CELEBRITY SHINES AT KEMBLA

Aug 9
2 min read

S Darby 9.8.2026

Celebrity made it three wins from just six career starts with a tough victory over 2000m at Kembla Grange yesterday.

The lightly raced New Zealand-bred son of Shocking continues to build an impressive record, showing plenty of fight to get the job done in a driving finish.

Coming off a very encouraging fifth at Randwick, Celebrity appreciated getting back onto a Good 4 surface and stepping up to 2000m.

Carrying the top weight of 61.5kg, jockey Mitchell Bell gave him a positive ride, settling outside the leader and keeping him right in the race. When the pressure went on turning for home, Celebrity had to dig deep.

Kirkuk threw down a serious challenge late, but Celebrity refused to surrender, fighting all the way to the line to prevail by 0.1 lengths.

It was a particularly satisfying win after a campaign that hadn't always gone his way. A heavy track brought him undone at Randwick two starts earlier, but his subsequent fifth in stronger company showed he was heading back in the right direction.

Yesterday he confirmed it.

Celebrity has now won three of his six career starts, with victories over 1625m, 1800m and 2000m, and has earned $73,850 in prizemoney.

There looks to be more to come from this progressive staying type as he continues to mature and work his way through the grades. The distance of 2400m looks sutiable for his next up challenge.

A big congratulations to his fantastic group of owners who have been rewarded for their patience, and a special thanks to Bjorn Baker and his team for another terrific job with this gelding.

Celebrity by name, Celebrity by nature. ⭐

Another winner for Darby Racing and win number two for season 2026/27!