From Awapuni to Randwick and on to Ascot, Saturday saw three outstanding two-year-old fillies, Maven Belle (Burgundy), Fireburn (Rebel Dane) and Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni), make championship statements. All three were dominant. Maven Belle almost certainly wrapped up the title of Champion New Zealand Two-Year-old with a clear victory in what turned out to be New... Read More

That age old question is unavoidable: Are you breeding to race or sell? The recent sales to major Australian breeding operations of Melody Belle (Commands) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock) via the Gavelhouse Plus platform are examples of a trend, at least in New Zealand, of one-off auctions of highly attractive ex-track mares. Melody Belle’s half-sister,... Read More

Two stallions, the late Tavistock (Montjeu) and the late Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), refuse to be forgotten. Both lost their lives within a matter of weeks. Tavistock’s death was initially caused by a freak accident, which later developed into laminitis. Burgundy lost his battle against the same condition. Their last foals are finding their way through... Read More

“It’s going to be a big day tomorrow.” Those were the words of Little Avondale Stud’s Sam Williams last Friday afternoon, winding down with a lemonade after day five of the Karaka sale. The previous Friday, March 4, Roch ‘N’ Horse (Per Incanto) headed Lost And Running (Per Incanto) in an 800–metre jump–out, at Flemington.... Read More

This week’s title is an Americanism the writer discovered while living in the USA: “What have you done for me lately?” Almost a back-handed compliment, the comment conveys that older favours fade and that only current favours are worthwhile. It might also be interpreted as: “My memory is not so good, so remind me again?”... Read More