Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry. Sponsored by Entain, the award celebrates an individual whose impact extends far beyond a single year — someone who has helped shape the culture, success, and spirit of the industry over many decades. The award came as somewhat of a surprise to Davis, who along with co-host Emily Murphy, had slickly navigated the majority of Saturday night’s proceedings…
Year: 2025
McCarthy called in for West Coast’s historic National bid
Mark Oulaghan has called on one of Australia’s leading jumps jockeys to partner West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), as the outstanding jumper heads south in pursuit of a historic fourth-consecutive Grand National crown. West Coast has been partnered in each of his 11 steeplechase victories by Shaun Fannin, who will race against the son of Mettre En Jeu in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m) aboard his own horse in Jesko (NZ) (Atlante). With Fannin unavailable, Oulaghan has secured the services of Willie McCarthy, an Irish…
Te Akau secure South Island Trainers’ Premiership
Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stable has been a dominant force in New Zealand racing, but over the last couple of years, Te Akau principal David Ellis has cast his eye further afield. New Zealand’s leading stable has subsequently established a permanent presence at Cranbourne in Australia and Riccarton Park in Christchurch, where they have recorded immediate success. Christchurch has long been a strategic stronghold for Te Akau, but 18 months ago Ellis elected to have a permanent base in the Garden City, and lured former stable employee Hunter Durrant back…
Winter Weigh In, July 28
The racing season is about to end and the team reflects on it’s highlights as well and making some predictions about the next. We review the best races of the weekend and the newly crowned Jumps Premiership winning jockey Joshua Parker joins the show to talk about his success. Winter Weigh In, July 28
Parker prevails in competitive Jumps Jockeys’ Premiership
English hoop Joshua Parker clinched his first New Zealand Jumps Jockeys’ Premiership title at Te Aroha on Sunday, fittingly aboard a horse that has given him nearly half of his season’s victories. The 25-year-old is in his second season riding on Kiwi soil, having ridden point-to-point races in England before seeking out further opportunities in New Zealand last May. Initially based with master trainer Kevin Myers, Parker enjoyed immediate success, riding five winners at the tail end of the 2023/24 season, and a further four before jumping wrapped up in…
Time brings out best in Savabeel’s son
A patient approach with Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) is being rewarded in spades, with the son of Savabeel winning his way toward black-type assignments. Bred and raced by Milan Park’s Tony Rider, he posted his fifth victory from nine appearances when successful in Saturday’s open 1600m handicap at Te Rapa from Andrew Forsman’s stable. “He’s certainly going the right way, Andrew has always thought a bit of him, and I think we’ll see him running in a Group race soon,” Rider said. Early issues resulted in Force Of Nature…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 28 July 2025
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Take After Me first to be Harness 5000 eligible
Already a history-maker, Take After Me has now become the first horse to be Harness 5000 eligible. The new Harness 5000 race meeting will be held at Ashburton on December 21, with a total of 12 $60,000 finals for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. The finals will be for 3YO, 4YO and 5YO and older Fillies and Mares and Colts, Geldings and Entires, for both gaits This year the qualifying period is from…
Rookie breeder Auret basks in Ka Ying Rising glory
Group One winning trainer Fraser Auret collected trophies of a different variety on Saturday night as he took centre stage at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at the Sir Don Rowlands Centre in Cambridge. Auret’s first foray into thoroughbred breeding struck paydirt when he sent five-win mare Missy Moo to Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress. The resulting foal, whom Auret sold after a dominant jump-out victory as a juvenile is now known as Ka Ying Rising, the world’s best sprinter. Ka Ying Rising was named Seton Otway Horse of…
Waikato Stud claim 11th Breeder of the Year title
Another year of New Zealand thoroughbred breeding excellence was celebrated on Saturday night at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro, with powerhouse breeders Waikato Stud claiming top honours. Hosted by the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the awards recognised the elite performances of 24 individual Group One winners plus outstanding achievements in a host of categories. Sprint sensation Ka Ying Rising was named the Seton Otway Horse of the Year, with breeders Fraser and Erin Auret of Grandmoral Lodge collecting a swathe of awards care of the son…