The Chestnut thunderbolt was a winning machine in the early 50's and one of the best ever seen in NZ

MAINBRACE was an amazing champion New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse who won 23 of his 25 race starts and was placed second in the other two. Notably the two losses were to the same horse, THE UNICORN, who he beat on other occasions. He was by ADMIRAL'S CUP (Precipitation-Gainsborough Lass) from MANEROO (Siegfried-Haligan) and was trained by Jack McDonald at Te Awamutu.

MAINBRACE was the winner of an incredible 23 races from just 25 starts, all in the space of 2 years before injury forced an early retirement. Mainbrace was undoubtedly one of the finest gallopers ever seen in New Zealand. If he had gone to Australia to contest the Caulfield or Melbourne Cups, he would have won them by the proverbial mile. When he broke down he had won 17 races in succession, which was only two behind GLOAMING and DESERT GOLD'S Australasian record at the time. It was only a defeat in his first start as a 3-year old that prevented a winning streak of 24. On eight occasions he either equalled or broke the race record. He is regarded as one of the finest horses to have raced in New Zealand and was a racing superstar of the era.

Included among his Principal (or stakes) wins are the Awapuni Gold Cup, Champagne Stakes, Great Northern Derby, New Zealand St. Leger, Great Northern Foal Stakes, Royal Stakes, Great Northern Guineas, Wellington Guineas, King's Plate, North Island Challenge Stakes, Taranaki Stakes, Wellington Stakes, Gloaming Stakes, Trentham Stakes and ARC Welcome Stakes. The inaugural running of the Foxbridge Plate was won by MAINBRACE in 1950. His regular rider was the legendary, Grenville Hughes.

His superb ability saw him win all types of races comprising sprint, staying, weight-for-age and handicap events in the same exciting fashion. Although he never raced in Australia, Mainbrace’s record made people compare him with the finest thoroughbreds seen in this part of the world and he was mentioned alongside such other New Zealand galloping greats as PHAR LAP and CARBINE.

He was retired to stud in 1953, but was a disappointing sire. The best of his progeny being FOREBRACE (won ARC Mitchelson Cup), MAIN AFFAIR (ARC Ladies Mile) and NATIVE DIVER (ARC Queen Elizabeth Handicap). His daughter, TOPAZ produced CHIMBU who won the 1982 Auckland Cup and ARC Queen Elizabeth Handicap.

In 2008 Mainbrace was inducted into New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

RACE RECORD - 25: 23-2-0

EARNINGS - £36,895

Wellington Guineas (1950)

Great Northern Guineas (1950)

Great Northern Derby (1951)

North Island Challenge Stakes (1951)

New Zealand St. Leger (1951)

Awapuni Gold Cup (1951)