CIRCUS MAXIMUS stakes winner TOWERING VISION

Windsor Park Stud’s exciting young sire CIRCUS MAXIMUS, whose oldest progeny are now talented 3YO’s, looks to be following the same trajectory as former Windsor Park champion sires HIGH CHAPARRAL and MONTJEU with the early TAB market for the Gr.1 NZ Derby headed by his promising sons ROAD TO PARIS and TOWERING VISION.

Windsor Park shuttle stallions HIGH CHAPARRAL (sire of four Derby winners - DUNDEEL, MONACO CONSUL, SHOOT OUT and ACE HIGH) and MONTJEU (sire of two Derby winners - NOM DE JEU and ROMAN EMPEROR) produced their Derby winners during their southern hemisphere stints at the Cambridge farm. HIGH CHAPARRAL and MONTJEU were both champion sons of SADLER’S WELLS while CIRCUS MAXIMUS is a champion grandson of that legendary sire.

The stars certainly are aligning for CIRCUS MAXIMUS with both TOWERING VISION and ROAD TO PARIS currently equal early favourites for the NZ Derby in March and both 3YO’s are also advantaged by being in Derby-winning stables.

Stakes winning 2YO TOWERING VISION exploded onto the scene New Years Day at Ellerslie where he delivered an emphatic turn of foot to win for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. “It was a great win today carrying 58kg and giving the rest of the field weight,” said Mark Walker.

“It’s also great for the Windsor Park sire CIRCUS MAXIMUS who is starting to leave some good horses here in New Zealand with his first crop and they are promising staying types.”

Exciting 2026 Gr.1 Derby prospect ROAD TO PARIS, a son of triple Gr.1 winning miler CIRCUS MAXIMUS

ROAD TO PARIS has shortened in the market to join equal favouritism with the Kingsclere training duo of Roger James and Robert Wellwood now setting him for the Derby having shortlisted both the Kiwi and the Derby previously.

“Outside the winner, he ran the best sectionals in the race in the Levin Classic”, commented Wellwood. “It was an unsuitable, muddling run race but he still ran well even though he got so far back.

“We will head him to Ellerslie on Jan 31^st and then to the Avondale Guineas enroute to the Derby. We think he is very good horse and obviously has shown it to date but we think he is going to get better and better”.

Wellwood is well placed to assess potential Derby contenders as he has trained two Derby winners in partnership Roger James who has won six Derby's altogether. 

CIRCUS MAXIMUS has also sired stakeswinning filly CIRCUS DANCER this spring and has a host of young talent progressing through the racing ranks as they mature, with Australian Derby aspirations also signaled for his sons ENGINE OF WAR and GOLD CHARIOT. 

CIRCUS MAXIMUS will be represented at Karaka this month where he has 13 yearlings catalogued for the sales. Click on the following links to view his Karaka yearlings on offer -

Book 1 - CIRCUS MAXIMUS yearlings Karaka 2026

Book 2 - CIRCUS MAXIMUS yearlings Karaka 2026

Summer Sale - CIRCUS MAXIMUS yearlings Karaka 2026