Little Nimue was a talented girl whose career was cut short after blitzing all before her

Nimue was an exceptionally gifted young racehorse by Star Way via the mare Eustaci (by Sir Tristram) foaled in October 1988. The talented filly was trained by Dave & Paul O'Sullivan at Matamata and owned by Windsor Park Stud. Although she was only lightly raced, her career was highlighted by some quailty victories in New Zealand in the early 90s.

Beginning in May of 1992, Nimue ran a tidy 3rd on debut in a 2YO Maiden event held at Matamata ridden by Lance O’Sullivan. Later in the month on a heavy track at Paeroa, Nimue was victorious 2nd up in a 1200m 2YO Handicap event, winning comfortably by five lengths. Returning a month later on another heavy track at Tauranga, the filly won by half a neck over 1200m in a progressive juvenile race. In her first major assignment up at Ruakaka in Northland, Nimue won the Listed Auckland Breeders Thoroughbred Stakes (1200m), defeating Bundy Lady by an easy margin. It was obvious even from this early on that the O'Sullivan's had a high quality young juvenile on their hands.

After a spell, Nimue resumed in the spring of 1992 as a now three-year-old. In the Guineas trial at Te Aroha the filly was soon in front and put two lengths on the opposition over 1400m, always going well. In October she faced her biggest test in the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (1400m) at Otaki with David Walsh in the saddle. In a tough challenge, Nimue was checked back and wide on the outer, however her class prevailed as the filly powered up from the top of the straight to get home over Lady Madonna. The O'Sullivan team then ventured down to Christchurch to take on the black type age group events at Riccarton. In the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m), Nimue displayed her absolute class, back from the outset, but picking up swiftly and storming home to beat Clear Cut by two lengths. In November, Nimue took on the Gr.1 Bayer Classic (1600m) at Otaki and once again proved far too good for the opposition. Another fast finish, the filly threw down a slick time of 1:33.66 to win by one length over Kaaptive Edition.

On Boxing Day, Nimue participated in the Gr.3 Wayne Wilkinson mile against the fillies and demonstrated a superior level of agility and speed compared to her less talented competitors, defeating Village Dancer and Frenetic. Backing up on January 2nd with Jim Collett steering in the 2000m Royal Stakes at Ellerslie, Nimue was finally rolled by Frenetic, despite being handy and fighting hard. In her final ever race, late February 1993, Nimue proved victorious at Tauranga in a Listed WFA fillies and mares race. Over the 1400m, she showed off her sheer class by sitting back midfield, before a big late run to win in a slick time.

Nimue, unfortunately, suffered a breakdown and was forced to retire. She was one of the numerous top-class racehorses Paul O'Sullivan was previously associated with in New Zealand during his training partnership with his father, Dave. Nimue was crowned Champion New Zealand 3YO Filly of the 1992/93 racing season. Regrettably, it's impossible to ascertain the horse's full potential. However, it is noteworthy that Nimue only failed to place once in her racing career, achieving an impressive eight victories out of eleven starts during her abbreviated but remarkable tenure on the track. Her only notable offspring was Ela Nimue by Zabeel who won at Te Aroha and Matamata in 2004. However Windsor Park bred, Coventina Bay, who won 11 races and over $800,000 in stakes is the granddaughter of their fabulous matriarch, Nimue.

RACE RECORD - 11: 8-1-1
EARNINGS - $245,825

G1 NZ 1000 Guineas
G1 Bayer Classic
G3 Lowland Stakes
G3 Wayne Wilkinson Mile
LR Auckland Breeders Stakes