Trentham has been earmarked for eventual closure as a racing venue, while Matamata would transition into a dedicated training and trialling centre under the independent Project Stamina Masterplan released on Monday.

Prepared by consultancy firm RCP and commissioned by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) with funding from TAB NZ, the Masterplan sets out a long-term blueprint for racing infrastructure across both codes. Released alongside the report is One Equine View, NZTR and HRNZ's joint response, which supports many of the recommendations while proposing alternative outcomes for a number of venues.

Among the most significant recommendations for the thoroughbred code is the proposed closure of Trentham, one of New Zealand's four metropolitan racecourses, once replacement infrastructure has been established. The report also recommends Matamata transition from a racecourse into a dedicated training and trialling venue, reflecting its position as one of the country's premier thoroughbred training centres.

Project Stamina also identifies Rotorua, Gore, Hāwera and Ōamaru for eventual removal from the thoroughbred racing network. The recommendations reinforce the recently announced cessation of racing at Avondale, while Foxton and Te Awamutu are also earmarked to close. Throughout the report, RCP stresses that investment in replacement infrastructure should precede any venue closures or transitions, ensuring regions retain sufficient racing and training capacity before changes are implemented.

While One Equine View supports many of the Masterplan's recommendations, NZTR and HRNZ have opted against several of the independent report's proposed venue exits. Te Aroha, Ōtaki, Whanganui, Ashburton and Timaru have all been retained in the industry's preferred model, while Taupō and Tauherenikau have been upgraded from community to provincial venues. The response also identifies an ongoing role for Rangiora as a thoroughbred training and trialling venue, subject to future work around governance and ownership.

The Waikato remains central to the industry's long-term planning, with both the Masterplan and One Equine View recognising that the future roles of Te Rapa and Cambridge are linked to the proposed Waikato Greenfields project. Any decisions regarding those venues will be subject to a detailed business case before implementation.

The Masterplan categorises venues across metropolitan, provincial, community and training roles, with the objective of creating a more sustainable national racing footprint that better reflects current horse populations, participant numbers and future investment priorities. Alongside racecourse recommendations, the report places a strong emphasis on strengthening training infrastructure, improving horse welfare, reducing duplication and ensuring capital expenditure is directed towards facilities capable of supporting the industry over the long term.

One Equine View represents the industry's response to the independent report and outlines how NZTR and HRNZ intend to progress the recommendations. Rather than adopting every proposal, the two codes have identified a staged implementation pathway that includes further consultation, regional planning and detailed business cases before a number of the recommendations are advanced. 

To read the full 137 page report, click here. - NZ Racing Desk

Proisir regains Grosvenor Award as New Zealand's champion sire

Rich Hill Stud's Proisir was celebrated as the winner of the Grosvenor Award at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards on Saturday night, with the title effectively secured despite three race days remaining in the New Zealand season.

The Grosvenor Award is presented to the leading stallion by total progeny earnings in New Zealand during the racing season. Proisir has amassed $4,482,497 in domestic progeny earnings from 50 winners and 116 runners, giving him an unassailable lead over perennial premiership rival Savabeel.

While three meetings remain before the season concludes, Savabeel has just a solitary runner engaged in a Benchmark 72 at Cambridge on Wednesday, leaving no realistic avenue to overhaul Proisir's advantage.

It is the second time Proisir has claimed the Grosvenor Award, having first won the domestic sires' premiership in 2022-23 before finishing runner-up to the legendary Savabeel in each of the past two seasons.

Rich Hill Stud principal John Thompson said winning the title fulfilled one of the greatest ambitions held by anyone entering the stallion business.

“When you go into the business of standing stallions, you secretly hope your horse could one day be a champion sire,” Thompson said.

“He is a stallion that just continues to produce winners. Look at Saturday just gone, he had a winner at Randwick and Eagle Farm within a matter of minutes.”

Proisir's domestic season was spearheaded by dual Group One winners Legarto and Waitak.

