Nugent's full circle moment

By Teo Nugent’s estimations, he was 12 years old when he first sat on one of Phillip Stokes’ horses.

Some 15 years later, Nugent has won the top-class trainer a Group One, as New Zealand import Wigmore (NZ) (Sweynesse) soared home to claim the South Australia Derby at $50 odds.

It was a brilliant last-gasp win, courtesy of a inch-perfect ride by the 27-year-old, and it meant a great deal for Nugent’s second top-level success to come for Stokes.

“It’s very fitting to get one for Phillip Stokes. I said to Phil when I was 12 years old that I would stay on and be his apprentice,” Nugent reflected post-race.

“I went over to Ireland to learn how to ride horses and for whatever reason, it didn’t work out and I went to Ciaron Maher instead.

“It’s good to team up with Phil and get a Group One winner behind us. He was always super throughout my apprenticeship. He would always chuck me on in town.

“Just of late, I’ve been coming over to Adelaide, warming up for the season and to get a Group One win, it’s a massive thrill.”

Nugent didn’t get the warmest reception from Wigmore after jumping aboard, but he knew he was on a horse with plenty in the tank, despite still being in his first racing campaign.

Though Stokes, who claimed his second consecutive SA Derby after Femminile’s 2025 success, has only had Wigmore for around a month, Nugent said the horse was perfectly nursed through his Aussie transition.

“He had this horse trained to the minute,” Nugent said.

“This is his first campaign and to be in work for six months, he bucked me off when I got on – he was feeling super well.

“He’s a typical Kiwi mudlover, he got through the track, no worries at all. Onwards and upwards for him, for sure.”