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Platinum Diamond completes unique treble in Guineas

Emerging filly Platinum Diamond (Hello Youmzain) sparkled again in Saturday’s Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m), completing an unprecedented treble of winter age-group features.The daughter of Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain became the first horse to win the Castletown Stakes (1200m), Ryder Stakes (1200m) and Wanganui Guineas.There had previously been nine who won two of the three Listed races – Beechcraft (1983 Ryder and Guineas), Purdah’s Pride (1988 Ryder and G...

Josh Herd - Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship - Blog Three

Josh Herd updates on his travels through the UK thus far and what he is excited for next on his Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship.After finishing up with Goffs, I made my way down to Newmarket — the capital of horse racing in the UK. It’s an incredible place, with over 3,000 horses in training and racing woven into every corner of the town. You can feel the history and tradition as soon as you arrive, with the gallops stretching for miles and horses exercising at every ...

Under the Radar - Jane McAlpine

BetaVet Under The Radar catches up with Jane McAlpine who has recently joined the NZB Insurance team based out of the Cambridge office. Jane is a very familiar face within the industry having previously worked in racing stables and doing foal watch before taking a position at what was JLT Insurance and then onto ICIB Brokerweb. It is great to have Jane firmly back in the industry!Explain your role and who you work for.I have recently joined the team at New Zealand Bloodstock as Assistant Insuran...

Sterling Express comes of age in Foxbridge Plate

Sterling Express (Shamexpress) stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.Gloria Macrae and Brian McKeagg’s homebred son of Shamexpress had already racked up seven wins from a promising 18-race career, with three smart victories as a three-year-old followed by another four last season. His last start had produced his biggest win yet, storming home from th...

First foal by Chaldean

The first foal by Cambridge Stud stallion Chaldean has hit the ground with a filly foal out of the winning Burgundy mare Top Note born at Pencarrow Stud.The bay filly was bred by Lachlan Fitt and Cameron Rodger and stems from the family of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks winner Belle En Rouge.“She’s out of a maiden mare but has a lot of quality about her,” stud manager Leon Casey said. “She’s got good leg under her and good rein and has a fair bit of class about her.”The only Group One winning...

Rebecca Donovan - Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship

The world is her oyster now for 2024 Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship recipient and Wentwood Grange team member Rebecca Donovan, who has found her place in the industry after gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience during her time on the scholarship. Facilitated by the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, the scholarship offers recipients an all-expenses paid, bonded trip of 30 weeks supported by the Sunline Education Trust, to experience the operational infrastructure, ...

Stud on target for further Guineas glory

High-class filly Tajana (Darci Brahma) has taken an impressive step toward a third Group One fillies’ feature for breeder and owner The Oaks Stud.The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained representative opened her classic season at Ruakaka where she overcame trying conditions to land the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).“I thought the track and the distance was right against her and I told him (Wiremu Pinn) to ride for luck,” The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Wiliams said.�...

Tajana makes brilliant return in Breeders’ Stakes

The Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) has often been the one that got away for Shaune Ritchie, but Tajana’s (Darci Brahma) superb first-up performance at Ruakaka on Saturday has the Cambridge trainer dreaming of a breakthrough in the Riccarton classic.A last-to-first triumph in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) was Tajana’s first step along the road to the 1000 Guineas – a race Ritchie has run second in with Keep The Peace in 2009, Bella Gioia in 2016 an...

Manifique a highlight lot in gavelhouse.com auction

Both the pedigree and the racetrack performances of Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) make her a major drawcard in the latest fortnightly auction on gavelhouse.com.Bidding currently stands at $27,000 for the royally bred Group Two performer and is due to close around 7.30pm on Monday.Manifique is by New Zealand’s 10-time champion sire Savabeel, who is also putting together an outstanding record as a broodmare sire. His daughters have produced the Group One winners Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci), Iceb...

Breeding Season Toolkit: Digital Checklists and Tools to Streamline Your Season

With the breeding season for the New Zealand thoroughbred industry now upon us, it’s the perfect time to review your systems and ensure you’re set up for success. Ardex Technology has been serving the equine industry for over 25 years, providing trusted, purpose-built software solutions for professionals across the sector. From breeders and stud managers to agistment farms, pre-trainers, breakers, vets, and dentists, our product range is designed to streamline operations, improve accuracy, a...

Corcoran over the moon with Hilal foal

The first foal by Grangewilliam Stud’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One performer Hilal arrived on Thursday morning with a filly born out of the well-related No Nay Never mare La Frox. “His first foal is a filly born at Shaun and Anna O’Leary’s, of Who Shot Thebarman fame,” Grangewilliam Stud’s Mark Corcoran said. “I’ve just been around to see her and she’s a lovely foal. She is the second foal out of a No Nay Never mare called La Frox who was a $110,000 yearli...

