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.
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.
In August 2024 she suffered a minor tendon injury during a trial win at Te Rapa and did not race until February 2025.
Throughout her career she has performed consistently against Open and Weight for Age company.
Notable performances by Legarto include:
DatePlacingRaceTrackJockey1st2nd3rd 8/06/2022 1st Murray's Swansong 1100m Matamata Taiki Yanagida LegartoBeyond Skies Lili Marlene 30/09/22 1st NZB "Ready to run" sale trainers series 3YO (1200m) Te Rapa Ryan Elliot Legarto Westwood Val Di Zoldo 22/10/22 1st Super Seth Soliliquoy Stakes (Group 3, 1400m) Te Rapa Ryan Elliot Legarto Romancing The Moon Prowess 14/11/22 1st New Zealand 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) Riccarton Ryan Elliot Legarto Best Seller Blue Solitaire 26/12/22 1st Eight Carat Classic (Group 2, 1600m) Counties Ryan Elliot Legarto Skew Wiff Wessex 21/01/23 4th Karaka Million 3YO Classic Counties Ryan Elliot Prowess Wild Night Desert Lightning 4/03/23 1st Australian Guineas (Group 1, 1600m) Flemington Michael DeeLegarto Attrition Japanese Emperor 9/09/23 3rd Tarzino Trophy (Group 1, 1400m) Hastings Ryan ElliotSkew Wiff Dragon Leap Legarto 7/10/23 1st Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) Matamata Ryan Elliot LegartoAquacade La Crique 4/11/23 10th Golden Eagle (1500m) Rosehill Michael Dee Obamburumai Pericles Golden Mile 14/01/24 1st Aotearoa Classic Preview (Open, 1400m) Ellerslie Ryan ElliotLegarto Sacred Satono Sharp 'N' Smart 27/01/24 2nd Aotearoa Classic (1600m) Ellerslie Ryan Elliot Desert Lightning Legarto Rudyard 10/02/24 1st Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) Te RapaRyan Elliot Legarto Campionessa One Bold Cat 9/03/24 2nd Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) Ellerslie Ryan ElliotEl Vencedor Legarto Ladies Man 30/03/24 6th Australian Cup (Group 1, 2000m) Flemington Michael DeeCascadian Pride Of Jenni Atishu 15/02/25 1st Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (Listed 1400m) Matamata Ryan Elliot Legarto Acquarello My Lips Are Sealed 8/03/253rd New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Group 1, 1600m)Ellerslie Ryan Elliot ProvenceJaarffiLegarto26/12/253rdZabeel ClassicEllerslie Ryan ElliotKingswoodJaarffiLegarto7/2/261stHerbie Dyke StakesTe RapaOpie BossonLegartoKingswoodThe Odyssey7/3/261stBonecrusher New Zealand StakesEllerslie Opie Bosson Legarto Waitak Tuxedo
See also Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand
References