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Champion racemare Verry Elleegant for Hall of Fame

The roll of honour for the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame is set to be enhanced by champion racemare Verry Elleegant, who will be on the list of 2023 inductees at the Hall of Fame Dinner in Hamilton on May 7.In common with recently announced inductee Melody Belle, Verry Elleegant easily meets the Hall of Fame standard with a record of 16 wins – 11 at Group One level – and stake-earnings of A$14.8 million. Defining performances included her Melbourne Cup victory under 57kg, her Winx Stakes w...

The next generation relishing the Karaka experience

A desire to find his way in the thoroughbred industry led 21-year-old James Gray to Karaka as a bid spotter, and he was lucky enough to take the bid from David Ellis on the million-dollar Fastnet Rock-Tell The World filly.Gray is just one of a number of young people who were working at Karaka trying to find a career pathway into the various fields in the thoroughbred industry. His sister Katie also worked for NZB and Raceform also caught up with a couple of other passionate youngsters Maria Scot...

McNab magic claims stakes success for Belclare

A piece of Michael McNab magic paved the way for underrated mare Belclare to take out the Listed Clubs NZ Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on Monday.The Lisa Latta-trained five-year-old has been a model of consistency throughout her latest campaign, claiming her first stakes success at Riccarton back in November when successful in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton and being close up in black type company in her last two events.With a red-hot McNab takin...

Muollo strongly invested in Lucky Sweynesse family

Luigi Muollo has gone all-in to make sure he benefits from the success of the outstanding sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (Sweynesse x Madonna Mia) in Hong Kong.Lucky Sweynesse broke through for his first top-level success on Sunday, putting a very unlucky sixth in December’s Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) behind him as he won the Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) by 1 1/2 lengths from Hong Kong Sprint winner Wellington.Muollo not only bred Lucky Sweynesse (along with Allan Sharrock and Paul Dombroski...

Honest mare provides Beck with stakes triumph

A textbook ride from in-form jockey Jasmine Fawcett aided eight-year-old mare Honesty (Postponed x Requiem Moss) to land the prize in the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui on Saturday.The mare provided trainer Leda Beck with a breakthrough flat stakes victory.The Winton horsewoman has previously enjoyed good success with stable stalwart Firoden and Grand National Hurdle (4200m) winner Gargamel.“It was a big thrill,” Beck said. “My previous stakes win was Ga...

Perfect result in Dunedin feature for Te Akau Racing

Mark Walker and the Te Akau Racing team brought up an inter-island stakes double in the space of 15 minutes as Perfect Scenario (Iffraaj x Rosetti Bay) took out the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge (1600m) at Wingatui hot on the heels of Family Ties (Contributer x Glamazon) scoring in the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth.Walker had been well represented at both meetings but had to wait until late in the day before adding to his outstanding tally of 21 stakes wins for the seaso...

Guineas winner back on track for Group One test

Specialty (Rip Van Winkle x Rio Tennille) returned to winning ways at Wingatui on Saturday with a dominant performance in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) to revive future Group One hopes.The son of Rip Van Winkle had finished a beaten favourite at his previous appearance in Rating 75 company at Gore after racing three wide and laying in under pressure, but he turned his form around in fine style in the Nellies Bar & Restaurant-sponsored age group feature.The addition of blinkers and a fir...

Colorado Star upsets in Taranaki Cup

A cagey ride by Ryan Elliot and a never-say-die attitude from his mount Colorado Star (Alamosa x Elegant Emerald) saw the pair upset the applecart at odds of $32 as they combined for victory in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth.The Mike Breslin-trained seven-year-old son of Alamosa had always looked to have the ability to take out a feature race and that moment came on Saturday as he led throughout in the Group Three.Elliot took the initiative from the outsi...

