Kilgravin celebrate Hong Kong Derby triumph

There could be no better advertisement for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale than the almost clean sweep in the Hong Kong Derby (2000m), with the Mark Newnham-trained Invincible Ibis (Hellbent) defeating fellow graduate Numbers (NZ) (Tivaci) to win the blue-riband event.

For good measure the Manfred Man-trained Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth) fought valiantly for fourth behind third-placed Stormy Grove (Toronado) as New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduates filled three of the first four positions in the HK$26 million feature.

Invincible Ibis was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale and was bought for $425,000 by trainer Mark Newnham on behalf of the Ibis Syndicate. The Derby winner has now won five of his 10 starts and placed on another four occasions, earning HK$22.17m (NZ$4.85m).

Invincible Ibis was among the key contenders for this year’s Hong Kong Derby, having caught the eye with a strong finish into second in the HK$13m Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at his previous start. It was a performance that hinted he might be building towards something special in the Derby, and so it proved.

Under a perfect Hugh Bowman ride, Invincible Ibis reeled in gallant leader Numbers inside the final furlong, going on to win by a length and a quarter in a new race record time of 1:59.43.

For Eion and Megan Kemp’s Kilgravin Lodge, the victory is yet another star graduate from a stellar 2023 draft and a great promotion for the Matamata breaking and pre-training operation, with Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner Feroce also sold from the Ready To Run Sale draft.

“We had a great sale that year and we needed a couple of good horses to come out of it and to have two classic winners come out of that draft is massive. It's hugely satisfying,” Eion Kemp said.

“It just cements the quality of horses that are coming out of the drafts. We put a lot of time and effort into buying and selecting horses for our drafts and the clients trust us with their good well bred horses to put back through the Ready to Run.

“I think it really just stands us in good stead and shows that we can produce good horses year in, year out, which is massively satisfying for the farm.

“Bryce Tankard and I spotted him at the Classic Sale and I do a lot of work with Bryce. We just loved the way he moved. For us, that's the way we buy a lot of our horses, they’ve got to have good movement to them.

“We had a lot of success with Hellbent the year before (sold a two-year-old for $500,000) and I always go back to the well that treats me good. We wanted another Hellbent and he just moved well, he was a nice-bodied horse, and we always look for horses that just look like athletes.

“My whole focus when I'm buying Ready to Run horses is I buy them by a stallion first that I can sell, and they’ve got to have good movement to them. They’re my two criteria.

“We are trying to source horses that we can fit into that Hong Kong market or upper-middle to top-end Australian market.

“He probably wasn’t a typical Hong Kong horse, he had the size but he wasn’t a big, heavy horse, he was a bit finer and more athletic.”

Kemp juggles preparing yearling and Ready To Run Sale drafts for Karaka with his breaking and pre-training business.

“We probably break-in between 120 and 150 yearlings each year,” Kemp said.

“We're buying horses for our Ready To Run draft and also getting the Ready To Run horses broken in, along with all the other yearlings at the moment.

“Then we’ll start to move the horses into their own little routines and programs to fit where they’re heading, whether they are heading to trainers or heading to the breeze up sale, where we will probably prepare around 35 again.”

The most coveted race in Hong Kong, the Derby has been won by nine New Zealand bred or sold horses since 2010 alone, and it is the on-going success of the Ready To Run Sale that keeps buyers returning for more Kemp said.

“It’s performance,” he said. “The sale has such a history of horses performing out of it and I just think the Kiwi vendors do a great job.

“The vendors know what people are looking for and they purchase and amass the right horses to go into that sale and they prep them up well.

“I just think it comes down to purely performance of the sale and the whole New Zealand way of doing things.”

While Invincible Ibis occupies rare air right now, Kemp already has an eye on his next Hong Kong star with another Kilgravin Ready To Run Sale graduate in Quantum Legend set to make his Hong Kong debut in the coming month.

