Kyvalley Hotspur (NZ) Basks in Group One Derby Glory

A powerful front-running performance saw NZB Standardbred graduate Kyvalley Hotspur (NZ) (Muscle Hill) clinch Group One glory in the A$75,000 Classic Connection @Haras Des Trotteurs Victoria Trotters Derby (2690m) at Maryborough on Sunday 31 October. 

Raced by Jim Connelly under his KPC Racing Banner, the Brent Lilley-trained three-year-old added a second Derby title to his resume with his track record-breaking victory for driver Anthony Butt.

Connelly purchased the Muscle Hill colt out of Love Ya Doosie (NZ) (Lot You) for $110,000 from Breckon Farms’ 2019 Auckland National Yearling Sale draft.

Sunday’s win added a deserved Group One victory to Kyvalley Hotspur’s impressive record to-date.

The colt came into the feature event after winning the $30,000 Group Two Niota Bloodstock Tatlow Stakes (2240m) and the $40,000 Group Two Club Menangle NSW Trotters Derby (2300m). He also scored himself a second placing in the $60,000 Group One Alan Mance Need For Speed Prince Final (1720m).

Anthony Butt had Kyvalley Hotspur in front soon after the start, taking the lead from his well-supported stablemate Aldebaran Zeus (Muscle Hill).

Butt kept up a strong pace with his three-year-old, who blitzed his rivals off their feet in his track record-breaking performance.

The reinsman summed the colt up as simply ‘a beautiful horse’.

“He is beautifully bred, is a beautiful looking horse and he’s just lovely to drive,” Butt said. “He gives you a great feel, even in the prelim, he is just class.”

Heading home a Lilley stable quinella, Kyvalley Hotspur was followed across the line by Aldebaran Zeus and fellow New Zealand-bred Mufasa Metro (NZ) (Father Patrick) in third.

New Zealand-bred horses enjoyed more success on Victoria Trotters Derby day at Maryborough, with two-year-old Tripod (NZ) (Wishing Stone) scoring on debut in the VSTA John Ashby Memorial (2190m) and exciting filly Queen Elida (NZ) (Love You) winning her sixth consecutive victory in the Aldebaran Gold Bracelet (1690m).

Queen Elida is a full sister to Toro Stride (NZ) (Love You), who broke an Australasian record by being the highest-ever recorded purchase for a trotting yearling at NZB Standardbred's 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale. The Love You (ex Queen Kenny) colt was purchased by Peter Lagan Standardbreds for $280,000 from the draft of Barron Bloodstock.

Consignor	Breckon Farms
Purchaser	KPC Racing
Breeding	Muscle Hill x Love Ya Doosie
Sale	2019 Auckland Yearling Sale, $110,000
Bred by	Breckon Farms