30 March 2026
Little Lady on target for Breeders’ Stakes
Genuine filly Lady Iris (NZ) (US Navy Flag) will bid to crown a rewarding preparation with an overdue stakes success.
The Stephen Marsh-trained three-year-old is at the tail-end of her preparation and will head toward her final outing of the season in winning form.
The daughter of U S Navy Flag accounted for a competitive age group line-up at Trentham on Saturday and will chase the first black-type victory of her career before a deserved break.
“She’s only small, but she is as game as they come and was great again in what I thought was a strong three-year-old race,” Marsh said.
“The Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) on April 25 at Te Rapa looks the ideal race for her. That will be her last run to cap off a nice season for her.”
Lady Iris has now won two of her last three starts with an unplaced effort on unsuitably wet ground at Tauranga in between.
“She’s a model racehorse, very consistent and the really heavy track at her previous start just got to her. Apart from that, her form has been faultless,” Marsh said.
The filly also finished third behind Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) and He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel) in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and as a two-year-old ran second to stablemate Little Black Dress (Snitzel) in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m).
“She really is under-rated and has run in some very good fields and beaten some nice horses,” Marsh said.
Part-owned by co-breeder Ron Saunders, Lady Iris’ dam The Lady (NZ) (Stravinsky) counted the Star Way and Listed Challenge Stakes (1200m) among her three victories and is from the family of three-time Group One winer Sea Siren.
Marsh is currently in Sydney for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and with bloodstock manager Dylan Johnson signed for a daughter of Zoustar out of Newgate Farm’s draft.
“She’s a beautiful filly and A$400,000 is a lot of money, but the way the Zoustars sell I thought it was very good shopping,” he said.
The youngster is out of the winning Pierro mare Quintessa, who ran third in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) and in the Gr.3 Arian Knox Stakes (2000m).
“We’ll be trying to get another one or two, but it’s pretty tough going and you have to dig deep in the pocket department,” Marsh said.
On the domestic front this week, he singled out Ocean Rules as one of his best chances at Wednesday’s Pukekohe meeting.
She will line up in the Golf Warehouse Maiden (1400m) off the back of an encouraging resuming effort for fourth at Matamata.
“She was very good first-up and the step to 1400m will be ideal, she’s probably as good a chance as any of ours,” Marsh said. – Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Time out for Te Akau’s new Group One stars
Initial discussions following Saturday’s Group One double by Seize The Day and Belle Cheval have confirmed that both Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained stars will head to the spelling paddock ahead of new season campaigns.
That had already been established before Belle Cheval’s nail-biting win in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, whereas immediate options for Seize The Day remained open after his runaway performance in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham.
“Belle Cheval has already been floated down to our Cranbourne stable and she’ll spend a couple of days there just trotting out to familiarise her before she comes back into work to prepare for the spring,” Walker said.
“Her owners David Archer and Diane Wright like the idea of staying in Australia instead of kicking off her season back in New Zealand, mainly because those spring tracks back home are often so wet.
“At this stage her main early target will be the Golden Eagle in Sydney, which will allow plenty of time for the spell she’s earned and then have a steady build-up.”
The Golden Eagle (1500m), which was won last year by unbeaten sensation Autumn Glow, is scheduled for Randwick on October 31.
Restricted to four-year-olds with a stake of A$10 million, the Golden Eagle has also been earmarked for fellow New Zealand filly Well Written, who maintained her unbeaten record with a narrow $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) win over Belle Cheval, and star Victorian filly Sheza Alibi, the last-start winner of the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m).
Discussions between Te Akau principals and an ownership group that includes Seize The Day’s Hunter Valley breeders Yarraman Park have led to the decision to spell him rather than opt for a possible late season target in Australia.
Walker’s first Australian Group One training success was the Gr.1 TJ Smith Classic (1600m) in 2005 with star colt Darci Brahma, while Belle Cheval’s weekend success was his first at elite level in Sydney.
“It’s a massive thrill for everyone involved to win Group Ones on the same day at Trentham and Randwick,” Walker said. “I’ve been training for coming up 30 years and it’s a personal career highlight.
“Especially with Belle Cheval, who did her final serious work at Matamata before flying to Sydney, it was a Team New Zealand effort that together we made happen.”
Walker added that discussions will also be on-going around plans for older stable members Quintessa, Qali All Farrasha and Captured By Love, who were unplaced in Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), and Damask Rose, who was unplaced in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m).
“Damask Rose is coming home and we’ll give her a thorough checking over before we decide what’s next for her,” Walker said. “Captured By Love is also only a four-year-old, whereas the other two mares are rising six and we’ll need to decide whether they have another season or go to auction as broodmares instead.” - Dennis Ryan, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Joshua Smith
NZ Racing Desk
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
EASTERN BARRACKS (MY) Tomintoul (NZ) 2021 by Tivaci (AUS) out of O’Me O’My by O’Reilly; Breeder: W Ross; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 4B H. 1400; Sale: 2022 National Weanling Sale V: Curraghmore $125000 P: Mr DM Goldsbury
ACE (NZ) 2021 by Tivaci (AUS) out of Without Flaw by Sacred Falls; Breeder: T E Luke & Waikato Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ; Race: HKJC Chung Chi Alumni H. 1400m.
