With the 2024/25 racing season ramping up, if you’ve ever considered securing your own slice of spring success, DGR Thoroughbred Services is pleased to present the Ancient Spirit x Erin’s Babe filly for your consideration.

Described by Mark Walker as one he’d expect to “train on to be an Oaks filly in the spring as a 3YO”, here’s your chance to enjoy a filly that will be making her track debut this season, meaning the thrill and enjoyment of thoroughbred ownership is yours to claim in a matter of months.

Purchased for $100,000 from White Robe Lodge’s 2024 NZB Karaka Yearling draft, this filly is from the first crop of international Group-winning Invincible Spirit stallion Ancient Spirit.

She is the third foal from a half-sister to G1 ATC Metropolitan Handicap winner Patrick Erin, multiple stakes winner Gallant Boy and G3 ATC Queen’s Cup runner-up Beijing Boy.

Ancient Spirit is from the family of Melbourne Cup winner Almandin and was a champion 3-year-old miler in Germany and Italy in his own right. With his first crop of foals nearing their racetrack debuts, the feedback has been positive with his progeny described as good, correct, athletic types.  

This filly was admired by many on the complex, including Champion New Zealand & Singapore trainer Mark Walker, the cornerstone of the widely successful Te Akau Racing, who is set to base himself at Te Akau’s Cranbourne stable later this season.

Fresh from his record-breaking seventh win (plus another four from Singapore) in the Champion Trainer category at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards, Mark Walker needs no introduction. The first New Zealand trainer to record 200 domestic wins in a season, Walker can also claim plenty of success at the highest level with his recent seasons headlined by the exploits of Imperatriz, the sprinting sensation who can lay claim to 10 Group 1 races over her glittering career.

Mark personally requested to train the filly and is looking forward to having her jump the ditch and join the Australian outpost of Te Akau Racing in due course. 

Mark, when recalling the filly, said “At the sales we thought she was a lovely staying type of filly, off a very good farm in the South Island that has bred a lot of top class stayers over the years. 

“Since the sale she’s further developed and looking at her the other day, she’s really strengthened up and I could really see her winning an autumn 2YO race and training on to be an Oaks filly in the spring as a 3YO.  

“I am very excited about her prospects going forward.” 

Since her purchase in January 2024, this filly has enjoyed some time off to grow and mature and has now completed two rotations with Mark Brooks in Cambridge. Brooks, a well-regarded trainer and breaker, was complimentary of her early work.  

“This filly has taken to her work well. She’s grown and developed and is maturing into a very attractive filly.  

“Based on how she’s coped with everything to date, you might have a bit of fun with her in the autumn.

“She’s done very well, and I look forward to seeing her on the track.” 

She is currently taking some time off to process her education to date at Curraghmore Stud with her racing debut scheduled for the autumn.  

Duncan, too, has been pleased with her approach to work and early physicality. 

“She presented as a lovely yearling and she’s only improved with time.

“She took well to the routine of stable life and has received good feedback from Mark (Brooks).

“With her training career to begin under the very capable hands of Mark Walker, who also speaks very highly of her, I’m sure we can expect great things from this girl.”

With Mark Walker set to bring his Midas touch to the Australian training ranks, this is a great opportunity to secure ownership in a promising filly whose early education is well established. Get in touch with Duncan here to learn more.