The young Kiwi stormed through with one of the finest wins by any elite racehorse in 2023

When racing returned to Ellerslie after a two year hiatus due to a new StrathAyr surface being laid down, racing fans flocked in. In addition to observing the newly renovated course firsthand, devotees had the privilege of witnessing LEGARTO's superb return to form, securing victory in the prestigious 1600m $100,000 Gingernuts Salver race. A Kiwi star in recent years, the mare jumped well and jockey Ryan Elliot had her travelling 5th at the 800m, then 3rd with 600m to run. From there he pushed the button and the powerful mare drove away to win in comsumite style. The name being mentioned on everyone's lips after the race was a lightly raced but powerful miler that has proved her value on both sides of the Tasman, and we may not have seen the best of her yet.

LEGARTO was bought for $90,000 from the Book 2 draft of Highline Thoroughbreds at Karaka 2021. She has earned more than $2.5M in prize-money with eleven wins from twenty-three starts. A bay mare, now a 6yo, Legarto was foaled in 2019 and is by the strong sire, PROISIR (by Choisir), the dam being GEORDIE GIRL (by Towkay), a half sister to dual-listed winner KEKOVA and a sister to dual-listed winner and group 1 placegetter RAPID KAY. Legarto is trained by Ken & Bev Kelso at Takanini, who have moved very slowly with the talented mare to maximise her potential. The horse wears the famous colours of BONECRUSHER via part-owner Phillip Brown, who also had sprinter LEVANTE with the Kelso's.

Legarto emerged from a brilliant crop of three year olds, firstly winning a 2yo maiden at Matamata, before racking up her 2nd and 3rd wins as a 3yo at Te Rapa. Her first prestigious victory came in the 50th version of the Gr.1 New Zealand Guineas at Riccarton, surging through to win in style. After a short freshen up the filly then challanged some very talented 3yos, beating SKEW WIFF in the Gr.2 Eight Caret, then running 4th to PROWESS, WILD NIGHT and Desert Lightning in the $1 million 3yo Karaka Classic, held at Pukekohe - her first defeat, however she didn't have much luck in the run as a horse that tends to fire from the back. After that mission the Kelso team focused on a Trans-Tasman assault in the $1 million Gr.1 Australian Guineas at Flemington in March of 2023.

The exceptional filly overcame a nightmare run down the Flemington straight to deliver a first New Zealand triumph in the A$1 million group one, and the first for the Kelso's. No New Zealand-trained horse had won Melbourne’s autumn three-year-old feature since its inception in 1986, but the outstanding daughter of Proisir rose to the occasion with an unforgettable performance. Legarto was stopped in her tracks more than once during a rough run down the straight. A notorious slow starter, Legarto was set back 3rd last on the turn with Michael Dee urging the filly to pick up into the straight.

The clever hoop pulled her out into the middle of the track with a wall of horses obstructing any path through. At the 200m point he found a gap but a win looked impossible. By the 100m mark Elliot kicked and the powerful filly found top gear, squeezing past a number of runners and hitting the lead right on the line to win by a neck. At one stage, Legarto's passage to victory appeared to have been completely blocked as JAPANESE EMPEROR kept the Mick Dee-ridden filly in a pocket when making her run for home, while a fall on the rails involving the weakening early leader MAXIMILLIUS and the Cambridge Stud-owned HOLYMANZ.

A second attempt for a big payday across the Tasman ended in disappointment in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill. After a strong 3rd in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings, and then winning the Matamata Cup (1600m) with a dominant display, the team set their sights on Sydney. Unfortunately after another slow start, Legarto never looked in the hunt amongst the big field and failed to get a chance to show that dynamic turn-of-foot we've become accustomed to. Ken & Bev Kelso bought the horse home and reset the mare for the following Autumn. After the super strong resuming win January in the Gingernuts Salver, Legarto moved on to the $1 million Aotearoa Classic on Karaka Millions night. Once again she chased home a tearaway leader in 3yo DESERT LIGHTNING, but just couldn't pick her up over the mile.

Legarto bounced back from that runner up effort with a decisive win in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa, her first run at 2000m, beating the high class stayer, CAMPIONESSA in the process. A 2nd followed to EL VENCEDOR in the Gr 1 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie over 2000m. The Kelso's then set their sights on the Australian Cup in the Autumn of 2024 up against the brilliant MR BRIGHTSIDE, but it was CASCADIAN who prevailed over PRIDE OF JENNI, who ensured a fast run race wouldn't suit the likes of Legarto, with the mare finishing 6th.

LEGARTO didn't really appreciate the soft track conditions in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham in early 2026, but still managed a credible 4th place following a 3rd to KINGSWOOD in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day 2025. The six-year-old had not been far off the best in Group ones this prep, with 5th in the Howden Mile and 4th in the Mufhasa Classic back in December. Legarto was withdrawn from the Livamol due to a niggling hoof issue resulting from constant wet spring ground, but the Kelso's were keen to see the PROISIR mare score a black-type victory this campaign and we knew she was certainly talented enough.

LEGARTO would return to her very best when presenting in immaculate condition to contest the 2026 Gr.1 Herbie Dyke at Te Rapa. After experiencing a nice trail in a good position, jockey Opie Bosson hit the go button and the majestic mare powered past Australian raider KINGSWOOD in the final 150m. It was made all more important due to the fact Opie had been sitting on 99 Group one wins for quite a while, and would finally crack the ton on LEGARTO. The wonderful six-year-old mare may now only have a couple of runs left in her before going off to the breeding barn, where her offspring are likely to fetch top price.

RACE RECORD - 23: 11-2-3

EARNINGS - $2,588,129

2nd Bonecrusher Stakes G1 (2024)

Herbie Dyke Stakes G1 (2024/2026)

Matamata Cup (LR) (2023)

Australian Guineas G1 (2023)

Eight Caret Classic G2 (2022)

NZ 1000 Guineas G1 (2022)

Soliloquy Stakes G3 (2022)