Legarto claimed both the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes and Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes over 2000 metres, taking her career earnings to $3,163,129. Waitak captured the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile and Gr.1 Livamol Classic, while also finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes and Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes.

“When you are standing a stallion, it is very important to have progeny that are Group One winners,” Thompson said.

“Waitak was actually bred by my wife's uncle, the late Colin Devine, and he's out of a Shocking mare who is obviously one of our other stallions, so he is a pretty special horse to follow.

“He is just an iron horse who keeps fronting up week after week. He is going as good as ever and he will be back next season.”

Proisir's other leading New Zealand performers included Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes winner Fairy Dream, Listed Opunake Cup winner Prioress and Group One placegetter Pier.

His consistency was again underlined during the final weekend of the season, when his progeny recorded four victories across Australasia.

Leovanni completed a winning hat-trick in the A$120,000 TAB Highway Plate at Randwick, while Group-winning gelding Tapildoodledo returned to form over 2200 metres at Eagle Farm. Promising two-year-old Glide won the Jack Maher Classic at Wodonga and Koro Princess became Proisir's 50th individual New Zealand winner of the season with victory at Te Aroha.

Thompson believes the best may still be ahead for the son of Choisir, who began his stud career at a modest fee.

“Proisir started at $7,000, his best crops are rising three-year-olds and rising two-year-olds that will have come from far better-quality mares, so the best is definitely still to come,” he said.

The success of Proisir has also been closely linked with Philip Brown and Ancroft Stud, owners of his multiple Group One-winning daughters Levante and Legarto.

“Philip Brown and Ancroft Stud have been a special part of this journey, starting with Levante and then Legarto,” Thompson said.

“He reckons he has a couple more up-and-comers on the way by Proisir as well, so let’s hope he’s right.”

Rich Hill was not the only stud to be recognised among the stallion awards. Little Avondale Stud's Per Incanto completed a remarkable season by claiming both the Centaine Award, presented to New Zealand's leading sire by worldwide progeny earnings, and the Dewar Award, recognising the country's leading sire by combined progeny earnings across New Zealand and Australia. - NZ Racing Desk

Gordon pair set to open some Foxton fizz in Christchurch

Suzy Gordon struck a dream result when she quinellaed the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth earlier this month with Prioress (NZ) (Proisir) and Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), and this weekend she is hoping the pair can replicate that result in the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 129^th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton.

The stakes quinella was a career highlight for Gordon, who was pleasantly surprised to see the pair she bought for a combined $17,000 off gavelhouse.com secure the lion’s share of the $120,000 purse.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I would have been rapt if one of them had run a placing. I was watching one of them and then I was watching the other one and after the line I had no idea that they had actually quinellaed it.”

The Foxton horsewoman has been pleased with how each horse has come through the run, and while initially intending on only targeting the Winter Cup with Turn The Ace, Prioress’ performance ensured she would make the trip south as well.

“Both of them have come through it really well,” Gordon said. “I was targeting it (Winter Cup) with Turn The Ace, not so much Prioress, but she just seems to have come through the race so well, and I thought if I am taking one I might as well take both of them down together.”

It will be the first time either horse has crossed the Cook Strait, and Gordon is particularly worried how Prioress will handle the trip given she didn’t thrive on the travel north to Tauranga last month where she finished 11^th in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m).

“Neither of them has been down there so it will be interesting,” Gordon said. “Turn The Ace travelled a bit when he was younger but Prioress not so much. She didn’t particularly enjoy the trip up to Tauranga so I am just hoping this time around she will do a bit better.”

There is a fine forecast in Christchurch over the next couple of days before rain is set to hit on Friday and Saturday, and Gordon is hoping the current Heavy8 track conditions at Riccarton don’t deteriorate.

“I think being the mile they won’t mind a better track,” she said. “I don’t think either of them actually need a Heavy track this time around as they are both getting older and they have been going well on better tracks.”

