Kia Ora Stud had reason to celebrate on Thursday 31 October after waking up to news of two graduates’ success in Hong Kong overnight.
Team Happy (Deep Field x Alberton Park (NZ)) and Parents’ Love (Deep Field x National Anthem) both triumphed in their respective races, making the night two for two for stallion, Deep Field, and highlighting the quality of Kia Ora Stud’s breeding operation.
Team Happy clocked up his second win for the season for championship leading-trainer Pierre Ng, holding on bravely to the line to steal the win for connections. A $100,000 buy for Harbour Racing from Kia Ora Stud’s 2022 Inglis Classic draft, Team Happy is the seventh foal from Alberton Park (NZ). The Thorn Park mare was a stakes winner and is a three-quarter sister to Te Akau Rose and Magic Briar.
The night continued on a winning vein with Parents’ Love’s explosive victory in Race 4. Sold by Kia Ora Stud at Inglis Easter for $50,000 to Riversley Park and celebrated New Zealand racing journalist Michael Guerin, the win was the gelding’s breakthrough after several placings.
Parents’ Love (pictured) is the sixth foal from the Rock of Gibraltar mare, National Anthem, a three-quarter sister to Champion sprinter, Starspangledbanner. She was served by Kia Ora’s G1 Champagne Stakes winner Captivant this season.
