Jumal Keeps Unbeaten Record Intact

He may have done it the hard way, but exciting juvenile Jumal (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) kept his unbeaten record intact when taking out the $200,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2YO C&G Mobile Pace (1980m) at Addington Raceway on Friday.

From his second row draw he was forced to settle towards the rear of the field, but improved three-wide from the 1000m. He was pushed four-wide on his journey forward, but continued his forward momentum, and showed his true quality in the straight when opening up on his rivals and holding on for a three-quarter of a length victory.

Jumal’s gritty performance left driver Samantha Ottley struggling to find words following the race.

“I am a little bit lost for words. It wasn’t pretty but good horses get you through,” she said.

“He is a true little champion, the way he just relaxes. He was getting tired at the end, but like a true champion he lifted again when they came to him. He is just so tough.

“He is unbeaten and he shows us new things all of the time. That was such a tough run tonight. He is only two and is pretty untapped, so the future is bright.”

Jumal is by Downbytheseaside and out of Badlands Hanover mare Beaudiene Blinkz, a full-sister to six-time Group One winner Beaudiene Boaz and Group One winner Beaudiene Bad Babe, who has gone on to produce Group One performer Bad To The Bone.

Bred by Dave Kennedy, Jumal was offered through his Beaudiene Breeding (SBSR) 2024 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Reid for $95,000.

Jumal is raced by Reid’s partner Bella Storer and stable client Malcolm Wrigley, and he has been an outstanding proposition for the trio, winning all six of his starts to date, including the Group One Diamond Creek Farm 2YO Classic (2200m), and has accrued nearly $200,000 in prizemoney.

Reid has trained several topflight horses, and he said Jumal rates among his best.

“I think he sits right at the top of the tree (of the horses I have trained),” he said. “The only reason I say that is because I never trained Monkey King later on in his career. Gold Ace was a very good three-year-old, he wasn’t super good at two, so this guy is probably ahead of Gold Ace. He is probably on a par with Baileys Dream at the same stage, Baileys Dream was a very good juvenile. He certainly is right up there.”

Eun Sogno (NZ) (Captain Crunch) was a gallent second for the Kentuckiana Lodge team,  while Zeus Lightning (NZ)(Bettor's Delight) was right there in third for Hayden and Amanda Cullen.

Vendor	Beaudiene Breeding (SBSR)
Purchaser	Mr SJ Reid
Owner(s)	M G Wrigley, Miss I A D Storer
Breeding	Downbytheseaside - Beaudiene Blinkz
Sale	2024 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, Christchurch ($95,000)
Breeder(s)	W D Kennedy