Group Three success for Wrote To Arataki

Talented four-year-old Wrote To Arataki has continued her winning ways, following up a New Year’s Day victory at Flemington with a game victory in the Gr.3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1300m) at Sandown on Saturday.The daughter of Wrote was again ridden forward by jockey Jamie Kah, who has forged a successful association with the mare in her past two outings.Once nursed through the home-straight dip, Wrote To Arataki staved off her rivals to defeat Belle Et Riche and Forbidden City and claim her...

Ulanova dominates in New Plymouth juvenile feature

Speedy filly Ulanova (Santos x The Fairy's Kiss) gave her rivals a good old-fashioned beating as she led all the way to take out the Gr.3 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) in effortless fashion.Fresh off a solid effort for fourth in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Pukekohe, where she also led and was only claimed in the final 100m, the Stephen Marsh-trained daughter of Santos never looked like being caught on this occasion.Cuddled up in front by rider Craig Grylls, Ulano...

Meet the Breeder - Nigel and Adaire Auret

We caught up with Nigel Auret, who in conjuction with his wife Adaire, bred the Per Incanto x Petite en Jeu colt who was sold at this week's NZB Karaka Yearling Sale for 400k. They also operate Letham Stud in Wanganui.How many mares do you breed from:We have cut down a lot recently and have a bout 10.  Rohaise is a family favourite who will be around for a long time.What else do you have in your bloodstock portfolio (youngstock, racehorses etc)We have all their yearlings, 2yos, 3yos and a f...

Double Te Rapa delight for Foote

Ben Foote’s upcoming feature race prospects were given significant boosts on Friday at Te Rapa where his lightly tried three-year-old Loosespender and top sprinter Babylon Berlin delivered everything expected of them.Foote trains and part-owns Loosespender, whose rapid progression continued when he claimed the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at just his third race day appearance.Stablemate Babylon Berlin will chase a richly deserved victory in Saturday week’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint ...

Hong Kong active on second day of Book 2

Hong Kong buyers were active on day two of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 2 yearling sale, with four of the five top lots sold earmarked for the Asian racing jurisdiction.Topping the list was lot 922, the Sweynesse colt out of Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, who was purchased by bloodstock agent John Foote on behalf of Hong Kong clients for $140,000.“He is by Sweynesse who is a very popular horse in Hong Kong and he is very good-looking, black horse, so he really looked the part,” Foote said.“...

Blog: Morgan's first update from the National Irish Stud

Keith and Faith Taylor Family Trust Scholarship recipient Morgan Wilks gives an update after her first few weeks since arriving at the Irish National Stud.We started off this course with the exciting opportunity to go for a tour around Ballydoyle and Coolmore Stud. We got to see an insight of how Aiden O’Brien trains his horses and shown around the incredible facilities that Ballydoyle have.We were shown the swimming pool and the track where the horses work. The most interesting thing I found ...

Marsh duo chasing highest age group honours

A pair of Classic-bound contenders for Stephen Marsh will bid to add further momentum to their Group One campaigns at Te Rapa on Friday.The Cambridge trainer’s stable will mount a strong two-pronged attack on the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) with the very much in-form duo of Cruz Missile and Sedaka.Marsh, who was active during New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 National Yearling Sale at Karaka, is looking toward loftier age group targets for his three-year-olds.Savabeel’s son Cru...

Under The Radar - Angelique Bridson

In this edition of BetaVet Under The Radar we catch up with Angelique Bridson - marketing extraordinaire and co-breeder of eye catching grey Riot and Rose. She is also a big contributor to the NZTBA and our operations, just another reason she is an unsung hero.What is your role and how did you get into it?Freelance Marketer/Photographer. I have always loved horses and studied marketing at Uni. I brought the two worlds together with my first real job which was at New Zealand Thoroughbre...

Meet the Breeder - Mark Baker

This week in Dunstan Meet the Breeder we chat with Hallmark Stud's Mark Baker to gain an insight into the Te Kauwhata operation that has produced horses such as recent Karaka Million 3yo winner Prowess and Champion filly Katie LeeHow many mares do you breed from?About a dozen at present but need more. What else do you have in your bloodstock portfolio (youngstock, racehorses etc)A few two- & three-year-olds either owned in partnership or our own - mainly in training to target the tried ...

