A brilliant WFA horse, Prince Majestic was lethal, both at home and abroad and gained wide popularity in NZ

From the second crop of the powerful southern sire NOBLE BIJOU, the fine New Zealand galloper PRINCE MAJESTIC was bred by Mrs H. A. Anderton of Mosgiel, whose husband Hector bred the dam PRINCESS MELLAY. Hec Anderton was a highly respected jockey, trainer, and breeder from a prominent racing dynasty based in Wingatui, New Zealand. Over his six-decade career, he was celebrated for breeding and training the winners of over 350 races, including high class gallopers MELLSEUR, SAND SWEEPER, CROWN AGENT and THE JEWEL as well a number of notable jumpers. Princess Mellay was from the fine sire MELLAY by champion NZ stayer of the 1950's in BEAUMARIS. White Robe Lodge sire, MELLAY was by Derby winner NEVER SAY DIE and he built a reputation for producing top-class mares.

PRINCESS MELLAY was the first stakes winner in many generations of her line and the first descending from White Robe. On the track Princess Mellay had an excellent three-year-old season and was rated the second top filly of her year, taking out the Gr.2 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Riccarton where, as a four and five-year-old she added back-to-back New Zealand Cups in 1970 and 1971, the first horse to win successive New Zealand Cups since the race was run in 1883 and the first mare to win the race in foal. She was named New Zealand Broodmare of the Year in 1982 through the deeds of her magnificent weight-for-age performer Prince Majestic who was by yet another beautifully bred White Robe Lodge stallion. PRINCE MAJESTIC was an exceptional racehorse, the winner of 19 races, including successive Gr.1 New Zealand Cups replicating his mother deeds.

PRINCE MAJESTIC was purchased for $22,000 by Takanini trainer Ray Verner for Auckland roofing specialist Bob Ross and his wife Una. A stunning racehorse in ever respect, Prince Majestic garnered attention everywhere he went throughout his career.

Beginning in his career prior to Christmas of 1979, Prince Majestic ran 3rd as a two-year-old at Pukekohe with Grant Cooksley aboard. The colt concluded his 2-year-old season with two victories at Trentham over 1200 metres and a second-place finish at Ruakaka before returning in August 1980 as a three-year-old. Prince Majestic, with David Peake as his frequent jockey, achieved a third-place finish at Tauranga, marking the beginning of a successful partnership. Nigel Tiley would also find time in the saddle during the geldings progression. His first major win as a 3yo saw the colt win the Gr 1 Wanganui Guineas (1600m) beating KAIMANAWA by a length. The horse demonstrated his prowess in middle-distance races by securing a victory in a 3-year-old mile event at Hastings. Notably, the horse defeated WHITTAKER, who would become a frequent rival in age-group competitions.

A forthcoming trip to Australia beckoned and the high-quality colt won the Gr.1 Spring Championship Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in October, narrowly defeating COSMIC PLANET and showcasing his exceptional development and genuine, raw talent. This win proved just how tough David Peake was and just how much every jockey in the race wanted him beaten.

For 2 and a quarter minutes, Peakes life was misery. He and Prince Majestic were jammed against the running rail and the interference the combination suffered on the home turn was astonishing. Fortunately, Prince Majestic was a huge unit, and with a bit of his own barging, Peake was able to extract him from a hole and the great horse charged down the outside to win. Prince Majestic returned to the winner's enclosure with white paint from the running rail down his entire right side. Peake claimed it was the roughest race he ever rode in and money probably changed hands if you watch the video.

On his return home, there were several average performances in the autumn until April 1981, when he crossed the Tasman once more to secure third place in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) behind DECK THE HALLS on a challenging, heavy track. The primary objective was a total failure, resulting in a 13th place finish in the AJC Derby (2400m) won by OUR PADDY BOY. Consequently, the horse was returned to its home base for the winter. His winning ways returned in June when taking out a 1400m WFA event at Tauranga followed by a Class one 2nd placing to KAHU at Ellerslie. Another 2nd to the brilliant AXEMAN soon followed until he went on a run of three consecutive weight-for-age wins, firstly over 2200m in Auckland, the mile at Taranaki and Wellington in October. Two additional close-up finishes would ensue before Prince Majestic was sent for a well-deserved break.

1983 would prove to be a truly wonderful year for Prince Majestic. At four, after a couple of runs at home, including a win over 2200m at Te Aroha, Prince Majestic returned to Sydney to take on some major black type events. The now four-year-old stallion demonstrated his exceptional ability during his prime, securing notable victories in prestigious Group 1 races. In April, he triumphed in the Tancred Stakes, a mile-and-a-half contest held at Rosehill. Subsequently, he achieved another remarkable feat by winning the esteemed Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, a 2000 metre race conducted at Randwick. On both occasions, he surpassed the formidable ALLEZ BIJOU, showcasing his dominance in the Sydney racing arena. Returning home $158,000 richer, he added the Listed D.B Galaxy Stakes at Trentham, plus stakes placings at Tauranga and Avondale.

His 5YO season kicked off with a second to the talented AXEMAN in the Gr.3 Wanganui JC Tim Rogers Stakes. On his first trip to Melbourne, he placed third in both the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes and Gr.2 Turnbull Stakes. At Trentham in May, he added a second D.B Galaxy Stakes taking his earning to over $500,000. Half way up the Trentham straight he never looked like catching SIRTAIN before stretching out in the last 100m and going away by a length and a quarter. It was a quintessential Prince Majestic performance.

Prince Majestic arrived in Queensland on this occasion with the heavy conditions much to his liking. The gelding initially secured a triumph in the O'Shea Stakes (2232m) held at Eagle Farm in June. Shortly thereafter, he achieved another victory in the Tattersall's Cup (2270m) on a challenging heavy track three weeks later. His finished his fouree with a 5th at Doomben in the Fourex Cup before returning to New Zealand. After a short let up, Prince Majestic won a WFA event at Te Rapa coming back fresh to the distance of 1400m, then in September winning a C1 at Tauranga (2100m). He would not be seen again until June of 1985 due to injury, but did resume with a C1 win at Ellerslie over 1400m and a 3rd in a Gr.3 event at Tauranga.

Prince Majestic's brilliant career culminated in his final run as a six-year-old, having achieved notable success both domestically and in Sydney and Brisbane. During the early 1980s, he achieved remarkable success, winning an impressive 19 out of 45 races. His consistent dominance made him a prominent and popular figure in the local racing scene.

Race record - 45: 19-5-9

Earnings - $521,057

Wanganui Guineas

Spring Championship Stakes

Tauranga Classic

Taranaki Stakes

Harcourt Handicap

Tancred Stakes

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

O'Shea Stakes

Tattersall's Cup