She was an incredibly versatile Te Akau trained mare that dominated NZ Racing for four seasons

Avantage, was bought by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $210,000 from the 2017 Premier Sales. Bred by Willie and Karen Calder of the Oaks Stud, she was from boom sire Fastnet Rock via her dam, Avasant (Zabeel), who won three races for the John and Karen Parsons’ stable, including the Listed Warstep Stakes, and third in the Gr.1 Waikato International Stakes. Asavant is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Centenary Cup Sprint winner D B Pin (Darci Brahma). Their dam Pins ‘N’ Needles was also prepared by the Parsons to win six times, including the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap. Group race victories on both sides of the Tasman, Avantage was only out of the money twice in her career and carved out a formidable race record.

She won 15 of her 28 starts and more than $2.16 million in stakes. Her Group One titles came over a wide range of distances in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Railway & Telegraph (1200m), Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m) and New Zealand Stakes (2000m).

The Railway was among her greatest triumphs. Making her first start since a second placing in the Group One Livamol Classic (2040m) in October, the five-year-old capitalised on a perfect ride by champion jockey Opie Bosson. After stalking the leaders through the early part of the race, Avantage took control in the straight and was able to maintain her advantage in the face of a strong challenge from defending Railway champion Julius (Swiss Ace), holding him out by a neck.

As a two-year-old, Avantage won the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes and the 2018 Karaka Millions, only beaten once in six attempts as a juvenile. In March 2018, Avantage finished a bold second to stablemate Sword of Osman in the $200,000 Gr.1 Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie on Auckland Cup Day. In her final start for the 2017/18 season she contested and won the $225,000 Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes comfortably ridden by Danielle Johnson. The win by over four lengths stamped her authority as the best of her age group in New Zealand.

In her first start as a 3YO, Avantage produced a brilliant effort fresh up to win the Gr.3 Hawkes' Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) for trainer Jamie Richards. After winning at her first attempt, the filly was very impressive when fighting back after being headed by the favourite to win the Gr.3 TAB Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill with Opie Bosson aboard. On Boxing Day fresh up, Avantage went a huge race for second from a wide draw in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap, however in January 2020 she was back centre stage, claiming the Gr.1 Telegraph WFA (1200m) at Trentham on Wellington Cup Day.

In February 2020, Avantage defeated stablemate Prise De Fer in the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki with Danielle Johnson again in the saddle - the mare's first attempt over the mile. Her first attempt at 2000m saw her deal to the opposition in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie on Auckland Cup Day. In the new season after the Covid lockdowns had ended, she returned bigger, better and even stronger. Fresh up in September 2020, Avantage scorched her rivals in the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate, then ran a credible 3rd in the Tarzino after a barrier blanket slowed her start. In October 2020, Avantage was in fine form, however 12 time Group one winning stablemate Melody Belle had other ideas. Avantage had to settle for second behind the Queen of the Turf in both the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate WFA (1600m) and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic WFA (2040m). The Tangerine match race would be a common sight whenever the two met.

Not to be denied further Group one glory, Avantage was back in the spotlight winning the Railway Open Sprint (1200m) with Opie Bosson riding - her fifth Group one success. In February 2021, she lined up in the much-antipcated 'match race' against the up-and-comer Levante in the Gr.1 BCD Sprint over 1400m at Te Rapa. A brilliant ride by Opie saw the mare victorious, winning in fine style from a wide draw. In February 2021 she claimed yet another Group 1 scalp, her fourth in a row, and 8th in total, defending her Gr.1 Otaki WFA crown. Against a small field, she showed spirit and heart to cruise home. Avantage is the only horse to have won the Group one quadrella in one season - Railway/Telegraph/Waikato Sprint/Otaki WFA. She then claimed the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes at Te Rapa. It was a truly gutsy performance to deliver her ninth and final Group one victory in style.

Few horses have competed in the way Avantage did, securing titles at will and displaying consummate class. Avantage was retired in September 2021 due to injury, then sold through NZB's online auction platform Gavelhouse, where she fetched a world record $4.1 million. No other horse had ever sold online for that figure anywhere in the world.

RACE RECORD - 27: 16–6–2

EARNINGS - NZ$2,164,351

Karaka Million (2018)

Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (2018)

Birthday Card Stakes (2019)

Telegraph Handicap (2020, 2021)

Haunui Farm Classic (2020, 2021)

Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2020)

Railway Stakes (2021)

BCD Group Sprint (2021)

NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (2021)