Mongolian Khan Rules in Group 1 NZ Derby

Strapping three-year-old colt Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) was victorious for Mr Lang Lin's Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Group after a titanic battle in the Group 1 $750,000 TV3 NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday.

Mongolian Khan victorious in the Group 1 TV3 NZ Derby. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Mongolian Khan has been unbeatable in six of his seven starts. His last start saw him win the Group 2 Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie two weeks earlier over 2100m. Other accomplishments include a second Group 2 win in the Waikato Guineas and the Listed 3YO Salver in December.

“It was a big relief as well as a big thrill,” commented Forsman. “There was a lot of pressure on for such an important result for not only us as a stable but for the racing industry in general.

“He is obviously a very good horse as he has only ever been beaten once.

“Opie (Bosson) said he is very tough and very strong on the line and even after putting up a big run over 2400m it still took him a long time to pull up.”

One of New Zealand’s leading jockeys Opie Bosson rode Mongolian Khan from barrier 12, quickly making a move across the field to settle in fourth position one off the rail. Running at the back of the course saw the field stretch out over 15 lengths with Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) leading the way and Mongolian Khan in a steady position among the leaders.

Mongolian Khan made a move on the outside to be three-wide on the turn and also ranging up was race-favourite Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock) as they were homeward bound. It was a two-horse race to the finish as Mongolian Khan and Volkstok’n’barrell sprinted ahead and battled to the very end.

Volkstok’n’barrell fought for the lead but it was Mongolian Khan who powered through to claim victory by one-length. Donna and Dean Logan’s Volkstok’n’barrell held on for second place and Sound Proposition (NZ) (Savabeel) ran on for third place, a further 5.5 lengths away.

“He [Mongolian Khan] has gone to the paddock now for three or four days and, all going well, he will come back in and prepare for the ATC Derby.”

The three-year-old colt has now increased his earnings to $625,500 for the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) (Ltd). Mr Lang of the Rider Horse Group was on-course on Saturday to see his colt triumph, along with a delegation of Chinese visitors Mr Lang invited to New Zealand for the big day.

Purchased at the 2013 Select Sale for $140,000 by Bryce and Ginger Tankard’s Waikato Bloodstock from Ainsley Downs Stud, Mongolian Khan returned to the 2013 Ready to Run Sale and was purchased for $220,000 by the China Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Group from Regal Farm.

Bred by Grenville Stud, Mongolian Khan is out of unraced mare Centafit (Centaine) who is a full-sister to stakes winner Centalong-Super Fit (H.K.), winner of the HK-1 Hong Kong Derby. Mongolian Khan is a half-brother to Young Centaur (Jeune), winner of the Group 1 Wellington Cup.