The New Zealand racing industry is in mourning following the passing of apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey. The 18-year-old hoop was involved in a vehicle accident in Hamilton on Wednesday between a dirt bike and car, with Hailey sustaining critical injuries, and he later passed away at Hamilton Hospital. “It’s tragic, words just can’t describe it. I was talking with him on Monday and then this happens,” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Northern Riding Master Noel Harris said. Apprenticed to Te Awamutu trainer Debbie Sweeney, Hailey kicked off his riding career two…
Day: 10 July 2025
Gifted Spandeedo still a work in progress
Speedy youngster Spandeedo (NZ) (Ferrando) will be even more of a force to be reckoned with when he learns to harness his abundance of pace. Despite his youthful enthusiasm, the son of Ferrando has collected a win and two placings from three appearances and will bid to add to his record in Saturday’s Simon Bendall @ Metcalfe Real Estate 2YO (1200m) at Hawera. “He should have won three in a row really, if they let him run he just goes too fast into the turn and can’t corner so well,”…
Group One-winning sprinter returns
Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) has returned to Danny Walker and Arron Tata’s Byerley Park stable with some lofty summer targets in mind. The four-year-old son of Zacinto was a standout in his three-year-old season, winning six of his seven starts, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), and was runner-up behind Bonny Lass in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). The Daniel Nakhle-bred and raced chestnut picked up where he left off, winning the Kerikeri Cup (1100m) first-up this season before placing in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes…
Logan returns to old stomping ground
Donna Logan has been in a rebuilding phase since returning to New Zealand from Singapore late last year and she is excited to kick-off the careers of her Byerley Park stable’s foundation juveniles this weekend. Logan will return to her old stomping ground of Ruakaka on Saturday, and she is excited to return to the place she called home for several decades. “There will be a lot of people there we haven’t seen in a long time and it is always fun to go back up to Ruakaka,” Logan said.…
Neals line up strong local hopes at Cambridge
Local trainers Andrew and Lyn Neal head to Cambridge Raceway tonight with two live chances, each well-placed to make an impact on the card. First up for the team is Two Francs, who lines up in Race 3, the IRT. Your Horse Our Passion Handicap Trot (6:13p.m.) The four-year-old Majestic Son gelding has always shown ability, but it’s been a matter of getting his race-day manners in line. If he can step away cleanly tonight, co-trainer Lyn Neal believes he’ll be right in the finish. “He’s the coolest horse but he’s just a…