Hilal has made an encouraging start to his stud career, with the Grangewilliam Stud stallion producing a strong result from limited representation at last week's New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale.

The first-season sire was represented by a colt out of the placed Pierro mare Drama Series, offered by Gordon Cunningham's Curraghmore on behalf of Nearco Stud. The youngster attracted strong competition before selling to Paul Pertab Bloodstock for $65,000.

Cunningham said the result reflected the quality of the colt, who had impressed from an early age.

"I wasn't surprised that he was very popular and made a nice price," Cunningham said.

"From the time he was born he impressed us and continued to progress. Even in the early stages, we rated him so sufficiently that we decided to breed the mare back to Hilal.

"He's one of three foals by Hilal that we had that were born here last year. They've all been good foals, and they've continued to progress and are definite chances to be good racehorses."

With Drama Series being a smaller mare, Cunningham said Hilal provided the ideal physical match.

"He certainly fitted the bill," he said. "You can see his physique comes from his bloodline, he's by Fastnet Rock, who we love, he's got a terrific dam line, being a half-brother to a Golden Slipper winner, Marhoona, from a great Australian family."

A 12- time leading vendor at the New Zealand Weanling Sale, Cunningham had smaller representation than usual but implored his fellow breeders to continue to support the sale, with all key metrics significantly up.

"The demand for the four we offered this year didn't surprise me, but what was very noticeable was the benefit of the sale being at a mid-June date for its third year," Cunningham said.

"There was definitely an increase in the level of quality offered, and the vendors were well rewarded.

"This sale is pivotal for our industry going forward. There was excellent representation from Australian buyers and every New Zealand pinhooker who has trekked to Australia for weanlings was there and was bidding with pretty consistent values to what they would have done so in Australia.

"The success of last week will hopefully encourage vendors and we will have an even better catalogue next year."

The result also provided further encouragement for Grangewilliam Stud principal Mark Corcoran, whose young stallion has enjoyed strong support since retiring to stud.

Hilal covered 137 mares in his debut season before increasing that figure to 154 in his second year, an uncommon trend for a young sire.

"We're really pleased with the type of foals he's been leaving, and he's been very well supported in his first two seasons," Corcoran said.

"We knew people were keen on his pedigree and race performance but it's good to see the market bullish on him too."

Hilal's appeal received an additional boost after his first season at stud when his Snitzel half-sister Marhoona captured the Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m).

"That pedigree update certainly spurred a lot of interest for last season," Corcoran said.

"Hilal was a very good two-year-old himself, which is not really the norm for Fastnet Rock. He beat King Of Sparta on debut and was runner-up to Anamoe in a Sires' Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) and runner-up to Captivant in the Champagne (Gr.1, 1600m)."

Standing at an introductory fee of $7,500, Corcoran believes Hilal fills an important niche in the New Zealand market by offering breeders access to a proven pedigree at an affordable price.

"There aren't that many studs left in New Zealand standing stallions, you could probably count on two hands how many studs that are," Corcoran said.

"We're in a bit of a niche environment in South Taranaki, and we've got to cater for that market. We've got a lot of people that breed horses to race or take through and trade at a later stage.

"He's leaving a great type and he is going to be well supported again this year, because he's at a very affordable fee compared to a lot of stallions."

Corcoran is now looking ahead to Karaka next January, where Grangewilliam Stud expects to offer a good selection of yearlings by the first-season sire.

"We will have 16 or 17 to take to the sales," Corcoran said.

"He leaves physically strong horses with good temperaments and they are all bay.

"They get a great head start being raised on very good land, and we're really excited to present them at the sales in January."

2025 NZ Stallion Coverings

Leading into the 2026 breeding season we reflect on the volume of mares covered by a stallion with 10+ mares in 2025.

- NZ Racing Desk

Public Attention seeks limelight in Hong Kong Reunification Cup

Hong Kong is brimming with exciting young horses and first-season trainer Brett Crawford is hoping Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon) can confirm some of his own early promise in the Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Wednesday (1 July).

As a four-year-old, Australian Group Three winner Public Attention is young by Hong Kong’s standard and, after four placings from seven appearances, the in-form grey son of Written Tycoon meets nine rivals as he seeks a breakthrough win at the 11-race public holiday fixture.

Crawford said: “I’ve been very happy with his two runs in the yard so far. I think he’s going to be much better and I’m looking forward to seeing him run over the 1400 (metres).” 

Karis Teetan, who won several Group Ones for Crawford in South Africa before his full-time move to Hong Kong, partners Public Attention from gate five when he steps up to 1400m for the first time under Crawford’s care. 

“Stepping up in distance will help him. He comes here with a beautiful weight on his back and a nice draw. I think he has a good opportunity,” Teetan said. “His progression has been good, and we are happy with him.”

Rated 82, Public Attention meets Packing Hermod (135lb), Invincible Shield (133lb), Storm Rider (130lb), Gorgeous Win (121lb), Emblazon (119lb), Top Dragon (119lb), Beauty Bolt (117lb), Regal Gem (116lb) and Ka Ying Attack (115lb).

David Hayes is pleased with Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) as the superstar begins preparations for the opening day of the 2026/27 season before returning to Sydney, Australia.

“He’s in great shape. He’s doing strong canters at the moment. He’ll start doing three-quarter pace at the end of the week and gradually build up to The Everest (Gr.1, 1200m). It’ll be copy and paste – he’ll run at Sha Tin and then in Australia.

“He’ll have two trials before Sha Tin – the turf trial and then the one dirt trial. He’s had a nice spell in the paddocks and he’s putting on weight – he’s the heaviest he’s ever been, he’s out to 1,170 pounds. I think it’s a positive not a negative.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Entries Open for World’s Leading 2YO Sale

Entries for NZB’s 2026 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs are now open via the NZB Portal, with the Sale to be held at the Karaka Sales Centre on 18 and 19 November. This year’s Breeze Ups are set to take place on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13

NZ Racing NewsNew Zealand Bloodstock

Predominance on the comeback trail

Matamata trainer Benji King was on a high after Predominance’s (NZ) (Preferment) maiden victory at Arawa Park in December but he quickly came back down to earth in the following days when it was feared the gelding was all but lost. The four-year-old had suffered complications from

NZ Racing NewsJoshua Smith

Urenui to appreciate rain-affected going

Fine weather is forecast for Wellington ahead of Trentham’s postponed meeting on Thursday, but New Plymouth trainer Debbie Harris is hoping the track doesn’t dry out too much. Initially set to take place on Saturday, the meeting was postponed due to track conditions following heavy rain, and the

NZ Racing NewsJoshua Smith

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