A son of Castelvecchio, Quantum Legend has caught the eye in a pair of trials under Zac Purton.

“He was sold the year after and is also with Mark Newnham and yet to debut,” Kemp said. “I said to Megan last night, ‘wouldn’t it be nice if he could also show up in his four-year-old year and who knows, let’s go back-to-back’.” – NZ Racing Desk

Top WFA honours await Tuxedo

Shaune Ritchie is confident Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) can be a major weight-for-age player next season.

With that in mind, the Cambridge-based horseman and training partner Colm Murray have resisted the temptation to try their luck across the Tasman and have sent the son of Tivaci for a break.

“We did toy with taking him to Australia, but he had eight runs as a four-year-old and that’s enough,” Ritchie said.

“He has gone out on a high and he’ll spend a good six to eight weeks in the paddock and will benefit a lot from that.

“He’s a big-framed horse and he can probably race 50kg or so heavier next spring than he did at four, if that’s the case then he’ll really be a force to be reckoned with at weight-for-age level.”

Three runs back, Tuxedo won the Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic (1600m) before finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Otaki Maori Classic (1600m).

At his most recent appearance, he came from last to run third behind Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m).

“We were just delighted and that told us he can run 2000m out strongly and is right up with those best weight-for-age horses,” Ritchie said.

“With the likes of the two great mares (Legarto and La Crique) that have been dominating the weight-for-age arena for a while now retired, and Waitak is a grand old horse, but you wouldn’t imagine he can get any better with age, so it’s looking pretty good for us.

Ritchie believes Tuxedo can continue on an upward spiral with the benefit of a good spell.

“We all know that the four-year-old year is the toughest entering that weight-for-age level and he was just a couple of lengths away from them last spring,” he said.

“He’s got better and better as he’s got stronger through the autumn and there will be more improvement again when he turns five.”

Tuxedo will target domestic Group One assignments on his return and Australia will also be on the gelding’s radar.

“Obviously, there’s good money for him through the Triple Crown series in the spring and that’s what he’ll be aimed at,” Ritchie said.

“As long as he’s going really well, we could perhaps look at a hit and run on Melbourne or Sydney at the back end of the spring.” - Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Vinery test for Belle Cheval

Mark Walker has watched in awe at what boom filly Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park) has been able to achieve in New Zealand this year, but he is not conceding this Saturday's Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill with Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) to her just yet.

The daughter of Savabeel rises from the 1500m of The Kiwi, in which she was narrowly beaten by Well Written (Written Tycoon), for her first test at 2000m and while Walker concedes Ohope Wins is the testing material, he is happy to be taking her on dropping back in trip from her Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) win.

"We know that horse really well from New Zealand and they are coming back from 2400 to 2000, I'd rather be probably going 1500 to 2000," Walker said.

"But she has got very good New Zealand form, that's for sure.

"You don't know until you go to Australia how the New Zealand form is going to measure up, but Belle Cheval's run in The NZB Kiwi was really good.

"She is at 2000 metres first time, but she's by Savabeel and most of them get that sort of distance.

"You don't know until you try but at least as a three-year-old she should be able to manage it."

Belle Cheval and Ohope Wins, who was transferred to Chris Waller following her Oaks win when in the care of Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott and Andrew Scott, are among 15 entries for the Vinery Stud Stakes.

It is one of two Group Ones at Rosehill Saturday, accompanied by the $1.5m Tancred Stakes (2400m), which counts Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai), Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio), Sir Delius (Frankel) and Vauban (Galiway) among 16 entries.

The Vinery Stud Stakes will be just the seventh start for Belle Cheval, who finished third in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last spring and won Group Three races at 1200m and 1400m before going down in a head-bobbing finish in The Kiwi.

The Vinery Stud Stakes will be Belle Cheval's final start of the campaign, but it will not be the last Australian racing fans see of her this year.

"She just has the one run then goes down to our Melbourne stable for three or four days and then we'll send out her out for a spell," Walker, who has an Australian base at Cranbourne, said.

