Tara Iti

Tara Iti is a talented dual-purpose performer by Sixties Icon, who is based with leading Newmarket trainer James Owen.

A seven-year-old gelding, Tara Iti is a half-brother to the black-type winner Hariboux and began his career with trainer Ed Dunlop. He won a 1m nursery at Leicester as a two-year-old and then went on to win four times over hurdles when based with the Moore Family. 

Joining the James Owen yard towards the end of February 2025, Tara Iti made his debut in Deva Racing silks on the Flat at Lingfield in March. Although unplaced on that occasion, he was back in the winner’s enclosure just a week later when running out the ready winner of a 2m handicap hurdle at Huntingdon. Three of those in behind have won in the months since.

Having won from a mark of 88 at Huntingdon, Tara Iti was placed on his next two runs before winning in a first-time visor at Plumpton in early April, demonstrating an excellent attitude to come home three lengths clear of a field that included two future winners. Raised to a mark in excess of 100 following that Plumpton victory, Tara Iti continued to be kept busy over the next few months and won at Fakenham and Uttoxeter in June, propelling himself to a career-high hurdles rating of 114 with a silky-smooth performance on the more recent occasion.

In the midst of all this glory over hurdles, Tara Iti has also thrown in some good runs on the Flat, most notably when a narrow second in a 1m6f Bath handicap in early June. His hurdles rating has increased by 26lb since he joined the Owen yard, and he now looks exceptionally well-handicapped from a mark of 53 on the Flat. It is only a matter of time before he takes advantage.

In many ways the perfect syndicate horse, Tara Iti is tough, genuine and consistent, and possesses such a sturdy constitution that he can run several times a month without any bother. He has been one of the success stories of the summer over hurdles and there is plenty more progress to come on the Flat. Watch this space for more wins.