Return To Conquer, an unbeaten Group 1-winning colt by Snitzel, will join Waikato Stud’s stallion roster in 2026 at a service fee of NZ$15,000 following his retirement due to injury. Purchased for AU$1.3 million by Te Akau principal David Ellis, the three-year-old showed exceptional talent and temperament, winning all four of his stakes-level starts, including the prestigious Sistema Stakes. Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick expressed excitement about adding such a well-bred and physically impressive horse to their lineup, highlighting his compatibility with their broodmare band and the colt’s strong pedigree, which includes notable bloodlines from Snitzel and Lonhro.
Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Return To Conquer demonstrated elite racing ability and a remarkable temperament, traits that bode well for his future as a sire. Despite his promising career being cut short by injury, his unbeaten record and Group 1 success make him a valuable addition to Waikato Stud’s already impressive roster, which features leading stallions like Savabeel and Super Seth. The Chittick family and Te Akau Racing are confident that Return To Conquer will have a significant impact on the New Zealand breeding industry.
