Phillipa Rush easily defeated her two and three-year old competitors during the 1988/89 season

Phillipa Rush had a remarkable racing career during the 1988/89 season in New Zealand, achieving exceptional milestones as a young performer. The chestnut filly, bred by Jim Campin & Ngarie Fraser at Chequers Stud and owned by J. Arnemann is the offspring of Prince Echo out of the dam Jennifer, (NZ)(by Analgan USA). Despite participating in only 14 races, the filly achieved notable accomplishments within a 12-month period. Her victories were impressive due to the compelling nature of the winning margins. She was trained by the astute Jim Campin out of Matamata.

Commencing her short professional racing career in November 1988, Phillipa Rush made a triumphant debut at Avondale on a yielding track. Competing in an 880-metre event reserved for two-year-olds, the filly effortlessly secured victory by a significant margin of over two lengths. During her second appearance at Pukekohe, Phillipa Rush showcased her remarkable potential by securing a resounding victory over her competitors. Her triumph was marked by an impressive margin of six lengths over the identical distance. In early January, the filly achieved a third consecutive victory, decisively defeating Glenford by seven lengths in an 1100-metre race at Ellerslie. Racing enthusiasts started to acknowledge her dominance and the elegant manner in which she outperformed her young competitors. In addition to her remarkable speed, she travelled with such ease and seemed to glide over the turf. During a trip to Wellington, Phillipa Rush achieved a significant victory in a 1200-metre race at Trentham, securing a two-and-a-half-length, maintaining an impressive undefeated streak in her first four professional starts.

Lance O'Sullivan rode the filly in her first attempt at Group company, winning the flagship feature in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders over 1200m by more then two lengths. She had demonstrated exceptional prowess by securing a series of consecutive victories in their initial five races, with a cumulative winning margin that surpassed 20 lengths. Her first failure was in the Gr.1 1400m 2YO event at Ellerslie, which ended her first campaign. Phillipa Rush returned in the spring as a much stronger three-year-old and won the 1200m Cavanagh Stakes at Hastings fresh up. In October she backed up that quality performance by winning the Gr.3 1400m Lowland Stakes at Tauherenikau by five and a half lengths.

In November, the young filly accomplished her primary objective by securing victory in the esteemed Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas, which was held over a distance of 1600 metres at Riccarton. Chris Johnson skillfully guided the horse to victory, securing her sole Group One trophy. Phillipa Rush once again displayed her exceptional abilities, exhibiting remarkable talent as she extended her advantage over her competitors by a substantial margin of four and a half lengths. Phillipa Rush then powered on to Levin, winning the Gr.2 3YO Bayer Classic at Otaki and then proved victorious in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes over 1600m in the Manawatu, yet again, by another solid margin. In February, the barnstorming thoroughbred won another 3YO fillies event in the Kiwi Crane Classic over 1200m at Matamata, before a planned trip to Australia. In March 1989, Phillipa Rush contested the AV Kewney over the mile at Flemington, but could only manage 8th place. The filly was then taken to Sydney and ran 2nd in the 1500m Orlando at Rosehill. This proved to be her final race in a very brief career, during which she was sold to the United States as a three-year-old.

RACE RECORD - 14: 11-1-0

EARNINGS - NZ $787,844

G1 One Thousand Guineas

G2 Matamata 1200m

G3 Eulogy Stakes

G3 Lowland Stakes

G3 Anthony Cavanagh Stakes