Cambridge Stud honoured with Breeder of the Year title

Cambridge Stud was crowned the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan New Zealand Breeder of the Year sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds on Saturday night at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro, earning New Zealand’s highest breeding honour for the sixth time following another outstanding season on both sides of the Tasman.

The prestigious title is the first since Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay assumed ownership of the renowned Waikato nursery in 2018, recognising a season headlined by dual Australian Group One winner Ceolwulf and New Zealand Group One winner Jaarffi.

Cambridge Stud bred more than 105 individual winners during the season, including five stakes winners and a further nine stakes performers. The operation also capped a memorable year by finishing as the leading vendor at New Zealand Bloodstock's landmark 100th National Yearling Sale, underlining its standing among the world's premier thoroughbred nurseries.

Accepting the award, Sir Brendan Lindsay reflected on the significance of receiving an honour bearing the names of Cambridge Stud's former custodians.

“It's quite surreal, buying Cambridge Stud and this award being named after Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan,” Lindsay said.

“It's a long way away from buying my first horse, which I raced with Trevor McKee. I remember excitedly telling my father and there wasn't a huge amount of support.

“I think Ceolwulf was a real highlight as a breeder this season. John Foote bought the dam for €55,000 and she has gone on to leave an elite-level miler, and we sold a foal out of her for $1.1 million this year, which is just incredible.

“We love our racing and we love our breeding. It is important to thank the team, headed by Henry and Michele Plumptre, and the whole team who work on the farm.

“I am very privileged and very happy to have an opportunity to be involved in this industry. I put a lot into it in terms of effort and passion, like everyone else in the room tonight.”

Sir Brendan also spoke warmly about the camaraderie within the thoroughbred industry, referencing a function held the previous day for respected racing administrator Butch Castles, who is facing health challenges.

“This industry is a great industry and when you are down, there are a lot of people who will help, and when you're up at the top, it gives everyone an opportunity to strive and get up there with you.”

While acknowledging the industry was going through a period of transition, Sir Brendan remained bullish about the future of New Zealand breeding.

“You can't ignore the fact that over the last five years, 21 percent of the Group One winners in Australia have been bred in New Zealand,” he said.

“The opportunities for this country are just enormous. Unfortunately, there has been a drop in foal numbers, but that creates an opportunity because the industry needs stock, and for us at Cambridge Stud to be able to bring in stallions of international appeal like Chaldean and Charyn is just amazing.

“I get up every morning and look forward to the day. I try to make the day a new challenge, and I think this industry just has so much upside.”