Racing
The first session at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 100th National Yearling Sale set a new benchmark, with the Book 1 Sale reaching total sales of over $79 million after two days of selling, a $3.6 million increase despite a more compact offering. The Book 1 average reached a record
Racing
Bloodstock agent Kevin ‘Millie’ Walls was a force to be reckoned with on the buying bench of Book 1 of Karaka 2026, spending more than $3.6 million across Sunday and Monday. Walls secured one of the highest-priced lots on Sunday’s opening day of the sale with a $675,
Breeding
The dizzying rise of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State continued at Karaka on Monday with a sale-topping $1.1 million yearling in his second crop. With his oldest progeny two-year-olds, the Group One-winning son of Snitzel has already been represented by Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) winner and Karaka Millions
Racing
Guy Lowry is no stranger to longshot success at the highest level and he went agonisingly close to another major upset at the weekend. The Hastings trainer produced Milan Park’s Adventador to win the 2016 edition of the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at 80 to one and a decade
Racing
Trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley were rapt with Bulgari’s runner-up effort behind Belle Cheval in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie last Saturday, and they are now eyeing further stakes targets at the Auckland track. The Hello Youmzain colt showed plenty of promise when winning on debut
Racing
Expat Kiwi jockey Logan Bates returned home to record his biggest moment in racing when scoring his first elite-level success aboard Jigsaw in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The 24-year-old hoop has been making a name for himself in Victoria under the tutelage of his
Racing
For those looking for a succinct summary of the result in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, the answer was very simple – Well Written first, daylight second. The unbeaten daughter of Written Tycoon was not just a red-hot favourite for the event, she was the
Racing
NZB Kiwi slot holder The King’s Men had massive grins on their faces following Belle Cheval’s victory in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. A day prior they made the announcement that they had secured the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly
Racing
Queensland trainer Liam Birchley continued his great association with the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) when recording his third win in the juvenile feature at Ellerslie on Saturday. He had previously won the $1 million race in 2010 with Sister Havana before doubling his tally in 2015 with Hardline, while
Racing
The addition of blinkers and a super ride by Opie Bosson resulted in Tuxedo taking out the first $1 million race on Karaka Millions night at Ellerslie, the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m). The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-prepared four-year-old has always shown massive promise and was a
Racing
Byerley Park conditioner Barbara Kennedy made her first foray to the South Island on Saturday a successful one as her handy mare Pour The Wine dominated her rivals in the closing stages of the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. The Daniel Nakhle-bred and part-owned daughter of Telperion
Racing
A clever ride and some good old-fashioned kiwi grit resulted in Savabeel filly Acer (NZ) (Savabeel) collecting her maiden victory in some style as she took out the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. Consistent rain during the week and some heavy showers earlier in the day