.

But the Iffraaj colt has come of age since travelling to Sydney, winning the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes and Group 1 Australian Derby within the space of a week.

Ridden by Damian Lane, Jon Snow was handy to the pace throughout the 2400-metre contest before surging to the lead in the straight and fighting off all challengers to win by three-quarters of a length.

Raced by the Zame Partnership, Jon Snow has now won three of his 11 starts and more than $1.57 million in prizemoney – around 24 times his purchase price.

“He only cost us $65,000,” said Forsman, who trains Jon Snow in partnership with Murray Baker. “The whole journey has been a great thrill. It’s been a great ride for this horse with the owners.

“He won so well in the Tulloch last week, he just bounced through the run and his work on Thursday morning was brilliant. He pulled up well. Everything has gone so well since he came over here.”

Jon Snow was bred by Richard Moore. He is out of the O’Reilly mare Orinda (NZ) and descends from the Moore family’s famous line that includes such illustrious performers as Solveig, Soliloquy, Greig, Soltanto and many more.

The Derby was the second Group 1 win of the day on Saturday for Haunui Farm sale graduates. Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), bought for $57,500 at the 2016 Premier Sale, won the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni.

Kiwi bred and sold horses have won eight of the last ten runnings of the Group 1 Australian Derby.

Jon Snow was the fourth Australian Derby winner for Baker, who previously won it with Nom Du Jeu (NZ) (Montjeu), Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral) and Mongolian Khan.

The win completed a big double in Sydney’s feature three-year-old races for Karaka graduates, with the New Zealand Derby hero Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj) winning the Rosehill Guineas two weeks earlier.