"She'll spell down on the Mornington Peninsula and then we'll have back for spring racing in Melbourne."

Walker identified the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) as possible early targets for Belle Cheval in spring.

Golden Slipper-winning rider Zac Lloyd has been booked for the ride on Belle Cheval, while James McDonald will ride rival Ohope Wins.

Meanwhile, Walker has confirmed that star juvenile Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) will not be seen again this season after spiking a temperature. The unbeaten filly was to have contested Saturday’s Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, but will instead head to the paddock. - NZ Racing Desk

Bright future tipped for Rioja

Simon and Katrina Alexander have plenty of time for Cambridge Stud filly Rioja (NZ) (Almanzor), and she vindicated their early assessment with an eye-catching maiden victory at Matamata on Sunday. The daughter of Almanzor had two prior starts, placing on debut over 1350m at Pukekohe last October before finishing runner-up

NZ Racing NewsJoshua Smith

Maiden win sparks stakes tilt for promising filly

Guy Lowry is looking forward to testing his homebred filly Spark (NZ) (Time Test) at stakes level once again following her maiden victory at Tauherenikau on Sunday. The three-year-old has always shown Guy and training partner Leah Zydenbos plenty, giving them the confidence to cross the Cook Strait to make

NZ Racing NewsJoshua Smith

Online bargain makes quick return with debut win

The value to be had from online buying was underlined yet again at Matamata on Sunday by debut winner Mayfair Street (NZ) (Savile Row). The Peter and Jessica Brosnan-trained and owned gelding was at double-figure odds for the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO (1050m) despite winning the second of

NZ Racing NewsDennis Ryan

NZ Stallion Awards

The Centaine Award 
Sire whose NZ-conceived progeny have the highest earnings worldwide.

The Dewar Stallion Trophy
Sire whose progeny have the highest combined earnings in Australia and New Zealand.

The Grosvenor Award
Leading Sires by earnings in New Zealand.

NZ-bred Winners

Global NZ-bred winners

2026-03-14 / 2026-03-21

AUSTRALIA
Ace High : Trump Card (NZ) (May Rain by Written Tycoon) 2020;
14 Mar 2026, 1st Ipswich TC Congratulations Jake + Shakira H. 1666m
Sold by Kiltannon Stables Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $45000
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Weanling Sale for $36000

Ace High : Eleanor Dumont (NZ) (Tin Goose by Pentire) 2021;
17 Mar 2026, 1st Terang RC Murfett & Whiting Electrical H. 1406m

Almanzor : Valued (NZ) (Refreshing by Stratum) 2022;
18 Mar 2026, 1st Oakbank RC Magain Real Estate Maiden P. 1900m
Sold by Lilywhites Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $100000

Castelvecchio : Aeliana (NZ) (Temolie by Star Witness) 2021;
21 Mar 2026, 1st ATC Ranvet S. Gr.1 2000m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $180000

Contributer : Acapulco Girl (NZ) (Zihuatanejo by Dylan Thomas) 2021;
20 Mar 2026, 1st Ipswich TC Party Hire H. 1100m
Sold by Highden Park at National Yearling Sale for $110000

Hello Youmzain : Hello Romeo (NZ) (Julieta by Shooting to Win) 2022;
20 Mar 2026, 1st Albury RC Allure Lash & Beauty Bar Showcase H. 1000m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $150000

Iffraaj : Satay Chicken (NZ) (Satay by Keeper) 2018;
21 Mar 2026, 1st Dalby & Northern Downs JC Pestworx Blitz Newmarket H. 1400m

Ocean Park : Which Floor (NZ) (Lost in Dubai by Dubai Destination) 2022;
17 Mar 2026, 1st Terang RC Bet365 Maiden Highweight 1856m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $170000

Ocean Park : Queue Jumper (NZ) (Jacquetta by Keeper) 2021;
14 Mar 2026, 1st Berrigan DRC IGA H. 1200m
Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $200000

