Day: 31 July 2025

The New Zealand breeding industry has once again demonstrated its commitment to the next generation, with an outstanding fundraising result at the National Breeding Awards securing the future of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship. Held as part of the 2025 National Breeding Awards, the fundraiser raised well over six figures – an outcome that not only ensures the scholarship’s continuation, but gives it the capacity to thrive into the future and provide more young leaders with the opportunity of a lifetime. At the heart of the evening was a…

The first foal by Highview Stud stallion Mr Mozart has arrived with breeder James Chapman of Jamieson Park delighted with the filly which is out of the Almanzor mare Qdos, a half-sister to black-type performers Sacred Master, Kia Ora Jewel and Tears of an Angel. Chapman part-owned Mr Mozart during his racing career and has doubled down on the Group Two winning son of Snitzel now that he has retired to Highview Stud. “I have 13 mares in foal to him at Jameison Park and he has 79 in foal…

Te Akau Racing have continued their dominant run, securing their 12th New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership this season with a tally of 131 wins, 27 clear of nearest rival Stephen Marsh. It’s the second season Sam Bergerson has trained alongside Mark Walker, and he was thrilled to keep his 100 percent premiership strike-rate intact. “I am very fortunate in the fact I joined Mark in a time where the stable has been so strong, and we have got a fantastic team of staff, horses and owners,” Bergerson said. “I have the…

The finalists for the 2024–25 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards – sponsored by Sport Nation have produced some fascinating matchups, with voters facing the challenge of comparing standout performers across a variety of form lines, particularly in the two-year-old, three-year-old and sprinter-miler categories. 2024–25 Finalists Champion Two-Year-Old – sponsored by Entain Australia & New ZealandLa Dorada, Return To Conquer Champion Three-Year-Old – sponsored by TAB New ZealandAlabama Lass, Captured By Love, Damask Rose, Leica Lucy, Savaglee, Willydoit Champion Sprinter-Miler (up to 1600m) – sponsored by Taylor Perry…

Champion jockey Craig Grylls takes an uncomplicated approach to his riding and that will again carry over to the new season. The 35-year-old had the 2024/25 New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership parcelled up well in advance of the term’s end with 141 winners, with runner-up Michael McNab on 86. “I’m really chuffed, it’s good when everything works out and there’s been a lot of travelling and I wouldn’t say it’s been easy, but it’s been very rewarding and I’m absolutely stoked,” Grylls said. Such was his lead, the Matamata-based Grylls was…

Jumping has always been Stephen Nickalls’ main passion in racing, and while he is heading to the South Island’s premier jumping carnival on Saturday, flat racing will be his priority. The Manawatu trainer is heading south with his Group One performer Chase (NZ) (Zed), who will tackle the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m) on the opening day of Riccarton’s Grand National Festival of Racing. The rising 10-year-old gelding earned his ticket south with a 1-3/4 length victory over a mile at Hawera a fortnight ago and a…

Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) will be looking for redemption when he heads to Riccarton Park on Saturday to contest the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m). The son of Tavistock had the race all but won last year, leading by five lengths with one hurdle to go, but he stumbled over the last, dislodging jockey Hamish McNeill. Trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal were disappointed to lose the race at the final hurdle, and they are keen to rectify that result 12 months later. “He should have won it last year,…