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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Next week’s historic National Yearling Sale at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka complex will include many tales from the past century of annual thoroughbred auctions. As a precursor to that banter, RaceForm spoke to four veteran vendors – Brian Anderton, Buzz Williams, Ron Chitty and Garry Chittick – for their memories of an event that has been such a part of their lives. The oldest member of the octogenarian quartet, rising 89-year-old Brian Anderton, is also the most travelled in sending his annual draft to market from White Robe Lodge, Mosgiel. The Otago nursery was established 70 years ago by the man known as BJ while still in his teens, overlapping into his successful jockey, then training career. Over the decades Anderton operated White Robe in partnership with his late wife Lorraine, standing successive champion stallions in Mellay and Noble Bijou from the 1970s through to the 1990s. Now managed by their daughter Karen and her husband Wayne Stewart, White Robe continues to lead the way in South Island breeding and contribute despite its relative isolation from the mainstream industry. “My first National Sale was more than 60 years ago when I took a Castle Donnington colt up to Trentham,” Anderton recalls. “I passed him in and then sold him later to an Aussie buyer. “I learnt a lot on those trips from people involved with the big studs up in the North Island. Fred Archer from Ra Ora Stud, Jack Lindsay who stood Count Rendered up at Matamata, Gordon Mitchell from the Manawatu, Norm Hawthorne from Hawke’s Bay – they were all experienced horsemen and happy to share their knowledge.” The trek north to Wellington involved a stopover in Christchurch, another at Blenheim before boarding the Cook Strait ferry and completed with the short run from the Wellington terminal up to Trentham. The Upper Hutt sales venue was operated in partnership by stock and station agents Wright, Stephenson & Co and Pyne, Gould, Guinness on Wellington Racing Club property. The sale grounds were adjacent to the perimeter of the Trentham course proper at the top of the home straight, with the sale neatly slotted between the three days of the late-January Cup carnival. “In the early years we made a bit of a picnic of it,” Anderton said. “Lorraine would tow the caravan up to Wellington for us to sleep in and we would put up an awning where we would have our meals and gather in the evenings. “I remember one year when Jimmy Pankhurst slept in a pup tent beside the caravan the night before riding my mother’s mare Powley to win the big mile (1982 George Adams Handicap).” One of the merits of the Trentham sale format integrated with a landmark carnival was the way it brought together major players who made up the whole, both domestic and international. “It worked very well having the races across the week and the sales in between,” says Garry Chittick, who originally sold under the Thornton Park banner before acquiring Waikato Stud. “Everyone gathered at Trentham, staying in accommodation nearby or in the city and the whole community was connected. Raceday gave you the chance to connect with people and that led to talking business and arranging inspections back at the sale grounds.” Chittick grew up in the Hutt Valley but was a young farmer in the Wairarapa by the time he began to delve into thoroughbred breeding. That led to the establishment of Thornton Park Stud near Masterton before relocating to John Mitchell’s former Santa Rosa Stud property at Longburn, on the outskirts of Palmerston North. “The first auction I took yearlings to was the Waikato Sale at Claudelands in the mid-70s, which back then was held a week or so before Trentham. It wasn’t what you would call a successful venture, but my initial ambition was to be a farmer with a horse or two, so you could say my breeding exploits back then were at best semi-commercial.” At his original base Chittick was exposed to other Wairarapa breeders, the most notable being the Williams brothers Tom and Richie (Buzz), whose parents Alister and Nancy were renowned for their breeding exploits with cattle, sheep and horses on the family’s Te Parae property. Te Parae Stud’s first notable thoroughbred stallion was Sabaean, followed by Agricola and Oncidium. The nursery was also renowned for its female lines headed by Sunbride, an English-bred mare selected by Nancy and whose achievements as a broodmare were to earn induction to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Buzz Williams’ first memories of the National Sale date back to his early teens and in time include a milestone day in the Trentham sale-ring. “I was 14 in 1956 when I led my first yearling through the ring, a filly by Sabaean from Waters of Lethe, and nearly 20 years later I was on the lead when history was made with the first $100,000 yearling to be sold in New Zealand.” That was at the 1974 Trentham sale when the Oncidium colt from Sunbride’s daughter Bridesmaid was knocked down at the breakthrough figure, and later in the day another by Oncidium, a colt from Chantal offered by Lorraine Jameson’s Cardoness Stud, fetched the same price. “When the gavel came down on the Bridesmaid colt the auditorium erupted and there I was holding onto the horse, doing