Chris Waller had a special one and the son of Ocean Park proved his worth

Kolding was bred by Warren Pegg in partnership with Wentwood Grange and purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock on behalf of prominent Queensland owner Neville Morgan for $170,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale. Kolding is a son of the Danzero mare Magic Star, with Semipalatinsk blood on the dam side, who is a half-sister to the dual Group Two winner Make Mine Magic. He is a half-brother to Sampson, winner of the Trentham Stakes, Awapuni Gold Cup and the New Zealand St Leger. His Waikato Stud based sire Ocean Park has proved to be a powerful breeding agent throughout Australasia. Kolding was defeated in his first three races however won at his fourth attempt on the 23 January 2019 at Canterbury when ridden by Hugh Bowman. Once Waller gelded the colt he became a different racehorse.

On the 8 June 2019, Kolding contested his first stakes race in the Queensland Guineas. Karaka graduate Kolding brilliantly passed his first black-type test, recording a fourth consecutive win with an outstanding performance in the A$350,000 Gr.2 Ascot Green Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm. Ridden by James McDonald he came from fourth-last to win by half a length. James McDonald turned him loose down the outside of the Eagle Farm straight, racing up alongside Baccarat Baby and getting her measure in a head-to-head duel to the finish. After the race trainer Chris Waller said, "I think he's the right horse to go through to the spring – an Epsom type of horse, in my opinion."

Kolding went on to win the Epsom four months later, his first Group 1 that year, beating a red hot field, including the likes of Te Akau Shark, Nettoyer, Cascadian, Fifty Stars and Best Of Days. Then at his next start, Trainer Chris Waller and jockey Glen Boss combined to win Sydney’s second richest race two weeks after claiming the biggest cheque on offer. Kolding won the first running of the Golden Eagle, collecting over $4,000,000 in prize-money. Kolding’s final lunge denied the gallant Sunlight after she had done a mountain of work to lead from a wide barrier.

Kolding's two other Group one victories were the 2020 George Main Stakes and the 2021 All Aged Stakes

The gelding further enhanced his Royal Randwick winning record when landing the $500,000, Gr.1 Fujitsu George Main Stakes (1600m), Put right on the speed in a relatively moderately run event, the under-rated son of Ocean Park was soon in control of the race when the field began the sprint for home. First challenged by stable companion Imaging soon after negotiating the Randwick rise, and then by fellow Chris Waller representative Star Of The Seas entering the final furlong, Kolding managed to hold off all rival stablemates to score a very determined victory. Post favourite, Verry Elleegant encounted all forms of traffic problems in the Randwick straight before finishing fourth, giving Chris Waller the first four placings in the race from as many starters.

After a number of disappointing performances the horse was placed on notice by his stable with the Gr. 3 Lord Mayors Cup looming as the Group One winners final chance to show something in order to prolong his career. Waller couldn't fault his work, as he looks terrific but was not quite racing with the same enthusiasm as he once did. After an 8th and 14th at Eagle Farm the decision was made to retire the gelding after a stellar career. Kolding was a professional type with excellent race-craft, and on his day a cut above the rest.

RACE RECORD - 44: 11–5–4

EARNINGS - AU$6,673,200

Queensland Guineas (2019)

Bill Ritchie Handicap (2019)

Epsom Handicap (2019)

Golden Eagle (2019)

George Main Stakes (2020)

Hill Stakes (2020)

All Aged Stakes (2021)