MILLION DOLLAR LOOKS

This imposing colt was a headline horse from his first public appearance. By Danehill, from a champion New Zealand family, Darci Brahma was keenly sought among international buyers at Karaka.

The winning bid fell to Te Akau Stud principal David Ellis, who purchased the colt for $1.1 million from the draft of leading nursery Pencarrow Stud. The colt was then syndicated among a prominent group of New Zealand breeders with the aim to develop a high profile stallion prospect.

Fortunately Darci Brahma was the complete package. A blue blooded pedigree and a commanding type. On the racecourse a class athlete, with two important sire essentials ‘an explosive turn-of-foot and a burning desire to win!

A BRILLIANT DANEHILL 2YO

A tough and precocious juvenile Darci Brahma had six starts at two years. A natural talent, the colt made a winning debut. He followed this win with a stakes win at Matamata, racing away by 3˝ lengths in the listed Fairview Ford Slipper.

The 2YO season highlight was undoubtably his Australian Group One success, when a dominant winner of the $500,000 Gr.1 TJ Smith Classic at Eagle Farm. This Australian form securing Darci Brahma’s position as our Champion New Zealand 2YO.

In displaying winning juvenile form at the highest level Darci Brahma joins a select band of Danehill sire sons including:
Redoutes Choice, Flying Spur, Danzero and Danehill Dancer.

Speed and precociousness are an obvious and essential ingredient in the Danehill sire-son success.

GROUP ONE CLASSIC SUCCESS AT 3 YEARS

At three Darci Brahma achieved his second Group One success. An emphatic three-and-three quarter length win in the $300,000 Gr.1 Christchurch Casino New Zealand 2000 at Riccarton.

The colts blitzing acceleration that day simply breathtaking. Jockey Michael Walker in raptures as he returned to scale, "I did nothing on him – just sat there, and he’s sprinted past them effortlessly," Walker said.

Trainer Mark Walker was succinct in his praise of another brilliant performance, "He is just a super horse that does everything you ask of him."

With a perfect spring record at three years, winning the Gr.2 Hawkes Bay Guineas, Gr.2 Wellington Guineas and the Gr.1 2000 Guineas – Darci Brahma went on to add another group one win in the Autumn, convincingly beating the older horses in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Stakes.

Walker then set his sights on Darci Brahma returning to tackle the best company across the Tasman, with Darci Brahma again measuring-up against the Australians. This time running the classy Apache Cat to a close second in the prestigious $710,000 Gr.1 VRC Australian Guineas.

GROUP ONE TELEGRAPH AT FOUR YEARS IN A SCORCHING 1min .07

At four years Darci Brahma again stepped up to racings top arena. The result two further Group One victories – Five GROUP ONE’S in total…at 2,3 & 4 years.

For many racegoers his Telegraph Handicap performance was a defining moment in the colt’s brilliant career. An inspiring demonstration of both his competitive spirit and that ever-present and sensational turn-of-foot.

The ease in which Darci Brahma ran away from the country’s fastest horses left a long lasting impression among racegoers. To win the Telegraph in 1.07 and carrying a serious horses handicap of 57kg…..trainer Mark Walker and jockey Opie Bosson were ecstatic.

After performing at his brilliant best at two, three and four years, and winning the Gr.1 Waikato Draught Sprint at his last start... Darci Brahma retired at the top of his game!