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Midnight Dart owners set to light up Karaka Millions night

Bargain buy Midnight Dart (Derryn) will be out to get the party started for his throng of next generation owners when the Lisa Latta-trained juvenile contests the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.The colt by Derryn was bought by Latta’s son Josh Herd for $20,000 from the Grangewilliam Stud draft at Karaka last year and was one of the first horses qualified for the Ellerslie feature when winning on debut at Trentham.Midnight Dart subsequently finished fourth t...

Elsdon Park building great record of success

Lib and Katrina Petagna’s Elsdon Park is fast building a reputation for excellence despite still being in its infancy.The Wellington couple took ownership of the stunning Matamata property formerly known as Valachi Downs in 2022, and their investment is paying dividends.Under the watch of General Manager Kerrie Cox, quality graduates are already emerging from the farm, while Petagna’s well-known apple green silks with a navy sash and navy and yellow striped sleeves continue to be prominent o...

Inglewood graduates continue to set high bar

Many vendors have been involved in New Zealand’s National Yearling Sale through a large part of its existence, boasting proud histories that span multiple generations and famed Southern nursery Inglewood Stud certainly fits that bill.The North Canterbury operation is the oldest thoroughbred stud still standing a stallion in New Zealand. Still located in its original Ohoka property, it was founded in 1938 by New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee Ken Austin, who offered his first draft at the...

Social outing lit fuse for decorated career

A day at the races more than half a decade ago proved the catalyst for David Ellis to immerse himself in the bloodstock world.While the Te Akau supremo always had a love of animals, his head wasn’t turned by thoroughbreds until a social outing in 1971.“In my first year out of school I went to Flock House, an agricultural school nine miles out of Bulls, and the principal there was JJ Stewart who was the All Black coach,” Ellis said.“He said you can have your first weekend off this year so...

Feature win just what the Doctor ordered

Expat Irish jockey Joe Doyle scored an emotional victory in front of his visiting parents at Trentham on Saturday when taking out the Gr.2 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) aboard Doctor Askar (Derryn).The pair settled off the pace early and had just three runners behind them when turning for home, but Doyle guided his charge out wide where he was able to chase down Marotiri Molly to win by half a head.“I got a good drag into it off Pitman’s horse (Mystic Park),” Doyle said. “I usually rid...

James and Wellwood quinella Desert Gold Stakes

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood sent a pair of up-and-coming three-year-old fillies to Trentham on Saturday for the time-honoured Gr.3 NZB Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and received the perfect return when they formed the quinella in the event after a thrilling home straight battle.Stablemates Fairy Dream and Waimea Bay were having just their third and second career starts respectively in the seventh event of the prestigious NZB Filly of the Year Series, however, the pair belied ...

Chitty eyeing next Karaka Chapter

Haunui Farm Managing Director Mark Chitty is eagerly looking forward to Karaka 2026 for a multitude of reasons.The sale marks 100 years of National Yearling Sales in New Zealand and while the third-generation stud master is proud to present a 40-strong draft across Books 1, 2 and the Summer Sale, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the journey.“It's a milestone for New Zealand, in terms of the thoroughbred industry,” Chitty said.  We were recounting the other day, the first Haunui a...

Tankard following successful family lead

The Bloodstock Agents’ Federation of New Zealand (BAFNZ) is the leading professional body representing accredited bloodstock agents across the country.This series takes an in-depth look at the varying backgrounds of BAFNZ members and their work within the thoroughbred industry.Bryce Tankard was always a short-priced favourite to follow in the family footsteps and pursue a career in the thoroughbred world.Father Ginger successfully owned and operated Waikato Bloodstock for many years and it was...

Kiwi Chronicles -Outside the Square

The sole New Zealand stakes race last weekend took place at Ellerslie, the last meeting at the track before the big Karaka Millions night, set for January 24. Named after former New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Gingernuts (Iffraaj), the Gingernuts Salver (Listed, 2100m) provides a preview of Derby aspirants as it is not only run over a fairly testing 2100 metres but also staged at the same track.Sunday’s Good 4 surface also meant a fair contest wit...

Ammirati strengthens NZ Derby claims with easy Salver win

An unusual plan paid big dividends for the connections of Ammirati (Savabeel) when the big gelding confirmed New Zealand Derby plans with a dominant victory in the Listed Trackside Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.With more than a month between his win in the Gr. 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki in late November and a fifth placing in last week’s Gr. 2 Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham, trainer Stephen Marsh decided on an eight-day back up for Ammirati’s first middle-dist...

Highview colt flying high toward Millions

Well-related Highview graduate Kinnaird (Home Affairs) has quickly won his way to the top of the market for New Zealand’s richest two-year-old contest.The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained colt was successful on debut at Otaki in November and his New Year’s Day victory in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) propelled him to equal $4 favouritism for the upcoming TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m).He was bred by Hong Kong Breeders’ Club principal Nicola Chu, who retained an ownership interest f...

Golden family continues to shine brightly

Waikato Stud-bred filly La Dorada (Super Seth) continues to add further honours to her richly decorated family.The daughter of resident sire Super Seth enjoyed an outstanding juvenile season with success in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).At Trentham on Saturday, she returned to top form with success in the Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m), with the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) now in the sights...

