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Dream result for Hallmark Stud

Dream Queen’s (Super Easy - Hampton’s Gold) win in Saturday’s Listed William Crockett Stakes (1200m) was celebrated by Hallmark Stud who had been nurturing her family for three generations. “That’s what we strive for, winning a stakes race on a big day like Cox Plate day,” enthused a very humble Denny Baker of Hallmark Stud. “We are very proud. It’s a great family with a long history on our farm going way back three generations to Estella Dawn, the mother of Miss Distinction who ...

Te Aroha double for Belardo

Haunui Farm stallion Belardo secured a winning double at Te Aroha on Thursday courtesy of Bella Luce in the Donaghys Epripor X 1000 and Verona in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m). “It’s just great to see Belardo get that result today,” Haunui Farm’s Mark Chitty said.  “It’s fair to say he has had a quieter start to the season than we had hoped off the back of his Champion 2YO and First Season Sire titles, but the way in which those two fillies won today suggests they...

Mascot flies to Group victory at The Valley

Kiwi bred mare Flying Mascot turned in one of the performances of the day when winning the Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) at The Valley, the final event of the card on a dramatic afternoon of racing. The race was run only minutes after a 50-50 Cox Plate protest hearing, which landed in favour of first-past-the-post State Of Rest. Ridden by Blaike McDougall, Flying Mascot was travelling like the winner a long way from home and sprouted wings when a gap presented at the top of the straight to win by a ...

Forgot You heads Kiwi bred trifecta in Vase

Top class three-year-old colt Forgot You may have given favourite backers heart palpitations, but his quality shone through late as he overhauled stablemate Commander Harry in the shadows of the post to win the Gr. 2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at The Valley. Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young celebrated a notable quinella, with Savabeel colt Forgot You likely to start a warm favourite in next week’s Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m). When even-money chance Forgot You went through his c...

2021 Ready to Run Sale to be hosted digitally at Te Rapa

New Zealand Bloodstock have made the decision to host their 2021 Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs online. It was decided that domestic travel restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to host the auction at their Karaka Complex, and the sale will now take place virtually at Te Rapa Racecourse on 17 and 18 November, commencing at 1PM (NZT) each day.  Although New Zealand agents, trainers, consignors and other domestic clients will be physically present at Te Rapa for the...

First stakes winner for Ribchester

Flaming Rib became the first stakes winner for his first-season sire Ribchester when registering a one-length win in Saturday's Listed Doncaster Stakes (1200m). Prepared by Ton Dascombe, Flaming Rib landed a trio of nursery handicaps–at Thirsk, York and Chester–in his three most recent outings and continued on an upward trajectory with a first black-type triumph. “He's been great and has won four on the bounce now,” said assistant trainer Colin Gorman. “He's been straightforward and h...

Thoroughbred breeding industry rally to support Kaye Sanders

Kaye Sanders has dedicated her life to horses and now the thoroughbred breeding industry she has poured her heart and soul into is rallying to support her in her time of need. On September 13 Kaye suffered a brain aneurysm and, due to complications during surgery, a stroke the following day requiring further surgery to alleviate swelling on the brain. Kaye required a three week stay in ICU and was then transferred to the Neurology ward at the Christchurch Hospital. This week she was moved to Bur...

Cup start guaranteed following Geelong victory

Tralee Rose has guaranteed her place in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after a game victory in Wednesday’s Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m). The daughter of Tavistock was on the cusp of a start in the great race, sitting 24th on the order of entry, and Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde elected to take the Geelong opportunity while it presented. Sent out a 2.60 favourite, Tralee Rose settled third on the fence and didn't go around another rival under jockey Dean Holland. The five-year-old mare outstayed...

Tutukaka triumphant in Geelong Classic

The Tony Pike-trained Tutukaka confirmed his staying prowess when powering home to land the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on Wednesday under a patient Damian Lane ride. The Tavistock gelding raced too fiercely when fifth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) earlier in the month, and the decision by Pike to remove the blinkers and replace them with winkers and to ride the horse conservatively proved a masterstroke. Tutukaka, who is named after the picturesque coastal town located east of W...

Trans-Tasman celebrations following Group Three win

There were whoops of delight on both sides of the Tasman when There You Go (Niagara – Not A Dancer) won the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton last weekend. The three-year-old filly is raced by her Melbourne-based breeder Steve Bruhn while Kaitaia breeder Adrienne Gemmell is now the proud owner of her dam Not A Dancer. It was the Tony Pike-trained filly’s second win from just four starts. She finished third on debut in the Listed Futurity Stakes (1400m) in May and did not start...

Life is sweet for Clementine at Rotorua

Underrated mare Sweet Clementine backed up a gritty win on a heavy track over 2000m at Matamata at her last start with her first stakes victory when she produced a powerful late finish to take the major honours in Sunday’s Listed Staphanos Classic (1950m) at Rotorua. The Richard Collett-trained five-year-old showed she could be as effective on the Dead5 surface as she is on the deeper winter tracks, with an impressive turn of foot once she found clear air in the final 200m of the contest. Give...

Punters’ pal back to winning form at Rotorua

Quality performer Tavi Mac bounced back from his worst career performance in the best possible fashion with a stylish victory in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua on Sunday. The Allan Sharrock-trained six-year-old, affectionately known as Frodo by his many admirers, had inexplicably failed to fire a shot in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa last month when confidently expected to be one of the leading lights in the race. It was the first time the son of Tavistock hadn’t sh...

