Racing
New Zealand’s weight-for-age ranks have been thinned with several retirements, but one top performer that will be returning this season is Cambridge Stud’s Group One-winning mare Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj). A perennial bridesmaid at the highest level, the now seven-year-old daughter of Iffraaj broke
Racing
New Zealand’s standout thoroughbreds and racing participants will take centre stage at the 2025–26 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards, with this season’s finalists now confirmed ahead of the ceremony in Auckland on Sunday 6 September. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Chief Executive Officer Matt
Racing
High class sprinter Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) looks right on target for his early season targets after never getting out of second gear during a stunning open class trial win over 1050m at Ruakaka on Saturday. The Danny Walker and Arron Tata-prepared six-year-old was having his first public
Racing
David Greene hopes to have his multiple Group One winner First Five (NZ) (Almanzor) at the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) in three weeks’ time, but won’t hesitate to bypass the feature if conditions aren’t to suit. A standout winner of last season’s Gr.3
Racing
Promising three-year-old She’s No Saint (Prague) is on target for her hometown feature after a comprehensive win in the 15 August Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes (1100m) at Ruakaka. The daughter of Prague appeared early as a juvenile and ran a gallant race for sixth in the
Racing
Consistent mare Quintabelle (NZ) (Embellish) upset the applecart with a resolute finishing run to take out the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 129th Winter Cup (1600m) on Saturday for local Riccarton trainer Anna Furlong. The six-year-old daughter of Embellish had looked to be building nicely to the feature
Racing
Fledgling jumper Affordable (Hardham) opened the time-honoured Winter Carnival at Riccarton with a comprehensive performance to take out the first of the jumping features, the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m). Having just his sixth start for trainer and part-owner Jo Rathbone and only his third over hurdles,
Racing
Lord Spencer’s (NZ) (Zed) rise in the steeplechasing role continued at Riccarton Park on Saturday, producing a foot-perfect performance to take out the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m). The JJ Rayner-trained gelding is a former Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) winner and while he was
Racing
Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin finished the season on a high at his home synthetic meeting on Friday when recording a winning double, including Kereti (NZ) (Darci Brahma) taking out the $60,000 Power Farming Manawatu Awapuni Synthetic Final (1400m). The Darci Brahma gelding has been in solid form, winning two
Racing
Entries for NZB’s 2026 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs closes today via the NZB Portal, with the Sale set 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
Racing
Billy Boy (So You Think) spearheads a strong line-up for Jo Rathbone at Riccarton where he will chase another prestige jumping title on Saturday. The two-time Wellington Hurdles (3200m) winner will take aim at the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) ahead of a crack at the Hospitality
Racing
Matamata jockey Craig Grylls has dominated New Zealand’s riding ranks once again this season and has retained his National Jockeys’ Premiership crown. The 36-year-old hoop was a runaway leader in last season’s premiership and proved it again this term, posting 140 victories, 47 wins ahead of