Per Incanto : Castillian (NZ) (Anaween by More Than Ready) 2019;
14 Mar 2026, 1st GCTC Corpsure Insurance Broking P. 1400m

Per Incanto : Mighty Feat (NZ) (On Yer Feet by Snitzel) 2016;
14 Mar 2026, 1st Berrigan DRC RSM Accountants H. 1100m

Pierro : Memphis Tennessee (NZ) (Aretha by Charm Spirit) 2021;
21 Mar 2026, 1st Ardlethan PRC FG Collis Memorial H. 1400m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $330000

Poet's Voice : Shakespeare (NZ) (Ulfah by Encosta de Lago) 2016;
21 Mar 2026, 1st Streaky Bay RC Streaky Bay Cup 1800m
Sold by Brighthill Farm at National Yearling Sale for $60000

Proisir : City Pro (NZ) (City Chic by Elusive City) 2021;
21 Mar 2026, 1st SAJC Fotobase Group P. 1250m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $50000

Rageese : The Girl's Boy (NZ) (Cash in Transit by Snitzel) 2019;
21 Mar 2026, 1st Alice Springs TC Tradies Day H. 1400m

Raise the Flag : My Uncle Did It (NZ) (Serve de Aunt by Nom du Jeu) 2021;
17 Mar 2026, 1st Terang RC Bet365 Highweight 2156m
Sold by White Robe Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $40000

Savabeel : Hallowed Halls (NZ) (Dragon Robe by Alamosa) 2022;
18 Mar 2026, 1st MRC Tile Importer H. 1800m
Sold by Milan Park at National Yearling Sale for $240000

Savabeel : Cliste (NZ) (Smart Thinking by O'Reilly) 2021;
15 Mar 2026, 1st Swan Hill JC Sun Centre Curtains & Blinds H. 2400m

Savabeel : Wymark (NZ) (Pasadena by O'Reilly) 2020;
15 Mar 2026, 1st Yarra Valley RC Yarra Valley Cup 1950m

Savabeel : Five Rings (NZ) (Daisy Chain by Pins) 2019;
16 Mar 2026, 1st Port Macquarie RC Win Network H. 1509m
Sold by Ohukia Lodge Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $200000

Savabeel : Let it Beel (NZ) (Let it Rock by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
20 Mar 2026, 1st Southside Racing Core Protective Group Maiden P. 1400m

Sweet Orange : Stylish Secret (NZ) (Scarlet's Secret by Savabeel) 2021;
14 Mar 2026, 1st MRC DCE H. 2000m

Sweynesse : Ongatiti (NZ) (Hinuera by Librettist) 2020;
20 Mar 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Mitch Freedman Racing H. 2042m

Swiss Ace : Poisen Point (NZ) (Casa Blanca by Postponed) 2021;
15 Mar 2026, 1st Dubbo TC Country Championships Qualifier 1400m
Sold by Westbury Stud at Ready to Run Sale for $35000

Tavistock : Pudding (NZ) (Christmas Day by Zabeel) 2018;
21 Mar 2026, 1st SAJC Lowe's Meat Company H. 1400m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $65000

Tavistock : Flash of Dallas (NZ) (Smoothing by Tale of the Cat) 2020;
21 Mar 2026, 1st Echuca RC Georgette Kelly H. 2124m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Weanling Sale for $11000

Tivaci : Lupine (NZ) (Sheezababe by Zabeel) 2020;
21 Mar 2026, 1st BRC Gotransit Media Group H. 1600m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $220000

Tivaci : Two to Tango (NZ) (Love Affair by Savabeel) 2022;
19 Mar 2026, 1st Southside Racing Harris Automation Engineering P. 1100m

Turn Me Loose : Bring Forth (NZ) (Deedee Panache by Darci Brahma) 2021;
21 Mar 2026, 1st SAJC Sportsbet H. 2294m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $150000