my best to control him,” Williams added. “I swear it was another two hours before I could finally put him back in his box – that’s how long it took for the media and all the cameras to record the historic event. “Sadly, Dad had died in 1971, but Mother, who had been the driving force behind the thoroughbred side of Te Parae from the time they were married, was there to enjoy the occasion. She was very proud of what she and the old man had achieved.” No overview of the National Sale would be complete without the inclusion of thoroughbred breeding icon Sir Patrick Hogan. Amongst many well qualified to comment on the founder of Cambridge Stud is Haunui Farm’s Ron Chitty. “In the early 70s my parents had just bought Karayar as Haunui’s foundation stallion and they went on a trip to a dispersal sale in Queensland led by Dave Clarkson and Kel Cameron looking for broodmare prospects. “When they arrived home Dad said, ‘I met a young man on the trip who really impressed me. I think he’s the future, his name is Patrick Hogan.’ Anyway, he appointed Patrick to Karayar’s syndicate management committee and as it transpired, Dad died unexpectedly and I had to step up from the farming operation Carolyn and I were running out at Pukekawa. “Dad was right in his summation of Patrick; he was an immense help to me at a time I really needed someone to advise me. One of the first things I did was visit Patrick and Justine down in Cambridge, when they were still at the family’s Fencourt Stud. “I remember meeting them at their cottage, seeing two raincoats and two pair of gumboots in the back porch, and they took me across to Bruntwood to show me the block of land they were in the process of buying. ‘This is where we are going to set up our own stud,’ Patrick said. “Sure enough, Sir Tristram took up duties there in 1976 and the rest, you could say, is history. From my early days at Trentham I had observed Ra Ora become the first vendor to set up a tent for hospitality and put their staff in uniforms, and of course there were others following suit and lifting their game too. “But it was Patrick who took marketing and presentation to another level with such outstanding results off the back of Sir Tristram and then Zabeel – and for that the entire breeding industry will be eternally grateful.” Sir Tristram featured in a notable result for Haunui Farm at the penultimate Trentham sale in 1986, when on behalf of long-time client Annie Sarten, the colt out of Kashmir Belle topped the bidding at $750,000, an event that Chitty recounts with humour. “He was four lots from the end, but we knew he was on a lot of buyers’ lists, including a Malaysian contingent led by Teh Choon Beng. One of them was a lady known to us as Mrs Tan, who turned out to be the purchaser, as after the horse had been knocked down she turned up at the office with a large brown bag and proceeded to hand over the full amount in cash!” For some years through this period there had been persistent suggestions that the National Sale should move north given various changing dynamics that included the increasing concentration of the thoroughbred breeding population in the Waikato and changing expectations from the increasingly international buying bench. Such talk gained real traction in the 1980s, which the selling agents began to take notice of when it was even suggested that if there was no mood for change, an offshore sales company would be invited to make it happen. Thus a site at Karaka adjacent to the Southern Motorway was selected to become the new National Sale venue and the Wrightson team led by managing director Michael Floyd went to work. Being a prominent vendor close at hand, Ron Chitty became involved as the project evolved. “Michael did a fantastic job, he travelled the world garnering the best ideas from other sales venues and what eventuated in 1988 is without doubt the best sale complex in the world.” Meanwhile, Garry and Mary Chittick, with their son Mark beginning to take on more responsibility, remained in Palmerston North where Thornton Park had become home to the smart Australian-bred sprinter Centaine. “In the first half of the 1970s the lower North Island had lost three very good stallions in quick succession – Pakistan, Oncidium and Sobig – and not long after that Three Legs as well, so that did have an impact,” Chittick recalls. “In the end it became inevitable there would be a move north, but for us it didn’t mean we would naturally follow suit. It wasn’t until the early 1990s when the dairy company next door approached us to buy the farm to take care of their waste liquid, and at the same time Waikato Stud went into receivership and we were in a position to buy it, that we made the move north.” When the decision was made to relocate the National Sale, Chittick and Buzz Williams requested a meeting with Wrightson chairman Sir Ron Trotter in the hope of negotiating some sort of compensation for South Island vendors who would be most affected by the longer travel distances. “No-one had any option but to run with the idea, but we did feel for the South Islanders and we asked Ron Trotter if they would consider a travel subsidy, but that never happened,” Williams said. For his part during the consultation period, Brian Anderton recalls being just one of two who voted against the move north, but inevitably