Back to Blog

Postman's Daughter wins the Group 2 Counties Cup for NZTBA member Don Walker

The recent group two DHL Counties Cup winner, Postman's Daughter (Postponed[USA] – Kinjabelle), was back in her paddock in Karaka a couple of hours after winning the event at nearby Pukekohe Park. Inside her breeder/owner/trainer Don "Doc" Walker, was enjoying a couple of quiet drinks with his 'kids', somewhat overwhelmed by the fact that his lightly raced four-year-old mare had actually pulled off the race he had set her for. Walker, a member of the Auckland Branch of the NZTBA, is only tra...

Blood Brotha gives the Anderton family much to celebrate

The winner of the group three Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup Blood Brotha (Danzighill[AUS] – Laura Dee) stems from a family rich in strength and endurance and it is no surprise to his breeders Brian, Lorraine, Hec and Pat Anderton that he has achieved success in the ultimate staying distance of 3200 metres. "We were thrilled to see him win and it certainly was great to see the old family get another Cup winner and staying success," said Brian Anderton, the proprietor of White Robe Lodge ...

Good Faith brings its share of Grace

Back in 1997 when Good Faith (Straight Strike[USA]- Head of the River [GB]) broke down while winning the group one Sires Produce Stakes the prognosis for her future was not very bright. Thanks to the good faith of her owners and the people they entrusted to care for her, she not only survived that, but she has gone on to produce 11 foals including two stakes winners, Tully Dane (Danehill [USA]) and the recent listed CJC Valachi Downs Breeders Stakes winner Mygoodgrace (Royal Academy[USA]). Accor...

Sangster wins the VRC Derby for NZTBA members Clyde and Pat Buckingham

Once again the Kiwi's have triumphed in the VRC Derby with the New Zealand, bred, owned and trained Sangster (Savabeel-Quinta Special) dishing our a decent galloping lesson to his opposition. Sangster was bred by Emblem Limited the breeding and racing enterprise of Clyde Buckingham and his wife Patricia. He is the first group one winner bred by the couple and understandably they are delighted with the result. "It was marvelous, and what is even more exciting is the fact that we were at the rac...

"The Oaks" and the "All Blacks" had a winning weekend

The team at The Oaks Stud has plenty to look forward to as spring racing gets into full swing especially if recent results are anything to go by. Shuka's (Bachelor Duke [USA]- Alabama Rose) win in the listed Ray Coupland Stakes last Sunday set up a the start of a great afternoon with Tiakinui (Keeper [AUS]-Avelina [GB]) beating Smoulder (Traditionally – Flying Firebird) in the listed Seymour Cup. "It was a great weekend. Shuka's win was pretty impressive - he got passed and flattened right o...

Mufhasa's Australian win great boost for Pentire and Rich Hill

On the day that (King ) Mufhasa (Pentire[GB] – Sheila Cheval) finally showed the Australian racing public that he was capable of winning at group one level in their back yard, his mother back at Rich Hill Stud in Matamata had another date in the breeding barn with Pentire. Even though Mufhasa has been crowned Horse of the Year (2009) and Champion Sprinter (2011) and had won at group one level six times in New Zealand, group one glory had eluded him in Australia. He recently laid that ghost to...

Collar represents strong family ties

When winning the listed Doncaster Stakes at Flemington recently, Collar (O'Reilly-Laebeel) became the 50th stakes winner for his Waikato Stud based sire O'Reilly (Last Tycoon[Ire] – Courtza), an amazing feat for any stallion and quite a milestone. However, horses have two sets of genes and looking at his female line, it's no surprise that this strapping young three-year-old has won himself black type. Collar is the sixth foal from the stakes winning mare Laebeel (Zabeel-So Like Lae). He is h...

Bonecrusher Stakes quinella great for Darci Brahma

The quinella in last week's listed Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie when Artistic (Darci Brahma – Artless [AUS]) beat Vincent Street (Darci Brahma –It's My Sin) was a triumph for the young Danehill (USA) stallion Darci Brahma. "We are thrilled with the recent results of Darci Brahma," said Rick Williams, the General Manager of The Oaks stud where the young stallion stands. "He is having a great trot and it's good to have such a promising young stallion in our ranks. "We were delighted wi...

