Tidal Light, a champion Thoroughbred filly, achieved remarkable success in her racing career. Notably, she surpassed the colts in the prestigious 1987 New Zealand Derby, showcasing her exceptional talent and athleticism. Mrs. and Mr. J. D. O'Flaherty successfully bred Tidal Light in 1993, she was sired by Diagramatic, a prominent sire from the United States, and out of Azores, an American-bred mare, Tidal Light showcased exceptional bloodlines. Her accomplishments on the racetrack at the age of three were so impressive that she narrowly defeated Bonecrusher (Pag Asa) for the title of "NZ Horse of the Year" in 1987. Additionally, she was recognized as the top filly in the Australasian 3YO classification for the 1986-1987 season.

Tidal Light, achieved 10 career victories under the tutelage of trainer, Jim Gibbs. Gibbs bought her for just over $4000 because a crayfisherman he trained for, Warren Taylor, wanted to but a horse and race it for $10,000 total cost. They were at the Ready to Run Sales at Claudelands and Warren had marked all these horses that were all going to be too expensive. Dennis Ryan spotted Gibbs and yelled out to come and look at one he had in his draft. The esteemed trainer looked at four – there was a grey later named Yenolom that became a very good horse and two by Diagramatic, including Tidal Light. She wasn’t big and was just okay, very athletic and looked as though maturity would be her best friend. When Gibbs saw her walk she really got over the ground. He went back to Warren and said I’d found one and we ended up buying her for $4,250. Jim thought she’d win a couple of races and that would keep him happy. But she was special – she beat Bonecrusher for Horse of the Year. Flukey? Perhaps not. There was something in Tidal Light that Gibbs saw that no-one else detected, otherwise she would have gone for more at the sales. 

Featuring prominently were her 1987 Gr.1 wins in the STC Canterbury Guineas (1900m), the ARC Air New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and her 1986 victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Tidal Light achieved remarkable success following her second-place finish in her inaugural race. She went on to secure victories in ten out of her subsequent thirteen races, demonstrating exceptional ability and consistency. Among her notable achievements are triumphs in prestigious events such as the NZ Derby, Avondale Guineas, Waikato Guineas, Canterbury Guineas, and the Air New Zealand Stakes. In the latter, she defeated the renowned Solveig in a weight-for-age competition against the older horses. Tidal Light was the fastest horse that has ever gone around Ellerslie over 2000 metres – she broke two minutes, running 1:59.89 with 50.5kg on her back, a remarkable achievement when you consider the champions that have run over that distance on the famed course.

Tidal Light participated in the majority of her races during her third year under the guidance of the 1986-87 champion apprentice jockey, Michael Coleman. However, following her triumph in the Avondale Guineas, Coleman sustained a hand injury, necessitating his replacement by Grant Cooksley for Tidal Light's subsequent victory in the New Zealand Derby. The mare returned during the spring of 1987 at the age of four, but unfortunately did not secure a victory in any of her races. Despite some commendable performances, it was evident that the mare's capabilities had diminished in comparison to the preceding season. She produced 12 foals for seven race winners and was at Woodlands Stud in Hunter Valley, Australia. Her three-year-old season earned her both the Three Year-Old of the Year award and Horse of the Year, a rare feat for a filly.

RACE RECORD - 19:10-2-1

EARNINGS - $567,678

New Zealand Derby (1986)

Canterbury Guineas (1987)

Avondale Guineas (1987)

Waikato Guineas (1987)

Air New Zealand Stakes (1987)

A brilliant Jim Gibbs protege, Tidal Light won 10 from 13 and quality, black type features