Month: May 2024

Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have raced two outstanding daughters of Proisir in the colours of Philip and Catherine Brown, and on Wednesday they are hoping they can unveil another at Taupo. The Browns have struck gold in the last few years with Group One winners Levante (NZ) and Legarto (NZ), and they are hoping Levakia (NZ) can reach the same lofty heights. The couple purchased her out of Curraghmore’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale draft for $105,000 under their Ancroft Stud banner, and Ken and Bev Kelso…

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh believes Bourbon Proof (Justify) can make his presence felt in strong three-year-old company next season. Marsh has formed a good opinion of the Justify youngster, but his confidence about a winning debut at Taupo on Wednesday took a severe hit when he was handed a horror gate in the Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (1100m). It will now be up to premiership-leading jockey Warren Kennedy to work his magic with Bourbon Proof from the outside barrier. “We think he is very good and if it was a month…

As the busy season looms for Ruakaka, local trainer Chris Gibbs is looking forward to competing for home track spoils in the coming months after attending meetings at Taupo and Pukekohe Park this week. While many trainers further down the country opt to spell horses in search of better tracks in the spring, Gibbs does the opposite with the reality of Ruakaka’s ‘winterless north’ suiting his well-performed pair of Cakebytheocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Chevron (NZ) (El Roca). “We keep more horses in during this time, going right back to…

The allure of a weanling sale is the world of possibilities that are within reach over the next few seasons, both back in the sale ring and on the racetrack. The 150-lot catalogue for next month’s 2024 NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka is stacked with the right bloodlines and credentials for buyers to pursue those big dreams, similar to that on offer at Karaka but in smaller packaging. This year’s catalogue features 20 siblings to stakes performers, along with the progeny of 15 stakes-performing mares and countless other members of elite…

The Oaks Stud in Cambridge have announced their service fees for the forthcoming breeding season with the roster to be headed by leading second season sire U S Navy Flag at $15,000 + GST. The son of War Front was represented by Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) winner Pendragon, who also finished runner-up in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). Other highlight progeny include multiple stakes winner Chantilly Lace, Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes runner-up Aprilia and multiple Group One performer To Catch A Thief. The Symon Wilde-trained Navy King was a…