WILD NIGHT

A striking chestnut son of Vanbrugh, Wild Night debuted in August 2022 on the back of two trial's wins.

While the 3YO finished sixth, the best was yet to come from the strong, well-built gelding.

At his second start on 21 September 2022, on his home Matamata track, despite being awkwardly away, he won by .75 of a length.  Ridden by Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson, Wild Night showed that, despite losing ground after being crowded at the start, he had quite the 'engine', even on the heavy track.

Returning to his home track on 8 October 2022, his greens saw him jump awkwardly again (barrier 10) but he recovered well for Opie Bosson to deliver a strong late finish - and record win two at start three.

Wild Night was not favoured yet again by the draw (10) for the $120,000 Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial 3YO SWW 1400m at Te Rapa two weeks later on 22 October 2022.  He was restrained early by Craig Grylls to obtain cover from the outside gate, and settled last in a strong field, often regarded as the prime Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas' lead-up event.

Turning for home, he spotted the leaders by a considerable margin but came barnstorming down the outside - reminiscent of our wonderful Te Akau Shark - with his big, bold, chestnut stride.  The victory was to be his, as his powerful finish saw him seize the win by half a length.

Heading south to the 2000 Guineas was not on the radar for the boy known as "Morrie" and instead the long-term plan was to contest the Karaka 3YO Million Classic Mile on 21 January 2023.

Building towards that target, Wild Night returned to the scene of his first stakes' win (Te Rapa) on Waikato Cup Day and showed all his prowess to claim yet another win in the $50,000 3YO Premier 1200m with Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson, back from suspension, in the saddle.

Boxing Day 2022 saw the wild winning ride continue as the 3YO stepped out in one of the strongest 3YO races of the season thus far: the $100,000 Listed Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes 3YO SW+P 1400m.  It was a special win, as a black arm band was worn by Bosson to mark the passing of David's lifelong friend, the legendary trainer Colin Jillings.

That took the gelding's winning streak to five consecutive victories.

In January 2023, Wild Night contested the Karaka 3YO Classic and lost not admirers when finishing a gallant second to favourite Legato in the $1 million event, when ridden by Opie Bosson.  This despite sustaining a cut to his leg during the running.

To Te Rapa on 11 February 2023, and Wild Night stepped up against the older horses in the $300,000 Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes over 2000m, this time with Michael McNab aboard.  Again a valiant effort to finish third. With no luck with the $300,000 Group 1 El Cheap Cars Sprint at Otaki in March 2023, he was found afterwards to have a veterinary issue and underwent minor surgery, enforcing a spell.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM as a yearling for $50,000 from the New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 sale, Wild Night is raced by the (aptly named) Te Akau Love to Party Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

He has raced nine times for five wins and two placings with prize money to date of $381,390.