Blair Orange hits 99 wins, McCormick does the double, Krug and Perfect Sting announcements, weanling sale success, Republican Party returns to work, and the latest Gavelhouse auction closes tonight.
ORANGE ON CUSP OF CENTURY AT HALFWAY POINT
Blair Orange heads into this week’s racing on 99 wins for the year, with the calendar ticking past the halfway mark on June 30. The seven-time premiership winner is on track to reach 200 wins in a season for the first time since 2021. He finished just shy of the mark last year, ending 2023 with 196 victories.
WEEKEND TO REMEMBER FOR MCCORMICK AT ADDINGTON
Ashburton’s Lawrence McCormick enjoyed a dream weekend at Addington with a training/driving double. Vertigo won on Friday night, followed by Father Mike on Sunday. A full-time electrician, McCormick fits training around his work schedule, keeping a small team going through the winter months.
KRUG TO STAND FOR $2,500 FOR 2025/26 SEASON
Phoebe Standardbreds have announced Krug will stand for $2,500 (+GST) for the 2025/26 breeding season. An early bird option is available at $2,000 (+GST) if paid by 30 September. As an added incentive, a free service will be drawn from the first 20 bookings.
Progeny by the multiple Group 1 winner will be eligible for Sires Stakes and the Harness 5000, and if sold through the yearling sales, will also qualify for the Sales Series and Next Gen bonuses. Contact Phoebe Standardbreds directly to book. Contact Phoebe Standardbreds directly to book.
$10,000 BONUS FOR FIRST PERFECT STING WINNER
Macca Lodge has announced a $10,000 bonus for the first New Zealand winner by exciting young sire Perfect Sting. Five of his weanlings sold at last week’s NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale, sparking early interest in the champion’s southern hemisphere stock.
With his first crop on the ground and more foals due this season, Perfect Sting is eligible for both the Sires Stakes and Harness 5000. His progeny are expected to feature at the 2026 yearling sales, with bookings for the upcoming breeding season now open via Macca Lodge.
WEANLING SALE RESULTS SHOW GROWTH AND CROSS-CODE APPEAL
Strong demand and cross-code interest marked last week’s 2025 NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale at Karaka, with the average sale price lifting 25% and the median jumping 54% on last year’s figures.
Seventy-two weanlings were sold for a total of $825,500, with a clearance rate of 85%. The top-priced weanling was Lot 1039 – a Bettor’s Delight filly out of Running On Faith – knocked down for $38,000. Breckon Farms’ sole yearling entry, an Art Major colt from Linda Lovegrace, topped the day overall at $60,000.
Woodlands Stud led all vendors by aggregate, selling 29 horses for $362,000. Yabby Dam Farms was the top vendor by average, while Champion sire Bettor’s Delight headed the sire averages at $30,667 across three lots.
One of the most notable trends was the emergence of “Pacemakers” – a new syndicate of thoroughbred preparers – who secured 11 weanlings with plans to pinhook them for the 2026 yearling sale.
All horses purchased are eligible for the lucrative Harness Million Series. Entries for the series close on Monday 14 July at 5pm.
REPUBLICAN PARTY BACK IN WORK
Star pacer Republican Party is back in light training as he begins his build-up towards the 2025 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained pacer was third in last year’s edition, before going on to claim Group 1 Victories in the Invercargill Cup, Auckland Cup, Roy Purdon Memorial and NZ Messenger. Currently working on the water walker at Court Co Racing, he’ll stay in this phase for a couple more weeks before moving on to jogging and swim prep. The multiple Group race winner is described as “absolutely gleaming” by the Kentuckiana Lodge team, who have their sights firmly set on New Zealand’s premier race in November.
AUCTION CLOSES TONIGHT
The latest gavelhouse.com standardbred auction closes from 7pm tonight (Wednesday), with eight lots on offer – seven racehorses and one yearling. Among them is Group 1-winning trotter Val Thorens, currently sitting at $2,700. He’s being sold as the owner reduces racing numbers to focus on younger stock and is described as having “plenty of ability” but needing someone with time to work on his gait. You can view all available lots here
RACING ACTION AT ASCOT PARK RACEWAY ON SUNDAY
The Invercargill Harness Racing Club hold their final race meeting of the 2024/2025 season at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Sunday.Ten races are on the card with several of the races marking recognition of those who have contributed so much over many years.
One of those races is dedicated to Invercargill trainer Murray Brown who passed away on 24 June. Brown trained over 500 winners, won the Southland Trainers Premiership seven times, and gave 40 years of service on various committees at the Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill.
Several other races on the day acknowledge the contributions of those stepping down from their respective roles as the season end draws near.
The first race is at 11.35am and admission is free.