Red Ruler scored a well-deserved G1 victory in the International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.  He hit the front halfway down the straight dug deep to defeat Booming (Don Eduardo) and stablemate Passchendaele (Montjeu).

Red Ruler (6g Viking Ruler – Ransom Bay by Red Ransom) had been runner-up in the Australian Derby, Kelt Capital Stakes and the Zabeel Classic (twice) and was well-overdue to claim a Group 1.

Matamata trainer John Sargent claimed it was one of the most rewarding wins of his career.  “This horse is a real stable favourite.  He’s been beaten into second so many times at Group 1 level.  I would put it up there with Vedodara’s win in the 1994 Magic Millions Classic Stakes.

Trelawney Stud sold him for $60,000 at the 2006 NZB Premier yearling sale to part-owners Ron Arculli, Andrew Meehan and Guy Sargent.  He has earned over $1.52 million with G2 victories in the Wellington Cup and City of Auckland Cup his career highs before Saturday.

Red Ruler is by former Cambridge Stud stallion Viking Ruler who is now based at Mornmoot Stud in Victoria.  His dam Ransom Bay was exported to South Korea in 2007.