Author: NZRacingDesk

Champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) continued his comeback from an injury with a 1000m turf trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning as he heads towards the HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) on 30 March. The multiple Group One winner has been off the scene since last April when he had surgery on his left front fetlock after he was injured when winning the 2024 edition of the Gr.2 Sprint Cup. Ridden by Matthew Poon in the barrier trial, the four-time Group 1 winner finished second of eight…

Bryce Newman was in familiar territory when he picked up a double at Wanganui on Monday, but a new challenge is now on the horizon for the Bulls trainer as he prepares Abbakiss for Saturday’s $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). An exciting week for Newman commenced as he’d hoped, with Uncle Arch and Blue Jeanie breaking maiden status in their respective contests. Uncle Arch (NZ) (Tivaci) was equal favourite for the Terry Brothers MDN (1600m), a contest that was swiftly turned on its head when pacemaker Deciphering Me…

Group One power has fuelled Cambridge Stud’s 42-strong Book 1 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. The farm’s proven stallion duo of Almanzor and Hello Youmzain and exciting younger associate Sword Of State dominate the Karaka consignment. “It’s a reflection of us backing our own with this foal crop, a representation of our own stallions and we’ve got the utmost confidence in them,” Head of Sales and Nominations Scott Calder said. “We were happy to support them heavily and now we’re very happy with the horses we’ve got…

The first half a decade of Bourbon Lane Stable’s expansion into New Zealand has exceeded even the most optimistic predictions of the American investors. The group has celebrated a long line of successes with the likes of Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) placegetter Bourbonaire (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) winner Bourbon Empress and fellow stakes winners To Cap It All, Super Photon and Glamour Tycoon. At the same time, the New Zealand thoroughbred landscape that they are becoming a major part of has undergone a revitalisation…

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Mapperley Stud principal Simms Davison is heading towards New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales on a winning note after breeding last Saturday’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) victor Wolfgang. A son of Puccini, who stood at the Matamata nursery, Wolfgang was bred on the farm and offered for sale at Karaka in 2020. After failing to meet his $50,000 reserve, Davison was happy to race the gelding in his own right, alongside underbidder Peter McKay, who now trains in partnership with his son Shaun. Wolfgang showed plenty of early promise, narrowly…

He Who Dares was one of the most sought-after lots in last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, and nearly 12 months later, he delivered on that promise on debut at Wanganui on Monday. The regally-bred colt is a son of champion sire Snitzel, out of classy race-mare Rondinella, a Group One performer in both New Zealand and Australia. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to $825,000 to secure He Who Dares out of Haunui Farm’s draft, with three trials utilised to prepare the colt for his first…

A Proisir filly out of Donna Marie put Hallmark Stud’s name up in lights at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales last year, and in a week’s time, Mark Baker is hoping for a similar result in the Karaka auditorium with Lot 564. Baker’s thoroughbred nursery topped the 2024 sale with the full-sister to multiple Group One winner Prowess, who was sold to Peter Moody Racing for a staggering $1.6 million. Reflecting on that day, Baker still struggles to come to terms with such a phenomenal result. “It’s hard to…

A pair of emerging fillies credited The Oaks Stud with a winning double at Pukekohe on Sunday with both homebreds promising to carry the Cambridge nursery’s colours to higher honours. Niagara’s daughter Alaskan added momentum to her Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with victory in the NZB Karaka 2025 (2100m) at her third appearance. A race later, Cypher went one better in the Trackside.co.nz (1300m) after finishing runner-up on debut at Taupo in late December. “It was a good day with a couple of progressive fillies,…

After 19 years of dominance in the Karaka sales auditorium as the leading buyer at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis will return to the South Auckland venue later this week in a bid to make it an even 20. He whet his appetite for buying quality yearlings at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this month where he was on the buyers’ sheet for 21 yearlings. “Overall, it was a really good sale,” Ellis said. He was particularly taken by lot 37,…