La Dorada back to her best in Levin Classic

All eyes and money were on Argo prior to the Gr.2 Levin Track Supporters Levin Classic (1400m), with the world’s leading jockey James McDonald aboard the gelding, but it was La Dorada (Super Seth) who scored top honours when returning to her brilliant best in the Trentham feature on Saturday.The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly was victorious over the same track and distance when taking out last season’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on her way to being crowned Cha...

Wellington Cup looms for One Bold Cat

Robbie Patterson is fizzing to get to the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) with his Group One winner One Bold Cat (The Bold One) later this month.The Taranaki horseman was confident heading towards the two-mile feature prior to Saturday, but One Bold Cat’s victory in the Listed Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts LTD (2200m) at Trentham has further added to that sentiment.The seven-year-old gelding was dropping back from elite-level company, having last raced whe...

Cameron scores fourth Phar Lap Trophy

Rider Matt Cameron’s love affair with one of the feature mile races at Trentham each year came to the fore once again when he guided consistent performer Khanshe (Mongolian Khan) to a stunning victory in the Gr.3 Ron Stanley Memorial Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) on Saturday.Punters weren’t enamoured with his chances aboard the Fraser Auret-trained Khanshe, allowing the daughter of Mongolian Khan to start at $18 in the Fixed Odds market which was dominated by up and comers Ma Te Wa ($2.90) an...

First Five kicks major goal in Trentham feature

Te Rapa visitor First Five (Almanzor) delivered on his enormous potential when he gave trainer David Greene his first Group One success when taking out the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham.Carrying his favourite number 10 saddlecloth, the strapping son of Almanzor took full advantage of that good omen as he dominated the closing stages of the time-honoured sprint feature to head off the challenge of last year’s third placegetter Navigator and the winner of the 2025 contest, Grail Se...

Jones gets her Kiwi Group victory

It may not have been on the horse she crossed the Tasman for, but premiership-winning Queensland hoop Angela Jones got her Group victory at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.The 24-year-old jockey had accepted the invitation of Wexford Stables to partner Smart Love in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), and while she was unplaced on the mare, she was victorious for the stable on the undercard aboard Up The Anti in the Horizon By SkyCity 1600.When fellow Matamata trainers Peter and Shaun McKay heard Jon...

Ohope Wins bolts home in Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes

Promising staying filly Ohope Wins (Ocean Park) chose the best possible moment to break her maiden status when she powered home to take out the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park had caught the eye when powering home late to finish second over 1600m at Te Rapa a fortnight ago and was one of the most discussed candidates in the lead-up to the traditional New Year’s Day age-group fe...

White Robe Lodge hoping Ancient Spirit can continue stakes momentum

Last Friday was a bittersweet day for White Robe Lodge.The Otago stud farm lost their Group One-producing stallion Ghibellines, but their fortunes quickly took a turn for the better when their young sire Ancient Spirit recorded his first stakes win when his daughter Bobby Mcgee took out the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) down the road at Wingatui.“It was a good result, we thought that filly was above average and she won well,” White Robe Lodge Stud Manager Wayne Stewart said.While...

La Crique retired

La Crique (Vadamos), arguably the most consistent horse in Australasian racing, has been retired.The dual Group One winner has been hampered with foot issues over the last couple of years, with a decision made on Monday morning to bring the curtain down on her racing career following her fourth placed run in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.“She is still putting in some terrific races and even on Boxing Day she ran a terrific race,” said Katrina Alexander, who train...

Well Written well ridden in Auckland Guineas triumph

Nerves are a rare feeling for Stephen Marsh on raceday, but he was certainly feeling them at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.The Cambridge horseman was lining up his unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the Gr.2 Jimmy Schick Shaw’s Auckland Guineas (1400m), and he knew the well-supported filly would be vulnerable fresh-up.The daughter of Written Tycoon has made waves since winning on debut at Ellerslie in September, going on to win the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) in eye-catching fash...

Bobby Mcgee on song at Wingatui

Promising filly Bobby Mcgee (Ancient Spirit) showed she will be a force to be reckoned with against her age-group rivals over the next few months when she bounded home to take out her first victory at stakes level in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui.The Terry Kennedy-prepared daughter of White Robe Lodge stallion Ancient Spirit had broken her maiden status on her home track two starts ago and followed that up with a tidy run for fifth against the three-year-olds at Inver...

Tellum upsets in Eight Carat Classic

A brilliant front-running ride from Joe Doyle saw gritty filly Tellum (Ocean Park) upset the applecart as she downed the favourites in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.The Debbie Sweeney-prepared three-year-old had been thereabouts in her recent racing and with no other runners prepared to set up the pace, it was Doyle and the daughter of Ocean Park who seized the initiative and dictated proceedings.It was obvious that the filly was travelling we...

Sagunto wins third Manawatu Cup

Matamata visitor Sagunto (O'Reilly) etched his name into the folklore of the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m) when he claimed his third victory in the race with a brilliant front-running performance at Trentham.Successful in the Group Three contest in 2022 and again in 2023, the Peter and Shaun McKay-trained 10-year-old had been battling to recapture his best form in his current campaign, although he had given plenty of cheek from in front before fading to midfield in the Gr...

War Princess wins Eulogy battle

Well performed three-year-old filly War Princess (U S Navy Flag) proved a class above her age group rivals as she led from barrier rise to take out the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham to claim her first success at stakes level.The Peter and Trent Didham-prepared daughter of U S Navy Flag went into the Group Three feature off the back of a luckless runner-up performance in the Listed O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui last month where she flew home to finish behi...