Behind every horse lies a unique story, and Wexford Stables' selection of Panther (NZ) (Ace High) in The NZB Kiwi marks another step in a truly remarkable journey for a group of friends united by a desire to do something special for a mate in need.
Four years ago the group banded together to race a horse in a bid to boost the morale of their good mate Nick Heather, who had been diagnosed with cancer and had just completed his full stem cell transplant with his sister Sarah-Jane.
That decision has led them on an unforgettable ride with two horses.
The group initially purchased shares in Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) after she was bought by Wexford Stables as a yearling at NZB's Karaka 2022 Sale, and while hopeful she would win a couple of races and give them something to bond over, she would far exceed those expectations.
The daughter of Ace High won three races as a three-year-old for Wexford trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, including the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Group Two Eight Carat Classic (1600m), before her subsequent sale to well-known Australian owner Ozzie Kheir, whose colours she carried to victory in the Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) before she continued her racing career across the Tasman.
Jon Smith, a member of that ownership group, said her deeds on the track were a great tonic for his friendship group, particularly Nick, who is now in remission but on a journey to full recovery still to this day.
“One of our friends was diagnosed with cancer, and it brought our whole group together from all over the world,” Smith said. “We’re scattered everywhere - Saudi (Arabia), Melbourne, Sydney, Dubai, Ireland, England, and life had pulled us in all different directions.
“He needed something upbeat, a journey we could all get behind, and that was the beginning of Molly Bloom.
“He’s in full remission now, which is incredible, everyone knew it was going to be a long road, and it is, as he still battles Graft-Verse-Host Disease (GVHD).
“Molly gave us something to connect to emotionally, especially after she won the Guineas. Following her week-to-week became the distraction we all needed. It gave us a single purpose during a really tough time.”
The group got a taste of success with Molly Bloom, and the comradery it provided the group, and they were keen for more, electing to invest in another Wexford Stables yearling.
The group decided upon Panther, another progeny of Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High, who Wexford had purchased out of the Matamata farm’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 National Yearling Sale draft for $280,000.
He proved to be hot property and the group missed out on attaining shares in the now gelding, but upon hearing their plight, co-owner Simon Doull contacted the group to offer them some of his shares in Panther.
“We actually missed out on Panther at first, he was hot property back then,” Smith said. “Simon Doull very kindly gave our group a portion of his share so we could keep the dream alive. We owe Doully big time for that.”
“He loved the story and the fact it was a good bunch of lads, he wanted to keep us involved.
“It’s pretty special that the same group is back in again, still on the ride together.”
Panther has given the group plenty to smile about so far, winning one and finishing runner-up in three of his four starts to date, including a bold second to Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) in last weekend’s Group Three Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie.
That performance sealed O’Sullivan and Scott’s decision to select him as their slot representative in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) on Champions Day at Ellerslie next Saturday, and Smith said the group can’t believe their run of luck.
“To have a Group One winner and now a runner in the $4 million NZB Kiwi, it’s unbelievable,” he said.
"We feel very lucky. This is not something you take for granted. I've spent my whole life in this game and know how hard it is to get just one winner, let alone the position we're in - we're genuinely so grateful. But also believe we can win again."
“There’s not one voice message from Lance and Andrew that says we can’t win. They’re not going there to make up numbers - they’re going there to win.
“He’s got so much upside, he’s still so lightly raced. There’s only one way to go from here, and that’s up.”
With his group of mates scattered all around the world, Smith said they won’t all be trackside to cheer home their charge, but they will be barracking for Panther from all four corners of the globe.
“Everyone would be flying in if it wasn’t for my wedding in five weeks, but they’ll be watching live, wherever they are in the world,” he said.
“The buzz in our group chat is unreal - it feels like Molly Bloom all over again when she went to the 1000 Guineas, we are hopeful for the same result.”
The 2026 $4 million NZB Kiwi will be run on Champions Day at Ellerslie Racecourse, 7 March. View the current slot horses here.