Legarto

Legarto
Sire	Proisir (Aus)
Grandsire	Choisir (Aus)
Dam	Geordie Girl (NZ)
Damsire	Towkay
Sex	Mare
Foaled	15 November 2019
Country	New Zealand
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Warwick Jeffries, Oropi [1]
Owner	Mrs C J & P H Brown, A C & Mrs M E Enting, W J Foster, Mrs B J & K S Kelso, A M & Mrs P J Kirton, G & M Maloy & E J Verheyen [2]
Trainer	Ken & Beverley Kelso, Matamata
Major wins
2022 New Zealand 1000 Guineas 2023 Australian Guineas 2024 Herbie Dyke Stakes

Legarto (foaled 15 November 2019) is a New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse that has won multiple Group 1 level races in New Zealand and Australia.

She was bred by Warwick Jeffries and was sold at the 2021 Karaka bloodstock sales (Book 2) by Highline Thoroughbreds to Ancroft Stud for $90,000. ^[3]

Racing career

Legarto is trained by Ken & Beverley Kelso at Matamata. She won her first race on a Heavy 10 track at Matamata and went on to win another four races on end (three at Group level) before a 4th in the Karaka Million. Then in March 2023 she achieved a Group One victory across the Tasman in the Australian Guineas at Flemington. ^[4]

In August 2024 she suffered a minor tendon injury during a trial win at Te Rapa and did not race until February 2025. ^[5]

Throughout her career she has performed consistently against Open and Weight for Age company.

Notable performances by Legarto ^{[6] [7]} include:

• 8/06/2022 - 1st in the Murray's Swansong 1100m (ridden by Taiki Yankia). Beyond Skies was 2nd and Lili Marlene 3rd. ^[8]
• 30/09/22 - 1st in the NZB "Ready to run" sale trainers series 3YO over 1200m at Te Rapa (Ryan Elliot)
• 22/10/22 - 1st in the Super Seth Soliliquoy Stakes (Group 3, 1400m) at Te Rapa (Ryan Elliot) ^[9]
• 14/11/22 - 1st in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) at Riccarton (Ryan Elliot). ^{[10] [11]}
• 26/12/22 - 1st in the Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m) at Counties (Ryan Elliot). Skew Wiff was 2nd and Wessex 3rd. ^[12]
• 21/01/23 - 4th in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Counties (Ryan Elliot). Prowess won the race from Wild Night. ^[13]
• 4/03/23 - 1st in the Australian Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) at Flemington (Michael Dee). Attrition was 2nd and Japanese Emperor 3rd. ^[14]
• 9/09/23 - 3rd in the Tarzino Trophy (group 1, 1400m) at Hastings (Ryan Elliot). Skew Wiff won the race and Dragon Leap was 2nd. ^[15]
• 7/10/23 - 1st in the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) at Matamata (Ryan Elliot), Aquacade was 2nd and La Crique 3rd. ^[16]
• 4/11/23 - 10th in the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill (Michael Dee). Obamburumai won from Pericles and Golden Mile. ^[17]
• 14/01/24 - 1st in the Aotearoa Classic Preview (Open, 1400m) at Auckland (Ryan Elliot). Sacred Satono was 2nd and Sharp 'N' Smart 3rd.
• 27/01/24 - 2nd in the Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Auckland (Ryan Elliot). Desert Lightning won the race and Rudyard was 3rd. ^[18]
• 10/02/24 - 1st in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) at Te Rapa. Campionessa was 2nd and One Bold Cat 3rd. ^{[19] [20]}
• 9/03/24 - 2nd in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) at Auckland. El Vencedor won the race and Ladies Man was 3rd. ^[21]
• 30/03/24 - 6th in the Australian Cup (group 1, 2000m) at Flemington (Michael Dee). Cascadian won the race from Pride Of Jenni and Atishu. ^{[22] [23]}
• 15/02/25 - 1st in the Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (Listed 1400m) at Matamata (Ryan Elliot). Acquuarelle was 2nd and My Lips Are Sealed 3rd. ^{[24] [25]}

See also

• Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand

References

1. "No secret formula to Jeffries success". No secret formula to Jeffries success | New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.
2. "Legarto (NZ) 2019 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
3. "New Zealand Bloodstock | Thoroughbred Auction House". New Zealand Bloodstock. 7 March 2025.
4. "Legarto (NZ) Makes History in Australian Guineas". New Zealand Bloodstock. 7 March 2025.
5. "Legarto all class in Lisa Chittick". New Zealand Herald. 4 September 2020.
6. "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au.
7. "Racing.com - Profile". www.racing.com.
8. "Race 2 MURRAY'S SWANSONG 1100 at MATAMATA RC on 8 JUN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
9. "Race 5 SUPER SETH SOLILOQUY STAKES at WAIKATO RC on 22 OCT 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
10. "Race 4 BARNESWOOD FARM 50TH NEW ZEALAND 1000 GUINEAS at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 14 NOV 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
11. "Legarto (NZ) Lights Up 1000 Guineas". New Zealand Bloodstock. 7 March 2025.
12. "Race 6 ATR EIGHT CARAT CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
13. "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
14. "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au.
15. "Race 9 WESTBURY STUD TARZINO TROPHY at HAWKE'S BAY RI on 9 SEP 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
16. "Race 6 TEAM WEALLEANS MATAMATA CUP at MATAMATA RC on 7 OCT 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
17. "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au.
18. "Race 5 ELSDON PARK AOTEAROA CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 27 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
19. "Race 6 HERBIE DYKE STAKES at WAIKATO THOROUGHBRED RACING on 10 FEB 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
20. "Legarto too good in Herbie Dyke Stakes". Legarto too good in Herbie Dyke Stakes | New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.
21. "Race 7 BONECRUSHER NEW ZEALAND STAKES at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 9 MAR 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
22. "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au.
23. "Racing: Legarto heads strong Kiwi entry in Australian Cup". NZ Herald. 6 March 2025.
24. "Race 6 LISA CHITTICK CHAMPAGNE STAKES at MATAMATA RC on 15 FEB 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
25. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/legarto-all-class-in-lisa-chittick/