There was as much relief as “woo hoo” in the aftermath — and then the afterglow — of Jumal’s dominant victory in the 2026 Garrard's Sires’ Stakes Series Final.
You’d think owning a superstar racehorse would be the high‑flying ride of a racing lifetime, right. Not necessarily the common experience.
Remember when Winx was blazing her way to equine immortality? Near the end of that unrelenting run, it became almost unbearable to watch each week. The anxiety, the worry, the drama — then after each exhilarating win, the exhausted relief. Rinse and repeat tears, and that was just the fanbase.
Chris Waller famously couldn’t hold an interview without breaking down, almost incommunicado on some occasions, and it was generally left to Hugh Bowman to hold it together. Others are better served by the documentary now.
From an arm’s length, all the evidence and racing logic said Winx would keep winning — and so it was with Jumal in the last Autumn ascent for our future champions as three‑year‑old pacers.
There was as much relief as “woo hoo” in the aftermath — and then the afterglow — of Jumal’s dominant victory in the 2026 Garrards Sires’ Stakes Series Final.
Clearly the best horse out there, he’d also drawn ideally for his preferred front‑running style.
New Zealand’s number one big‑race man, Blair Orange, braced for take‑off in the bike — and there was a bonus. The perceived new biggest threat was stuck nowhere near close enough to ask any questions until too late, unless…
All very well and easy in hindsight, but so it was.
The $1.18 favourite blasted from the gate to the front despite a brief altercation with others wanting the prime spot behind him. The new kid came looking about halfway through, but given the hand he’d been dealt so early in his racing life, Forever Miki was unlikely to threaten the group’s heavy hitter this time.
The famous Blair glare — a brief glance on the last corner — before Jumal was afterburning and gone.
Newly fitted earplugs popped just for practice a hundred from home, and from there it was a hang‑glide to that blissful Sires’ Stakes glory denied by a crash landing on Cup Day.
Blair was media‑brief soon after. “He was noticeably more chilled in front tonight compared to last week.” Finger‑tip control rather than arm‑wrestling.
Post‑race pump replaced pre‑race pensive in the gathering at the presentation podium.
“That was almost arrogant, wasn’t it?” offered Auckland co‑owner Malcolm Wrigley. “Just awesome — his best win yet for sure!”
Dave and Dawn Kennedy, who bred the superstar boy, were visibly buzzing in the background as celebrations moved to the Breckon Farm winners’ bar.
“I don’t know if it’s the gin, but I’m still tingling after that,” beamed Dave — a bit proud but his usual humble self about producing such a standardbred from their Beaudine barn down south, stable‑named “Dave” in his honour.
Steven “Reidman” Reid was off doing another interview with Unhinged, explaining the learnings from other good horses that’ve led him to this one.
“We won’t be going to Brisbane. If we’re good to the horse, he’ll be good to us,” he revealed.
The decorated trainer had reservations about the precise preparation needed to include the lucrative Queensland Winter Carnival in Jumal’s calendar, and Malcolm closed the door on that prospect just lately too.
“You’re always driven by the owners’ wants and needs, and we’re all on the same page — so the horse can have five weeks in the paddock now instead of just ten days!”
And we can have a whole lot less worry.
The Country Cups Final has been run and won since our Sires’ Stakes Grand Final, and there’s another posse arriving any time soon — but on her way out of Win Town, Bella Storer confirms it will be a lighter, happier week at work than last.
“You enjoy it, but woah… this is definitely relief mixed with satisfaction, and we can leave Cup Day behind for good now, I think.”
One last offer of snacks before the happy times hand‑over, and Bella suggests Steven should grab a couple of club sandwiches on his way out.
“Look, I’m still not that hungry, but thanks anyway.” “Go on, the egg ones are great,” offers the host lady — and Reidman relents, like it’s the first time he’s eaten all Autumn.
Caduceus Club 3YO Ladyship Fillies Pacing Series 27 (G2)
• Fri, 13 Mar • 2200m • $70,000
Winner: Miki’s Deal
NZB Standardbred Harness Million 6 – 3YO Colts & Geldings Pace (Listed)
• Fri, 20 Mar • 2200m • $200,000
Winner: Jumal
NZB Standardbred Harness Million 6 – 3YO Pacing Fillies (Listed)
• Fri, 20 Mar • 2200m • $150,000
Winner: River
Magness Benrow Northern Mares Classic (Listed)
• Fri, 20 Mar • 2200m • $50,000
Winner: Princess Gracy
Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes 3YO Fillies Pacing Semi Final 1
• Waikato BOP • Fri, 10 Apr • 1700m • $50,000
Winner: Ripples
Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes 3YO Colts & Geldings Pacing Semi Final 1
• Waikato BOP • Fri, 10 Apr • 1700m • $50,000
Winner: Lincoln Wave
IRT Sires’ Stakes 3YO Trotters Semi Final
• Waikato BOP • Fri, 10 Apr • 2200m • $50,000
Winner: Our Col
Future Wealth Aged Trotters Classic (Listed)
• NZ Metro • Fri, 17 Apr • 2600m • $50,000
Winner: Donna’s Boy
Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes 3YO Fillies Pacing Semi Final 2
• NZ Metro • Fri, 17 Apr • 1980m • $50,000
Winner: Secret Wish
NZB Standardbred Harness Million 6 – 3YO Trotters (Listed)
• Auckland • Fri, 24 Apr • 2200m • $75,000
Winner: Kyvalley Ray
IRT Sires’ Stakes 3YO Trotters Championship (G1)
• Auckland • Fri, 1 May • 2200m • $120,000
Winner: Kyvalley Ray
Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes 3YO Fillies Pacing Final (G1)
• Auckland • Fri, 8 May • 2200m • $200,000
Winner: Secret Wish
Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes 3YO Colts & Geldings Pacing Semi Final 2
• NZ Metro • Fri, 15 May • 1980m • $50,000
Winner: Jumal
Commodore Hotel Uncut Gems Trotters Classic (Listed)
• NZ Metro • Fri, 15 May • 2600m • $50,000
Winner: Rock Lobster
Beta Vet Uncut Gems Entire & Geldings Pacing Classic (Listed)
• NZ Metro • Fri, 15 May • 1980m • $50,000
Winner: Iron Brigade
Cobbitty Equine Farm Uncut Gems Mares Pacing Classic (Listed)
• NZ Metro • Fri, 15 May • 1980m • $50,000
Winner: Chicago Sky
Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes Three-Year-Old C & G Pacing Final (Group 1)
• NZ Metro • Fri, 22 May • 1980m • $200,000
Winner: Jumal
