In a fitting finale to Darci Brahma's outstanding racing career, the Pencarrow Stud-bred claimed his third champion title when crowned New Zealand Champion Sprinter for the 2006/7 season at the annual Mercedes Thoroughbred Racing Awards held in Hastings on Friday night.

It was stunning display in the Group 1 WRC Telegraph Handicap (1200m) in January - beating Seachange and Kay's Awake - that put Darci Brahma firmly in contention for the title.

He quickly followed this with a second Group 1 victory for the season in the Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) in February before being retired to stud.

In a rare feat Darci Brahma was a Group 1 winner in his two, three and four year old seasons. This earned him the previous titles of New Zealand Champion Two Year Old and Champion Three Year Old.

By Danehill, Darci Brahma is out of Australasian Oaks winner Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel - Richebourg), also the dam of the $2.2m yearling colt at Karaka this year, Saperavi (Stravinsky).

On the recently released World Thoroughbred Racehorse Ratings Darci Brahma's (NZ) enormous talent was also recognised by the panel of international handicappers who awarded him an international rating of 115 which placed him 45th equal in the world.

Standing at The Oaks Stud in Cambridge, Darci Brahma is the second-highest credentialled son of champion sire of sires Danehill - after Rock of Gibraltar - with five career Group 1 wins to his credit.