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Hawke's Bay NZTBA member thriving on Group success

Hawke's Bay NZTBA branch member Ken Browne started racing horses about thirty years ago with big expectations of success. He was finally rewarded when his home-bred mare Thrive (Colombia-Trove by Paris Opera) posted a stylish win in last Saturday's Group Three Merial Ancare Metric Mile. "She is finally putting it all together and living up to the form she had previously shown as a young filly, Jason Bridgman has done a wonderful job with her, as she has been a bit of an enigma. She's won on hea...

Lime Country Thoroughbreds starts the spring with a Bang!

In recent years Jo Griffin and her husband Greg have immersed themselves in the bloodstock industry under the banner of Lime Country Thoroughbreds, and now they are starting to see some results and achieve some success. In the beginning, with a limited budget and a need to generate turnover to stay afloat, they set out to buy older mares from proven families in foal to good stallions. One of their first purchases was Cheeky Veronica (AUS) before she left the group one winner Tell A Tale. But pe...

2012-13 NZ Free Handicaps re-issued

The 2012-13 New Zealand Free Handicaps prepared by NZ Thoroughbred Racing Chief Handicapper Brett Scelly have been re-issued, below, including a 2.0 kg fillies' allowance, to ensure consistency with previous Free Handicaps prepared by NZTR: 2YOs Weight kg 3YOs 1200m-1600m Weight kg 3YOs 1601m+ Weight kg RECITE 59.0 SACRED FALLS 61.0 DUNDEEL 62.0 RUUD AWAKENING (AUS) 59.0 DUNDEEL ...

Applictions open for 2014 Sunline Trust Scholarships

Applications for the 2014 Sunline Trust Scholarships are now open. Click here for full details. Applications close on 13 October 2013. - NZTBA...

Survived adds to Don Gordon's pedigree

Survived's (pictured above) win in the group one Makfi Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes was a great thrill for his owner NZTBA Hawkes Bay branch committeeman Don Gordon. The octogenarian has a soft spot for the Hastings track as he served on the Hawke's Bay Racing Club committee for a number of years and was instrumental in having the Ormond Memorial moved from autumn to spring. "The idea was to give trainers an opportunity to get their horses ready and see if they were good enough to compete in A...

New Zealand Pattern Committee completes 2012-13 Review

The New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC) has undertaken its annual review of Group and Listed races run in New Zealand in the 2012-13 season. Click here to read the full report - NZTR...

NZB Insurance 2013 Pearl Series first 2YO bonus races announced

NZTR has released the first of the 2YO Pearl Series bonus races for October. They are: Monday 7 Oct Avondale JC 800m 2yo Thursday 10 Oct Wairarapa RC 1000m 2yo Saturday 26 Oct Canterbury Racing 800m 2yo Each race carries an $8000 Pearl bonus for Pearl-enrolled fillies: $7000 (plus gst if applicable) will be paid to the owner, $700 (plus gst if applicable) to the trainer, and $300 (plus GST if ap...

Date Change - Auckland Branch Breeding and Racing Awards dinner

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Auckland Branch of the NZTBA has had to postpone its inaugural Auckland Breeding & Racing Awards from Saturday 7th September to Saturday 28th September. The stallion parade at Haunui Farm and Westbury Stud on Sunday 8th September, will still take place starting at Haunui at 10.30am. With that in mind, we hope you will be able to join us on the 28th to celebrate a great season of success for the Auckland region. This year for the first time, the Auckland...

High hopes for Cauthen this spring

Cauthen (pictured above) , the recent winner of the Listed Essendon Nissan McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley was named after a superstar – American jockey Steve Cauthen – but according to his breeder Des Hawkins of Wentwood Grange, he has always been one. "He was an absolute cracker of a foal, right the way through to a yearling and now as a racehorse he is still impressive looking and hugely exciting. We had two Darci Brahma colts that year here at Wentwood Grange, and they were paddock mat...

The Taxation of Bloodstock - Would you like to know more?

Carl and Julie of Brandt Segedin, Taxation Specialists, are pleased to be able to offer a Tax Training Webinar that is specifically designed to answer all those questions that are commonly asked by accountants who work in and with the horse breeding and racing industry. This Taxation of Bloodstock Webinar will cover the following matters: − Bloodstock breeding business versus horse traders versus hobbies – pleasure or money − GST registration for horse racing – clearing all the hurdles...

First foals for Jimmy Choux

Rich Hill Stud has been eagerly awaiting the first foals of the former champion performer Jimmy Choux and they haven't been disappointed. The Walton farm on the outskirts of Matamata have welcomed a stunning duo with the recent arrivals of a son and a daughter of the charismatic Thorn Park stallion. "His two foals born so far are remarkably similar," stud principal John Thompson said. "They are both well-balanced bays with quality and a very athletic appearance. It is an exciting time for us as...

NZTR announces stake increases

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced prize money increases from January 1, 2014. Minimum stakes for all races at the country's top five meetings, to be known as Iconic meetings, will be increased to $40,000 per race. They are Wellington Cup day, New Zealand Derby day, Spring Classic day, New Zealand Cup day and Boxing Day at Ellerslie. In addition, minimum prize money for all races at a further 15 Premier meetings, to be titled 'Premier 1' meetings, will be increased to $30,000...

