She’s No Saint (Prague) added her name to Highline Thoroughbreds’ roll of honour in emphatic fashion at Ruakaka on Saturday, with Cam and Eva Heron’s farm now hoping she can progress to their list of top-flight graduates.

The Michelle Bradley-trained filly romped to victory on her home track in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), a performance that has elevated her to joint favouritism for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.

Highline moved to their current Cambridge location in 2019, with the spelling, agistment, foaling down and yearling preparation operation now firmly established, and with She’s No Saint their latest star graduate.

With the expert assistance of Victorian-based New Zealand bloodstock agent Paul Moroney, the daughter of Prague was purchased for A$65,000 at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale.

“Paul goes around and makes up a list and then we go through it, Eva’s normally at the sale and she does her list and if anything crosses over, we look at them seriously,” Cam Heron said.

“Paul makes his recommendations and we all liked her, so we did our due diligence with x-rays etc and bought her.

“She was a very athletic filly, she had a nice, big hindquarter and moved well. With a weanling you try and picture what they will look like as a yearling.”

She’s No Saint didn’t set the ring alight second time around due to outside factors, selling to Bradley for $55,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

“We’re trying to buy a racehorse first and foremost and not just to make a quick buck, she was a second season Prague filly and he was going okay at the time, but he fell away over the next six months and that happens sometimes,” Heron said.

However, She’s No Saint is proving to be a grand advertisement for Highline, who have previously sold five-time elite level winner Legarto (NZ) (Priosir) and Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir).

With the help of Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman, they also bought and sold stakes winners Bona Sforza (Written By) (Listed NZB Insurance Stakes, 1600m and Listed Welcome Stakes, 1000m) and Discretion Rules (Alabama Express) (Listed Champagne Stakes, 1200m).

As weanlings, they were secured for $65,000 and $120,000 respectively and sold for $150,000 $165,000 as yearlings at Karaka.

“We also bred and sold Bourbon Empress (NZ) (Proisir) (Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile, 1600m) as well, we’re breeding from three or four mares,” Heron said.

“She’s out of an older mare in Amiga Mia and she’s in foal to Proisir, that will probably be her last one." - Paul Vettise

Phillyjean eye-catching in stakes defeat

Cambridge trainer Samantha Logan could be in for an exciting spring with her filly Phillyjean (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) following her eye-catching runner-up effort in the Listed Chittick Family Fillies’ Classic (1100m) at Taupo on Sunday.

The daughter of Hello Youmzain sprung the gates and rocketed straight to the front under apprentice jockey Sam McNab, who controlled the race throughout. Phillyjean kicked again at the top of straight and quickly put several lengths on her rivals. She looked the winner a long way out, however, Hawea (Hellbent) sprouted wings out wide and flew home late to nab her in the final 50m and win by a length.

Phillyjean has done everything but win so far in her career, finishing runner-up in all three of her starts to date, and Logan was pleased to see her filly acquit herself so well in her first stakes outing.

“She was pretty tough, it was a gritty effort,” she said. “We weren’t sure where she was going to measure up against the nice three-year-olds and it took an exceptional performance to beat her. It is good to see that she is in and around the nice horses.

“She has always been really natural and has done everything pretty easily, and we have always thought a lot of her.”

Logan said Phillyjean’s acceleration is her biggest asset.

“She is very quick,” she said. “She has got really natural gate speed, which is quite handy, she puts herself out of trouble.”

Logan is pleased with the way Phillyjean has come through Sunday’s effort and said she will likely follow the early part of the fillies’ series.

“She seemed bright and well this morning, and we will just tick her over quietly,” she said.

“We will see how she comes through it and keep her to those three-year-old races for now and maybe head to the Gold Trail (Gr.3, 1200m).”

The Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November is an obvious target, and Logan is hoping Phillyjean can stretch out to a mile.

“We are hoping so,” Logan said. “Her dam raced over ground, so we are hoping that is the case, but she has got so much speed it is hard to know at this stage.”

Bred and raced by John Newman, Logan said she has Carlaw Park’s Nick Fairweather and Nicole Brown to thank for having Phillyjean in her barn.

