Savabeel colt Brando was purchased by David Ellis from the 2019 Ready to Run Sale for $500,000.
He came quickly to prominence finishing an unlucky second on debut, but following this with back to back wins in October 2020 and on Waikato Cup Day in early December that year.
He successfully stepped up to stakes’ level when a dominant winner of the $60,000 Listed Shaw’s Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes over 1400m on Boxing Day 2020 at Ellerslie. Ridden by Te Akau stable jockey Opie Bosson, he was the consummate professional in winning against a class field.
In January 2021 Brando was a narrowly beaten runner up in the $225,000 Group 1 Devan Plastics Levin Classic over 1600m when ridden by Danielle Johnson.
Brando was back in the winner’s circle, after being gelded, in October 2021 and January 2022 before finishing a game third in the $220,000 Group 1 El Cheapo Cars Otaki Maori WFA 1600m in February 2022 when ridden by Kozzi Asano.
He then ran a very good race to be runner up in the $60,000 Listed Bramco Granite and Marble Flying Stakes Open Hcp over 1400m at Awapuni on 2 April 2022. He was just nailed when runner up again at his next start, the $120,000 Group 23 Manco Easter Hcp 1600m when again ridden by Opie Bosson.
Some mixed results followed as he is a quirky customer, however in February 2023 after a break, Brando whipped back into the winner’s circle at Tauranga when ridden by stable apprentice Niranjan Parmar. It was a top effort by the gelding after being awkward away, he flew late to claim line honours.
Back in the winning groove, at his very next start, he again saluted the judge at Otaki later that month (February) with apprentice Temiya Taiaroa aboard.
Again ready to shine, on 25 March 2023, Brando scooted clear to claim a comfortable two length victory in the $120,000 Group 2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy Opn-SW&P in the hands of Wiremu Pinn.
A savvy and strategic move by trainer Mark Walker saw Brando head to Awapuni for a quick 7-day backup and take his place in the $140,000 Group 2 City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup Open-SW+P 2000m on 1 April. With stable rider Opie Bosson engaged, the handsome boy was tackling the 2000m for the first time in his career, and handled it with aplomb, winning by three quarters of a length and a further 1.25 lengths back to the third horse.
Brando has raced 25 times for nine wins and eight placings with stakes of $413,050.