The Kiwi stallion put New Zealand gallopers on the map as one of their first international travellers to compete globally

Thoroughbred racehorse Balmerino was one of the most-travelled horses of the era, and was able to win over distances from 1200 metres to 3200 metres. He became a star in New Zealand and Australia before racing with distinction in the Northern Hemisphere.

Balmerino was sired by French stallion Trictrac and foaled in 1972 at Cambridge NZ. His dam Dulcie produced several other outstanding offspring, notably stakes winners Fileur, Fulmen and Gay Filou, as well as Micheline, mother of Surround. Ironically, Breeder and dairy farmer, Ralph Stuart didn't want to take Balmerino to the Trentham sales from Middlepark Stud Farm in Cambridge, declaring him one of the worst foals he'd ever seen. But trainer Brian Smith was sure there was more to this horse and convinced Stuart to keep the horse and race him from their Waikato base. That faith was repayed in Balmerino's 3yo season where he went from promising juvenile to absolute champion with Maurice Campbell in the saddle. By 1975 the young colt had developed an imposing physique and a racing temperament to match. Balmerino endured a long and arduous 3yo campaign, racing 18 times for 14 wins, which equated to almost a race every third week.

Balmerino came to Australia in 1976 already established as New Zealand’s champion 3yo, having won all the classic races for his age group, including the New Zealand Derby, Wellington Derby and four Guineas events. Still trained by his young New Zealand mentor, Brian Smith, Balmerino had a last-stride victory in the weight-for-age Rawson Stakes at Rosehill. The Tulloch Stakes followed a week later, before a failure after hitting the running rail in the Australasian Champion Stakes at Randwick, however only a week later won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Continuing to Brisbane for the winter racing, Balmerino won the rich Grand Prix Stakes for three-year-olds before winning the open-age P.J. O’Shea Stakes and the 3200 metre Brisbane Cup. He was named 1976 New Zealand Horse of the Year and Australian Champion Three-Year-Old. An old back injury halted a Melbourne Cup attempt, but by the Autumn the horse was up and flying again. Owner Ralph Stuart rejected a large offer of $800,000 to sell Balmerino, nevertheless after two further wins in New Zealand and a sixth in the Sydney Cup in early 1977, Stuart sent the horse for a northern hemisphere campaign.

Balmerino raced 14 times in 1977 in six different countries. New Zealand, Australia, USA England, France and Italy. Balmerino recorded one win from four starts at Hollywood Park California before travelling to England. Acclimatising rapidly for new trainer John Dunlop, he easily won the 2000 metre Valdoe Stakes at Goodwood, England. A sequence of meritorious minor placings followed. He ran an unlucky second to Alleged in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, lost the Gran Premio del Jockey Club in Milan on protest and finished fourth in the Washington DC International Stakes, ridden by Australian Ron Hutchinson. In his three final starts, in England in 1978, he ran placings at Epsom, Ascot and Sandown Park in the Eclipse Stakes, Coronation Cup and Hardwicke Stakes respectively. In total Balmerino had 47 starts for 22 wins and 13 placings. His earnings of $486,000 translates to around $4 million in today's market.

A successful breeding career followed at New Zealand’s Middle Park Stud until his death in 1996, siring 29 stake winners. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was profoundly impressed by the stallion, as evidenced by her decision to send a broodmare for breeding purposes. This action serves as a testament to Balmerino's exceptional reputation and international acclaim during his era. He is truly one of New Zealand's greatest ever thoroughbred champions.

RACE RECORD - 47: 22-11-2

EARNINGS - $486,202

Hawke's Bay Guineas (1975)

New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1975)

New Zealand Derby (1975)

Rawson Stakes (1976)

Tulloch Stakes (1976)

P J O'Shea Stakes (1976)

Brisbane Cup (1976)

Air New Zealand Stakes (1977)

Awapuni Gold Cup (1977)

Ormond Memorial (1977)

Valdoe Stakes (1977)

New Zealand Horse of the Year (1976)

Australian Champion Three Year Old (1976)

New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame (2008)

Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2019)