Month: July 2024

As an equine veterinarian Jim Marks was peerless, however, there was so much more to the man who brought new standards to his profession and all the while lived life to the full. Known to all and sundry by the nickname Marksy, his exploits both professionally and socially have been a topic of conversation well beyond his Matamata base in the days since he passed away last week. Marks lived in the horse-mad eastern Waikato town for all but the earliest of his 86 years, having grown up and gaining…

Anna Baigent was recognised for her dedication to the welfare of thoroughbreds when announced the joint winner of the Care and Welfare Award at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday. Baigent, alongside her parents Maria and Gary, operate ‘Annarehab’ out of Miranda, where initially an avenue for Anna to recover from her own traumatic brain injury transformed into a business to assist both equines and humans in need. Their services include rehabilitation for retired racehorses, assistance in the ‘letting down’ transitional period post-racing and individually tailored holiday programmes where…

Famed Cambridge nursery Trelawney Stud were announced the Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan Breeders of the Year at Saturday’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Property Brokers National Breeding Awards. From a band of under 40 broodmares, the historic Trelawney Stud, run by Brent and Cherry Taylor, have produced outstanding results this season, headlined by star front-running mare Pride Of Jenni. The daughter of Pride Of Dubai is out of the O’Reilly mare Sancerre and started nine times during the season, winning three Group One events. This included a bumper…

Outstanding Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel again made the headlines at the 2024 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Property Brokers National Breeding Awards, securing his ninth Grosvenor Award, Dewar Award, and Centaine Award respectively. The Grosvenor Award is handed to the Champion New Zealand-based sire by total progeny earnings, while the Dewar Award is received by the stallion with the highest total progeny earnings within New Zealand and Australia. Furthermore, the Centaine Award is given to the Champion New Zealand-based sire by total progeny earnings worldwide. Savabeel’s progeny have amassed over…

The Seton Otway Horse of the Year went the way of star galloper Mr Brightside at Saturday’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro. The popular son of Bullbars added a further four Group One victories this season to a record that features six elite level victories to date, 16 wins and A$13,477,752 in prizemoney for the stable of Ben, Will & JD Hayes. Mr Brightside was bred by Bay of Plenty real estate agent Ray Johnson in conjunction with his late wife Martha. “I…

Showmanship’s return to winning ways at Caulfield provided breeder Haunui Farm with a result to savour. The son of former stud resident Showcasing’s comeback from injury was crowned on Saturday with his victory over 1600m for trainer John Leek and Melbourne Jockey’s Premiership winner Damian Lane. Showmanship was initially purchased out of Haunui’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $145,000 by bloodstock agent John Chalmers on behalf of high-profile Western Australian owner Bob Peters. He was a seven-time winner for trainers Grant and Alana Williams before joining…

Top hurdler Berry The Cash showed up at Waverley on Sunday to have a final preparatory run ahead of Saturday’s Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m), but that didn’t stop him from powering to victory in the Rating 75 2200m event.   Fans of Berry The Cash had every faith in the gelding despite him reverting back to the flat after winning the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m) at his most recent start, backing him into $3.40 favouritism ahead of So Call Me ($3.70).   Apprentice jockey Jessica Allen allowed her mount to…

Te Akau Racing have had a stranglehold on the New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership in recent years and the 2023/24 season was no exception. With just one meeting to go in the season, Mark Walker has once again reigned supreme, teaming up with new training partner Sam Bergerson to record 169 victories, 69 wins ahead of their nearest rival, Stephen Marsh. “It was a good season overall and we are certainly looking forward to this coming season,” Walker said. “We have a lot of quality rising two-year-olds and a lot of…