Former NZ Horse of the Year Mufhasa notched his fifth Group 1 victory over a star-studded field in the Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.  He powered home to defeat G1 winners Wall Street and Keep The Peace clocking 1.21.09s for 1400 metres.

Mufhasa (6g Pentire – Sheila Cheval by Mi Preferido) was coming off a G1 victory in the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham last month.  “Winning five Group 1 races is pretty special,” trainer Stephen McKee said.  “He’s come back as good as ever this season.”

Mufhasa joins McKee’s mighty mare Sunline as a two-time winner of the Waikato Draught Sprint.  

McKee will send Mufhasa to Australia for the G1 Futurity Stakes on February 26 or keep him home for the Haunui WFA at Otaki on the same day.  There’s also the option of a Sydney campaign that includes the G1 George Ryder at Rosehill on April 2 and G1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 23.

Bred by Rich Hill Stud’s John and Colin Thompson, Mufhasa was purchased at the 2006 NZB Select Sale for $50,000 by David, Simon and Natalie Archer along with Diane Wright.  

Rich Hill resident Pentire is the sire of 10 Group 1 winners – Mufhasa, Xcellent, Zarita, Recurring, Penny Gem, Pentane, Pantani, Sir Pentire, Markus Maximus and Resolution.

Mufhasa’s unraced dam Sheila Cheval has a yearling filly by Zabeel and she is back in-foal to the champion Cambridge sire.