It’s been a fantastic New Zealand Cup carnival for horses from Curraghmore sale drafts – from all ends of the market. Kahma Lass, a daughter of Darci Brahma bred by Nearco Stud and raised at Gordon Cunningham’s Te Awamutu property, capped a great carnival when she won the Gr. 1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). At $290,000 she was one of the top 50-selling lots at Book 1 of the National Yearling Sales at Karaka, and the most expensive yearling by her sire to sell in Book 1…
Month: November 2020
Riversley Park adapting to conditions
With no overseas buyers being present at Karaka for this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, vendors have been forced to be a bit more creative with their marketing, and leading vendor Riversley Park has been no exception. “We have had to put a bit more information out there this year, including more videos and photos, for buyers to be able to see online,” Riversley Park principal Sam Beatson said. “At the breeze-ups, New Zealand Bloodstock did a bit more video footage of the horses around the parade…
All Stars to talk about their big decision
Talking about their big decision to disband the All Stars stables, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen will feature on this week’s The Box Seat. The pair will talk to host Greg O’Connor about the reasons for their move and we hope to have the interview and the rest of the Box Seat show on the HRNZ website tomorrow (Tuesday)evening.
All Stars decision not total surprise to high profile owner
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Major All Stars Racing Stables supporter Phil Kennard has called today’s announcement “big news” and “a brave call”. Phil and Glenys Kennard have had co-ownership of a string of champions with Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen including the likes of Lazarus, Spankem, Ultimate Sniper and Thefixer. Their association started with Purdon (and then training partner Grant Payne) with Fiery Falcon a dozen or so years ago. Right now they estimate they have 12 to 14 horses at the All Stars’ Rolleston base,…
All Stars stables soon to be all over
By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s most successful ever horse racing stable is being disbanded in news that will stun the industry. All Stars Racing, the all-conquering harness racing stable of champion trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, will cease training from December 31. The pair remain together as a couple but has decided to take a year away from training horses and if and when they choose to return it will be on a much smaller scale than the huge operation they run at Rolleston on the outskirts of Christchurch.…
Manawatu racing makes return
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Manawatu Raceway was slated for the chopping block earlier this year, but the Central Districts club was given a lifeline and retained 10 meetings this season. The first of those will take place on Tuesday and trainers from both Islands have shown their support for the club. Waikato horseman Dylan Ferguson and his employer Graeme Rogerson have thrown their support behind the meeting and will line-up five horses on the nine race card. Manawatu Raceway has been a happy hunting ground for Ferguson, who…
Success and sadness for Macca Lodge
By Jonny Turner The mood at Northern Southland stud Macca Lodge was sombre on Sunday, despite the win of Maya Angelou at Winton. The Brent McIntyre trained five-year-old broke through for her maiden victory just hours after the death of former racetrack star Franco Ledger. A heart attack claimed the life of the Macca Lodge stallion in the midst of his fourth season at stud. The loss of the former group 1 winner and two-time Southland Horse Of The Year came as a shock to Macca Lodge staff. “It was…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 16 November 2020
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Mexicana gunning for three from three
By Adam Hamilton Exciting young Kiwi Mexicana is a hot favourite to cap a remarkable Aussie raid by winning next Saturday night’s Breeders Crown final for two-year-old trotting fillies. Already with the Group 1 Redwood in the bag, Mexicana was wayward winning her Crown heat, but snared he coveted pole draw for the final. She’s a $1.65 Aussie TAB favourite to make it three-from-three in Australia for young Kiwi trainer Josh Dickie and driver Greg Sugars. Kate and Andy Gath’s filly Aldebaran Ursula, who has chased home Mexicana at her…
Aussie News – 16 November
By Adam Hamilton VICTORIA Cup winner Lochinvar Art picked-up where he left off at Melton last Saturday night. Having his first run for five weeks and “in need of the hitout” according to trainer-driver David Moran, Lochinvar Art still totally toyed with a handy field in the Preux Chevalier free-for-all. He came around the field early from the back to sit parked outside former NZ Cup winner Cruz Bromac, but had him beaten before the home turn. Moran really just nursed Lochinvar Art in the run home to win by…