SHOTGUN (NZ) 2021 by Charm Spirit (IRE) out of Shama de Oro (AUS) by Shamardal (USA); Breeder: Windsor Park Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ; Race: Windsor Park Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ
RISING FORCE (NZ) 2021 by Deep Field (AUS) out of On the Que Tee (AUS) by Sebring (AUS); Breeder: C W Kwok; Waikato; NZ; Race: HKJC Wu Yee Sun Alumni H. 1200m.; Sale: 2023 National Yearling Sale - Book1 V: Windsor Park Stud $75000 P: Sterling Investments
BANKER’S HONOR (MY) Storm Park (NZ) 2021 by Ocean Park out of Cool Storm by One Cool Cat (USA); Breeder: W K Pomare; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 4A H. 1800; Sale: 2023 National Yearling Sale – Book 1 V: Waikato Stud $140000 P: Annabel Neasham Racing
FORTUNE TREE (MY) Jazzclub (NZ) 2021 by Ardrossan (AUS) out of Vanilla Essence by Pins (AUS); Breeder: Waikato Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ; Race: Tunku Gold Cup 1200
Global NZ-bred winners
2026-03-21 / 2026-03-28
AUSTRALIA
Almanzor : House of Lords (NZ) (Shez Sinsational by Ekraar) 2020;
25 Mar 2026, 1st MRC Ive H. 1600m
Ardrossan : Cardi Bee (NZ) (Classyas by Rios) 2021;
26 Mar 2026, 1st Southside Racing Hygain Edge H. 1600m
Ardrossan : Parvenu (NZ) (Wannabe by Pins) 2022;
27 Mar 2026, 1st Southside Racing Ladbrokes Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $290000
Belardo : Power and the Beat (NZ) (Lochnagar by So You Think) 2022;
27 Mar 2026, 1st Bendigo JC Qualchem Chemicals Maiden P. 1300m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $25000
Blue Point : Tillya Tepe (NZ) (Kanzai by Savabeel) 2022;
26 Mar 2026, 1st Southside Racing 9mile Fresh Maiden P. 1100m
Castelvecchio : Aeliana (NZ) (Temolie by Star Witness) 2021;
28 Mar 2026, 1st ATC Tancred S. Gr.1 2400m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $180000
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
Castledale : Struck Gold (NZ) (Gold Charm by Pins) 2019;
27 Mar 2026, 1st Darwin TC TAB H. 1100m
Epaulette : Footprints (NZ) (Star Walk by Starcraft) 2020;
28 Mar 2026, 1st Broken Hill St.Pats RC Outback Cup 1600m
Ghibellines : First Chorus (NZ) (Broadway Miss by O'Reilly) 2021;
26 Mar 2026, 1st Southside Racing Frankston Sand H. 1400m
Iffraaj : Satay Chicken (NZ) (Satay by Keeper) 2018;
21 Mar 2026, 1st Dalby & Northern Downs JC Pestworx Blitz Newmarket H. 1400m
Mongolian Khan : Unseen Ruler (NZ) (Scarlet's Secret by Savabeel) 2019;
22 Mar 2026, 1st Millicent RC Millicent Cup 2050m
Ocean Park : The Big Blue (NZ) (Avisto by Tavistock) 2021;
26 Mar 2026, 1st Hawkesbury RC Great Northern Cup Maiden P. 1600m
Sold by Curraghmore at National Yearling Sale for $100000
Per Incanto : Castillian (NZ) (Anaween by More Than Ready) 2019;
28 Mar 2026, 1st BRC Sky Racing H. 1350m
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
Preferment : Stoicism (NZ) (Stand Firm by Perfectly Ready) 2021;
23 Mar 2026, 1st Ballina JC Virtual Golf Centre Maiden H. 1900m
Sold by Brighthill Farm at National Yearling Sale for $30000
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
Reliable Man : Miss Stalwart (NZ) (Avoid by Cullen) 2018;
22 Mar 2026, 1st Goulburn DRC Fred Cooper Cup 1600m
Reliable Man : Casanova Man (NZ) (Casa Blanca by Postponed) 2019;
26 Mar 2026, 1st Ipswich TC Racing and Sports H. 1960m
Satono Aladdin : Satono Glow (NZ) (Electrode by Pins) 2023;
28 Mar 2026, 1st VRC Thoroughbred Breeders S. Gr.3 1200m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $260000
Satono Aladdin : Chisato (NZ) (Lolla Lee Lou by Darci Brahma) 2022;
23 Mar 2026, 1st Wine Country RC Davali Thoroughbreds Maiden P. 1150m
Sold by Brighthill Farm at National Online Yearling Sale for $27500
Savabeel : Attack Force (NZ) (Advert by Lonhro) 2021;
27 Mar 2026, 1st Toowoomba TC Sheppard Earthmoving Maiden P. 1625m
Savabeel : Belle Cheval (NZ) (Keepa Cheval by Keeper) 2022;
28 Mar 2026, 1st ATC Vinery Stud S. Gr.1 2000m
