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Kiwi-breds dominate Warrnambool jumping features

Amy McDonald, Lee Horner and their banner horse Flying Agent gained compensation for last year’s Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) defeat by winning the latest edition of the 3450m race at Warrnambool on Sunday.The nine-year-old son of Raise The Flag defeated five rivals in the A$125,000 event, the small field allowing Horner to position the quality jumper closer to the pace than usual, before striding clear for an eight-length win over Yulong Place.The victory provided Flying Agent with his seco...

Breeding success brings further thrills for Ellis

Although leading New Zealand racehorse syndicator David Ellis has plenty to celebrate through the success of his Te Akau Racing operation during the 2021/2022 season, one of the lesser known strings to his bow are the numerous achievements he and wife Karyn have secured on the thoroughbred breeding front over the past twelve months.The pair will head off to Hawaii on Tuesday for a well-deserved mid-winter break with the prospect of returning in August as a strong contender for the New Zealand Th...

Ribchester 3YO looks a French star

Three-year-old gelding Facteur Cheval, a son of Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Ribchester, oozed class when defeating a quality field to land Saturday’s Listed Tattersalls Prix de Saint-Patrick (1600m) at Chantilly.Facteur Cheval is unbeaten in four career starts for star young trainer Jerome Reynier.He carried the colours of Team Valor International to an impressive two-length success from GroupThree winner Dreamflight and the gelding has stamped himself as one of the leading milers in France.H...

Baggy Green the headline act again in Valachi Downs dispersal

As the Valachi Downs dispersal process drew to a close with turnover nudging $10 million, Friday night’s Unreserved Young and Racing Stock Dispersal on Gavelhouse Plus shone a spotlight on exceptional broodmare Baggy Green for the second week in succession – and once again it was Yulong’s Written Tycoon Syndicate who provided the sale-topping bid.The powerful Australian-based operation had gone to $1.75 million to buy Baggy Green herself in the broodmare session last Friday, and ...

Anton Koolman left a proud legacy

Three decades have passed since Anton Koolman resided in New Zealand, however, the highly respected horseman’s death at age 82 in Sydney last weekend still resonated with many on the other side of the Tasman. From lowly beginnings and in partnership with Marg, his wife of 50 years, Koolman forged a place in the racing industry, initially as a trainer and studmaster, and then as a bloodstock agent trading throughout Australasia and establishing a strong Hong Kong clientele. Koolman’s Estonia...

Breeders set to celebrate National Awards

After a two year COVID enforced hiatus, the New Zealand National Breeding Awards are back on the calendar. Sponsored by AGrowQuip John Deere, the dinner and awards will held on Saturday 30th July and will be the first ‘live’ event combining the celebration of the New Zealand Breeding Awards as well as the breeders of Group One winners during the racing season. “It is really exciting to be able to actually get together to have the awards,” Waikato Branch President Dave Duley said. “It i...

Sclater makes most of chance to represent NZTBA in UK

By Dennis Ryan, RaceformRepresenting the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association in the United Kingdom earlier this month had many dimensions for the organisation’s CEO Justine Sclater. Pivotal to Sclater’s two-week sojourn was the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF) conference, staged over four days in Newmarket and attended by representatives from 23 of the 25 member states. Between times she was treated to raceday attendances at Epsom for the English Derby an...

Government firmly behind racing, says new Minister

The Labour Government’s support of the racing industry was firmly signalled after its landslide election victory in 2020 and its commitment is ongoing, new Minister for Racing Kieran McAnulty has emphasised. McAnulty achieved a personal goal when he recently took over the role and dismissed any concern that racing had a lesser seat at the table after succeeding Deputy Prime Minster Grant Robertson. “I think the signal from the Government was pretty clear after the last election when it kept ...

Savabeel filly impresses at first start for Golan

Three-year-old filly Tilianam (NZ) (Savabeel x Spending) provided an instant return on her recent purchase price when she made a winning debut from her new quarters in Queensland on Saturday. The Waikato Stud-bred and sold daughter of Savabeel was making her first appearance from Tony Gollan’s yard and proved too slick for her age group rivals over 1200m at Eagle Farm. Tilianam had won twice, including success in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m) at her second start, when prepared by G...

