Reset, an undefeated multiple G1 winner on the racetrack and the headline act on the Darley roster at Northwood Park in its formative years, passed away in the evening of Tuesday, 4 May at Woodlands, where he enjoyed his retirement.
Bred by Phillip Esplin and Geoff Hodgkinson, Reset was by Champion stallion Zabeel out of dual G1-winning Zeditave mare Assertive Lass. He was purchased by his trainer Graeme Rogerson for $190,000 at the 2002 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
A star on the racetrack for his owner Lloyd Williams, Reset’s brief but scintillating career saw him record five victories from five starts. His final two starts saw him post G1 victories in the Australian Guineas, which featured a stirring battle with Starcraft up the long Flemington straight in extreme heat, and a brilliant defeat of the older horses in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.
Reset joined the Darley stallion roster on his retirement from the racetrack in 2004 and from his very first crop sired G1 VRC Derby winner Rebel Raider. Following the purchase of Northwood Park, Reset became the headline act on Darley’s Victorian roster, a position he filled with distinction for many years.
“Reset was a much-loved horse, so it is a really sad day for the whole team, particularly those at Northwood Park,” said Darley Australia’s Head of Sales, Andy Makiv.As well as Rebel Raider, Reset is the sire of Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner, Cox Plate heroine Pinker Pinker, Epsom Handicap winner Hauraki and the VRC Oaks-winning filly Set Square. In total, he has sired 34 Stakes winners and his progeny have earned $55 million in prizemoney. As a broodmare sire his daughters are responsible for 10 Stakes winners to date including the likes of Houtzen. Reset will continue to be a familiar name in pedigrees and racebooks for years to come.
“He was the start of the marketing slogan we use today that the Darley stallions get you to the big days,” Makiv said.
“And he not only got you to the big days and the big races, he won you them as evidenced by his Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup, Epsom Handicap and Derby and Oaks winners.
“Most importantly though, he was a horse of great character who everyone loved having around and he will be sorely missed.”
Reset had resided at Woodlands in the Hunter Valley since retiring from stud duties at the end of the 2018 season.
