De Armas (NZ) produced an outstanding performance at Flemington on Saturday, claiming the $300,000 Group Two HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes (2000m) with an authoritative display that further underlined the promise of the New Zealand-bred filly. Her victory continued an impressive run for graduates of NZB’s National Online Yearling Sale, who have now recorded Group victories at Flemington on each of the last two Saturdays.
A week earlier, Soverato (NZ), by Vadamos, captured the Group Three Tesio Stakes over 2040 metres. De Armas, by Ardrossan, followed with an impressive success in the Wakeful Stakes, highlighting the quality emerging from the online yearling sale.
Offered by Elsdon Park through NZB’s 2025 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, De Armas was purchased by Benner Racing for $16,000. Seven starts into her career, she has recorded three wins and a placing, accumulating A$508,668 in stakes earnings, almost 40 times her original purchase price.
De Armas Makes Her Mark in the Wakeful Stakes
De Armas began her racing career under the care of Johno Benner, winning two of her three starts as a two-year-old last season. Her early achievements included victory in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes over 1100 metres.
She subsequently finished fourth in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO over 1200 metres. Following that performance, OTI Racing acquired a majority share in her ownership, and the promising runner was transferred to the stable of leading Australian trainer Chris Waller.
After finishing fifth on her Australian debut in late September, De Armas faced a significant rise in competition. She responded with a second-place finish in the Group One Flight Stakes over 1600 metres before taking fourth in the Group One Thousand Guineas, also over a mile.
Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes presented another important examination, with the distance extended to 2000 metres. However, De Armas demonstrated that the longer journey was well within her capabilities.
Jockey Blake Shinn settled the filly in ninth position as the field stretched out behind a strong early pace. Patiently ridden through the middle stages, she was brought towards the outside after rounding the home turn.
Shinn then asked for her effort, and De Armas responded with an impressive burst of acceleration, quickly moving through the field to take command. She maintained her advantage throughout the closing stages and crossed the finish line a length and a quarter clear of her rivals.
Shinn praised her class after the race, while acknowledging that she still had some improvement to make in her racing manners. He explained that she had the contest under control by the 400-metre mark, despite being unbalanced around the turn and requiring encouragement to find her correct stride.
The jockey also noted that De Armas stayed the 2000-metre journey comfortably, an encouraging sign as her career progresses towards longer assignments.
VRC Oaks or New Zealand Return Next for De Armas?
The Wakeful Stakes traditionally serves as an important lead-up to the Group One VRC Oaks over 2500 metres, scheduled for Thursday. However, reports following Saturday’s performance suggest that De Armas is more likely to return to New Zealand for the $4.5 million NZB Kiwi over 1500 metres at Ellerslie on March 6.
A decision on her next assignment will determine whether she continues her Australian campaign or returns home for one of New Zealand’s major racing events.
Meanwhile, NZB has announced that on-farm parades for its 2026 Ready to Run Sale will take place from Tuesday, November 3, through Monday, November 9. Prospective buyers will have the opportunity to inspect the two-year-olds ahead of the sale at Karaka on November 18 and 19.
NZB and its New Zealand-based agents will also be available to conduct inspections and evaluations on behalf of prospective buyers.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.