Central Districts raiders dominate Winter Cup finish

Runners from the Central Districts of the North Island dominated proceedings in Saturday’s 128th running of the Grp.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) as veteran galloper Chase (Zed) produced a resolute finish on the inner to claim victory ahead of lightweight Who Knows, 2024 runner-up Bradman and Our Jumala.The nine-year-old son of Zed brought winning form to his hit and run raid on the Cup after scoring over the same distance at his last start at Hawera. Despite the pr...

Mr Mozart filly well composed

The first foal by Highview Stud stallion Mr Mozart has arrived with breeder James Chapman of Jamieson Park delighted with the filly which is out of the Almanzor mare Qdos, a half-sister to black-type performers Sacred Master, Kia Ora Jewel and Tears of an Angel. Chapman part-owned Mr Mozart during his racing career and has doubled down on the Group Two winning son of Snitzel now that he has retired to Highview Stud. “I have 13 mares in foal to him at Jameison Park and he has 79 in fo...

Industry steps up to secure the future of the Sunline Trust Scholarship

The New Zealand breeding industry has once again demonstrated its commitment to the next generation, with an outstanding fundraising result at the National Breeding Awards securing the future of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship.Held as part of the 2025 National Breeding Awards, the fundraiser raised well over six figures - an outcome that not only ensures the scholarship’s continuation, but gives it the capacity to thrive into the future and provide more young leaders wit...

2024/25 Centaine Award winner - Per Incanto

Steve Davis chats to Sam Williams of Little Avondale Stud who accepts the Centaine Award on behalf of stallion, Per Incanto....

2024/25 Grosvenor and Dewar Award winner - Savabeel

Steve Davis chats to Mark Chittick of Waikato Stud as he accepts the Grosvenor and Dewar Awards on behalf of his super sire, Savabeel....

2024/25 Seton Otway Horse of the Year - Ka Ying Rising

Steve Davis chats to Fraser, Erin and Milton Auret after Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) is announced 2024/25 Seton Otway Horse of the Year. This award was kindly sponsored by Property Brokers....

2024/25 Breeder of the Year - Waikato Stud

Hear from Mark Chittick as Waikato Stud are announced 2024/25 Breeder of the Year. This award was kindly sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds Ltd....

2024/25 Small Breeder of the Year - Grandmoral Lodge

Hear from Fraser Auret of Grandmoral Lodge as he is announced 2024/25 Small Breeder of the Year.This award was kindly sponsored by Luigi Muollo...

2024/25 NZTBA Personality of the Year - Steve Davis

Hear from 2024/25 NZTBA Personality of the Year award winner, Steve Davis. This award was kindly sponsored by Entain AU & NZ...

Stewart takes Young Achiever honours at National Breeding Awards

White Robe Lodge’s Jack Stewart was recognised with the Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award at Saturday’s National Breeding Awards in Karapiro, highlighting his growing impact on New Zealand’s breeding and racing landscape. Stewart represents the next generation of White Robe Lodge, carrying forward the proud legacy of his parents Wayne and Karren Stewart, and grandparents Brian and Lorraine Anderton at the iconic North Taieri stud and racing operation. Involved across all areas...

2024/25 Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year - Missy Moo

Hear from Fraser, Erin and Milton Auret as their late-broodmare Missy Moo takes out the 2024/25 Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year award. Missy Moo is the dam of Hong Kong sprinting superstar, Ka Ying Rising. This award was kindly sponsored once again by Arion Pedigrees....

2025 Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award - Jack Stewart

Hear from 2025 Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award recipient, Jack Stewart of White Robe Lodge. This award was sponsored by LOVERACING.NZ...

Steve Davis Named NZTBA Personality of the Year

Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry. Sponsored by Entain, the award celebrates an individual whose impact extends far beyond a single year — someone who has helped shape the culture, success, and spirit of the industry over many decades. The award came as somewhat of a surprise to Davis, who along with co-host ...

Rookie breeder Auret basks in Ka Ying Rising glory

Group One winning trainer Fraser Auret collected trophies of a different variety on Saturday night as he took centre stage at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at the Sir Don Rowlands Centre in Cambridge. Auret’s first foray into thoroughbred breeding struck paydirt when he sent five-win mare Missy Moo to Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress. The resulting foal, whom Auret sold after a dominant jump-out victory as a juvenile is now known as Ka Ying Rising, the world’s best...