“She is owned by a client of theirs and they suggested to him that I do her early education for him, and he was happy and left her with me, so I am very lucky,” she said.

“It was good to get black type for him.”

Meanwhile, Logan is looking forward to the season ahead with several of her other stable members, particularly Flanagan (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Katamuku (NZ) (Swiss Ace).

Flanagan was a solid performer last season, finishing runner-up in the $80,000 Elsdon Park Plate (1600m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day, and ran fourth in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), while Katamuku won her last three starts.

“They showed quite a bit last time,” Logan said. “Flanagan had a fourth at stakes level, so picking through the right races she should be able to go to stakes company again. We will kick-off at the trials next week at Waipa and go from there.

“Katamuku will more likely be seen closer to summer.” - Joshua Smith

Douglas makes perfect return to the flat

Jockey Lemmy Douglas is riding the crest of a wave.

Just a week after recording an historic Grand National double at Riccarton, he resumed his apprenticeship on the flat at his home track of New Plymouth on Saturday, and he made the perfect start when winning aboard Heavy Is The Crown (Shalaa) in the Zafrenzy’s Legacy (1200m).

“It was awesome, it was great to be back out there,” Douglas said.

“The horse had good Heavy form as a youngster, so I was quietly confident, and so was the trainer (Carl Henderson). The race itself panned out beautifully, they came off the fence and I got a clean run at them.

“I also had a couple of nice placings on Chajaba (NZ) (Keano) and Illustrious (NZ) (Eminent), who are two nice horses. I couldn’t have asked for a better day out.

“For my first day back on the flat I had plenty of support, I had a full book, so it was great.”

Douglas hadn’t ridden on the flat for 18 months, and while he still competed over jumps, he missed being out on the track year-round.

“I was Robbie Patterson’s foreman for the whole time after I gave up (apprenticeship), so that kept me pretty busy, but I just missed riding and I wanted to be back out there with everyone,” he said.

After deciding to make a return, Douglas said weight was his biggest hurdle, but through a lot of dedication and hard work, he is pleased with where he is on the scale.

“Getting my weight down, I spent hours and hours in the gym and ate next to nothing,” he said. “You have just got to be tough on yourself if you want to do it. At the moment I am riding 55kg, but I should be back down to 54 in the next couple of months.”

Douglas felt now was the perfect time to make his return to flat riding.

“I carry on my apprenticeship with a two-kilo claim, and I finish that in April next year,” he said. “There are a lot of jockeys going on holiday or suspended, so it was the best time to get out there.”

While rapt with Saturday’s result, Douglas is still pinching himself after becoming the first jockey in 20 years to complete the Grand National double seven days prior aboard Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) (steeplechase) and Little Thief (NZ) (Dundeel) (hurdles).

“It hasn’t been done since Tommy Hazlett in 2006,” Douglas said. “When you get compared to people like that it takes me back a little bit because I never thought I would be up there with those boys, but the history books don’t lie, and it was an amazing feeling.”

Douglas returned to riding over jumps on Sunday at Woodville, where he placed aboard Tutin Cans (NZ) (Alamosa) in the One Eye Ota Open Hurdle (3000m), and while he said he loves jumps racing, he is glad to be competing on the flat once more.

“It is very different,” he said. “I do enjoy the jumping, but you have a longer life if you ride on the flat.”

Douglas, who is managing his own rides, is looking forward to re-establishing himself among the flat jockey ranks and rebuilding relationships with owners and trainers.

“It is more so getting my name back out there and try and get as many rides as I can and show people I can still do it,” he said. “I am going to do my own rides this time around, just so I can get in with the trainers a bit better.”

While Douglas will be working on getting those flat rides this week, he is already booked to ride three jumpers at Te Aroha on Sunday.

“I have got three jumpers for John Wheeler on Sunday at the moment – Red Ned (NZ) (Zed), Fleur De Champ (NZ) (Zed) and Keen On Bubbles (NZ) (Keano),” he said. “I think Red Ned will be a big chance in the steeplechase.”

