A brilliant, unbeaten 3YO season saw Well Written win more than any other NZ-based horse in a single season

While exceptional young horses emerge in every era, it is truly uncommon to witness a three-year-old achieve such a dominant performance in New Zealand as WELL WRITTEN did during the 2025/26 season, remaining undefeated and securing the highest Stakes earnings in a single New Zealand season of any horse in history raced solely in this country.

The chestnut filly, Lot 36, was acquired out of the Karaka Sale in 2022 for $80,000 on account of Brighthill Farm by Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock. She is sired by WRITTEN TYCOON out of MOZZIE MONSTER (Sebring) with her dam only winning two races in Australia, although the 2nd dam VALENTINE MISS (Danetime) achieved six wins, and almost $500,000 in earnings. Given the presence of MARSCAY, VAIN, FLYING SPUR, and DANEHILL within the fourth generation of her pedigree, it is understandable that the filly turned out to be not only fast with a slick turn-of-foot, but also powerfully built.

Unraced at two, her four trials from April 2025 were very strong, but Well Written turned heads winning on debut over 1200m on September 20. at Ellerslie. Given her clearcut, exposed early ability, trainer Stephen Marsh wasted little time with the filly, quickly lining her up in Group 2 company in the Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes on October 18, 2025, again at Ellerslie, but this time over 1400m which resulted in another fluent win. After settling in third position, regular jockey Matt Cartwright worked closer to the turn and ran away to claim a fine victory by 6.8 lengths.

The team then tackled Group 1 company next, where Well Written was again triumphant in the Gr.1 1000 Guineas on November 8, 2025, at Riccarton Park, this time over 1600m when again making light of the step up in distance to the mile. She delivered a strong finish, overcoming LOLAPALOOZA and BELLE CHEVAL by 2.5 lengths, though she veered slightly after being struck with the whip; nevertheless, her exceptional natural talent was evident.

The inaugural campaign was exceptional, achieving an unblemished record that garnered significant attention and prompted the prominent thoroughbred racing and breeding entity, Yulong, to acquire a fifty percent ownership stake in Well Written. Thankfully, the horse stayed in the hands of Stephen Marsh instead of being shipped straight to Australia which was part of the deal.

WELL WRITTEN received the first slot for the $4m NZB Kiwi in spite of only racing three times and after a short spell Marsh begun the task of setting the filly for two of the biggest age group features in New Zealand. The Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) race scheduled for December 26, was initially considered as Well Written's likely return engagement now wearing the green and white chequered Yulong sliks. Despite being somewhat underprepared, the filly demonstrated remarkable acceleration, ultimately overtaking WHO DARES WIN in a strong performance with her underlying class proving the difference.

WELL WRITTEN entered the Ellerslie gates on Karaka Millions night as one of the shortest priced favourites in the history of the Listed Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) race which had been won in the past by brilliant thoroughbreds such as, PROBABEEL, ORCHESTRAL and DAMASK ROSE in 2025. The filly found herself midfield on the outer but with little room to move among a wall of horses. Coming off the final turn, Cartwright managed to spy a gap and pushed Well Written through where she blasted away to go past LA DORADA like she was standing still. The sprint was incredible as she cruised to a six length victory from Who Dares Wins with La Dorada holding on for third place. It was one of the most impressive wins ever witnessed at Ellerslie and cemented her reputation as the best performed horse in New Zealand by a fair margin.

Having maintained an undefeated record throughout her short career, the culminating challenge was the Listed NZ KIWI (1500m) on Champions Day in Auckland, where WELL WRITTEN was the anticipated highlight, expected to secure another impressive victory. However, the filly had been active for a considerable period, and Marsh recognised that this represented her most significant and demanding competition thus far.

While the margin of victory was narrower than expected, Well Written's performance in the NZB Kiwi (1500m) was nonetheless historic. The undefeated Group 1-winning filly was established as the favoured contender in the Southern Hemisphere's most prestigious race for three-year-olds. She commenced as the preferred choice in the Champions Day feature at Ellerslie, with all other participants facing double-digit odds, led by BELLE CHEVAL at $17.90. The market's assessment was validated as the filly, trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, nearly achieved an upset, finishing a mere short head behind Stephen Marsh’s prominent filly, Well Written.

Jockey Matt Cartwright executed a flawless ride, positioning Well Written optimally in the one-one, before skillfully presenting her at the turn where she swiftly assumed the lead. Well Written established a significant advantage over her competitors, though Belle Cheval initiated a strong pursuit from the rear. In the final stages, Well Written drifted outwards, leading to a head-to-head contest, with Well Written ultimately prevailing by a narrow margin. Following the race, Well Written's connections faced a stewards' inquiry regarding a potential protest, which was subsequently dismissed, confirming her victory and finishing her three-year-old campaign undefeated, crowned NZ Filly of the Year and NZ Horse of the Year.

WELL WRITTEN will return as a four-year-old with some big races in mind, with the ultimate goal being the $10M Golden Eagle at Randwick on October 31, possibly facing the impressive SHEZA ALIBI. She will resume a bigger, stronger mare aimed initially at the first Group 1 of the season, the Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie September 5 and at weight-for-age it seems the perfect scenario to kick off this next campaign. The winner of the NZB Kiwi is also subject to a $500,000 bonus with any Group 1 win in New Zealand season 2026/27, which is shared between the owners and NZB Kiwi slot-holders. The story continues….

RACE RECORD - 6: 6-0-0

STAKE EARNINGS - $2,615,625

G2 Soliloquy Stakes

G1 NZ 1000 Guineas

G2 Auckland Guineas

Listed Karaka Millions 3YO

Listed The NZB Kiwi