Pencarrow Racing achieved the unusual feat of winning the race that they sponsored with Equanimity (More Than Ready x Insouciant) saluting in the $30,000 Pencarrow Stud Special Conditions Maiden (1400m) at the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie.

Owner Sir Peter Vela was on course to witness the race that he not only sponsored through Pencarrow Stud but had the privilege of winning.

Equanimity was a winner at her only raceday appearance, winning over 1230m at Rotorua on 6 January for trainer Jason Bridgman.

Former Pencarrow Racing stable rider James McDonald, who was back from Australia, was aboard the daughter of More Than Ready and put her in prime position behind the leaders from barrier 1. McDonald peeled Equanimity out of the trail and produced the mare who raced to the front in the final 100m to win by 1.5 lengths.

McDonald gave a salute to the crowd after the winning post, showing his excitement to be back in New Zealand and in Pencarrow colours once again on what is becoming one of the best days of racing on the New Zealand calendar.

“She is a progressive filly, I thought the manner of the win was very good,” commented Bridgman. “We got good, positive feedback from James (McDonald), we are well aware that she is going to get better with time from here.

“We will take a patience approach with her, we may even give her a breather yet, we will monitor her the next few days.

“I think she will run a mile no problem. An autumn target for her will possibly be the New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes at Riccarton, a listed race over a mile.

“She has always shown great athletic ability and it is just a case of her mentally being able to cope with the training.”

Bred by Sir Peter Vela along with Philip Vela, Equanimity has won two races from her only two starts and has earned $22,375.

Equanimity is a daughter of the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Insouciant (Keeper), who was also trained by Te Akau Racing when Mark Walker was based in New Zealand. Insouciant is out of Loudenne (Palace Music), a stakes placegetter, and is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Copper Mountain (Jetball).

Insouciant foaled a full-sister to Equanimity in 2013 and was served by first season sire Ocean Park.