Legarto
New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Legarto (foaled 15 November 2019) is a New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse that has won multiple Group 1 level races in New Zealand and Australia.
| 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 & 2025 Herbie Dyke Stakes 2026 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes | |
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.[6]
Notable performances by Legarto[7][8] include:
| Date | Placing | Race | Track | Jockey | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/06/2022[9] | 1st | Murray's Swansong 1100m | Matamata | Taiki Yanagida | Legarto | Beyond Skies | Lili Marlene |
| 30/09/22[10] | 1st | NZB "Ready to run" sale trainers series 3YO (1200m) | Te Rapa | Ryan Elliot | Legarto | Westwood | Val Di Zoldo |
| 22/10/22[11] | 1st | Super Seth Soliliquoy Stakes (Group 3, 1400m) | Te Rapa | Ryan Elliot | Legarto | Romancing The Moon | Prowess |
| 14/11/22[12][13] | 1st | New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) | Riccarton | Ryan Elliot | Legarto | Best Seller | Blue Solitaire |
| 26/12/22[14] | 1st | Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m) | Counties | Ryan Elliot | Legarto | Skew Wiff | Wessex |
| 21/01/23[15] | 4th | Karaka Million 3YO Classic | Counties | Ryan Elliot | Prowess | Wild Night | Desert Lightning |
| 4/03/23[16] | 1st | Australian Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) | Flemington | Michael Dee | Legarto | Attrition | Japanese Emperor |
| 9/09/23[17] | 3rd | Tarzino Trophy (Group 1, 1400m) | Hastings | Ryan Elliot | Skew Wiff | Dragon Leap | Legarto |
| 7/10/23[18] | 1st | Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) | Matamata | Ryan Elliot | Legarto | Aquacade | La Crique |
| 4/11/23[19] | 10th | Golden Eagle (1500m) | Rosehill | Michael Dee | Obamburumai | Pericles | Golden Mile |
| 14/01/24[20] | 1st | Aotearoa Classic Preview (Open, 1400m) | Ellerslie | Ryan Elliot | Legarto | Sacred Satono | Sharp 'N' Smart |
| 27/01/24[21] | 2nd | Aotearoa Classic (1600m) | Ellerslie | Ryan Elliot | Desert Lightning | Legarto | Rudyard |
| 10/02/24[22][23] | 1st | Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) | Te Rapa | Ryan Elliot | Legarto | Campionessa | One Bold Cat |
| 9/03/24[24] | 2nd | Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) | Ellerslie | Ryan Elliot | El Vencedor | Legarto | Ladies Man |
| 30/03/24[25][26] | 6th | Australian Cup (Group 1, 2000m) | Flemington | Michael Dee | Cascadian | Pride Of Jenni | Atishu |
| 15/02/25[27][28] | 1st | Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (Listed 1400m) | Matamata | Ryan Elliot | Legarto | Acquarello | My Lips Are Sealed |
| 8/03/25[29] | 3rd | New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Group 1, 1600m) | Ellerslie | Ryan Elliot | Provence | Jaarffi | Legarto |
| 26/12/25 | 3rd | Zabeel Classic | Ellerslie | Ryan Elliot | Kingswood | Jaarffi | Legarto |
| 7/2/26 | 1st | Herbie Dyke Stakes | Te Rapa | Opie Bosson | Legarto | Kingswood | The Odyssey |
| 7/3/26 | 1st | Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes | Ellerslie | Opie Bosson | Legarto | Waitak | Tuxedo |