A day prior, Gordon will be chasing another big carrot, but this time at Awapuni’s synthetic meeting where Meglio Di Falcrest (NZ) (Better Than Ready) will contest the Power Farming Manawatu Awapuni Synthetic Final (1400m), which has attracted just six runners despite its $60,000 purse.

“When the money is up, I can’t believe people aren’t having a go,” Gordon said. “There were definitely more than six that qualified for it.”

While disappointed in the field size, Gordon is upbeat about the chances of her mare, who has placed in her last three starts at the track.

“Stephen Gray is always hard to beat on the synthetic and the horse of Mike Breslin’s (Kereti) absolutely bolted in the other day, but she is a winning chance,” Gordon said.

Gordon will also be represented by Richard Farrell in the Prydes Easifeed Maiden 2140 and Ruji in the McMillan Equine Feeds 2140, while at Otaki on Thursday she will line-up Paradis in the Vets On Riverbank Handicap (2100m). - Joshua Smith LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Sonar has black-type on his radar

Promising two-year-old Sonar (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) has black-type on his radar and he could attain it this week when he heads to Otaki on Thursday to contest the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).

Bred by The Oaks Stud, Sonar is raced by farm principal Dick Karreman, whose silks were carried to victory aboard Sonar’s half-sister Tempest Moon at Murtoa, Australia, on Saturday when recording expat Kiwi Dean Williams’ first win as a trainer.

Sonar has shown plenty of ability on the track to date, winning a 1000m trial at Avondale last month before winning on debut over 1150m at Te Aroha on a Heavy8 track at the start of this month.

Trainer Debbie Sweeney has been pleased with his progression since his debut run and she is looking forward to testing him at stakes level for the first time on Thursday.

“He has worked really well and I couldn’t be any happier with him,” she said.

“He was a little bit green at Te Aroha when he won but it was a gutsy win from him and Lynsey (Satherley, jockey) changed her whip over and it was a good ride from her as well.”

Otaki’s track is currently rated a Heavy10, but that poses no concerns for Sweeney.

“On his work, I don’t think it (Heavy10) will worry him,” she said. “You never know, but he got through the run at Te Aroha so he should be okay in it.”

Depending on Thursday’s performance, Sonar could be set for some lucrative spring targets.

“We will just get through Thursday and see what Rick Williams (Karreman’s racing manager) decides what they are going to do with him,” Sweeney said. “If he goes nice enough, he will be targeting those nicer three-year-old races.”

A day prior, Sweeney will head to Cambridge’s synthetic meeting with just the one runner – Toss (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the TCL Earthworks 1300.

The Swiss Ace filly has run fourth and fifth in her two starts to date and Sweeney is confident of seeing an improved result at the midweek meeting.

“She has only had the two starts and has shown a bit of promise,” Sweeney said. “She has got a nice draw on Wednesday so she should be a good chance.”

Meanwhile, Sweeney said her stakes-winning filly Tellum (NZ) (Ocean Park) isn’t far away from a return.

The three-year-old daughter of Ocean Park made an impact this season when winning three races, including the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, but her campaign was curtailed shortly after following the findings of a scan.

“She was getting ready to go to Wellington and she pulled up a bit scratchy after working one morning so she went through a few tests and we were advised to give her a break,” Sweeney said.

“They did a scintigraphy scan and didn’t find a lot, just a couple of little things, so we just gave her time to mature.”

Sweeney has been pleased with the way Tellum is coming up and said the rising four-year-old will likely be seen at the trials towards the end of next month before being set for some stakes assignments over the Spring Carnival.

“She spent a month at the water walker and she is coming along nicely,” Sweeney said. “She looks good and has strengthened up a little bit, and I am really happy with her.

“She will hopefully be trialling at the end of August. It just depends on how she comes up, but we are looking at some of those nicer races at the Hawke’s Bay Carnival.” - Joshua Smith LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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