While Pencarrow principal Sir Peter Vela has been part-owner of countless Chris Waller-trained winners up to Group One level, the maiden victory by Chispa (NZ) (Savabeel) in the A$42,000 The Man Walk Australia Maiden Plate (1300m) at Kembla Grange last week was something a little different.

Unlike all those previous wins that were shared with Coolmore syndicates, Chispa races in the blue and white hooped colours of Pencarrow and has Sir Peter Vela listed as the sole owner. The three-year-old filly was bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds.

“It was a real honour to have Chispa salute in the Pencarrow Stud colours for Sir Peter Vela and his family,” Waller tweeted.

“I’ve grown up watching these famous silks and have the utmost respect for the Vela family and everything they contribute to breeding and racing, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. This filly was very impressive in victory and looks to have a bright future ahead.”

Last Tuesday’s victory came at the second time of asking for Chispa, who had run a promising second over 1200 metres on debut at Newcastle on February 2.

She went one better at Kembla Grange, settling back in the field before finishing strongly out wide in the straight. Jockey Chad Schofield drove her to the lead in the final 100 metres and she went on to score by half a length.

Chispa’s win and placing in her two-start career have so far earned A$25,600 in stakes for Sir Peter Vela.

Chispa is the fifth winner from six foals to race out of the high-class Pencarrow broodmare Scintillula (Galileo), who herself won the Group Three Meld Stakes (1800m) and ran second in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes (1400m) and fourth in the Irish Oaks (2400m) and Yorkshire Oaks (2400m).

Scintillula has passed that quality on to her progeny, with Chispa being a full-sister to the stakes winner Waikato Girl (NZ) (Savabeel) and Group Two performer Butter Chicken (NZ) (Savabeel).

In a quality international family, Scintillula’s Group Three-winning and Group One-placed sister Cuis Ghaire (Galileo) is the dam of Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) hero Danyah (Invincible Spirit).

Scintillula has had six yearlings sell at Karaka for an average price of over $530,000, headed by a pair of $800,000 purchases in 2019 and 2021.

After foaling Chispa in 2022, Scintillula returned to Savabeel and produced the colt Sauvignon Bloke (NZ), who is now a two-year-old in the Brad Widdup stable.