bazach

The key outcome of track rationalisation should surely be to revitalise the industry to encourage the younger generation(s) to get involved. Racing clubs aren’t the only ones suffering from too few members and participants. Ask your nearest golf club, Lions club or bowling club how they are managing, it won’t likely be good news. As referred to earlier, it’s mostly grey haired people you see at the races. To at least try and redress the many reasons racing has declined (farmers now too far removed from horses being used on farms so most not interested, computers, TV, couples spending more time working to make ends meet, social media making it easy to spread the perception horse ing is cruel etc etc), we do need far better facilities than those provided at most courses, so I am in favour of whatever courses are closed which help the better good of the industry

Probably a combination of the Gavelhouse two weekly sales, and the vicious circle which has been affecting the racing industry - to a greater or lesser extent, for thirty years, ie stakes poor (and costs always increasing!), meaning less people interested in breeding or owning, meaning less horses racing, meaning less money being punted, meaning less money to improve stakes and on and on it goes. It does seem a huge drop though, as although the Gavelhouse fees are cheap, being able to see a range of your prospective purchases in the flesh at one time would ensure better prices (in my view) for well conformed animals. It would be interesting to know who buys on Gavelhouse sight unseen??

Interesting to see 25 broodmares in the Gavelhouse auction this week, and a good number over the last while. Although the studs like Waikato are putting a few on this site, many have notations such as "owner getting out of breeding", or "owner downsizing", or "owner has too many...." etc etc. Just another sign of the many issues surrounding racing which have been slowly accumulating for the last 30 years plus.

Yes, a great little article. No reason why he (GP), can't sire more group performing horses. Like most stallions, their patronage (outside the stud owned mares) is often based on who provides the glossiest brochure and the biggest bull....t story about the wonderful ability of their sire, - forgetting of course all the races where they and their close relatives finished down the track. Aside from Tavistock, Gallant Guru now seems to be the only other son of Montjeu at stud here. I don't know what has happened to Guillotine, but he is bred on the same Montjeu - Defensive Play cross as GP, and had good opportunity to succeed at Windsor Park. His racing record was okay, although he won only half as much (400k) as Gorky Park.

Interesting line breeding Gubes. I see Gorky Park finished second a good to Efficient in the VRC Derby, having been one off the fence the whole way (Efficient stuck to the rails the whole way except for the last 200 metres), and also finished third in the Group 1 BMW, so had ability. He looks a big strong animal as well. I see he is at stud in "your" area. Do you know the place etc?

Just wondering why this stallion, Gorbachovs sire, who was twice group one placed in Oz, won over $800k, is by Montjeu, and from a tidy female line, hasn’t served even 20 mares a season since he has been at stud. Is it solely that he isn’t at a recognised stud, or does he have fertility, temperament, or conformation issues? Interested in others thoughts.

better entertainment than reality TV!!!

Good work Trump. Hopefully there will be a taking up of the facilities layout concept when the new tracks go ahead (if and when that is!). I also think a facility near Foxton to replace Awapuni and Levin would be logical, and I do retain some optimism (maybe misplaced) that this could happen, along with a similar new central track to cater for Waikato racing into the future.

Grandstands, unless they are going to be well used - which most now aren't, are an anachronism. A really nice race-course set up with terracing, shade sails etc, but no grandstand as such is Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. Aside from this, poorly maintained grandstands which are past their use by date, are one of the many "turn-offs" for people thinking of taking in a day at the races.

sorry to hear this. Galloping Greats was one of my first introductions to NZ thoroughbreds back in the 1970s, and a great read it was.

Distantly related. Ribot's sire Tenerani was out of Tofanella. La Mer's 5th dam was Tofanella. La Mer's sire Copenhagen spent his whole time at Wynthorpe stud just outside New Plymouth as far as I can remember. He was a champion sire and had some good sire premiership "battles" with Pakistan. Probably fair to say that being a bit isolated in the "naki, he didn't initially get top mares.

yes, likely to be Brian O'Shea of Poplar Lodge, as he uses the shamrock brand.

thanks for the pics! If only it wasn't financially crippling to breed I would still be involved.

and temperament??

Hi Catalano, looks like a great trip you are having. Blackball Salami Co. Ltd make great black and white puddings. We buy their brand through Wholly Cow butchery in Grey Street Hamilton, and they are also in Cambridge. Cheers.