Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Well-related Highview graduate Kinnaird (Home Affairs) has quickly won his way to the top of the market for New Zealand’s richest two-year-old contest.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained colt was successful on debut at Otaki in November and his New Year’s Day victory in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) propelled him to equal $4 favouritism for the upcoming TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m).
He was bred by Hong Kong Breeders’ Club principal Nicola Chu, who retained an ownership interest following his purchase by Te Akau’s David Ellis for $340,000 out of Highview’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft.
“Kinnaird being the first Group winner for Home Affairs is truly exciting for Hong Kong-based breeders like us,” Chu said.
“It’s a true honour to participate in the New Zealand Australian racing and breeding industries.”
The Hong Kong Breeders’ Club have been partners in Highview since 2005.
Kinnaird is a son of the now retired O’Reilly mare Orinda whose first foal was the Gr.1 Australian Derby winner (2400m) Jon Snow.
“She was quoted to me by (bloodstock agent) Michael Otto and purchased her from Richard Moore in foal to Iffraaj,” Highview’s Brent Gillovic said.
“We sold the resulting yearling at Sydney Easter for A$460,000 and as Princess Rhaenys she was a stakes winner and Group placed.”
Her next foal by Snitzel, Oriental Legend, made A$450,000 the following year and was a three-time winner.
“The mare then had a Snitzel filly named Vhagar, who was retained to race but unfortunately suffered a wind affliction and was retired. She has a filly foal by resident Divine Prophet and is in foal to Wrote,” Gillovic said.
“I bought the Breeders’ Club a share in Snitzel and they’ve obviously had a great run out of him and they own a number of shares in Wrote.
“From limited numbers, they’ve had a fair degree of success and bred one of Snitzel’s first Group winners in Dances On Stars (Gr.3 Kindergarten Stakes, 1100m), Best Seller was second in the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) and Princess Rhaenys, of course.
“We also stood Danroad here for them, who proved to be a decent stallion.”
Following Vhagar, Orinda’s colt by The Autumn Sun sold at the Gold Coast for A$150,000 and as Flaming Genesis has been a winner.
“She was served by Wrote in 2024 but unfortunately absorbed so she’s retired,” Gillovic said.
Her last foal is Kinnaird who has continued to develop with Gillovic pleasantly surprised by his two-year-old efforts.
“I would never have picked him to be doing what he has at this stage, the scary thing is that he’s only going to get better,” he said.
“There is a lot of improvement left in him, and he’ll cope with the pressure of the Karaka Millions.”