Exciting start to new investment

Tauranga brothers Bill and Jim Gartshore have only been in the thoroughbred industry a short time but both admit they love it especially after breeding their first group winner Strike The Stars (Savabeel-Ambitious). The lightly-raced son of Savabeel (Zabeel –Savanah Success[AUS]) recently scored his first win in the group three Gloaming Stakes, on the back of a smart second placing to Trusting in the group two Chelmsford Stakes at Warwick Farm, a fortnight earlier. And to add to the celebrat...

Te Aroha Stallion Tender Scheme

RACING TE AROHA 2011/2012 STALLION PLACEMENT SCHEME The Stallion Placement Scheme is up and running again. If any owners have mares to mate this season please consider using the Placement Scheme. All money raised by the scheme goes to supporting the GROUP 1 Fillies and Mares Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes in April. Any queries please contact any of the following numbers:Jock Wilson: 07 887 1760Ted McLachlan: 07 889 1617Peter Doughty: 07 884 6854Dave d'Abo: 07 884 9033 If you wish to view stall...

2012 International Scholarships - NZTBA invites applications

...

Antonio Lombardo an impressive winner

Last season's leading two-year-old colt Antonio Lombardo (Pins[AUS] – Petit Verdot) was an impressive winner of the newly established listed Westbury Stud Classic – a 1200 metre set weights event for three-year-olds at Ruakaka – sending an early warning to his three-year-old rivals that he is back and ready for group one glory this season. At the suggestion of the Graded Stakes Committee the Whangarei Racing Club created this event to replace their listed two-year-old 1200metre event, the...

Auckland Branch Stallion Parade Itinerary

The Auckland Branch of the NZTBA will be hosting their stallion parade this Sunday (September 4th) commencing at the New Zealand Bloodstock Centre at Karaka at 10.30 am., the itinerary is as follows: 10.30am NZB – Man of Power(AUS), Sirocco(ARG) and Buffalo Man (CAN) 11.25am Te Runga – Castledale(IRE) and Strategic Image (AUS) 12.00pm Westbury – Captain Rio(GB), Cecconi (AUS), Faltaat (USA), Librettist(USA) , Makfi(GB), Postponed(USA) , Red Giant(USA) and Swiss Ace(AUS) 1.00pm Haunui...

Taranaki / Wanganui Branch Award night invitation

GRANGEWILLIAM STUD BROODMARE OF THE YEAR DINNER AND AWARDS EVENING Taranaki Turf Club / Taranaki Wanganui Thoroughbred Breeders September 13th 2011 6:30pm Drinks 7:15pm DinnerHawera Racecourse Function RoomTickets $50.00Guest Speaker: Kevin Gray M C : Clint Donovan Tickets Available FromKerry Caldwell Ph 06 2786647 (Pres.)Janet Harden Ph 06 3476615 (Sec.)Des Fleming Ph 06 7618637Aidan Schumacher Ph 06 7628853Bill Stewart Ph 063423871Peter Fox Ph 06 2787409 Kerry Caldwell and Four Winds Stud...

Waikato Annual Stallion Parade well attended

The weather gods were shining on the Waikato Branch when they held their annual JLT Bloodstock Stallion Parade last weekend. "The weather was fantastic on both days and that really helped to get the people out and looking," according to Waikato Branch president Mark Devcich. "We had good numbers on both Saturday and Sunday, naturally Saturday was a bit quieter due to the races and other sporting commitments but on Sunday we had a big turn out. "The new season's stallions were exceptionally po...

Matt's Blog - August 2011

Arrival to Taylor Made Farm 16 July 2011 – 28 August 2011 Saturday the 16th of July, my third and final leg of the Sunline Scholarship brought me to the United States of America on the very accommodating flight by US Airways. As I landed in Lexington Kentucky, or otherwise known as the Bluegrass State, I was thinking about all the great things I will be learning in another country and state that thinks so highly of the thoroughbred as we do back home in NZ. I stepped out of the customs area...

