Sharp 'N' Smart (foaled 28 September 2019) is a New Zealand racehorse which has won at Group One level in both New Zealand and Australia.[1]

Sharp 'N' Smart
SireRedwood
GrandsireHigh Chaparral
DamQueen Margaret
DamsireSwiss Ace
SexGelding
Foaled28 September 2019
CountryNew Zealand
ColourBay
BreederGerry Harvey
OwnerGraeme Rogerson, Todd Bawden, Craig Leishman, NZ Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd, Merv & Meg Butterworth & Martin Waddy
TrainerTeam Rogerson
Record11:6-4-0
EarningsNZ$3,027,166
Major wins
New Zealand Derby (2023)
Herbie Dyke Stakes (2023)
Spring Champion Stakes (2022)

Background

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Sharp 'N' Smart was bred by Gerry Harvey and is a son of Westbury Stud stallion Redwood.[2]

Bought by New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee Graeme Rogerson for $55,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka,[3] Sharp 'N' Smart is raced by Rogerson in partnership with a syndicate that includes Harvey, Merv & Meg Butterworth, Craig Leishman and Todd Bawden.[4]

Racing career

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Sharp 'N' Smart made a promising start to his career as an autumn two-year-old, winning at Listed level in New Zealand before a Queensland campaign that produced a second in the Listed The Phoenix and a fourth in the Group One J. J. Atkins.[5]

The gelding took a big step forward in the spring of his three-year-old season, scoring back-to-back Group wins in Sydney in the Gloaming Stakes and the Group One Spring Champion Stakes.[6] He then lined up in the Group One Victoria Derby after only a seven-day turnaround, finishing second behind Manzoice.[7]

Sharp 'N' Smart resumed in the summer with a second placing in the Thorndon Mile, then scored a rare victory by a three-year-old against older horses in the weight-for-age Herbie Dyke Stakes.[8]

Sharp 'N' Smart was rated a $1.40 favourite for the 2023 New Zealand Derby, which was run at Te Rapa Racecourse.[8] Confidently ridden by Ryan Elliot, Sharp 'N' Smart launched a powerful run approaching the home turn and was too strong down the straight, scoring by a long neck.[9]

He was named New Zealand Horse of the Year in the 2023 season.[10]

See also

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References

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