Month: September 2025

Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray have utilised Ruakaka for a week stint in winter over the last few years, and they are hoping this year’s sojourn continues to reap rewards at the northern venue on Wednesday. The Oaks Stud-bred and raced filly Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was one stable member that enjoyed her time in the Northland beach town, returning last month to win the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Ritchie and Murray will return to Ruakaka on Wednesday with a trio of runners, and they are hoping…

South Africa will tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night and earlier in the day a horse named after one of their favourite sons will be vying for Group One glory down the road at Ellerslie Racecourse. Cambridge Stud’s Habana (Zoustar) is named after former springbok Bryan Habana, who showed electrifying speed on the wing in his 124 tests for South Africa. His equine namesake has inherited some of that speed, having won eight of his 24 starts, including the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and Listed…

The Guerin Report’s back and there’s only one way to return … with Opie Bosson. Michael sits down for a deep chat with the legendary jockey to find out why he retired and why he’s back. And Michael has some news on the Great New Zealand Steeplechase and the Proisir Plate. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.1 Ft. Opie Bosson Pt.1

The Jomara Bloodstock bred and raced Geneva (NZ) (Time Test) is primed for a bold showing in Saturday’s Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), according to trainer Kylie Hoskin. After winning on debut over 1100m at Te Rapa in May, the son of Time Test had a freshen-up over winter and resumed with a fourth placing when a short-priced favourite in last month’s Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on an unsuitable Heavy9 surface at Ruakaka. He subsequently galloped at Ellerslie last Thursday and Hoskin is excited about his prospects in…

A member of one of New Zealand racing’s most famous and successful families has died, with the recent passing of Tony (Anthony) Dennis, aged 86. Dennis, twin brother Ray and their younger siblings Martin and Joe, established a formidable training and breeding operation and were based at Woodlands, near Invercargill, for more than 60 years until their retirement from training at the end of last year. The brothers enjoyed spectacular success with their charges instantly recognisable as carrying the prefix ‘The’. “It was unbelievable, they never had big numbers and…

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