U S Navy Flag : Quarry Man (NZ) (Dominance by Darci Brahma) 2022;
21 Mar 2026, 1st Springsure JC Paul Taylor Memorial H. 1100m
Sold by The Oaks Stud at National Yearling Sale for $100000

Vadamos : Acheter (NZ) (Acquisto by Thewayyouare) 2021;
21 Mar 2026, 1st Echuca RC Carlton Draught H. 1412m
Sold by Woburn Farm at National Yearling Sale for $32500

War Decree : Lillian (NZ) (I've Got Rhythm by Mossman) 2021;
21 Mar 2026, 1st WATC Vale Buster O'Malley H. 2200m


HONG KONG
Ace High : Katashi - Armor Golden Eagle (H.K.) (NZ) (Akerra by Ekraar) 2021;
18 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Azalea H. 1650m

All Too Hard : Glorious Ryder (NZ) (Waitemata Harbour by Smart Missile) 2021;
18 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Aster H. 1650m

Tivaci : Soaring Bronco (NZ) (Sorellina by Pins) 2020;
18 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Aster H. 1650m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $60000

Belardo : Chisora - Nezha (H.K.) (NZ) (Colleraine by Sakhee's Secret) 2021;
15 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Nam Kok H. 1650m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $10000
Sold by BMD Bloodstock Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $40000

Charm Spirit : Go Go Go (NZ) (Guessed by Snippetson) 2019;
15 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Sa Po H. 1650m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $30000

Derryn : Call Me Sparkle (NZ) (Secret Spirit by Swiss Ace) 2022;
15 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Nga Tsin Wai H. 1200m
Sold by Grangewilliam Stud at National Yearling Sale for $95000

All Too Hard : Glorious Ryder (NZ) (Waitemata Harbour by Smart Missile) 2021;
18 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Aster H. 1650m

Tivaci : Soaring Bronco (NZ) (Sorellina by Pins) 2020;
18 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Aster H. 1650m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $60000

Vanbrugh : Fit for Beauty (NZ) (High Tail It by High Chaparral) 2021;
15 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Carpenter H. 1400m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $130000

MALAYSIA
Ace High : Storm Titan (NZ) (Mostly by Strategic Image) 2021;
15 Mar 2026, 1st Selangor TC Kuching Waterfront S. 1100m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Weanling Sale for $15000

Charm Spirit : Charminton - Imperial Genie (Mal.) (NZ) (Sarzana by High Chaparral) 2018;
15 Mar 2026, 1st Selangor TC Semenggoh Wildlife Centre S. 1150m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $65000

Eminent : Ice Age (NZ) (Only If by Iffraaj) 2022;
14 Mar 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1600m

Mossman : Snow Storm (NZ) (Royal Dominance by Shinko King) 2016;
14 Mar 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 4 H. 1600m

Proisir : Michikawa (NZ) (Lavalliere by Medaglia d'Oro) 2017;
14 Mar 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1600m
Sold by Kiltannon Stables Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $26000

Proisir : Xena (NZ) (Lady Illicit by Sir Percy) 2016;
14 Mar 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 4 H. 1200m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $5500
Sold by Summerveld Racing at Ready to Run Sale for $30000

Proisir : Frenetic (NZ) (Sororia by Iffraaj) 2018;
15 Mar 2026, 1st Selangor TC Annah Rais Longhouse S. 1400m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $40000

Ribchester : Heavenly Warrior (NZ) (Qiji Sunlight by Medaglia d'Oro) 2021;
14 Mar 2026, 1st Perak TC Open Maiden H. 1400m

Time Test : The Wild Chief (NZ) (Deb by Darci Brahma) 2019;
15 Mar 2026, 1st Selangor TC Rainforest World Music Festival S. 1400m

Wrote : Gold Medal Rose (NZ) (Brookbars by Bullbars) 2021;
15 Mar 2026, 1st Selangor TC Borneo Cultures Museum S. 1100m
Sold by Highview at National Yearling Sale for $30000