Inundation oozes class at Caulfield

Kiwi acquisition Inundation (Headwater x Flippity Lass) has made the step to city company in stunning fashion with an impressive win at Caulfield to remain unbeaten this campaign.  The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper headed to Saturday’s Lamaro’s Hotel Handicap (1000m) off the back of victories at Mornington and on the Pakenham Synthetic.  Inundation had scored by 3-½ lengths and 3-¼ lengths respectively on the country circ...

Baggy Green top scorer at Valachi Downs broodmare dispersal

The Valachi Downs unreserved broodmare and stallion shares dispersal sale concluded on Gavelhouse Plus on Friday night and as expected blue-hen mare Baggy Green proved the highlight lot, selling for $1.75 million to Yulong’s Written Tycoon Syndicate. Grossing over $6.6 million, the 57-lot online sale is the highest grossing broodmare sale in New Zealand history, with a strong international buying bench keen to gain access to well-credentialed stock amassed by Kevin and Joanna Hickman, who have...

Texas Tea impresses at Flemington

Talented former New Zealand three-year-old Texas Tea hinted at a bright future across the Tasman with a commanding victory in Saturday’s A$130,000 Sir Henry Bolte Handicap (2000m) at Flemington.Making his first start since a midfield finish in last month’s Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding enjoyed a comfortable midfield run under expat New Zealand jockey Michael Dee.Texas Tea cruised into a gap two off the rail at the top...

Victoria Derby plan for upset Flemington winner

Long-priced winners are rare for the Danny O'Brien stable but, even so, Grinzinger Bishop's (Almanzor x Tavy) knockout win at $71 at Flemington on Saturday did not come as a shock for connections.O'Brien, who also won the opening Flemington event with stayer Saracen Knight on Saturday, explained after Grinzinger Bishop's boilover win that the two-year-old son of Almanzor had trialled well before a moderate debut where he struggled on a very wet surface at Geelong."He went to Geelong with some ex...

ITBF Conference a Success

The International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF) concluded its highly successful 4-day conference with its biennial General Meeting, yesterday (June 9th) in Newmarket. The conference was attended by 23 of its 25 member countries, from 6 continents. Over 40 delegates having already gathered at Epsom, ahead of the Newmarket programme, to attend the ITBF Derby Experience, generously provided by the Jockey Club. The programme included visits to all the leading Newmarket stallion studs, a...

Valachi Downs Unreserved Broodmare & Stallion Share Dispersal Live

The 59 Lot broodmare and stallion share offering as part of the dissolution of Matamata Stud Valachi Downs is now live on Gavelhouse Plus. Bidding is open and will run through until 7pm (NZT) on Friday 24 June. Just some of the quality Lots featured include: Baggy Green (Galileo) – herself a winner over a mile in Australia, Baggy Green is a half to Group One mares Funstar and Youngstar. In foal to Ocean Park, she is carrying a full to four-time Group One winner Tofane who fetched A$3.1 milli...

Karaka Sale Ring Alight at National Weanling Sale

A vibrant atmosphere coupled with dynamic bidding saw a successful day of trade at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2022 National Weanling Sale.  105 quality weanlings sold for an aggregate of $3,486,000. The average climbed to $33,200, while the median settled at $16,000 and the clearance rate closed at 88%. Visiting from across the Tasman, NZB’s Director of Business Development Mike Kneebone was pleased with the buoyant market and major increase in all key sale indicators. “One of the ...

Riding for a good cause

Long-time NZTBA member Dennis Ryan, who is also one of New Zealand's most valued racing journalists, is a proud Dad. Reason being, his daughter Siobhan is making final preparations for her challenge of a lifetime, riding in what is recognised as the world’s longest and toughest horse-race, the Mongol Derby.   Next month Siobhan, who mixes her day-job as a Government investment analyst with a showjumping team, will represent New Zealand in the grueling equine marathon across 1,000km of the...

