Zambezi Warrior back in style
19 Sep 2016Black type performer Zambezi Warrior has made an impressive start to his four-year-old preparation.
The son of Pentire handed apprentice Jasmine Fawcett her first riding success when they scored over 1400 metres at Pukekohe yesterday.
“He’s a lovely horse and showed how versatile he is, because we didn’t really expect him to handle the ground,” the 22-year-old said.
“He did handle it and although the distance was too short for him, he was fresh up.
“I’ve still got a bit to work on, but I’ll get there and hopefully this is the start of the next stage.”
Fawcett is apprenticed to Zambezi Warrior’s trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.
“Jasmine does a lot of hard work behind the scenes and is a pretty important part of our team,” Richards said.
“She rides a lot of work, is really starting to improve with her times and in the way that she is riding.”
Bred by Fairdale and Goodwood Studs, Zambezi Warrior has now won three of his nine starts and he was also placed in the Gr 2 Championship Stakes last season.
Zambezi Warrior was purchased out of Goodwood’s draft by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $75,000 Karaka in 2014.
“He was an outstanding first foal from a highly talented mare that was trained by Te Akau,” Ellis said.
“Zambezi was a genuine cups mare before injury curtailed her career and this horse looks like a great staying type.”
Zambezi Warrior’s grand-dam is Tall Poppy (Kaapstad), won three times at Group One level.