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Bruce's Blog – June 2008

Second Blog from Coolmore Blog 6 20/5/2008-7/6/2008 Irish Guineas Weekend, Gilltown Stud, and Bawnbrack Farm. I have always loved the saying that goes along the lines of 'time when lost track of, is being made the most of'. When I went to type the date for this blog and couldn't for the life of me work it out, I realised that I had definitely lost track of time here at Coolmore, whilst having the time of my life. Whilst I may not have been able to comprehend the date, what I could have to...

Reigning Champion European Sprinter RED CLUBS Destined for Stoney Bridge

In what is sure to be perceived as a coup not just for Michael Tololi's Stoney Bridge stallion operation but for the New Zealand breeding industry in general, it has been announced that the 2007 Cartier Champion European Sprinter Red Clubs will shuttle to Stoney Bridge from his northern base at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland for the 2008 breeding season. Red Clubs, a son of major international sire Red Ransom, is just the second Champion European Sprinter to stand in New Zealand with the first being...

Perseverence and Toss of a Coin Alter Mare's Image

When Altered Image (Strategic Image x Dented Ambition by Danasinga) won the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Castletown Stakes on Saturday at Foxton, few people were happier than the colt's breeder Dean Hawthorne and his mother Yo Hawthorne. The colt is perhaps the biggest reward yet for the Hawthornes' perseverance through five thoroughbred generations. "My mother has had the family for five generations. It goes back to a family she has had right from the early days of when Paramount Stud started...

Long Time Friendship produces a dual Group 1 Winner

Sarrera (Quest for Fame x Zamsong by Zabeel), a dual Group 1 winner in Australia, is a tribute to the tenacity of a top Australasian family. More impressive than his recent form is the fact that he is a 7 year old that faced two major setbacks that could have ended his racing career, and would have ended a racing career for many lesser horses or connections. Sarrera's battles with a bowed tendon and major intestinal surgery are well-documented. Trainer Mike Moroney has hardly been secretive re...

Bruce's Blog – May 2008

Bruce makes it to Ireland Coolmore Stud, Ireland Ireland as I know it Part two of my very own three part series and I have arrived in Ireland, sun blazing(it has hardly rained since I have been here) and grass as green as reported and confirmed by the many Irish natives and visitors I have met over my 22 years of life. So the green of the emerald Isle was expected but the sheer lushness of this place is what really blew me away. Each grass blade, each leafy branch, and every blooming flower ...

Latest Update on Horses Returning to New Zealand

New Zealand Bloodstock advises that the first imports from Sydney arrived on May 14th 2008 and are due for release on 28th May 2008. ALL the required tests, including the PCR for EI have been completed and NZB is pleased to advise that all have returned negative tests. Unfortunately there is a large backlog of horses to return to NZ, and due to restrictions on numbers of horses in any given intake, New Zealand Bloodstock can only offer late August/early September as an arrival date into NZ s...

Read Bruce Slade's latest Blog

Click here to go to Bruce's No 5 Blog - Sally Cassels-Brown...

From small beginnings the Witters have bred another Group 1 winner

Foreign Copy has done it again. Another of her progeny has found Group success at the races, this time through her granddaughter Samantha Miss, winner of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes over 1600 metres at Royal Randwick in Sydney earlier this month where she beat the mighty 2 year old star Sebring. Samantha Miss, bred by Gary and Lyn Witters, wins the Group One Champagne Stakes at Royal Randwick, Sydney. Photo: Arrowfield website Sebring won the coveted Group 1 Golden ...

Belmont Cat's family has much to purr about

Belmont Cat (Felix the Cat x Morgan Glory by Justice Prevails) braved sheets of rain and a heavy track to take home the New Zealand Bloodstock Listed Warstep Stakes at Riccarton on Saturday, and thus the title 2007-2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year. The win added seven points to her previous tally of six earned through placings in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes and the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes at Wingatui. Belmont C...

New website for on-line trading

Gavelhouse is an exciting, new website for the racing industry. It offers an international service that supports buyers and sellers looking for a high quality, inexpensive and effective means of trading thoroughbreds online. Founding Director, Gary Moore, developed the much-needed service to fill an obvious void in the marketplace and to help bring the industry in line with the growing trend of onlinetrading. It is the culmination of 30 years' experience in the racing and breeding industries. ...

Bruce's Blog – April (wk 4) 2008

Last Blog from Cheveley Park Blog 4- 5/4/2008-25/4/2008 Cheveley Park Stud Wow, this is really nearly the end. One week to go, and so much is planned over the next seven days to round-off the management skills and knowledge I have acquired here, whilst rounding-up my time here in sunny England. So expect my next piece to introduce you to the emerald green grass of Ireland, but also to touch on my time spent in my last week here with the Cheveley Park yearling team lead by John Marsden, as ...

Katy Keen a Miracle and a Fantasy

Star mare Katy Keen (Zorro's Lad x Tangelo by Exploding Prospect) was named after comic book heroine Katy Keene of the 1950's, a fantasy of part-owner and breeder Kaye Durrant. The precocious four-year-old mare has endeared herself to Kaye, gifting her the glamour, femininity, and excitement she dreamt of as a child when she read the Katy Keene "the pin up queen" stories. Katy Keen is led back to scale by part-owner/breeder Kaye Durrant after her Group 2 victory at Te Rapa on S...

