Derby Victory for NZ in Malaysia

New Zealand's reputation as one of the world's most prolific source of Derby winners was again to the fore last night in Malaysia with Mr Ambassador (NZ) becoming the 15th New Zealand bred Derby winner worldwide since 2010.

Mr Ambassador (Danasinga x Scotch and Water), trained by Tan Eng Tee Jerome, took the seventh win of his 37 career starts when he powered away to win the Rgt500,000 Listed Perak Derby (2400m).

Mr Ambassador has contested many of Malaysia's top level races, including the Selangor Gold Cup at his last appearance, with last night's victory his first from his last 10 starts in Malaysia.

The son of Danasinga began his racing career in New Zealand under the name The Embassy. Trained by Chris Waller, the gelding won his debut at Te Aroha over 1400 metres but did not return to the winners' circle in New Zealand until four starts later.

Taken to Australia in May 2009 as a three-year-old, The Embassy won four of his nine starts that preparation and came back as a four-year-old to win the Group 3 Randwick City Stakes (2000m) and place behind Precedence at his next start in the Listed Manion Cup (2400m).

At five the gelding had just five starts in Australia, placing behind New Zealand Derby winner C'Est la Guerre in the Group 3 Craven Plate, before being taken to Malaysia to race under the new name Mr Ambassador.

Bred by Martin Dalgleish, Mr Ambassador was purchased from The Oaks Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2007 Karaka Select Sale for $46,000. He was then offered at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2007 Ready to Run Sale where he was purchased by Frontier Bloodstock from Curraghmore Stud for $100,000.

Racing in three countries, Mr Ambassador's 37 starts have seen him take seven wins and four placings for over $400,000 in stakes.

Mr Ambassador is the 15th New Zealand bred Derby winner worldwide since 2010, and the fourth this season.

Karaka graduate Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) opened the 2011/12 Derby account with a stunning victory in the Group 1 VRC Derby in the spring.

Sangster's triumph was quickly followed by Fay Fay (NZ) (Falkirk) who became the 6th New Zealand bred and/or sold winner of the HK-1 Hong Kong Derby in the last nine years.

Silent Achiever (NZ) (O'Reilly) provided the third success when she powered away to win the Group 1 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie in March.