Douglas is over the moon with the way things are going for him, and he is looking forward to trying to build on his momentum in the saddle.

“The last month has been quite exciting for me, he said. “I have picked up winners at every meeting, and hopefully I can keep it going.” - Joshua Smith

Simon scores first win

Apprentice jockey Abinith Simon’s grin was ear to ear at New Plymouth on Saturday after recording his first win in the saddle aboard Amira D'Argento (D'Argento) in the Denis Wheeler Earthmoving (1600m).

Hailing from Bangalore, India, Simon was proud to have made his mark in New Zealand.

“It was a lovely feeling and I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “I am thankful to Taui Johnson (trainer) for giving me that ride and keeping me on her. It is a thrill leaving home and doing that in a foreign country.”

Simon had the one prior ride on Amira D'Argento, finishing runner-up behind Pegasus (NZ) (Eminent) and premiership-winning jockey Craig Grylls, and he was rapt to go one better on Saturday.

“She ran second at Te Rapa where I got beaten by the best jockey in the country,” Simon said. “She definitely showed that she had the ability to win that race.

“I was confident that she was going to do something special. The ground was really testing, so I did have my doubts, but she just outclassed them and ran a super race.”

Simon first got involved with horses in his homeland, helping his uncle, who was a trainer.

“I was on school holidays and I went to spend some time with my cousins,” he said. “My uncle was a trainer, and I didn’t know anything about horses back then, and he asked me if I wanted to go around and look at the horses.

“I popped around to his barn and saw all these horses lunging and I thought it looked interesting. I started mucking out boxes and wanted to learn more about horses and I started riding. Once I started riding, I couldn’t stop and when I was getting better, I thought it might be time to think about becoming a jockey.”

In a bid to further his career, Simon decided to come to New Zealand, initially working for Te Aroha trainer Peter Lock before he transferred to Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood, for whom he is apprenticed.

“I came to New Zealand in December 2022, and I worked with Peter Lock before I moved to Roger James because I was getting the chance to do my apprenticeship,” he said. “I have been here for three years and it has been fantastic.”

While working his way through his required trial rides to become an apprentice, Simon said Wellwood encouraged him to ride in the amateur jockeys’ series, and he is glad he followed his employer’s advice.

“Robert Wellwood recommended I ride in the amateurs while I was getting my trial rides done, and he said it would be good experience because they go a lot slower in the amateurs and it would be good for me to find the gaps, see the space and see how the pace of the race is,” Simon said.

“I think that was a game changer because it gave me the confidence to go out on the track and perform. I had fun riding in the amateurs, I had two placings.”

Upon becoming an apprentice, Simon accepted a place in the Elite Jockey Programme (EJP), and he said he is learning plenty in the course.

“I finished my trial rides and I got in the EJP, which I have been involved with since June, and it has been going well,” he said. “It is a great programme, and it has really helped me gain confidence in many areas.”

Simon is enjoying working for James and Wellwood and said it is a pleasure to ride for the Cambridge stable.

“The horses that they have are brilliant,” he said. “They have beautiful attitudes, they perform well, they are nice and fit horses, and they are a pleasure to ride.

“I have plenty of favourites, but one favourite of mine is Repeat Performance. He is a Pierro out of Repeat, and he is a wonderful horse. He is just so fluent in the way he works and travels nicely, I couldn’t ask for a better ride.”

While Simon was savouring his win on Saturday, so was his family, who partied into the day and night following his victory.

“They sent me a video of them partying on my behalf because I won,” he said. “It is awesome being many oceans away and being able to put a smile on their face, it just makes me really happy.”

Simon is hoping he can continue his winning momentum into Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday, where he is set to ride Epilogue (NZ) (Wrote) in the Saddlery Warehuse 1300 and Lady Iris (NZ) (US Navy Flag) in the TCL Earthworks 970.

“I am looking forward to those rides,” he said. “Lady Iris is running up against Pink Gin, who just beat her last time, but her sectionals were really good and over 970m with four kilos off her back, I think she should run a really good race.”

Simon is loving life in New Zealand, and he is looking forward to continuing to build his life in his adopted country.

