Mark Oulaghan enjoyed a memorable day on Sunday, with triumphs on the racetrack and recognition at the 2022-23 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards in Auckland.
Oulaghan, the Awapuni trainer, secured victory in the Waverley Cup (2200m) with Semper Magico and also claimed the Champion Jumper Award for West Coast’s outstanding performances in the previous season.
Semper Magico arrived at Waverley in fine form, with a win and a placement in his two prior starts, setting the stage for Oulaghan’s hopes of a strong performance.
Under the guidance of jockey Kozzi Asano, the son of Per Incanto settled just behind the leaders. Asano asked him to improve his position three-wide when turning for home, and Semper Magico responded by surging to the front and holding off a late challenge from Kingfisher Lad to secure victory by a head.
Oulaghan commented on the performance, saying, “That was a handy effort. He stuck on well yesterday and showed a bit of determination in the finish, which was encouraging.
“He has always been a good galloper, but he has always had a bit of trouble putting things together on raceday. He might be starting to now, and hopefully, things continue going in the right direction.”
Oulaghan not only trains but also co-bred and co-owns Semper Magico, who has now accumulated six wins and over NZD$130,000 in prize money.
Reflecting on the horse’s lineage, Oulaghan revealed, “We had his mother, Semper Fidelis. She was a Grosvenor mare and she was quite a good race mare. She won a Trentham Stakes (Group 3, 2400m), a Marton Cup (Listed, 2200m), and a few other races, she was a good mare.
“This is her last foal, and she was getting on a bit when she foaled him.”
Another of Oulaghan’s stable runners, West Coast, had a preparatory run at Waverley on Sunday, covering 2200m in readiness for the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) at Te Rapa the following Sunday.
Oulaghan expressed his plans, saying, “He (West Coast) is heading for the Northern next Sunday, so we will see what he can do there.
“He raced yesterday and pulled up reasonably well. It was a good fitness run for him, and we will just chug along quietly and hopefully, he is ready on Sunday.”
Oulaghan was delighted with West Coast being named Champion Jumper at the Horse of the Year Awards and is eager to see him add to his accomplishments this upcoming weekend.
He remarked, “It was quite exciting to get that. To win a Wellington and a National in one season is pretty good.”
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