The Filbert (horse)
The Filbert was a New Zealand bred race-horse that was a top performer in New Zealand and internationally at Group 1 level.
Racing career
The Filbert was trained by Don Couchman and Paul Belsham at Hawera.After winning three races in his early New Zealand racing career, The Filbert had a successful trip to Australia winning at Rosehill on 17 October 1984 and Flemington on 10 November 1984.
His best wins were:
- the 1985 New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie beating Silver Elm and Shifnal Prince, and
- the 1986 Waikato Cup over 2400m at Te Rapa, beating Bounty Hawk and Run For Cover.
1985/86 season
- third in the Caulfield Stakes behind Tristarc and Lacka Reason.
- fourth in the Caulfield Cup behind Tristarc and Our Sophia.
- fourth in the Cox Plate behind Rising Prince and Roman Artist.
- third in the Mackinnon Stakes behind Rising Prince and So Vague.
- third in the Japan Cup behind Symboli Rudolf and Rocky Tiger.
- second in the Feehan Stakes behind Dazzling Duke.
- fourth in the Underwood Stakes behind Bonecrusher and At Talaq.
- fourth in the Caulfield Stakes behind Bonecrusher and Black Knight.
- third in the Cox Plate behind Bonecrusher and Waverley Star. This race became known as the Race of the Century.