“I would definitely love to call it home,” he said. “I think it is a very beautiful country. I have enjoyed my time here except for in the winters when it is really cold and frosty, but when the sun comes out it is beautiful.” - Joshua Smith

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

2026-08-08 / 2026-08-15

AUSTRALIA
Ace High : Canny Queen (NZ)(Quella Finale by Zabeel) 2021;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Illawarra TC Shore Goggles H. 1400m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $20000

Admire Mars : Highstrung (NZ)(Overreactive by Redoute's Choice) 2022;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Alice Springs TC National Seniors Month H. 1200m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $180000

Almanzor : Grinzinger Bishop (NZ)(Tavy by Tavistock) 2019;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Alice Springs TC Leading Trainer Kerry Petrick H. 1600m
Sold by Brighthill Farm at National Yearling Sale for $55000

Almanzor : Settat (NZ)(Sure Enough by Fastnet Rock) 2020;
09 Aug 2026, 1st SCTC Primo H. 1600m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Weanling Sale for $42000
Sold by Grangewilliam Stud at National Yearling Sale for $220000

Echoes of Heaven : Swycho (NZ)(Pansies by Singspiel) 2020;
11 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Sportsbet H. 1500m

Ghibellines : First Chorus (NZ)(Broadway Miss by O'Reilly) 2021;
08 Aug 2026, 1st MVRC Ranvet Travis Harrison Cup 1800m

Hello Youmzain : Attractiveness (NZ)(Hot in High Heels by High Chaparral) 2022;
15 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Midway H. 1500m
Sold by Blandford Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $120000

Iffraaj : Satay Chicken (NZ)(Satay by Keeper) 2018;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Quorn JC Saltbush Civil Services H. 1400m

King of Comedy : Midnight Maggie (NZ)(Canyon Yodeler by Swiss Yodeler) 2022;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Muttaburra ARC D. Grays Grader and Loader Hire QTIS Maiden P. 1000m

Maurice : Cosmic Crusader (NZ)(Cosmic Storm by Street Sense) 2020;
15 Aug 2026, 1st MRC PB Lawrence S.Gr.21400m

Ocean Park : I Park (NZ)(Star Bright by Sebring) 2021;
08 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Myplates H. 2400m
Sold by Highline Thoroughbreds at National Yearling Sale for $50000

Ocean Park : Fabrice (NZ)(Hokey Pokey by O'Reilly) 2020;
13 Aug 2026, 1st Newcastle JC Prince of Merewether Provincial H. 1600m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $30000

Per Incanto : Tauto Bar (NZ)(Lancashire Lass by Encosta de Lago) 2023;
13 Aug 2026, 1st Moe RC Ladbrokes Maiden P. 1200m

Per Incanto : In'kantosstar (NZ)(Anniesstar by Zed) 2022;
11 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Manhari Maiden P. 1200m

Per Incanto : Prima Bella (NZ)(Brah Spring by Darci Brahma) 2020;
08 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Ranvet H. 1000m

Proisir : Kutenai (NZ)(Polson by Northern Meteor) 2022;
13 Aug 2026, 1st Bunbury TC Duncan Equine Group Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $170000
Sold by Riverrock Farm at Ready to Run Sale for $225000

Proisir : Orange Tsunami (NZ)(Ready Steady by Perfectly Ready) 2022;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Illawarra TC Audenzia ITC Horse of the Year H. 1500m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Weanling and Broodmare Sale for $60000

Savabeel : Taka Speed (NZ)(Toffee Nose by Toorak Toff) 2021;
15 Aug 2026, 1st MRC Remembering Diatribe H. 2000m
Sold by Curraghmore at Ready to Run Sale for $300000

Savabeel : Sattva (NZ)(Mawzoona by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Warracknabeal TC Marong Family Hotel Maiden P. 1200m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $240000

Savabeel : Savagram (NZ)(Gram by O'Reilly) 2023;
12 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Captivant at Vinery Stud Maiden H. 1200m

