Respected bloodstock expert Steve Brem has passed away at 69, following a long-term illness Brem was a former racing journalist, bloodstock adviser and stud manager in New Zealand before being recruited by Gai Waterhouse to bring more stud-owned ra
Former New Zealand galloper Patrick Erin will be tested at Group One level for the second time in Australia on Saturday and his trainer Chris Waller believes the distance and track conditions should suit the Gallant Guru seven-year-old down to the ground.
If you spend ten minutes talking with Matamata-based apprentice jockey Jasmine Fawcett you will soon learn that her success is no fluke. The 25-year-old takes a positive psychological approach to her profession and draws heavily on several mentors.
Following a successful test on its course proper on Monday, the Auckland Racing Club have confirmed racing will resume at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday Ocotber 27. Ellerslie has not hosted any race meetings since Auckland Cup Week in March, to allow fo
By Phillip Quay Despite her emphatic win in the $200,000 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings today star racemare Melody Belle won’t attempt to complete the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown. Melody Belle followed up on her impressive Gr. 1 Tarzino T
Hardy sprinter Amarula, pictured, returned to the scene of his biggest victory when he took out the open sprint at Hastings on Saturday. The Peter McKay trained six-year-old caused a major upset as a three-year-old when successful in the 2015 edition of t
By Phillip Quay Last season’s champion two-year-old Avantage, pictured, returned to the racetrack in brilliant style when she scored a hard-fought win in the Gr. 3 Hawke’s Bay Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings today. In a close tussle over
Red-hot trainer Jamie Richards isn’t getting ahead of himself despite having the favourites for both feature races at Hastings on Saturday. Â Richards will produce Melody Belle, pictured, and stablemate Our Abbadean in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1
Ardmore Lodge-trainer Nick Bishara has confirmed that his talented three-year-old filly Verry Elleegant, pictured, has been sold to a Trans-Tasman syndicate and will do her future racing in Australia. “She has been sold and will be joining Darren Weir,â
Last season’s Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage, pictured, is likely to return to racing on Saturday week when she tackles the Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. “She galloped between races at Hastings the other day a
Regally-bred Echoes Of Heaven, pictured, is to stand at stud this spring in Cambridge, New Zealand. Newmarket Stud is the new home of regally-bred stallion Echoes Of Heaven, a stakes-winning Encosta de Lago half-brother to champion Australian sire Redoute
Cambridge-trainer Stephen Marsh had cause for celebration after having a treble of wins, including the feature race at Wanganui on Saturday. Following his unbeaten trial form, Sai Fah started the day off in hard fought fashion to take out the Wanganui Ste
Chocolate Fish (above) proved his credentials as an out and out stayer when he out-toughed his rivals in Sunday’s $125,000 Irvines Great Northern Steeplechase (6300m) at Te Aroha. Traditionally run over the famed Ellerslie hill this year’s edition of
Jack Frost claimed a special double when he outlasted his rivals to win an action-packed running of the Schweppes Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) at Te Aroha today. Scenes of unbridled jubilation from his large group of owners greeted the Brian and Shane An
Leading jumps trainer Paul Nelson will have strong chances in each of the two feature jumps races at Te Aroha on Sunday, but he still holds some reservations ahead of the event. Nine-year-old Zed gelding Perry Mason has been in fine form for Nelson over W
Sometimes in life things simply fall into place and that’s the case with trainer Lee Somervell’s decision to move to Hastings. Somervell has enjoyed great success training from the late Ada Parnwell’s Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge over the past 12 ye
By CHRIS MCQUAID, JUMPS HISTORIAN It’s only a few days now until what are traditionally the highlights of the jumping season, the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase. To be run for the first time away from Ellerslie, both races are packed full of
Champion jumps jockey Michael Mitchell has answered an SOS call from the other side of the world to take the ride on Gallante in Sunday’s Schweppes Great Northern Hurdle (4150m) at Te Aroha. Mitchell, 27, hasn’t ridden in New Zealand for nearl
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
Veteran Cambridge trainer Lee Somervell is hitting the road for a fresh challenge at Hastings. He says “a change of circumstances” at Cambridge Lodge has convinced him to make the move. He did not elaborate. He will take his entire team to