Mongolian Khan Races into Derby Favouritism

A new race-favourite for the Group 1 NZ Derby was found on Saturday after Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) was victorious in the $100,000 Group 2 Essilor New Zealand Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Mongolian Khan victorious in the Group 2 Essilor New Zealand Avondale Guineas. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Mongolian Khan now has five wins from six starts to his name. This was his third consecutive stakes win, after breaking into stakes company just two months prior when winning the Listed 3YO Salver at Ellerslie. Two weeks ago he claimed his second stakes win at Te Rapa in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas.

“It was another very good effort by Mongolian Khan,” commented Baker. “He showed his class and outstayed them – he’s a top colt.

“He’s a fit and happy horse and in top form. We know that he can stay – he relaxes in his races and that’s the key.”

Opie Bosson continued his association with Mongolian Khan as he rode him from a handy barrier 3 to settle mid-field. The back of the track saw Bosson pull to the outside of the field and race forward to seek the lead.

The field was stretched out across 12-lengths as Mongolian Khan led the field on the turn for home. McQueen (NZ) (Alamosa) challenged Mongolian Khan in the straight but the son of Holy Roman Emperor proved too strong and sprinted away for a 1.7-length victory. Finishing into second place was Prima (NZ) (Sir Percy), with race-favourite Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock), who was previously the favourite of the Group 1 NZ Derby, in third place.

Mongolian Khan has now won $175,500 in stakes money for owner Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) (Ltd). Mr Lang of the Rider Horse Group was in attendance at Ellerslie to see his colt win.

Purchased at the 2013 Select Sale for $140,000 by Waikato Bloodstock from Ainsley Downs Stud, he returned to the 2013 Ready to Run Sale and was purchased for $220,000 by the China Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Group from Regal Farm.

Bred by Grenville Stud, Mongolian Khan is out of unraced mare Centafit (Centaine), a full-sister to stakes winner Centalong – Super Fit (H.K.), winner of the HK-1 Hong Kong Derby. Mongolian Khan is also a half-brother to Group 1 winner Young Centaur (Jeune), winner of the Group 1 Wellington Cup.