First Encounter (AUS) Horse
Country
Foal Date
Colour
Sire
Dam
Prize Money
Trainer
Owners
About
First Encounter, a 6yo bay gelding from Australia, is trained by Michael Grantham. He is by Dundeel out of Star Encounter and has recorded four career wins. On 21 Jun 2025 at Pinjarra he secured his most notable triumph, earning the $80,000 prize in the 3yo+ Benchmark 66+ Handicap.
Race Record
| Event Summary | Runner Stats | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont 11-Jul-26 2200m GOOD 4 R5 RTG 66+ $1,440 (of $80,000) Barrier 8, Winning Time: 02:18.980, SP: 5.50 In-running: Settled 6th, 800m 3rd, 400m 5th Sectionals: 600m 00:37.260 1st Citino ( W Pike 59 ) 2nd Kisses From Kelly ( Z Johnston-porter 60.5 , Cd 58.5 ) 0.48L 3rd Rommeo ( S O'donnell 54 ) 3.76L 7th First Encounter ( C Martinan 60 , Cd 57 ) 8.64L See full results | C Martinan 60, Cd 57kg 8.64L | 7 (13) |
| Bunbury 28-Jun-26 2213m SOFT 7 R8 LR SW AUTUMN CUP $4,875 (of $125,000) Barrier 4, Winning Time: 02:24.330, SP: 11.00 In-running: Settled 7th, 800m 6th, 400m 5th Sectionals: 600m 00:38.320 1st Let's Galahvant ( N Faithfull 57.5 ) 2nd Diamond Scene ( L F Fiore 57.5 ) 1.76L 3rd Opportunistic ( W A Pike 57.5 ) 1.94L 4th First Encounter ( T Turner 55 ) 3.16L See full results | T Turner 55kg 3.16L | 4 (10) |
| Belmont 13-Jun-26 2200m SOFT 6 R4 RTG 66+ $1,440 (of $80,000) Barrier 10, Winning Time: 02:21.040, SP: 5.00 In-running: Settled 10th, 800m 10th, 400m 10th Sectionals: 600m 00:34.930 1st Startling Star ( W A Pike 54 ) 2nd Kisses From Kelly ( Z T Johnston-porter 58 , Cd 56 ) 0.97L 3rd I Love Your Smile ( C T Johnston-porter 57.5 ) 2.30L 6th First Encounter ( C Parnham 59.5 ) 2.77L See full results | C Parnham 59.5kg 2.77L | 6 (10) |
| Northam 01-Jun-26 1600m SOFT 6 R7 WA DAY $1,800 (of $100,000) Barrier 4, Winning Time: 01:37.730, SP: 7.00 In-running: Settled 9th, 800m 9th, 400m 13th Sectionals: 600m 00:35.340 1st Correct Choice ( C J Parnham 58 ) 2nd Astro World ( W A Pike 54.5 ) 1.43L 3rd Simply Thinkin' ( A Galati 58.5 ) 1.86L 6th First Encounter ( C Martinan 60 , Cd 58 ) 3.50L See full results | C Martinan 60, Cd 58kg 3.50L | 6 (13) |
| Belmont 16-May-26 1600m SOFT 5 R6 RTG 72+ $7,040 (of $80,000) Barrier 9, Winning Time: 01:39.480, SP: 2.20 In-running: Settled 2nd, 800m 2nd, 400m 2nd Sectionals: 600m 00:35.460 1st Major Mario ( H M Watson 54 ) 2nd Bakeel ( M Nunes 60.5 ) 0.53L 3rd First Encounter ( W Pike 57 ) 0.53L See full results | W Pike 57kg 0.53L | 3 (9) |