Tommy Hazlett was destined for a life in the racing industry, and the popular figure has seen it all, and won most, when it comes to riding over fences. Growing up in Southland, Hazlett was raised in a racing environment, with his father Mike Hazlett both an owner-trainer and a successful amateur rider, and his grand-uncle, hall of famer Bill Hazlett, among New Zealand’s leading owners and was twice runner-up in the national trainer’s premiership. From an early age, Hazlett had aspirations of becoming a jockey, and riding over fences…
Day: 24 June 2025
Spiritus flying flag for southern sire at Pukekohe
Spiritus (NZ) (Ancient Spirit) will become the first North Island representative for southern sire Ancient Spirit on Wednesday at Pukekohe, and the juvenile has made a good impression on his trainer in the lead-up. Standing at White Robe Lodge, the multiple Group Two-winning son of Invincible Spirit has had a handful of runners closer to home, including placegetter Bobby Mcgee. Sourced from the Mosgiel nursery, Spiritus entered the care of experienced horseman Chad Orsmby, who couldn’t speak more highly of the gelding. “He’s my first (Ancient Spirit) in training and…
Foxbridge Plate locked in as major target for Debit
Stakes targets are in the offing for Te Aroha mare Debit (NZ) (Darci Brahma), with trainer Peter Lock impressed with the way she has returned this year. The five-year-old daughter of Darci Brahma had a perfect spring preparation last year, winning all three of her starts, extending her envious record to four wins and a placing from five career starts. Lock elected to bring her south to the Foxton trials on Tuesday, along with a couple of stablemates, and he was pleased with the way she went, finishing fourth in…
Winter Weigh In, June 23
Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. This week we wrap the action from a busy long weekend of domestic racing. Plus, Victorian commentator Matt Hills joins the show to talk about his upcoming trip to Trentham. Winter Weigh In, June 23
Mission accomplished for Ardrossan partnership
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken (NZ) (Ardrossan) is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained son of Ardrossan made it four wins on the bounce when he carried 60kg to victory at Flemington last Saturday. He was bred by the Dewar Partnership, established to promote the Waikato Stud stallion through the early stages of his career. “Taken has come a long way and is out of a good staying family and…
Quirky Trotter Crazy Gets Another Shot at Cambridge
By Jordyn Bublitz After getting things wrong at Alexandra Park on Friday night, Crazy is set to step out at Cambridge Raceway this evening, and local trainer Tim Hall is confident the quirky campaigner is ready to deliver—if he can keep his cool. The eight-year-old son of Crazed returned from a two-year Australian stint in January. Due to a lack of mobile racing for trotters here in New Zealand at that time, Hall made the decision to send him across the Tasman in search of more suitable racing opportunities after he developed…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 23 June 2025
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