The Veep wins the Hawke's Bay Gold Cup (Gr 2) for the Symes

Havelock North local Tim Symes and his son Wilfred now have the honor of being breeders of a Group 2 winner. Their home-bred and trained The Veep is a product of their instinct and good judgement that has earned them a home-town trophy by stretching his neck out to win last weekend's Group 2 Hawke's Bay Gold Cup. The Veep's dam Love Proposal (by Spectacular Love) is a mare that they purchased as a yearling and raced after an unsuccessful attempt to sell her at Karaka. "We bought her from Rober...

A real Star says farewell

Star Way, Windsor Park Stud's champion sire died peacefully at age 31 last Friday afternoon at the stud where he had resided for the past 27 years. Star Way was the 1990-91 winner of the Dewar Stallion Trophy Star Way was purchased by Nelson Schick as a 4YO and commenced his stud career at Windsor Park in 1981 at the completion of a successful racing career. "Star Way was a very special character and his accomplishments at stud have been a life-changing event for those ...

Stradbroke tickets available from NZTR

NZTR are conducting an Ownership Survey and also have on offer free stand tickets to the Stradbroke. Click here to read the letter - NZTR ...

Small filly gives breeders, owners and trainers a big thrill

Twinkthaat in the hands of jockey, Lisa Cropp, winning the South Island Breeders' Stakes Photo: Annie Studholme The year that South Island Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner, Twinkthaat was born was a bad year for breeders, Sue and Geoff Broughton. Twinkthaat's dam, Jamia, became very ill with a respiratory infection and had to be put down, so early on the foal had to be hand reared. At the same time, another of their mares, Felicity Fair had her first foal by Haayill. ...

Terry McDermott elated with prize

Terry McDermott didn't believe he'd won a free service to top stallion Keeper when he was told at NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes day at Te Aroha. The Matamata breeder put his name on the entry form and the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Association tent and then went away because he had a horse contesting the race after the Breeders' Stakes. He was shocked when a friend told him he'd won the prize. "He'd been going backwards and forwards to the tent saying he was going to win it," McDermott sai...

Horse imports from Australia resume

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has today issued an Import Health Standard for horses from Australia, lifting the suspension on imports that has been in place since August last year. Horse imports from Australia were halted after MAFBNZ received confirmation from the Australian Government of equine influenza outbreaks in New South Wales and Queensland. The new import requirements are designed to protect New Zealand from this highly contagious virus. Import Standards Group Manager, Clive...

SOLILOQUY LODGE - Thinking outside the square

Thinking outside the square is how Soliloquy Lodge's Angenita Holzke describes their sponsorship this year of apprentice jockey, Samantha Spratt. "We were trying to think of something that hadn't been done before," Angenita says. Angenita Holzke and David Moore at Soliloquy Lodge in Karaka Photo: Trish Dunell A native of Germany, Angenita is partner to David Moore. Along with David's father, Richard, the couple now run Soliloquy Lodge at Karaka. Angenita, busin...

Bruce's Blog – April (wk 1) 2008

Talking & forking at Cheveley Park Cheveley Park Stud, 17 March-4 April 2008 I have reached the half-way point of my placement here at Cheveley Park Stud, and to be honest, time has flown all too fast. Five weeks completed, with much accomplished and a reputation still intact, I march into the following five weeks determined to build on the knowledge, relationships, and insights I have gained thus far from the Cheveley Park team. There is a hint of nervousness as I 'turn the corner"(as St...

Autumn '08 edition of Breeders' Bulletin

Our Autumn '08 edition incorporates the latest industry news, views and interviews. This month's feature article details Hallmark Stud's notable milestone at the Karaka 08 yearling sales. Click here to enjoy reading out latest edition - NZTBA...

Free Service to Sandtrap brings success for 'Boutique Breeders'

The Waikato Branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeder's Association has bred a winner. Classy two-year-old colt Sanjura is the product of a free stallion service that they give away each April at their showcase event, Breeder's Stakes Day at Te Aroha. Members are invited to a luncheon under the marquee on the home straight to enjoy a premier day's racing and free giveaways that include a stallion service. The feature of the day is the free service as well as the Group 1 Te Aroha Breeder'...

Bruce's Blog – March (wk 2) 2008

Foaling at Cheveley & visiting Shadwell Cheveley Park Stud WEEK 2: 9-16 March 2008 Into week two and I really am finding my groove. I feel as though I am getting on well with all of the staff, but it is the 'honeymoon period' so I am not taking much for granted, however everybody seems very genuine. I suppose they are very used to seasonal staff coming and going, and thus they are very good at making people feel welcome, and carrying on as they usually would... I enjoy their genuineness.My...

Bruce's Blog – March 2008

At the gates of Cheveley Park Cheveley Park Stud, Newmarket WEEK 1: 26 February - 8 March 2008 I have finally arrived. Arrived at the beginning of my Sunline Education Trust: International Management Scholarship; 30 weeks of international experience, and an experience of a lifetime. The past few months leading up to the beginning of the scholarship was plenty of time for me to let the excitement build up to sometimes unmanageable levels, and now finally I stand at the towering steel front gate...

Derby winner first black type success for Cambridge hobby breeders

Cecile and Alex Smith were in tears for some time after their first broodmare La Magnifique died soon after foaling a Shinko King colt. Today the Cambridge couple is thankful the mare was able to foal that Shinko King colt after he became their first black type winner – in no less a race than the New Zealand Derby. And the experiences the Smiths have had in the past few years have encouraged them to keep re-investing and they are hoping C'est La Guerre will not be their first black type winner...