Rocket Spade
Rocket Spade (foaled 21 October 2017)[1] is an Australian-bred racehorse who is owned and trained in New Zealand. In 2021 he won the 146th running of the New Zealand Derby.
| Rocket Spade | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Fastnet Rock |
| Grandsire | Danehill |
| Dam | Affairoftheheart |
| Damsire | Fusaichi Pegasus |
| Sex | Colt |
| Foaled | 21 October 2017[1] |
| Country | Australia |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Sun Kingdom |
| Owner | Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd |
| Trainer | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott |
| Record | 8:4-2-0 |
| Earnings | NZ$745,450 |
| Major wins | |
| New Zealand Derby (2021) | |
Background
Rocket Spade was bred by Sun Kingdom in Australia and sold through the Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale for A$425,000. He is by Fastnet Rock out of a Fusaichi Pegasus mare, whose half-sister Soriano won two Group One races in New Zealand.
Racing career
2019/20: three-year-old season
Trained by Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Matamata, Rocket Spade made his debut on his home track in September 2020 with a strong come-from-behind win. He finished second in his second start, then ran fourth in the Group 2 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa and fifth in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
Upon his return to the north, Rocket Spade scored impressive wins in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas and Avondale Guineas, with a placing against older horses in between times.
Sent out as the favourite in the New Zealand Derby, Rocket Spade produced a strong finish from last to edge out Milford and Frontman in a three-way battle to the finish. [2]
In April 2021 Rocket Spade was placed 8th in the Australian Derby behind Explosive Jack and Young Werther.
On 13 September 2021 Rocket Spade was exported to Hong Kong.
References
- "Rocket Spade Horse Pedigree". www.pedigreequery.com.
- Desk, NZ Racing. "Rocket Spade wins thrilling New Zealand Derby | NZ Racing News".