Multiple Group One Winner Antino (NZ) Retires

A major NZB Ready to Run Sale success story has come to an end with the retirement of multiple Group One winner Antino (NZ) (Redwood).

Offered at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Antino was purchased by New Balance Racing for $27,000. His 33-race career produced 13 wins, seven placings and A$3.47m in prize-money – more than 156 times his purchase price.

Antino appeared to be on target to further enhance that record in his latest campaign after an eye-catching fourth under 61 kilograms in last Saturday’s Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm, but it later emerged that he had sustained an injury.

“It is with tremendous sadness we have had to make this decision, given the thrills and excitement he has provided the racing industry, from fans to our staff and owners,” trainer Tony Gollan said.

“I wish to thank Jeetu Ramchandani and the ownership group for the opportunity to train Antino, and my wider team who have contributed to his training and preparation since the gelding joined our stable in 2022.

“Antino will enjoy a well-deserved retirement after his rehabilitation from injury.”

Named Queensland’s Horse of the Year in both 2024 and 2025, Antino’s victories included the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m), Group One Doomben Cup (2000m), Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m), Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m), Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500m) and Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m).

Antino also ran second in three Group One races. He split superstars Sir Delius (Frankel) and Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last October, and he previously filled the runner-up position in the Group One Champions Mile (1600m) and Toorak Handicap (1600m), along with a third in the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

Antino was one of six Group One-winning Ready to Run Sale graduates in Australia last season, alongside Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock), Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto), Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel).

The 2026 edition of the world-leading sale of two-year-olds will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre on Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 November with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday 12 & Tuesday 13 October (tbc).