Reid Unearths Another Rising Star in Group One Diamond Creek Classic

Rangiora-based horseman Steven Reid has trained plenty of top-class horses, including the likes of Group One New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m) hero Monkey King (NZ) and six-time Group One winner Gold Ace (NZ), and he believes he may have another exciting prospect on his hands.

Last year Reid was given instructions by stable client Malcolm Wrigley to find him a top racehorse, so he went to NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sale in Christchurch to fill that order and identified a colt by Downbytheseaside as a suitable candidate.

Reid was unable to be at the sale himself, and left his partner Bella Storer in charge of the bidding, and her final bid of $95,000 was able to secure the colt that would later be named Jumal (NZ) (Downbytheseaside).

Raced by Wrigley and Storer, Jumal won his first two races, including an impressive last-start 6-¾ length victory, and was duly installed a $1.20 hot favourite for Sunday’s Group One Diamond Creek Farm 2YO Classic (2200m) at Ascot Park.

He didn’t disappoint punters, running out a convincing 3-¼ length victor, and giving Reid the assurance that he now has another high-quality racehorse on his hands, and delivering on his promise to Wrigley.

“Malcolm and I go back a long time,” Reid said. “He said he wanted to get a good horse.

“The way everything unfolded it was almost like it was meant to be. I couldn’t be there for the sale, so I said to Bella just to buy him, she paid too much, but it has worked out really well.

“He is certainly a very good horse.”

The former premiership-winning trainer is rapt to have another Group One win next to his name, and he said Sunday’s victory was a reward for his faith and perseverance.

“I think I deserve it,” he said. “I think you have just got to believe that it can happen, and with this guy, I believed.”

Jumal is by Downbytheseaside and out of Badlands Hanover mare Beaudiene Blinkz, a full-sister to six-time Group One winner Beaudiene Boaz and Group One winner Beaudiene Bad Babe, who has gone on to produce Group One performer Bad To The Bone (NZ) (Bettor's Delight).

Bred by Dave Kennedy, Jumal was offered through his Beaudiene Breeding (SBSR) 2024 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Reid for $95,000.

Jumal has won all three of his career starts to date, and accrued nearly $75,000 in prizemoney.

Vendor	Beaudiene Breeding (SBSR)
Purchaser	Mr SJ Reid
Owner(s)	M G Wrigley, Miss I A D Storer
Breeding	Downbytheseaside - Beaudiene Blinkz
Sale	2024 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($95,000)
Breeder(s)	W D Kennedy