Savabeel : Lord Protector (NZ)(Ywahoo by Per Incanto) 2020;
09 Aug 2026, 1st SCTC PFD Seafood H. 1800m

Shocking : Celebrity (NZ)(Proficient by Sufficient) 2021;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Illawarra TC Master Builders Association H. 2000m

Shocking : Terminal Shock (NZ)(Miss Bernardini by Bernardini) 2021;
12 Aug 2026, 1st Murray Bridge RC Kookaburra Homes Maiden P. 1600m

So You Think : Here I Come (NZ)(O'reilly Rose by O'Reilly) 2021;8 Aug 2026, 1st Cunnamulla DDRC Fred Ahern Murweh Stn and Barbara Plains Grazing Wyandra H. 1400m
Sold by Beltana at National Yearling Sale for $100000

Sweynesse : Starwalker (NZ)(Stars Colliding by No Excuse Needed) 2020;
15 Aug 2026, 1st WATC Vale Greg Matta Make it Matta H. 2100m

Tarzino : Chartin (NZ)(Sweet Inspiration by Power ) 2018;
12 Aug 2026, 1st Murray Bridge RC Sportsbet H. 2000m

Tavistock : Perfect Ten (NZ)(Mourasana by Shirocco) 2020;
08 Aug 2026, 1st MVRC Bottle Stop H. 1800m
Sold by Curraghmore at National Yearling Sale for $160000

Ten Sovereigns : Exit Fee (NZ)(Vinzky by Stravinsky) 2021;
08 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Chandon H. 1200m

Time Test : Electric Elvis (NZ)(Paris Carver by Fast 'n' Famous) 2021;
12 Aug 2026, 1st Bendigo JC Cathcart Smash Repairs H. 1300m
Sold by Castle Hill Farm at National Yearling Sale for $10000

Turn Me Loose : Untethered (NZ)(Ready at Eight by More Than Ready) 2019;
09 Aug 2026, 1st Casterton RC Ecycle Solutions Casterton Hurdle 3500m

Unusual Suspect : Anemacore (NZ)(Saintly Ripa by Rip Van Winkle) 2019;
08 Aug 2026, 1st BRC Ladbrokes Open H. 1400m

Vadamos : Vamore (NZ)(No More Doubt by Redoute's Choice) 2021;
15 Aug 2026, 1st Quorn JC Great Northern Lodge Maiden H. 1200m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $25000

War Decree : Lillian (NZ)(I've Got Rhythm by Mossman) 2021;
08 Aug 2026, 1st WATC JJ Kelly H. 1600m

Zoustar : Galath (NZ)(Latin Salsa by More Than Ready) 2021;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Muttaburra ARC MSD Animal Health H. 1200m
Sold by Westbury Stud at National Yearling Sale for $210000


MALAYSIA
Alamosa : Happy Warrior (NZ)(Rainbow Rock by Road to Rock) 2018;
09 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1775m

Complacent : Flying Warrior (NZ)(Donizetti by Darci Brahma) 2020;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1600m
Sold by Mapperley Stud Ltd at National Online Yearling Sale for $500

Highly Recommended : Show Hand (NZ)(Yeah Barbie by Lord Of Warriors) 2017;
09 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1150m

Showcasing : Kong Fu Panda (NZ)(Hermitage by Generous) 2018;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 4 H. 1200m
Sold by Martindale Stud at National Yearling Sale for $20000
Sold by Kilmore Farm Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $38000

Telperion : Talkingtalkingguru (NZ)(Light Up a Screen by Conatus) 2020;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1300m
Sold by Westbury Stud at Ready to Run Sale for $22000

Vanbrugh : Baby Biscuit (NZ)(Chile by Volksraad) 2021;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 4 H. 1400m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $57500

Wrote : Winning Stride (NZ)(Tossed and Turned by Secret Savings) 2018;
08 Aug 2026, 1st Perak TC Cosmo S. 1400m
Sold by Highview at National Yearling Sale for $40000

Zed : Zed or Alive (NZ)(Lets Have Some Fun by Encosta de Lago) 2020;
09 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1775m
Sold by KB Bloodstock at Ready to Run Sale for $80000