Filly Ohope Wins Makes History With Trans-Tasman Racing Double

A rising star from New Zealand just galloped into the history books with a performance that has the racing world buzzing.

Ohope Wins, a three-year-old filly, stormed to victory in the Australian Oaks at Sydney's Randwick racecourse on Saturday, becoming only the fourth horse ever to win both the New Zealand and Australian Oaks races. The last filly to achieve this rare double was Pennyweka in 2023, with only two others managing it in the past 35 years.

The victory was particularly impressive given how far behind Ohope Wins sat during the race. At one point, she trailed the leader by 15 lengths with just 900 meters to go, appearing to have little chance of winning.

But jockey James McDonald stayed calm and let the filly build momentum down the center of the track. She powered past her rivals in the final 60 meters to win by half a length, showing the toughness and stamina that makes great champions.

The win capped a remarkable journey for Ohope Wins, who was named New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year before being transferred to powerhouse Australian trainer Chris Waller earlier this year. Waller was quick to credit her previous New Zealand trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott for developing such a talented athlete.

"Lance O'Sullivan did a great job with her prior to coming to me," Waller said after his 196th Group 1 victory. O'Sullivan had told him Ohope Wins was "one of the best horses that he's ever had to deal with," praise that proved accurate on racing's biggest stage.

Why This Inspires

This story shows what happens when talented people work together across borders instead of competing. Waller openly thanked the New Zealand trainers who laid the foundation for success, demonstrating the kind of collegiality that elevates everyone involved.

The partnership between nations produced something truly special: a horse that represents the best of both countries. Her success proves that collaboration and mutual respect create better outcomes than going it alone.

Ohope Wins now has her sights set on Australia's spring racing carnival, with the prestigious Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup potential targets. Whether she runs those races or not, she's already proven herself as one of the generation's best, bringing joy to racing fans on both sides of the Tasman Sea.