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Live sport on SN this weekendArcher takes aim at $4 million NZB Kiwi
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing • January 23rd, 2026 4:49 pm
Belle Cheval will represent The King's Men slot in The 2026 NZB Kiwi | Photo: Race Images NZ
Prominent owner David Archer’s silks have been carried to victory in some of New Zealand’s most prestigious races, and in March, he is hoping he can tick off another – the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m).
Archer has teamed up with NZB Kiwi Slot Holder The King’s Men to contest the southern hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race with his Group One-performed filly Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel), and he is excited about the joint venture.
“Cameron George (The King’s Men member) came to us initially,” Archer said. “We have had five others (Slot Holders) talk with us subsequently, but Cameron was always consistent, so we are very happy to be with him and the team.”
Archer is particularly looking forward to sharing the experience with his partner, Diane, and children Simon and Natalie.
“It’s a thrill, there is a bit of excitement about it,” he said. “My two kids that are in the ownership with Diane and I, live in Australia and these sort of things to them, even a country away, are massively exciting. I think they will be there for the Kiwi.”
The King's Men select Belle Cheval for the NZB Kiwi | Millsy & Guy
Trained by Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Belle Cheval has won one and placed in two of her three starts to date, including running third behind fellow NZB Kiwi contenders Well Written (AUS) (Written Tycoon) and Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) in the $600,000 Group One Barneswood Farm 53rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
She has subsequently been freshened and The King’s Men Slot Manager Andrew Forsman is pleased they have locked in their NZB Kiwi representative ahead of her next target in the $250,000 Group Three Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
“Obviously everyone wanted Well Written and when she was off the table you have got to look for a horse that you feel has scope to improve and train on,” Forsman said.
“We went through what was around and what was finishing in behind Well Written and thought given her pedigree, she looked the right sort of horse.
“We are hopeful and confident in her and I feel that she has been trained for it (NZB Kiwi). I like the fact that they have freshened her up and she will race over 1200m (on Saturday) and I think that is a nice stepping-stone to then go to the 1500m.”
Belle Cheval hails from a rich pedigree, with several of Archer’s topline gallopers featuring close-up in her family.
She is out of broodmare gem Keepa Cheval (NZ) (Keeper), who is a half-sister to Archer’s most successful horse – 10-time Group One winner Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire) - and a half-sister to the dam of Group One performer Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).
While she only won one race on the track herself, Keepa Cheval has left her mark as a broodmare, being the dam of three-time Group One winner Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux), Group Three winner Cheval D’Or (NZ) (Almanzor) and Vitesse (NZ) (Makfi), the dam of Group One winner Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park).
Belle Cheval has inherited the family’s talent and Archer said that was evident from an early age.
“Thanks to Opie Bosson (jockey) and the Te Akau team, they have all been very hot on Belle Cheval from the early days,” he said. “We have taken our time with her, which was the big thing with her. She has always shown a lot of promise.”
With the NZB Kiwi deal locked in, Archer is now looking forward to heading to Ellerslie to watch Belle Cheval compete this weekend, and if victorious, she becomes eligible for the $1 million in bonuses up for grabs in the NZB Kiwi.
“It’s nice to see her back on the track,” he said. “Like all owners, we have got our fingers crossed that she is going to run well on Saturday. If she is lucky enough to win, she will get the bonus in the Kiwi, and we are on track.
“They (trainers) said she is spot on. She looks magnificent and is in good condition.”
With Bosson unable to make the 55kg allotted weight, Archer is utilising the services of visiting Australian hoop Craig Williams.
With Bosson unable to make the 55kg allotted weight, Archer is utilising the services of visiting Australian hoop Craig Williams.
“Opie always wanted to ride her from day one, but he can’t ride the filly’s weight and Mark (Walker) said they could get Craig Williams, and you don’t turn your back on him very often on a light weight,” Archer said.
NZB Kiwi hot favourite Well Written ($2.20) will also head to Ellerslie on Saturday where she will contest the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and while Archer has plenty of respect for the Stephen Marsh-trained filly, he is hopeful his filly can show enough progression over the next six weeks to usurp her.
“Well Written is clearly an out-and-out top horse and she is certainly the benchmark, we just hope our girl gets the breaks and gives it a shot,” he said.