Time Test colt sells for £900,000

Trainer Michael O’Callaghan pulled off a remarkable pinhooking feat when he sold Time Test juvenile Crypto Force at Goffs London Sale this week for £900,000. The Curragh horseman had purchased Crypto Force for 160,000gns at the Guineas Breeze-Up Sale and trained him to win a maiden first time out before putting him through the sale ring once more. Crypto Force was knocked down to bloodstock agent Hamish Macauley on behalf of Amo Racing’s Kia Joorabchian, and the colt will remain in O’Call...

Second stakes success for Charmmebaby

Something about the Queensland sun brings the very best out of talented New Zealand-bred mare Charmmebaby, who picked up the second stakes win of her career in Saturday’s Listed Radiotab The Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm.Charmmebaby moved north to the Sunshine State last December to join trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith, and she quickly stepped up to stakes level with a win in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1640m) and a second in the Listed Bernborough Plate (1600m). Her winter carnival campa...

Lowry excited about prospects for Waihaha Falls

A top performance to kick off his winter campaign with a win at Randwick over 1200m on Saturday has Hastings trainer Guy Lowry excited about the future prospects of progressive galloper Waihaha Falls.Lowry co-bred and owns the four-year-old son of Sacred Falls with good friend Mark Chittick and his father Garry and sent the gelding over to Sydney trainer John O’Shea after he had impressively won a 1000m trial at Foxton back in October 2020.A slow maturing type, Waihaha Falls has now had just t...

Unwanted filly delivers for reluctant breeder

Renowned Australian Veterinarian Dr Chris Lawler admits to initially being reluctant to venture into the breeding game though after breeding Group One winning filly Gypsy Goddess (Tarzino - Invisible Coin [AUS]) he is enjoying the ride. Since her debut in October, Gypsy Goddess has been beautifully managed by David Vandyke to race nine times for six wins and three placings.  She was unbeaten in her first five starts in Queensland, which included a win in the Gr.3 BRC Grand Prix Stakes. A t...

Brisbane swansong for The Chosen One before stud duties

The Chosen One will have his final race in the A$1.2 million Gr.2 The Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, before retiring to stand at Highview Stud in New Zealand. The six-year-old will retire as a Group One winner over a mile, multiple stakes winner on both sides of the Tasman and dual New Zealand Stayer of the Year with over $2.7 million in stakes earnings. However, trainer Andrew Forsman thinks he’s a good chance of adding one last feature win to his already impressive resume, following...

Stakes winner for Ribchester

Ribchester’s three-year-old daughter, Snooze n You Lose made all to land the Listed Queen of Scots Stakes (1400m) at Musselburgh on Sunday. The filly, having her second start of the season for trainer Karl Burke, soon led from the barriers under jockey Sam James, she was briefly challenged a furlong out but went clear to win by two lengths for owner Melba Bryce. Snooze n You Lose, bred by Bryce’s Laundry Cottage Stud Farm, is a half-sister to Listed winner Zaman. They are out of the Stakes-p...

Sophmaze all class in Castletown Stakes

Talented juvenile filly Sophmaze (Derryn x Miss Isle) showed a touch of class when she out-finished her rivals with a determined late run to take out the Listed John Turkington Forestry Ltd Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Waverley.The Allan Sharrock-trained filly had broken her maiden status after two minor placings when successful at Trentham last month with Sharrock declaring then she was just the type of filly who would be suited to a race like the Castletown Stakes.That statement proved prophet...

Amusez Moi entertains with feature race victory

Talented winter galloper Amusez Moi (Dalghar x Next) capped off some fine recent form with victory in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1650m) at Waverley. The five-year-old son of Dalghar was having just his fifth run for trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard after returning from a two-year stint in Australia where he won three of his 11 starts after doing his early racing from the Nigel Tiley stable at Pukekohe. After winning first up over 1400m at Otaki in March, Amusez Moi had been placed i...