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Unorthodox approach opens dream doors

An unconventional path to the bloodstock world enabled Dylan Johnson to turn his passion into a career.A forthright approach led to his first professional role in the breeding industry, and he subsequently landed a trusted position with one of country’s leading stables.Johnson gained a start when he secured a role at Gerry Harvey’s Westbury Stud and that led to his current association with multiple Group 1-winning Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh.“I was born and bred and grew up in Wellingt...

Big EV back on track with Balmerino victory

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh was a relieved man following El Vencedor’s (Shocking) return to winning form in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Tuesday.The reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year was a standout in autumn, winning four consecutive Group One races before heading to Hong Kong where he was unplaced in the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).He returned this season to finish fifth and seventh in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) and Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (...

Breeders’ Cup glory for Almanzor filly

Almanzor made another memorable impact at the highest international level over the weekend when his daughter Gezora (Almanzor) doubled her Group One tally with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Turf (2200m) at Del Mar.She was bred in France where Cambridge Stud’s stallion son of the ill-fated Wootton Bassett stood at Haras d’Etreham before full breeding rights were secured by Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s farm in 2024 following six seasons of shuttle duty.The Gr.1 French Oaks (210...

Swiss Prince heads Sarten quinella for Marsh

A sensational few weeks for Stephen Marsh’s three-year-olds kept rolling on at Tauranga on Saturday when Swiss Prince (El Roca) led home a quinella for the Cambridge trainer in the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m).Marsh had previously won the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) with Magic Carpet on September 27 and the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) by almost seven lengths with Well Written on October 18.Well Written is unbeaten in two starts and is a $2.50 favourite for the Gr....

Another Pride Of Jenni masterpiece in Empire Rose

With those same tearaway tactics that have made her one of Australian racing’s fan favourites in recent years, Trelawney Stud-bred mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) ran her rivals off their feet again at Flemington on Saturday and became the first two-time winner of the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).The daughter of Pride Of Dubai produced a similarly spectacular front-running performance to win the fillies and mares’ feature in 2023. That was a first win at Group One level for Pride Of ...

Greg Tomlinson

This week in Dunstan Horse Feeds’ Meet the Breeder, we spoke with Greg Tomlinson, who, together with John Thompson, bred She's a Hustler, the impressive winner of last Saturday’s Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (2040m) at The Valley.Tell us the story of She’s A Hustler?For several years I went into partnership with John Thompson of Rich Hill Stud and Alan Galbraith, securing a handful broodmares from Australia to support the stallions on their roster. That included Temolie, the dam of Aeliana, but also ...

From rough times to multiple Group 1 successes

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.Phill Cataldo survived a tough apprenticeship before establishing himself as a successful bloodstock agent.The first decade was a financial struggle, but hard graft and perseverance have subsequently been rewarded with m...

First winner for King of Comedy

Novara Park Stud stallion King Of Comedy (Kingman) is on the board as a sire, with his son Sir Ruby becoming his first winner when victorious over 1300m at Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia on Sunday.The three-year-old gelding was having his third start for trainer Joseph Leck, having placed on debut in September over 1200m before running fifth last month over 1150m.In the hands of jockey Harmeet Singh Gill, Sir Ruby was able to secure the coveted one-one position early and enjoyed an economic...

Kiwi breeding partnership strikes again across the Tasman

John Thompson and Greg Tomlinson have combined for another major stakes success in Australia.The respective principals of Rich Hill Stud and Nearco Stud bred and sold She’s A Hustler (Ace High), who continued her excellent strike rate when she claimed the Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (2040m) at The Valley.The daughter of Rich Hill resident Ace High has won six of her nine starts, with one of her three runner-up finishes posted in last season’s Listed Centaurea Stakes (2017m) at Morphettville.Thompson a...

Leading nursery celebrates on four weekend fronts

A double strike at stakes level, a filly with a black-type future and a welcome family success handed Waikato Stud another rewarding weekend.Von Hauke and Sir Albert delivered home and away victories, while farm graduate Belle Cheval announced herself as a top age group prospect and Baywatch lifted spirits with her breakthrough success.The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke had little luck when fourth in last year’s Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) and he made no mistake in the 2025 edition at The Valley ...

Armory off the mark with impressive 2YO winner

Mapperley Stud stallion Armory recorded his first winner on Sunday when his two-year-old daughter Silhouette raced to a dominant victory in the Fusion Electrical Two-Year-Old (900m) at Trentham.Prepared by Cody Cole and ridden by Sam Collett, Silhouette oozed professionalism, crossing to lead the small field of three and was barely asked for an effort as she extended to win by four and a quarter lengths.Silhouette had trialed well when third prior to her raceday outing and shapes as a classy pro...

Dell and Sass Bomb go back-to-back in Group Three

Kim Reid bypassed a Group One in favour of Sunday’s Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham with Hi Yo Sass Bomb (Complacent), a decision that paid dividends when the mare led from the outset to claim her third stakes success.After resuming in early September, Hi Yo Sass Bomb showed she was back in a big way when taking out the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders Stakes (1400m) at Hawera earlier this month, coming over the top of her rivals in the hands of Chr...