Holly's Blog - August 2013

Hola! Buenos dias, Como Estas? It's been awhile since my last blog due to travel and work commitments I haven't had a lot of spare time but I will do my best to fill in the past few weeks. My last few weeks in Ireland were very enjoyable with the weather attempting to resemble some sort of summer. The last two weeks I spent at Primus, the marketing and advertising company designated to Coolmore's multinational operation. With so many stallions and in different countries it is quite a task to ...

Trelawney Stud wins the 2013 New Zealand Breeder of the Year title

The euphoria of winning the Breeder of the Year title is slowing waning and its business as usual at Trelawney Stud according to Brent Taylor. "We are back to the mundane things like foaling, organizing mares and getting our yearlings sorted. We are back down to earth now. "It was very gratifying winning the Breeder of the Year title. We have seen some wonderful people get the award in the past and always strived to be there ourselves. It took a little while for our plans to come to fruition, ...

Azamour (IRE) has Royal connections

In the stud season about to start, the former champion racehorse and proven sire Azamour (IRE) [Nightshift- Asmara] will commence stud duties at Brighthill Farm in Cambridge. Azamour was the winner of five races in the famous green and red colours of His Highness the Aga Khan. At two he had one start and won the group two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh. As a three-year-old he won the group one Royal Ascot St James's Palace Stakes and the group one Irish Champion Stakes, while at four he added ...

Breeders benefit from expert advice at NZTBA Winter Seminar Series

Almost 200 people enjoyed this year's excellent NZTBA Winter Seminar Series presented last week in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Christchurch. The 2013 Series was free of charge for all attendees, thanks to the generous support of the NZTBA's commercial partners, the BNZ, Dunstan Horsefeeds, Fertco, Magnum Industries & Goldpine, in association with Caledonian Holdings. Alec Jorgensen (NZ Equine Veterinary Association), Gretel Webber (Dunstan Nutrition) & Dr Peter Pulford (V...

NZTBA Members' Bloodstock Taxation Update, August 2013

BLOODSTOCK TAX CASE - DECISION IN FAVOUR OF THE COMMISSIONER HIGH COURT FINDS THAT THERE WAS NO BREEDING BUSINESS By John Aubrey: jcaubrey@xtra.co.nz The decision delivered on 15 July could well prove to be a major blow to the bloodstock industry coming as it does at a time of diminishing returns and a grave loss of confidence in the future. In addition, there will inevitably be a substantial expansion in the Revenue's investigation of bloodstock syndicates. The case, DRUMMOND & ORS v TH...

Changing of guard at Hall of Fame

Founding director Chris Luoni has succeeded Gerald Fell as chairman of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Fell has remained as a director and has been joined by newcomers Cherry Taylor, of Trelawney Stud, and Haunui Farm's Mark Chitty. "Gerald was an inspirational chairman during our first nine years of operation and we thank him for his leadership and commitment," Luoni said. "Both Cherry and Mark have leadership positions in our industry and are looking forward to their involvement in this ...

Holly's Blog - July 2013

Coolmore Ireland The second part of my scholarship has begun and I am now based at the reputable Coolmore Stud in Fethard, Ireland. The short journey over from England was hindered only by the size of my suitcase and all the extra belongings I had acquired from Newmarket. I was excited and slightly apprehensive to be arriving at the place known worldwide as the home of champions. I was very impressed upon arrival, the farm is beautiful, and with lots of green grass and trees, the environment sh...

Read Holly's Ross' latest blog from Ireland

Holly Ross' latest blog can be read here - NZTBA...

Magic Belle flies the family flag for John Ralph

It was a pretty proud moment for Waikato NZTBA branch member John Ralph when his three-year-old filly Magic Belle (Keeper[AUS]-Sadie Belle) won the listed Tauranga Classic, and not just because he owns and bred the horse, but because it was trained by his younger son Stephen. "It's a proud moment to have, to see your kids do well. I tried to dissuade him from becoming a trainer so it's good to see him do well. After all the hugging and handshaking I told him all he needs now is a group one winn...

Singapore champion Super Easy retires to Hallmark Stud

Singapore Horse of the Year Super Easy (pictured) willl stand at the Baker family's Hallmark Stud, Te Kauwhata this coming spring at a fee of $7500 + GST. The high-class son of leading New Zealand sire Darci Brahma won 15 of his 23 career starts including the Singapore Guineas, Lion City Cup and Patrons' Bowl at Singapore Group 1 level. He also won a further six stakes races and gained a valuable international Group 1 placing in the Singapore Krisflyer International Sprint. Super Easy was bred...

Annual General Meeting

The Association's Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 13th June at 4pm in the Cuvee Room, Members' Stand, Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland. All members are welcome. The Guest Speark will be Chris Bayliss, CEO of the New Zealand Racing Board. We look forward to a lively and informative presentation. Click here to read the 2013 Annual Financial Report. - NZTBA...

Snipza Gold comes up 'trumps' with Dugan

Around 16 years ago Waikato NZTBA branch member Steve Marriner joined a Te Akau racing syndicate to have a bit of fun racing a horse. Also joining that syndicate to race a horse called Te Akau Class were Doug Ansford, Bruce Fisher and Trevor Lee, none of whom knew each other at the time. These days the fun is still continuing and not only have they become successful race horse owners but they are successful breeders as well, with Dugan (Darci Brahma – Snipza Gold) being their latest stakes wi...

Breeders' Bulletin - Winter 2013

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