{{short description|New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox racehorse | horsename = Legarto | image_name = | caption = | sire = Proisir (Aus) | grandsire = Choisir (Aus) | dam = Geordie Girl (NZ) | damsire = Towkay | sex = Mare | foaled = 15 November 2019 | country = New Zealand | colour = Bay | breeder = Warwick Jeffries, Oropi<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/blog/post/98704/no-secret-formula-to-jeffries-success/|title=No secret formula to Jeffries success|website=No secret formula to Jeffries success | New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association}}</ref> | owner = Mrs C J & P H Brown, A C & Mrs M E Enting, W J Foster, Mrs B J & K S Kelso, A M & Mrs P J Kirton, G & M Maloy & E J Verheyen<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/404232/Legarto-NZ-2019.aspx|title=Legarto (NZ) 2019 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> | trainer = Ken & Beverley Kelso, Matamata | jockey = | record = | earnings = | race = 2022 New Zealand 1000 Guineas<br />2023 Australian Guineas<br />2024 & 2025 Herbie Dyke Stakes <br />2026 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes | awards = }} '''Legarto''' (foaled 15 November 2019) is a New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse that has won multiple Group 1 level races in New Zealand and Australia.
She was bred by Warwick Jeffries and was sold at the 2021 Karaka bloodstock sales (Book 2) by Highline Thoroughbreds to Ancroft Stud for $90,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/search/Legarto|website=New Zealand Bloodstock |date=7 March 2025 |title=New Zealand Bloodstock | Thoroughbred Auction House }}</ref>
==Racing career== Legarto is trained by Ken & Beverley Kelso at Matamata. She won her first race on a Heavy 10 track at Matamata and went on to win another four races on end (three at Group level) before a 4th in the Karaka Million. Then in March 2023 she achieved a Group One victory across the Tasman in the Australian Guineas at Flemington.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzb.co.nz/news/legarto-nz-makes-history-in-australian-guineas|title=Legarto (NZ) Makes History in Australian Guineas |date=7 March 2025|website=New Zealand Bloodstock}}</ref>
In August 2024 she suffered a minor tendon injury during a trial win at Te Rapa and did not race until February 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/horse-racing-legarto-all-class-in-lisa-chittick/45654AJIK5CCTHX5RZGIUZRJBM/|title=Legarto all class in Lisa Chittick|date=4 September 2020|newspaper=New Zealand Herald}}</ref>
Throughout her career she has performed consistently against Open and Weight for Age company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/wifes-words-of-wisdom-help-ken-kelso-plot-group-1-double-with-legarto/J3YQ73KJQZGABHJ7WNXOGE7XRM/|title=Wife’s words of wisdom help Kelso plot Group 1 double with Legarto|first=Michael|last=Guerin|website=NZ Herald}}</ref>
Notable performances by Legarto<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racenet.com.au/remote/check_cookie.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racenet.com.au%2Fprofiles%2Fhorse%2Flegarto-nz|title=Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips|website=racenet.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing.com/horses/legarto-nz|title=Racing.com - Profile|website=www.racing.com}}</ref> include:
{|class="sortable wikitable" !Date !Placing !Race !Track !Jockey !1st !2nd !3rd |- | 8/06/2022<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/50589/2/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 2 MURRAY'S SWANSONG 1100 at MATAMATA RC on 8 JUN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || '''1st''' || Murray's Swansong 1100m ||Matamata || Taiki Yanagida|| '''Legarto'''||Beyond Skies ||Lili Marlene |- | 30/09/22<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/51290/1/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 1 NZB READY TO RUN SALE TRAINERS SERIES 3YO at WAIKATO RC on 30 SEP 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || '''1st''' || NZB "Ready to run" sale trainers series 3YO (1200m) || Te Rapa ||Ryan Elliot|| '''Legarto''' ||Westwood || Val Di Zoldo |- | 22/10/22<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/51309/5/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 5 SUPER SETH SOLILOQUY STAKES at WAIKATO RC on 22 OCT 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || '''1st''' || Super Seth Soliliquoy Stakes (Group 3, 1400m) || Te Rapa|| Ryan Elliot|| '''Legarto''' ||Romancing The Moon ||Prowess |- | 14/11/22<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/51928/4/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 4 BARNESWOOD FARM 50TH NEW ZEALAND 1000 GUINEAS at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 14 NOV 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzb.co.nz/news/legarto-nz-lights-up-1000-guineas|title=Legarto (NZ) Lights Up 1000 Guineas |date=7 March 2025|website=New Zealand Bloodstock}}</ref> || '''1st''' || New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) || Riccarton ||Ryan Elliot|| '''Legarto''' ||Best Seller ||Blue Solitaire |- | 26/12/22<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/51357/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 ATR EIGHT CARAT CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 26 DEC 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || '''1st''' || Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m) || Counties ||Ryan Elliot|| '''Legarto''' ||Skew Wiff || Wessex |- | 21/01/23<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/51383/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || 4th || Karaka Million 3YO Classic || Counties ||Ryan Elliot|| Prowess || Wild Night|| Desert Lightning |- | 4/03/23<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racenet.com.au/remote/check_cookie.