was unable to stand in the way of industry progress. “It became a much longer journey by road and sea, and one year we actually flew the horses out of Dunedin by Bristol Freighter, but that didn’t last. We’ve sold a lot of very good horses at the National Sale over the years, and even though our numbers aren’t big these days, it’s still important to us for White Robe to have a presence at Karaka.” For Buzz and Susie Williams and their son Sam, who with his wife Dame Catriona now operate under the Little Avondale banner buoyed by their outstanding sire Per Incanto, the former short trip over the Remutakas to the Upper Hutt is now something quite different, but they’ve fully embraced Karaka and what it has to offer. “Lots has changed over the years, the amount of assistance buyers now have with scopes, x-rays and whatnot,” says Williams. “Back in the day guys like Bart and Tommy just looked at the horse and saw it for what it was, but it’s a whole lot different now. “Feed is a lot different too, what with all the premixed formulas that everyone depends on now – old buggers like me still remember that beautiful aroma of boiled barley and linseed. “No matter where the sale is held though, it will always be a wonderful occasion for everyone to get together and enjoy it for what it is. You could hardly wish for a better venue than Karaka to do business, socialise and talk horses.” To which Garry Chittick fully concurs, including the role that New Zealand Bloodstock has played since becoming the selling agent in 1996, bringing a truly global buying bench to Karaka as it targets key markets. His overview includes witnessing a third generation coming through at Waikato Stud, but the future comes with a caveat. That involves sourcing the right stallions to replace the likes of personal flagbearers Centaine, O’Reilly and Savabeel, while also not forgetting others that have shared such a vital load through the decades of National Yearling Sales. “It has become the responsibility of an ever-decreasing few and that genuinely concerns me,” he says. “It’s crucial for the viability of not just our annual sale but our entire industry that we continue to find the means to invest in stallions that will take us into the future.” Notwithstanding, he’ll quietly enjoy the challenge of Waikato regaining its title as leading vendor, just as Haunui, now led by Mark and Sara Chitty, will look within for another to emulate last year’s sale-topper that enabled the farm’s first Karaka premiership, or that previous leading vendors Cambridge Stud and Curraghmore may have the wherewithal in their drafts to bid for further honours. No matter how this historic sale plays out, one sure bet in a game riddled with the unknown is that the list of champions sourced over the past century from the National Yearling Sale will be added to by those as-yet unidentified members of the class of 2026. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
David Hayes is confident Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) remains in peak form as the world’s highest-rated sprinter chases history in the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 January). Unbeaten in 16 starts since 12 February, 2024, Ka Ying Rising will equal Silent Witness’ record for a Hong Kong-trained horse of 17 victories in a row if he eclipses six rivals in this weekend’s Group 1 double-header, which also features Romantic Warrior’s clash with Voyage Bubble in the HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m). Acclaimed last week as Timeform Horse of the Year (2025) as well as being acknowledged this week as both the world’s premier sprinter and joint second-best horse in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, Ka Ying Rising has won 17 of 19 starts, including six at Group 1 level. Hayes is adamant Ka Ying Rising, who broke his own Sha Tin 1200m track record in the 2025 Centenary Sprint Cup with a winning time of 1m 07.20s, has not regressed since his devastating G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) triumph in December. “Last start was probably his best win and he seems no worse and what’s so special about him is that he just keeps putting up consistent ratings that are exceptional. Everything tells me that he’s the same,” Hayes said. “I would say (his form is) very similar. It’s hard to say better, isn’t it?” A dual Hong Kong champion trainer, Hayes said he never expected to have a horse capable of threatening Silent Witness’ record, which has stood since 2005. “I never thought that would happen but it’s looking very realistic and if trackwork and trials are any guide, he’s (Ka Ying Rising) held his form and it’s exciting for the weekend,” Hayes said. Ka Ying Rising will jump from barrier four under Zac Purton, while Hayes will also be represented by Tomodachi Kokoroe (Harry Bentley) against Helios Express (Hugh Bowman), Fast Network (James McDonald), Raging Blizzard (Brenton Avdulla), Beauty Waves (Matthew Chadwick) and Lucky With You (Luke Ferraris). “Tomodachi Kokoroe needs to improve. He was fantastic until he got up to the upper class and then when he got into the Group 1s, he struggled. But he’s healthy and well and I’m hoping he can run a place,” Hayes said. Thirteen-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size is represented in the Centenary Sprint Cup by