There You Go rockets to 1000 Guineas favouritism

Visiting Cambridge filly There You Go firmed into the clear favourite for next month’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton after dominating her rivals in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton. The Tony Pike-trained daughter of Niagara had turned plenty of heads when she broke her maiden status in effortless fashion over 1400m at Riccarton earlier in the month, smashing the clock in the process. That day There You Go dominated proceedings from in f...

Gunstock enhances Derby credentials

Three-year-old Gunstock shot to the top of Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) markets as a $4.60 chance when proving too good for his rivals in the Gr.3 Neds Classic (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Prepared by Caulfield trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, who are avid fans of the colt’s late Cambridge Stud sire Tavistock, Gunstock relished the addition of blinkers for the first time and will head straight to the Derby on October 30 at Flemington. Ridden by Jye McNeil, Gunstock, the $3.80 favourite...

Savy Yong Blonk too crisp in Livamol

A picture-perfect ride by Danielle Johnson ensured quality staying mare Savy Yong Blonk was given every opportunity to succeed at Hastings on Saturday and she duly delivered with an outstanding victory in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). The Jamie Richards-trained six-year-old was touted as one of the major prospects in an even field, starting the $8.30 fourth favourite after opening her spring campaign with an eye-catching late run for sixth behind Callsign Mav in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400...

Two Illicit too good in Hastings feature sprint

Noted fresh-up performer Two Illicit provided another example of her undoubted ability when she cruised to victory in the Gr. 3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained five-year-old was having her first run since an unsuccessful two-race campaign in Queensland winter campaign and came into the race without a trial to fit her for her raceday return. That didn’t matter to the daughter of Jimmy Choux as she settled beautifully in midfield for rider...

Honoring a family legacy

Vicki and Terry Pascoe’s latest breeding success has been generations in the making. 30 odd years ago NZTBA Councillor Vicki Pascoe and her husband Terry established Club Med Lodge in Taupiri. Not long after they acquired a stakes winning mare Amrica (Amalgam [USA ] -Frabrica) to help get themselves established. Bred by Haunui Farm, Amrica won six races including the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders Stakes and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes before going on to being the dam of the good McGinty colt Greenback. Sh...

$2 million stakes boost for Auckland racing

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) has announced it will be contributing over $2 million towards stakes at Ellerslie and Pukekohe Park this season. The contribution, which is over and above New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s minimums, comprises $930,000 previously committed by ATR and a further $1.1 million, making a total of $2.03m contributed by the Club. Wilcox said the announcement is the first step towards ATR honouring the commitments it made during the Club’s recent merger process. �...

Small breeders revelling in Thunderstruck success

Drinks were flowing at Epona Park on Saturday night, the boutique 40-acre property owned by Cambridge couple Tony Forlong and Jennifer Jones after they cheered home emerging star I’m Thunderstruck in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).  The pair bred and initially raced the son of Shocking, who became the second individual Group One winner for the Rich Hill Stud stallion and his 15th stakes winner to date.  A chartered accountant originally based in Auckland, Forlong’s passion f...

Vernanme back to his best in Matamata Cup

Topweight Vernanme proved too tough for his rivals when he produced a gritty effort to take out Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The Stephen Marsh-trained six-year-old came into the race off a confidence boosting fresh-up run for third at Hastings last month, after trialling nicely before launching his spring campaign. Asked to carry the 60kg topweight for the feature event at Matamata, rider Craig Grylls gave the son of O’Reilly an economic run in the trail behind pace...

Magic result for Pratt and Hudson at Hawera

Underrated veteran mare Magic Incanto provided both trainer Fred Pratt and rider Mereana Hudson with a major career milestone when she upset the applecart to take out the Gr.3 Wyndspelle @ Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera. The nine-year-old daughter of Per Incanto thrived in the tricky Heavy10 track conditions as she freewheeled out in front before turning for home with a handy break on her nearest pursuers. Kept up to the mark by Hudson, Magic Incanto never looke...

Cox Plate-bound Probabeel heads bumper Richards double

Outstanding mare Probabeel landed her fourth Group One win when showing all her tenacity to narrowly prevail in the Gr.1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield.  The Jamie Richards-trained five-year-old rallied under Brett Prebble as the pair were forced to make their run closer to the fence to deny Nonconformist by a nose, with hot-favourite Zaaki a well-held 1.85 lengths away in third. The daughter of Savabeel relished the Good 3 conditions, recording a slick 2:01.51 for the 2000m journey a...

I’m Thunderstruck storms to Toorak victory

Quality four-year-old I'm Thunderstruck confirmed himself as a rising star of Australian racing by beating some of the best milers in the land in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday at just his eighth start. Luckless in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) last month, the Kiwi import was sent out the $3.20 favourite and barged his way to victory under a brave Jye McNeil ride. The son of Shocking withstood the late challenge of New Zealand bred mare Tofane, who was gallant in ...

NZB Breeze Ups Scheduled to Take Place Next Week

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Breeze Ups will go ahead as scheduled at Te Rapa on 11 and 12 October.New Zealand Bloodstock and the Waikato Racing Club have been given confirmation to stage the 2021 Breeze Ups at Te Rapa Racecourse under Alert Level 3, should the current Hamilton city border restrictions remain in place.Operating under Alert Level 3 restrictions, in addition to New Zealand Bloodstock staff and contractors, the following persons are authorised to attend the Breeze Ups:Consignors and ...

Sally Waters – Equine Breeding Course Pioneer

Sally Waters has always had a passion for horses and for empowering young people through education. This month she is stepping down from her post as education officer after over 20 years of service. In 2001, Waters took on the role of ‘Education Officer’ for the Waikato Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. This was an ideal opportunity to combine her Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Teaching qualifications with her active interest in the thoroughbred industry. After testing the paramate...