Meet the Breeder - Gavin O'Dea

We caught up with Taranaki-based breeder, Gavin O’Dea who bred Marton Cup winner, Soldier Boy.Gavin is pictured here (second from left) after Cooga Doon’s win in the Listed Wanganui Guineas. Gavin has since added Cooga Doon’s half-sister, Sister Monica, to his broodmare band.How many mares do you breed from: I have three of my own and about four that I have shares in. Forty Love who is the dam of Soldier Boy, also produced his full-sister and NZ Oaks placegetter Van Cooga, who is now ...

Level 4 Qualification gains first graduate

Brooke Bennett has become the first student to graduate from the Level 4 Certification Breeding Qualification.Supported by Windsor Park Stud, Brooke enrolled in the apprenticeship immediately on leaving school. The NZQA recognised course covers all aspects of the breeding industry over its 22-month time frame.“It is definitely a relief to get it finished, especially as we are in such a busy time of year on the farm,” Bennett said.“The course gave me an appreciation for just how much goes o...

Under The Radar - Kim Humphrey

In this feature we speak to people who work tirelessly behind the scene in our industry.What is your role and how did you get to it?I’m the Customer Services Manager here at Dunstan Horsefeeds, I moved back from Sydney during Covid.There was a Maternity position advertised on Seek.co.nz and I thought “ok let's give this a go, it’s ok if I don’t like it it’s only for a year…”, so I applied for it and met the team and they were all amazing. That’s the first job interview I’d had ...

Equine farm nutrient management research to date and future direction

Chris Rogers 1,2, Penny Back 1, Erica Gee2, David Horne1, Yin Chin2, Natalia Martin1, Hannah Airey3 1 School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University2 School of Veterinary Science, Massey University3 Sunline Scholar, NZTBA Background The Waikato Regional Council’s Healthy Rivers Plan Change 1 (PC1) required large-scale farming operations located within the catchment area of Waikato regional council to calculate a nitrogen loss baseline and comply to the regional council...

Talented two-year-old puts Staphanos on the board

With a dominant performance at Trentham on Saturday, promising two-year-old filly Pignan (Staphanos x Horindelle) became a fitting first winner for Novara Park stallion Staphanos. A placegetter in both of her two previous appearances, the Lisa Latta-trained filly was a class above her four rivals in Saturday’s Kernow Construction 2YO (1100m). She produced an impressive turn of foot in the hands of jockey Joe Doyle, kicking clear to score by three and a half lengths. Pignan is the first runner ...

No doubting Darci at Trentham

Pocket rocket Darci La Bella (Darci Brahma x Bellaroof) added another present under the Christmas tree for her connections when she proved too strong in the closing stages when taking out the Gr.2 Bramco Granite and Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. The Allan Sharrock-trained mare made it four wins in a row, three of them at stakes level, as she downed Group One winner Coventina Bay in a driving finish to the Group Two feature. Rider Jonathan Riddell had a few anxious moments...

No catching Sagunto in Manawatu Cup

A day that started in perfect fashion for trainer Peter McKay when Purrfect Puss (Sacred Falls x Miss Purrfection) saluted in the second race got even better for the Matamata mentor as Sagunto (O'Reilly x Queen Sabeel) landed his biggest victory with an all-the-way win in the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m). Rated to perfection by Lisa Allpress, the seven-year-old son of O’Reilly never looked like flinching in the run home after setting up a solid speed throughout the 2300m of...

Polygon heads straight to podium top step at Te Rapa

Lightly raced three-year-old Polygon (NZ) (Highly Recommended) took the step up to stakes company in her stride as she dashed home to take out the feature race at Te Rapa on Saturday, the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m). The Group Three contest was transferred to the Waikato venue after racing at Awapuni was abandoned last Saturday and that played into the hands of the Lance Noble-trained runner who was originally being aimed at the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Da...