(By John Jenkins) Comeback jockey Mathew Gillies achieved a dream double when taking out both the $50,000 Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdles and $50,000 L J Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase at Awapuni on Saturday. Gillies, 33, was born in Palmerston North and has h
(By John Jenkins) An outstanding training performance by Sylvia Kay and an equally game ride from rookie apprentice jockey Bridie Ansell saw Dr Watson score an upset win in the $35,000 Platinum Homes Taranaki 1200, feature flat race at today’s Wellingto
(By John Jenkins) The owners of The Puketapu Lad, who broke through for a maiden win at Otaki on Thursday of last week, are so devoted to their horse that they have even invited him in for a drink at their local pub. Sean O’Connor, who manages the See Y
(By John Jenkins) Jumps jockey Mathew Gillies made a welcome return to the winner’s stall after an absence of more than two years when he guided Wilijonmcbride to victory in today’s Signature Homes Hurdle at Te Rapa. Gillies, 33, won the jumps jockeys
Roz Southey couldn’t resist a tongue-in-cheek comment when describing the thrill of Zed Em’s amazing win under 70kgs when leading home a New Zealand-bred trifecta in the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) at Warrnambool on Thursday. Southey and her hus
(By John Jenkins) Two successful Hastings trainers, Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal, have joined forces in a partnership and will have their first runners together at Te Rapa this Saturday. Nelson said the necessary paperwork was completed last weekend a
(By John Jenkins) Little known Hawke’s Bay-based thoroughbred stallion Playmaker was represented with his first winner when Rekohu Diva scored a three-quarter length victory over 1200m at Otaki last week. Rekohu Diva is owned by her breeder Sarah Gregor
Racing Minister Winston Peters says the Government will introduce two new pieces of legislation this year to revitalise the domestic racing industry. Cabinet this week considered its response to the ‘Messara Review of the Racing Industry’ as well as a
It could not have been scripted any better. Champion mare Winx bowed out in the most fitting of styles at her beloved Randwick racetrack yesterday, winning her third Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and bringing up a magical 100 Group 1 victories fo
(By John Jenkins) Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh picked up one of the most satisfying wins of his career when Felaar got up for a last stride victory in today’s Listed $75,000 Royston Hospital Hawke’s Bay Cup at Hastings. Marsh, 37, said it was a hug
(By John Jenkins) Dick Bothwell, one of the true gentlemen of New Zealand thoroughbred racing, died yesterday aged 72. Bothwell, who always had a beaming smile and loved to socialise with his peers, trained from his Stratford base for more than 40 years b
(By John Jenkins) Hastings-based Paul Nelson has achieved some amazing things as an owner and trainer of thoroughbreds but he brought up a first when No Change dead-heated for a win in a jumpers’ highweight at Wanganui on Thursday of last week. “That
(By John Jenkins) The stock of Wanganui-based stallion Zed have been in outstanding form in the past three days with four Australasian winners produced by the sire, including one at Group 1 level and one at Group 2. Verry Elleegant became the stallion’s
(By John Jenkins) New Plymouth trainer Emma Davies is fast building an impressive strike-rate of winners to starters. The talented horsewoman picked up her third winner from just seven runners when That’s Incranibull took out a $10,000 maiden 1350m race
(By John Jenkins) Waipukurau couple Trevor and Debbie Walters have been “living a dream” as the major shareholders in outstanding mare Melody Belle, winner of five Group 1 races this season and seemingly assured of the title of New Zealand Horse of th
Former top jockey David Walsh returned to the venue where he holds the record for the most wins when he turned up on Lowland Stakes day at Hastings on Wednesday February 27. Walsh, in his capacity as a licensing, training and welfare advisor for New Zeala
Well, we’ve come to the end of another Hawkes Bay Carnival and boy, wasn’t it a doozy! The whole carnival is a credit to Andrew (Butch) Castles. I had the utmost privilege to continue my partnership with Te Akau’s Avantage. What an incredible little
The grit and determination of high-class galloper Melody Belle (pictured below) was plain for all to see at Hastings today as she triumphed in the season’s opening Group One feature, the Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Beautifully handled by Malaysian-born ride
Recently crowned New Zealand Champion Stayer for 2017-18, Charles Road, showed he was ready for some big spring assignments when he downed a talented field over 1600m at Hastings on Saturday. The Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) placegetter made an emphatic stat
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has welcomed the findings of the Messara Report into the state of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. “It’s time for change. We believe this report will create a blueprint for a thriving thoroughbred industry,”