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racenet.com.au%2Fresults%2Fhorse-racing%2Fflemington-20230304%2Faustralian-guineas-race-7|title=Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips|website=racenet.com.au}}</ref> || '''1st''' || Australian Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) || Flemington ||Michael Dee||'''Legarto'''|| Attrition ||Japanese Emperor |- |9/09/23<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52248/9/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 9 WESTBURY STUD TARZINO TROPHY at HAWKE'S BAY RI on 9 SEP 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || 3rd || Tarzino Trophy (Group 1, 1400m) || Hastings ||Ryan Elliot||Skew Wiff || Dragon Leap ||'''Legarto''' |- | 7/10/23<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52289/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 TEAM WEALLEANS MATAMATA CUP at MATAMATA RC on 7 OCT 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || '''1st''' || Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) || Matamata ||Ryan Elliot|| '''Legarto'''||Aquacade || La Crique |- | 4/11/23<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racenet.com.au/remote/check_cookie.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racenet.com.au%2Fresults%2Fhorse-racing%2Frosehill-gardens-20231104%2Fjames-squire-golden-eagle-race-8|title=Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips|website=racenet.com.au}}</ref> || 10th || Golden Eagle (1500m) || Rosehill ||Michael Dee|| Obamburumai ||Pericles ||Golden Mile |- | 14/01/24<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52468/4/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 4 ELSDON PARK AOTEAROA CLASSIC PREVIEW at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 14 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || '''1st''' || Aotearoa Classic Preview (Open, 1400m) || Ellerslie ||Ryan Elliot||'''Legarto'''|| Sacred Satono ||Sharp 'N' Smart |- | 27/01/24<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52530/5/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 5 ELSDON PARK AOTEAROA CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 27 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || 2nd || Aotearoa Classic (1600m) || Ellerslie ||Ryan Elliot || Desert Lightning || '''Legarto'''|| Rudyard |- | 10/02/24<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52521/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 HERBIE DYKE STAKES at WAIKATO THOROUGHBRED RACING on 10 FEB 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/blog/post/124195/legarto-too-good-in-herbie-dyke-stakes/|title=Legarto too good in Herbie Dyke Stakes|website=Legarto too good in Herbie Dyke Stakes | New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association}}</ref> || '''1st''' || Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) || Te Rapa||Ryan Elliot ||'''Legarto''' || Campionessa || One Bold Cat |- | 9/03/24<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52501/7/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 7 BONECRUSHER NEW ZEALAND STAKES at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 9 MAR 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref> || 2nd || Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) || Ellerslie ||Ryan Elliot||El Vencedor || '''Legarto''' ||Ladies Man |- | 30/03/24<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racenet.com.au/remote/check_cookie.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racenet.com.au%2Fresults%2Fhorse-racing%2Fflemington-20240330%2Ftab-australian-cup-race-8|title=Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips|website=racenet.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-legarto-heads-strong-kiwi-entry-in-australian-cup/HT3I47SNU5FOVN6UZKGNO3IRWE/|title=Racing: Legarto heads strong Kiwi entry in Australian Cup|date=6 March 2025|website=NZ Herald}}</ref>|| 6th || Australian Cup (Group 1, 2000m) || Flemington ||Michael Dee||Cascadian ||Pride Of Jenni || Atishu |- | 15/02/25<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/53299/6/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 6 LISA CHITTICK CHAMPAGNE STAKES at MATAMATA RC on 15 FEB 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racingnews.co.nz/legarto-all-class-in-lisa-chittick/|title=Legarto all class in Lisa Chittick|date=15 February 2025|website=NZ Racing News}}</ref> || '''1st''' || Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (Listed 1400m) || Matamata ||Ryan Elliot|| '''Legarto'''|| Acquarello || My Lips Are Sealed |- |8/03/25<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/53320/5/Race-Detail.aspx|title=Race 5 HKJC WORLD POOL NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS' STAKES at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 8 MAR 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ|website=loveracing.nz}}</ref>||3rd|| New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Group 1, 1600m)||Ellerslie ||Ryan Elliot|| Provence||Jaarffi||'''Legarto''' |- |26/12/25||3rd||Zabeel Classic||Ellerslie ||Ryan Elliot||Kingswood||Jaarffi||'''Legarto''' |- |7/2/26||'''1st'''||Herbie Dyke Stakes||Te Rapa||Opie Bosson||'''Legarto'''||Kingswood||The Odyssey |- |7/3/26||'''1st'''||Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes||Ellerslie ||Opie Bosson|| '''Legarto''' || Waitak ||Tuxedo |- |}
==See also== * Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand
==References == {{reflist}}
Category:Racehorses bred in New Zealand Category:Racehorses trained in New Zealand Category:2019 racehorse births