Former Central Districts mare The Entertainer (NZ) (Staphanos) made a brief winter cameo at Oamaru on Sunday, headlining a winning double for Anna Furlong. Successful twice over New Zealand Cup Week in the care of Bill Thurlow, the mare is now based in Christchurch with Furlong, who presented her first-up in track conditions that weren’t entirely to suit the daughter of Staphanos. The market was mindful of her previous heavy track form, closing her at $8.50, but her class prevailed in the Rating 75 contest. Jumping well in the hands…
Year: 2025
Collett all class in Kiwi return
Matamata was the setting for Samantha Collett’s first victory in the saddle, and on Sunday, she was back on the board at the course after a three-year stint riding in Australia. After winning three Group Ones in her homeland, Collett relocated to Queensland in October 2021 to ply her trade in Brisbane, where she rode over 150 winners and half a dozen of those at stakes level. She announced in May that she would be returning to New Zealand, and while not in any rush to return to riding, she…
Squire successful on hurdle debut
Matamata hurdler Squire (NZ) (Savile Row) commenced his jumping career in the best possible fashion at Te Rapa on Saturday, coming out on top in a tight tussle in the Waikato/BOP Owners Association Hurdle (2800m). The son of Savile Row broke through maiden grade just over a year ago in the care of part-owner Karen Fursdon, who entrusted Peter and Jessica Brosnan with the gelding as he switched to racing over fences. After trialling well at Cambridge, Squire stepped out on debut in the hands of Joshua Parker, who restrained…
Purdons go two from two in Brisbane
By Adam Hamilton It was a perfect start for Team Purdon’s Queensland raid at Albion Park last night. Mark and Nathan Purdon’s two raiders, Oscar Bonavena and Rubira, both won impressively. And Nathan Purdon was quick to add the pair had significant room to improve, too. Old Oscar Bonavena showed all his trademark speed and class when patiently driven by Adam Sanderson. The nine-year-old stalked a hot speed, loomed into the race coming to the final bend and cruised home to win without being extended by 4.4m in a slick…
Craig Sharpe looks to make his mark in amateur championships
By Mike Love The New Zealand Amateur Drivers championship will conclude today at Addington raceway with two final heats. Currently there are three leaders in the series locked up on seven points in Bruce Hadley, Cheree Wigg and Frank Phelan, while each driver has a mathematical chance to take out the series with only seven points separating all of the drivers. At the opposite end of the table on zero points is Craig Sharpe. However, Sharpe will drive the two warm favourites – the Matt Purvis trained Almighty Clever in…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 15 June 2025
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Sacred Rocks makes winning Sydney debut
Promising New Zealand-bred mare Sacred Rocks (NZ) (Sacred Falls) made a big impression in her first appearance in Sydney on Saturday, storming home from well off the pace to win the A$160,000 Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old had previously had four starts in Victoria, starting with a winning debut at Pakenham in January. She was runner-up in two appearances at Sandown in January and February, then returned from a freshen-up with an impressive five-length victory at Sale on May 28. Sacred Rocks was sent out…
Kovalica back on top in Q22
Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park) made a welcome return to winning form when he prevailed in a pulsating three-horse finish to the A$1.2 million Gr.2 HKJC World Pool Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The Kiwi-bred son of Ocean Park was the standout three-year-old of the Queensland Winter Carnival two years ago, winning the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) and placing against older horses at weight-for-age in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m). Kovalica went winless in 20 starts through the two years after that Derby success,…
Poignant Stradbroke win for War Machine
With a powerful and poignant performance in Saturday’s The Star Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, budding superstar War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) added extra Group One sparkle to the legacies of two much-missed New Zealand industry figures. The triumph came less than a week after the sudden passing in Kentucky of internationally renowned bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, who sourced War Machine’s dam Caserta on behalf of his brother David and late wife Maddy and parents Jim and Mary Wallace. War Machine was bred by the Wallace family’s MDJ Bloodstock…
Big Friday night for Williamsons at Addington
By Jonny Turner Yet again it has been proven that a horse with ability and Phil Williamson’s masterful hand are a potent combination. In the depths of winter while most star three-year-old trotters are off the scene, Tarragindi is taking huge strides towards his big spring targets. The trotter cleared out for an emphatic win for driver Nathan Williamson, on a big Friday night at Addington for his father Phil, who later produced Becky’s Girl for an effortless debut victory for driver Brad Williamson. Tarragindi showed all sorts of ability…