Well Written Soars into NZB Filly of the Year Lead with Group One Victory

The Group One Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) has been a springboard to stardom for many high-class fillies over the years, and the $600,000 Riccarton classic unearthed another special talent on Saturday as the undefeated Well Written (Written Tycoon) burst to the top of the NZB Filly of the Year Series standings. 

Bought by Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for a sale-topping $80,000 from the 2024 NZB National Online Yearling Sale from Brighthill Farm's draft, Well Written has now had three starts for three super-impressive victories. She has earned $462,875, which is almost six times her purchase price.

The first leg of the 2025-26 NZB Filly of the Year Series had already been run and won two weeks before Well Written made her raceday debut with a three-length win in a 1200-metre maiden at Ellerslie on September 20. Just seven weeks later, she has Group One and Group Two victories to her name, heads the Filly of the Year points table and is among the most exciting talents in New Zealand racing.

Well Written joined the NZB Filly of the Year Series for the third leg, the Group Two Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on October 18. It was a huge step up for a filly having only her second start, but she rose to the occasion in dazzling style and won by six and three-quarter lengths.

That performance made Well Written the horse everyone was talking about in the countdown to the New Zealand Cup Carnival in Christchurch, and she lived up to her $1.50 favouritism for the 1000 Guineas with another runaway victory.

Jockey Matt Cartwright took up a handy position in fourth and one off the rail, then was still barely moving in the saddle as Well Written cruised up alongside the leaders at the top of the home straight.

Well Written produced a scintillating turn of foot when Cartwright pushed the button, powering away into a big lead. Cartwright eased her down in the last few strides and she swept past the finish line two and a half lengths clear. She has racked up a combined winning margin of more than 12 lengths across her three victories this spring.

“There’s a lot of relief,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “I was nervous today with the expectations there, and it wasn’t good for the heart when she wouldn’t load.

“But I’d just told Matt to ride her like the best horse and don’t panic. I wanted him to pretend it’s just another race, put her there and put her to sleep. I was happy when he didn’t peel off at the top of the straight. He just sat in the slipstream for a bit longer and then came out.

“From that point on, it was something else to watch. It was pretty special. It’s the first 1000 Guineas we’ve won, and she’s just a special filly. She’s got that bit of freakishness about her. It’s exciting to have horses like that in your stable and makes the job so much easier.”

Well Written’s victory on Saturday was her first appearance in new colours, with a significant share of the ownership having been sold to major international player Yulong Investments following her Soliloquy Stakes romp.

“This is a great result for the Yulong team, we’re delighted to have them involved, and it’s also great for all of our previous owners that sold down – a lot of them are here today,” Marsh said. 

Cartwright was in awe of his mount’s 1000 Guineas performance.

“She’s a very, very good horse,” he said. “The only concern she gave me was when she got a bit hot behind the gates, but as soon as they opened, she knew the job was on. She travelled beautifully. I tried to count to ten in the straight before letting her go, but I probably only got to six.

“Gee, she’s exciting. She was a bit green out in front, she was going that fast that her legs couldn’t really keep up. I don’t know where her ceiling is, but she’s one of the best horses I’ve sat on.”

Well Written now heads the NZB Filly of the Year Series standings with 20 points. She has taken the lead off Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca), who finished second on Saturday to lift her total to 16.

Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) is third with 8 points, with Little Black Dress (Snitzel) fourth on 5.5. Saturday’s 1000 Guineas third placegetter Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) earned her first 3.5 points of the series to move into fifth.

The next leg of the NZB Filly of the Year Series is the $100,000 Group Three LawnMaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m), which will be run at Trentham on December 20.

Vendor	Brighthill Farm
Purchaser	Stephen Marsh Racing/Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (Waikato)
Breeding	Written Tycoon – Mozzie Monster
Sale	Lot 36, 2024 National Online Yearling Sale, $80,000
Breeder	Mr D Digney
Owner	Yulong Investment NZ Ltd, 8 Mates Syndicate, W L Bolton, Ms S E Bourke, N V Burnside, J Carter, V Carter ONZM, P Dench, N N Dobson, J R Gray, S W Hawkings, J Lewis, Rayas Bloodstock Ltd, P L Sparrow, Vencedor Partnership, M & R Yortt