South Australian Nicole Bruggemann, in Darwin for her first Carnival, oversees Highly Decorated’s fairytale Cup victory

It was a fairytale ending for trainer Nicole Bruggemann when Highly Decorated made it seven wins in a row, taking out the 2021 Great Northern Darwin Cup. And Jessie Philpot became the first female jockey to win the Territory’s premier racing event.

Nicole Bruggemann was thrilled to win the Darwin Cup with Highly Decorated in a fairytale for the South Australian up for her first Carnival, jockey Jessie Philpot aboard. Picture: Caroline Camilleri

IT was a fairytale ending for trainer Nicole Bruggemann when Highly Decorated made it seven wins in a row, taking out the 2021 Great Northern Darwin Cup, while Jessie Philpot became the first female jockey to win the Territory’s premier racing event.

Highly Decorated had barely missed a beat since arriving in Darwin, winning six on a trot including the Chief Ministers Cup.

It was only then that Bruggemann decided to give the Darwin Cup a go and, after drawing the coveted barrier one, it seemed almost meant to be.

Highly Decorated hit the front early on and, despite challenges from Terry Gillett’s Ash Grey, the five-year-old held on.