Ghibellines (29/8/2011-26/12/2025) was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Group 2 Todman Stakes at age 2 and went on to forge a successful career as a stud stallion with White Robe Lodge in Dunedin in the South Island of New Zealand, siring a number of Group winners.
Bred by Darley, he was a son of champion sire Shamardal and the Group One-winning Elusive Quality mare Camarilla. He was a half-brother to Guelph, a four-time group 1 winner and Dazzler, the dam of triple Group 1 winner and subsequent Group 1-producing sire Bivouac.
Racing career
Ghibellines race record was: 1st in the Todman Stakes (Group 2, 1200m) 3rd in the Canonbury Stakes (Listed, 1100m) 4th in the NSW Thoroughbred Breeders Plate (Listed, 1000m) 3rd in the Danehill Stakes (Group 2, 1200m)
Stud career
In 2016 Ghibellines commenced stud duties at White Robe Lodge in Mosgiel, Dunedin, New Zealand. Ghibellines produced many stakes winners, particularly in the South Island but also in Australia.
His 2025 service fee was $NZ7,000 (+ GST).
Ghibellines was sold to Chinese purchasers but in December 2025 he died with colic before being exported.
Notable progeny
c = colt, f = filly/mare, g = gelding
Foaled Name Sex Dam Damsire Major wins2018Bauble gLa Gem Seasoned Star Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) 2020 Campaldino gZuzana Shocking Brisbane Cup2017Carpo Dell ImperogGallant BabeGallant GuruCromwell Cup (2030m, 2x), Waikouiati Cup (2200m)2019 Cluedo Lane g Treat MeO'ReillyWhite Robe Lodge WFA (1600m)2016 El Gladiator g Querella Haafiz (Ire) Dunedin Guineas (1500m), Hororata Gold Cup (1800m), New Zealand Cup Trial (1800m)2016 Live Dramam Sheeza Drama (Aus)Pure Theatre (Aus)Great Easter Stakes (1400m), South Island Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) 2017 Noble Knight g Flight Arrival Yamanin Vital Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m), Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m), Marlborough Cup (2000m)2018PalmettogCarolina IslandDarci BrahmaDunedin Guineas, Southland Guineas, The Coast (Gosford, $500k), Five Diamonds Prelude (Randwick, $1M), Canberra Cup (listed 2000m)2016 Smokin' Romans g Inferno Yamanin Vital Naturalism Stakes, Pakenham Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes (VRC), Turnbull Stakes, Warrnambool Cup
See also Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand
References