22 Oct 2023Almanzor’s son Iberian Ruler hasn’t taken long to break his maiden from his new quarters.
He was an easy winner over a middle distance at Lismore in his third appearance from Annabel Neasham’s stable after beginning his career with John O’Shea.
Our homebred Iberian Ruler travelled boldly in fourth spot and one off the fence before rider Michael Hellyer urged him forward 700 metres from home.
They took control at the top of the straight and waltzed clear to win by three and a-half lengths.
“It was a big step up in distance for him, he hadn’t run over 2000 metres since April and we were a bit worried about the ground, but he ran really well and it’s a great result,” stable representative Craig Purcell said.
Iberian Ruler was initially purchased by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock for A$70,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and was subsequently secured for $70,000 by Go Racing when reoffered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale.
He is a son of the late Encosta De Lago mare Spring Venture who is out of the G2 Waikato Cup winner Lovetrista, a three-quarter sister to the G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner and sire Viking Ruler and to stakes winners Diamond Like and Kempinsky.