Just like old times
The stars aligned for vendors and New Zealand Bloodstock at last Friday’s National Weanling Sale. Masks were discarded and the Aussies returned to make the sale a huge success, providing a much needed boost to the industry. It felt like old times. Online auctions are now part of, even central to, the auction scene but... Read More
Kiwi Rolston to join Hong Kong Jockey Club in International Sale and owners role
New Zealand Bloodstock will not be rushed into finding director of sales replacement at Karaka complex Long-serving New Zealand Bloodstock employee Danny Rolston will join the Hong Kong Jockey Club in a new position overseeing the International Sale while also liaising with the organisation’s influential cohort of racehorse owners. Rolston has been appointed as the... Read More
Diamond shines for Badel with Premier Plate success
Tourbillon Diamond (Olympic Glory) and Alexis Badel continued a rewarding partnership at Sha Tin yesterday with the duo nailing a stubborn win for trainer Danny Shum in the Premier Plate Handicap (Gr 3, 1800m). The five-year-old denied a fast-finishing Turin Redsun (Dubawi) in a rip-roaring renewal, overcoming a hefty impost to secure his second Group... Read More
Beauty Joy stuns in Premier Cup victory
Steadily bridging the gap to Joao Moreira in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with a four-timer, Zac Purton was left stunned by Beauty Joy’s (Sebring) incredible Premier Cup Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) triumph at Sha Tin yesterday after the talented gelding conceded rivals a huge start before winning emphatically. Tailed off last at the 800-metre... Read More
Bargain Wanda out to justify owners’ decision to hold on for Tiara
The owners of consistent mare Wandabaa (Wandjina) could easily have cashed in the Group 3 winner at last month’s breeding stock sales but instead the syndicate elected to race her at the Queensland carnival in the knowledge they could be leaving money on the table by doing so. The Kris Lees-trained rising six-year-old mare has... Read More
‘It’s been a mounting issue for years and now it’s reaching a critical point’
There’s been an all-too-common theme in the conversations I have been having with racing participants lately; staff – and the lack of them. Leading trainers including Danny O’Brien, who is currently on the lookout for an assistant trainer, and Richard Freedman recently took to Twitter to express their concerns and pleaded for the industry to... Read More