Day: 11 June 2025

Innings over for equine “centenarian”

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness news Desk  After a long and generally healthy life, Timely Imp has died peacefully in Canterbury. He was 37, a milestone generally acknowledged by experts as being the equine equivalent of being 100. Foaled in 1987, the much-loved former racehorse spent his retirement at Adele Wolt’s property in the Otahuna Valley near Christchurch. “I am thankful for his team of supporters who were amazed at his spirit and determination to live well, and enabled  him to enjoy life,” says Wolt. During his racing days he…

News Briefs – June 11

NZHarnessNews

Team Telfer go to the top of the premiership, Aussies confirmed for AYDC, and the up-coming weanling sales all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Telfers edge ahead in trainers’ premiership After their huge run of late Steve and Amanda Telfer and the Stonewall Stud team have a one win margin at the top of the Trainers’ premiership. They are on 72 wins this year having eclipsed one-time runaway leader Michael House. His latest win came with La Bamba , driven by son Wilson House, at Addington on Sunday. Wilson…

Brightside begins build-up to spring

NZRacingDesk

Star galloper Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has begun his build-up towards a spring campaign, with the Group One Memsie Stakes shaping as his potential return again, should things go to plan. After an autumn campaign in Victoria this year which included Mr Brightside claiming his ninth career Gr.1 win with a victory in the Futurity Stakes, the seven-year-old was taken to Hong Kong for the Gr.1 Champions Mile in late April, but failed to fire when finishing last in the field of 13. “He’s back in work. He’s great,” Mr…

Rathbone’s remarkable ride in jumps racing

NZRacingDesk

Jo Rathbone has spent most of her life immersed in the world of jumps racing, with a celebrated riding career, a couple of champion horses, and a rising profile in the training ranks already to her name. Growing up in the equestrian scene, Rathbone got a taste of the racing industry in her early teens, and after relocating to Palmerston North for university, a new door opened for the talented horsewoman. “I used to do a lot of eventing growing up and when I was about 14, I started riding…