Raging Blizzard, who ran second to Ka Ying Rising in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, while Helios Express was fifth in the same race. “I don’t think there’s much between them at this stage of their careers; it just depends on the circumstances of the race, the tempo and the track conditions of the day to split them,” Size said. “Raging Blizzard ran a big race on international day to finish second and Helios Express has been consistent, too.” Size will pit 2025 G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) winner Red Lion against Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble in the Stewards’ Cup, which is the first leg of the Triple Crown. To jump from barrier one under Hugh Bowman, Red Lion ran third to Voyage Bubble and Soul Rush in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 14 December. “You never know what can happen on a racetrack and that’s how we live but, as we know, he’s beaten the great horse (Voyage Bubble) once and that was a good example that on any given day, something can work in your favour,” Size said. “His run on international day was near his best and he’s fit and well.” Last season’s Triple Crown winner Voyage Bubble will start from barrier six in his bid to win a third consecutive Stewards’ Cup, while Romantic Warrior will jump from gate seven. Apart from fellow Group 1 winners Red Lion and Lucky Sweynesse, the decorated pair will also face Beauty Joy, Galaxy Patch, Straight Arron, My Wish and Sunlight Power. “The horses are fine and I’m expecting them all to run their usual races. They’ve been in very good shape and they’ve been racing well on the track, too,” Size said. “They all ran well on international day and now they’ve had some time to recuperate, I think they’re ready to run very well again. “I can’t ask for anything more from them in their preparation, but you also can’t expect too much when you’re racing three champions like Ka Ying Rising, Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior. It could all go according to plan, or there could be an upset – you never know until they cross the line.” Sunday’s (25 January) 11-race Sha Tin meeting starts with the Class 4 Peniaphobia Handicap (1000m) at 12.30pm. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Cambridge Stud are under no illusions about the task ahead of Silver Wedding (Zoustar) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with connections hoping she has one more peak performance to come. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old will tackle the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) ahead of a spell. “There wasn’t any obvious black-type races in Brisbane or Sydney and this one was on the radar, so we brought her over and win, lose or draw she’ll have four weeks at the farm at Karaka and then go back to Sydney,” Cambridge’s chief executive Henry Plumptre said. “It’s hard to line-up the form, she’s an improving type with a good turn of foot and she’s a Zoustar and they can keep improving. “She’s showed good progress against weaker opposition, it is quite a strong race with depth and that’s the difference. “We just hope that improvement she showed in Brisbane might keep going for one more run.” Silver Wedding broke her maiden in Sydney last year before she was sent inter-state where she flourished. “She’s been a work in progress for Ciaron and we’ve been deliberately quite strategic where she’s been placed,” Plumptre said. “That’s why she went up to Brisbane to try and find some metropolitan races she could win and get her confidence up, as she has been quite an anxious type. “She put two together up there and should have won a third and we were looking around for some black type to run in before she went to the paddock for a spell.” Silver Wedding was successful at Doomben and Eagle Farm and then finished runner-up at the latter venue last time out in early January. Cambridge Stud’s colours will also be carried by the Tony Pike-trained Lucy In The Sky (Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy, 1200m) and stablemate Argo in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO Classic (1600m). Lucy In The Sky won the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) last season before she was put aside and was unplaced when resuming at Ellerslie earlier this month. “I think she might possibly be needed to be ridden a little bit cold rather than trying to lead them up,” Plumptre said. “As you step up in that three-year-old stakes class, it gets increasingly difficult to lead all the way.” She is by the stud’s champion 2024/25 freshman sire Hello Youmzain, who will also be represented in the farm-sponsored event by the unbeaten Drops Of God, Bulgari, Cream Tart and first emergency Places To Be. “He’s had a stack of winners, 100 from his first two crops and all we need now is the big one to crack the ceiling,” Plumptre said. Meanwhile, Argo won two on the bounce before he handled a rise in class admirably to finish third in the Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham. The farm will also hold a strong hand in the opening event, the HKJC World Pool Jo Giles Stakes (1400m) with the in-form duo of the Lance Noble-prepared Frostfair and Cody Cole’s Power Of Three to go head-to-head. View the full article
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