Shocking : Scandalize (NZ) (Barbara Jennie by Bahhare) 2021;
28 Mar 2026, 1st SAJC Sportsbet H. 1522m
Shocking : Grey Northern (NZ) (Bluegrass by Fasliyev) 2019;
27 Mar 2026, 1st Toowoomba TC Livewired Electrical H. 1890m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $70000
Shocking : Customer Service (NZ) (Centilly by O'Reilly) 2021;
27 Mar 2026, 1st Bendigo JC Marong Cup 2400m
Sold by Highden Park at National Yearling Sale for $100000
St Mark's Basilica : Apostle (NZ) (Bronte Lass by Stravinsky) 2023;
27 Mar 2026, 1st Toowoomba TC Pat O'Shea 2YO P. 1200m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $220000
Sold by Curraghmore at National Weanling Sale for $72500
Staphanos : Ishikari (NZ) (Copacabana by Captain Rio) 2021;
22 Mar 2026, 1st Orange JC Coopers Brewery H. 1400m
Super Seth : Crazy Town (NZ) (Queen of Pop by Pins) 2022;
28 Mar 2026, 1st Kyneton & Hanging Rock RC Denise Halliday Maiden P. 1461m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $60000
Tavistock : Montrock (NZ) (Vanity Queen by Fastnet Rock) 2020;
28 Mar 2026, 1st Carrathool JC Gallagher Insurance H. 1000m
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
Tavistock : Sing for Peace (NZ) (The Nightingale by Stravinsky) 2018;
26 Mar 2026, 1st Warrnambool RC Monas Concrete Pumping Hurdle 3200m
Sold by Woburn Farm at National Yearling Sale for $140000
Telperion : Savsonic (NZ) (Savsensation by Savabeel) 2019;
25 Mar 2026, 1st Strathalbyn RC Sportsbet H. 2050m
Time Test : Fiveminutewarning (NZ) (Lady Muskwa by Per Incanto) 2022;22 Mar 2026, 1st Geelong RC Volkswagen Maiden P. 1235m
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 : Uncle Barry (NZ) (Mary Gold by Ocean Park) 2021;
28 Mar 2026, 1st Broken Hill St.Pats RC Musicians Club H. 1100m
Tivaci : Team Heist (NZ) (Oceans Eight by Ocean Park) 2021;
27 Mar 2026, 1st TTC Good Friday Family Fun Day Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $250000
Toronado : She's a Jett (NZ) (Joan's a Jett by Rock 'n' Pop) 2022;
26 Mar 2026, 1st Warrnambool RC Tim Boyle Panels Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $240000
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
Turn Me Loose : Rockabilly (NZ) (Drop the Beat by Proisir) 2022;
28 Mar 2026, 1st Moranbah RC Surelift Crane Hire Maiden P. 1000m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $230000
U S Navy Flag : Rule of Salex (NZ) (Charmeuse by O'Reilly) 2020;
28 Mar 2026, 1st Healesville ARC Golden Thong H. 2350m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $90000
Sold by Valachi Downs at National Yearling Sale for $50000
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
Vadamos : Mostly for Show (NZ) (Showing Off by Savabeel) 2022;
28 Mar 2026, 1st SAJC Junction H. 1600m
Sold by Highline Thoroughbreds at National Yearling Sale for $65000
War Decree : Lillian (NZ) (I've Got Rhythm by Mossman) 2021;
21 Mar 2026, 1st WATC Vale Buster O'Malley H. 2200m
Zed : Count Zero (NZ) (My Duchess by Volksraad) 2014;
26 Mar 2026, 1st Warrnambool RC South West Roofing S/chase 3450m
Sold by Grangewilliam Stud at National Yearling Sale for $22000
Zed : So Suave (NZ) (Opulence by Danroad) 2021;27 Mar 2026, 1st Southside Racing Designer Coolrooms H. 2025m
HONG KONG
Ardrossan : Gold Patch (NZ) (La Donna by Per Incanto) 2022;
22 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Sky Darci H. 1200m
Sold by Landsdowne Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $155000
Sold by Lilywhites Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $250000
Per Incanto : Aeroinvincible (NZ) (Miss Bondi by O'Reilly) 2020;
22 Mar 2026, 1st HKJC Fay Fay H. 1400m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $320000
MALAYSIA
Zacinto : D's Secret (NZ) (Melanie Claire by Henrythenavigator) 2019;
22 Mar 2026, 1st Perak TC Ban Hoe Seng S. 1600m
Sold by I. G. & S. A. Wright Partnership at Ready to Run Sale for $24000