Trish Dunell breeds full brother and sister - 1st and 2nd

When Divine Miss Em beat Roverto recently it may have only been an industry day at Waipa in a $5,000 maiden event but the remarkable thing is that these two horses are brother and sister. Divine Miss Em is the 2007 filly by Traditionally (USA) out of Delph (Blue Razor [USA] –Miss Forty Niner [USA]) and Roverto is her 2006 colt. Both horses were bred and are raced by New Zealand's leading equine photographer Trish Dunell. Racing pundits have been trying to recall when or even if this has happ...

Superturf’s Winter Cup Win very satisfying for Breeder / Owner / Trainer – Greg Lambert

Superturf's win in the Group Three Aussie Browne's Pharmacy Winter Cup certainly vindicated Greg Lambert's decision to bring him home from the 2008 yearling sales. "It's really satisfying to win a decent race with him, he has now won over a $100,000 and that vindicates my decision to pass him in at the sales when he failed to reach his $50,000 reserve. I always felt he would be a good horse. I kept a half share and sold the other 50% in five or 10% shares to various friends, some of whom had nev...

Auckland Branch Annual Awards Dinner selling out fast

Only week left until the NZTBA Auckland branch awards starring special guest speaker, now officially crowned Sydney's leading trainer, Chris Waller and tickets are selling fast!Sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance, the night has attracted some notable items that will be up for grabs in auction style fashion, complimented by a fantastic meal, super entertainment, while racing personality Steve Davis will be hosting us through the night.Tickets are limited and are selling fast. Tickets al...

Graded Stakes Committee's Annual Review released

The New Zealand Graded Stakes Committee has undertaken its annual review of the Group and Listed races run in New Zealand in the 2010-11 season. In accordance with the Rules of Racing the following decisions have been made: 1. The Canterbury Jockey Club's Metropolitan Trophy (2500m) has been downgraded from Group Three to Listed status. 2. The Waikato Racing Club's James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) 3YO has been upgraded from Listed to Group Three status. 3. The Auckland Racing Club...

"WhoRthey?" - Three Generations of a Family Steeped in History enjoy Whoshe's success

Three generations of a family steeped in New Zealand racing history and folklore are celebrating the success of the listed Wanganui Guineas winner Whoshe (Storm Creek[USA]-Lesley Coup), a filly they bred from a family they have bred from for six generations. Ninety-three year old Elizabeth Waller – grandmother to champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller - owns Lesley Coup (Prized[USA]- Foreign Coin) the dam of Whoshe with her daughters Robyn, Chrissy Cunningham, and Ali Horrocks and grandson Ric...

Canterbury Branch invite all members to their annual pre-sale 'Meet & Greet'

New Zealand Bloodstock & Canterbury/Marlborough/Westland & Otago Branch Of the NZTBA Invite you to the annual Welcome Function and Auction Where: Chateau on the Park When: Thursday 11th August from 6.30pm Click here for further details - NZTBA...

Pretty Nippy 'Marea Alta' (Montjeu - Semper Fidelis) Takes Home The Gold Cup

Training stakes winners isn't unusual for Central Districts NZTBA member Mark Oulaghan, neither for that matter is owning them, but owning a stakes winner and having it trained by another trainer is a whole new experience. Oulaghan and his mother Pam, also a NZTBA member, bred and race the listed Taumarunui Gold Cup winner Marea Alta (Montjeu [IRE] – Semper Fidelis) and she is trained for them at Wanganui by Alexander Fieldes. "We are delighted with that win and the great job Alexander has d...

Auckland Branch July 2011 Edition of 'Hoofprint"

Click here to read the Auckland Branch newsletter "Hoofprint July 2011" - Auckland Branch...

"CK" Phua breeds a Singapore Derby winner in New Zealand

When Laurie Laxon moved to Singapore to train horses in 2000 he took a small team of horses with him which included a lightly raced Deputy Governor (USA) mare named Torch (ex Spotlight) whom he sold to a first time owner Chian Kin (CK) Phua. Fast forward 11 years and Torch is now the dam of the Group One Singapore Derby winner Clint by Casual Lies (USA), raced by his breeder CK Phua and part of an extensive racing team he has in Singapore racing under Oscar Racing Stables and trained by Laxon a...