WINNER: Right On The Mark

Overcoming a very tough trip, Mark Him Down (3 g St Mark’s Basilica – Joy Forever, by High Chaparral) recorded a smart debut victory in the $18,500 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 5 November at Taupo.

Having kept going solidly to finish third in a trial on 6 October at Matamata, with race day rider Opie Bosson ONZM aboard, Mark Him Down had performed solidly through the trial's stage and shaped to go well first-up with luck from the outside draw (7).

But luck never came, as Mark Him Down was caught three-wide before ranging to challenge rounding the home turn and he was somewhat audacious in putting his rivals away with a strong, sustained, gallop.

Instead of being excused, citing adversity, he won with authority and appears to be a promising individual with a bright future ahead of him.

In the race tributed to Life Member and former Taupo Mayor David Trewavas, Mark Him Down ran 1200 metres in 1:11.2, last 600m in 34.9 (approx.), on footing upgraded to Soft5, and paid $3.10 & $1.60 as race favourite on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a really nice win, today, especially after not having the easiest of runs,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson.

"He was caught three-wide with no cover, but I really liked the way he accelerated despite having a tough run in transit, and Opie (Bosson) kept him nice and balanced.

“Once he changed legs up the straight, he won like a really nice horse in the making. 

“It’s great for his owner Chris Grace who has allowed us to be patient with the horse. He showed good ability at the trials and once we get him up over more ground he could develop into an exciting prospect.”

In the colours of local supermarket owner Chris Grace, who also raced dual Group One winning juvenile Anabandana (Anabaa), Mark Him Down was purchased by Sir David Ellis for A$75,000 at the 2025 Gold Coast National Sale, from the draft of Baramul Stud.

From a family well known to Te Akau, Ellis went back to the well and purchased the colt, after buying his half-brother, Unbridled Joy (Snitzel), at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. 

After winning two of his three trials, Unbridled Joy finished second on debut as a two-year-old before letting down with big strides to claim victory, and then finishing third in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m). He then commenced his three-year-old season finishing runner-up in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) before an enforced early retirement.

Mark Him Down is from the first crop by Coolmore Stud sire St Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni), European Champion 2YO & World Champion 3YO, winner of six from nine starts – five Group One races in a row – and included the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes (1400m) victory, arguably the most important stallion making race in the world. 

The Dewhurst has been won by Zafonic (the sire of Iffraaj), Rock of Gibraltar, Shamardal, Frankel, and US Navy Flag, amongst a prestigious honour roll. 

The first offerings of St Mark’s Basilica yearlings sold up to A$350,000 at Magic Millions and up to $360,000 at Karaka.

Mark Him Down is from a prolific winning family on the dam-side, including triple Group One winner Bentley Biscuit (Peintre Celebre) and Group 1 Stradbroke (1400m) winner and New Zealand based stallion Thorn Park (Spinning World).

His dam Joy Forever by sire High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells) who is proving a revelation in every sense. He made an incredible impact when first shuttling to Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand, and then did the same in Australia.

High Chaparral was a world-class racehorse, who in turn became a high-class sire, sire of sires, and broodmare sire. 

At the time of purchasing the horse, Sir David said: “St Mark’s Basilica is an exciting young sire and we’ve kept a close eye on his progeny at the sales, who’s been buying them, and how much they’ve paid. 

“It’s a great female family, by terrific dam sires, underlined by the speedster Bletchingly (Biscay), who was Champion Sire in Australia three years running, and the family goes back to the top racehorse and sire Thorn Park.  We had a lot of time for Unbridled Joy, who raced so well as a two-year-old, and we were thrilled to be able to buy this colt at such great value. 

“He’s a nice even colt, good bodied, and looks to have the right attributes of balance and power, especially given the credentials of St Mark’s Basilica.”

Mark Him Down carries a Sadler’s Wells cross on the dam line of St Mark’s Basilica and sire line of dam sire High Chaparral, and also a Danzig/Northern Dancer cross. 

Mark Him Down was strapped by Rashid Alam.

Photo credit - Peter Rubery - www.raceimages.co.nz