Up until Saturday the coveted Group 1 victory had eluded top stayer Red Ruler, but all that finally changed with an outstanding performance in the $200,000 Group 1 Darci Brahma International Stakes (2000m).

Trained by John Sargent, Red Ruler (Viking Ruler x Ransom Bay) was made to fight in the straight after travelling in the box seat in transit. Showing plenty of courage in the final 300 metres, the son of Viking Ruler was not to be outdone, staving off the dual Group 1 winner Booming (Don Eduardo) and the late finishing Passchendaele (Montjeu) to win by three-quarters-of-a-length.

A true campaigner, Red Ruler has lined up in no fewer than 22 Group 1 races, competing all over New Zealand and Australia in races including the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, New Zealand and AJC Derbies, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Kelt Capital Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes and many more.

His feature wins before Saturday's race included three victories at Group 2 level, including the City of Auckland Cup and the Wellington Cup, and trainer John Sargent was thrilled to see him notch up his first Group 1 win.

"He's a top horse, he has raced in so many top class contests and has run second in Group 1 races including the Kelt Capital Stakes and the AJC Derby.

"He put in a big performance on Saturday and ran a very strong race and he has never looked better.

"He has pulled through the race in great order so we will be looking to the New Zealand Stakes or the Auckland Cup for his next assignment. We will be taking it one step at a time but it would be great to see him over in Hong Kong and Singapore running in the invitational races in April as well."

Red Ruler was bred by John Cornish & Trelawney Stud and was bought by his trainer John Sargent from Trelawney Stud at the 2006 Karaka Premier Sale for $60,000. The six-year-old is owned by local and international owners in Ron Arculli, Andrew Meehan & Guy Sargent and has raced on 43 occasions for nine wins and nine placings for over $1.5 million in stakes.

Red Ruler is the eighth individual Group 1 winner for New Zealand Bloodstock this season and he holds a nomination for the Group 1 Auckland Cup on 9 March where he is currently rated a $12 chance with the TAB.