Sir Albert caps Rae’s big day in Spring Classic

Classy gelding Sir Albert (Savabeel) starred in the Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday in another winning double for Terri Rae, but the local trainer was only a nose and a neck away from an even more remarkable day.Rae recorded back-to-back wins at Ashburton two weeks ago when Spot On Time took out the GD Jones Salute (1200m) and Sir Albert followed suit in the McCrea Painters & Decorators Ashburton Cup (1600m).The same two horses provided a repeat performance at R...

Deserved Crystal Mile for Von Hauke

The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke (Savabeel) swamped his rivals late under a patient rider from Ethan Brown to land the Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday.The six-year-old son of Savabeel had been luckless when fourth in last year’s Crystal Mile and was back in the winner’s circle for the first time in 18 months despite racing well.Von Hauke got back in the run and closed well to get the better of fellow New Zealand-bred gallopers Golden Path and Rise At Dawn.“He has ...

First stakes win for She’s A Hustler

Talented five-year-old mare She’s A Hustler (Ace High) scored a game victory in the Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday.Under a positive ride from Jordan Childs, She’s A Hustler sat just behind the leader Sea What I See, and packed too many punches for that rival in a muddling run race.The daughter of Ace High has been a model of consistency for trainer Grahame Begg since crossing the Tasman. She placed on debut at Matamata for Roger James and Robert Wellwood.From nine c...

World Cup trip a winner for Stapleton

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.A social trip to New Zealand proved to be memorable on the personal front for Irishman Ed Stapleton and the forerunner for his career in the bloodstock world.He ventured Down Under for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and during...

Azazel enters Derby picture

Talented staying three-year-old Azazel (Shocking) has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.Prepared by Mark Walker and ridden by Mick Dee, the son of Shocking was put into the race early when the pace slackened and despite racing wide over the concluding 600m, had a narrow advantage at the line from Highvol and Savisanta.Sporting the colours of OTI ...

Regal performance ends day on high note

Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.Their colours were carried by James McDonald into fifth aboard Joliestar in Saturday’s Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) before the Joe Pride-trained farm graduate bounced back to his best in the weight-for-age feature.“We would have loved to have won The Everest with Joliestar, but it wasn’t to be, and then the day finished on a real high with Ceolwulf,...

Vale So You Think

So You Think (High Chaparral) , one of New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbred exports, has passed away, aged 19.Bred by Mike Moran and Piper Farm, So You Think was by former Windsor Park Stud stallion High Chaparral and out of Group Two-winning mare Triassic.He was offered through Windsor Park Stud’s 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft and was purchased by bloodstock manager Duncan Ramage on behalf of owner Dato Tan Chin Nam for $110,000.He entered the care of legendary...

Hayes keen for another Everest tilt

Trainer David Hayes has confirmed another tilt at the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) is on the cards for Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) after the Hong Kong star underlined his champion status with an Everest victory for the ages on Saturday.Back in Hong Kong less than 24 hours after Saturday’s triumph, Hayes soaked in the satisfaction of the victory as he looked forward to the five-year-old gelding’s return home.“He is a champion, and he got the job done,” Hayes told RSN. “Th...

Brilliant Linebacker heads Kiwi quinella in Silver Eagle

Two New Zealand-bred horses lined up in the A$1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday and filled the first two placings, headed by a sparkling performance by Linebacker.Previously the winner of three of his 10 career starts headed by the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in the autumn, the first-crop son of Waikato Stud’s rising star stallion Super Seth had a spring setback last month when he sprained an ankle and was ruled out of the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).But Linebacker ...

Stunning Waitak leaves Livamol rivals in his wake

Waitak (Proisir) was a class above his rivals in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, completing a spring Group One double in the early stages of what might be a career-defining season.The son of Proisir has been a Group One horse since his two-year-old days, when he ran third in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in April of 2022. He went on to be a Listed winner at three, along with placings in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (21...

White Robe stallion boosts spirits with first winner

Ancient Spirit (Invincible Spirit) is on the victory board and White Robe Lodge is expecting his progeny to continue to build winning momentum as the season rolls on.The well-related son of Invincible Spirit has only had a handful of runners and was represented by his first success at Wingatui where when Bobby Mcgee broke her maiden last Friday.From the stallion’s first crop, the Terry Kennedy-trained three-year-old was making her third appearance and had placed on debut last term.“It was re...

Ka Ying Rising conquers Everest

New Zealand-bred champion Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) climbed the highest mountain of his career and claimed a piece of racing history in the A$20 million Gr.1 The TAB Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.The world’s highest-rated sprinter lived up to his red-hot favouritism and became the first overseas-trained winner of the world’s richest race on turf.Ka Ying Rising’s record spoke for himself when he arrived on Australian shores for his Everest mission. He was the winner of 14 ...

Ceolwulf defends King Charles crown

Ceolwulf (Tavistock) mastered the Randwick mile again on Saturday, going back-to-back in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) and heading an all New Zealand-bred trifecta in the A$5 million showpiece.The Tavistock gelding defended his King Charles crown with a powerhouse performance to beat 10-time Group One winner Mr Brightside by a length and three-quarters. The Matamata-trained Proisir gelding Pier finished another neck away in third.That trifecta capped a remarkable day at Randwick ...