NZRB Turnover and News

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races canceled its card Jan. 15 due to wind chills in the single digits. Track and state racing officials met Jan. 15 with members of the jockey colony and decided to cancel racing for human and equine safety.View the full article

With a long a storied history in sales in Australia, Inglis, which has hosted online auctions in Australia for almost a decade, branched into the U.S market when acquiring the majority share in the Thoroughbred auction platform Wanamaker's in the spring of 2024. Re-branded as Inglis Digital USA, the company's co-founder Liza Hendricks stayed on as Chief Executive Officer while Kyle Wilson and Kelly Brophey joined the team. Initially appointed as the senior director of sales and recruitment, Wilson was promoted to the position of CEO in late 2025. Addressing the appointment of Wilson and the continuing  expansion of the Inglis Digital USA platform, Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster offered, “Horse racing and breeding is more global than ever thanks to evolving technology and broad-minded industry participants who have the capacity to think, invest and play outside their own backyard. Our digital business in Australia services every continent offering global bloodlines twice a month to a savvy local and international market, we are now seeing that same evolution developing with our USA business; now led by former Keeneland executive Kyle Wilson who was recently promoted to CEO.” Webster continued, “Noting the increasing importance of technology, Inglis acquired its own tech dev company Ardex Technology more than five years ago which gives us a unique advantage to share our innovations with almost all thoroughbred industry participants around the world, including trainers, breeders, veterinarians, transporters, farriers, bloodstock agents, syndicators and of course small and largescale traditional and or digital auction houses.” “The next stage of our evolution is extending our Ardex developed services to the USA and the relaunch of ID USA on our latest platform in the coming months is an important for our growth in the US market.” Following Wilson's recent appointment, TDN sat down with the company's newest CEO to discuss plans for Inglis Digital USA under its new leadership.   TDN: Can you tell us little about your recent appointment to CEO and some of the new responsibilities that come with that?   Kyle Wilson: I was originally brought on as the Senior Director of Sales & Recruitment to work with Liza Hendriks and build what was formerly Wanamakers into Inglis Digital USA. In that role I was strictly focused on bringing in horses to sell and people to sell to. As CEO I have a much broader day to day. On top of continuing to build our reach domestically and globally I also have to be on top of all the other things that make a business run from scheduling ads to making sure our insurance is up to date. It's been a change but I'm finding it very fulfilling.   TDN: As the new CEO, is there anything that you would like to tackle initially in 2026?   KW: In 2026 we have a number of goals. Specific to our monthly sales we want to continue to grow our entries and gross. We're working with our team in Australia to develop a new website as we continue to offer our customers the best product we can. In a broader sense we are always looking to grow the Inglis brand.   TDN: What do you think was Inglis Digital USA's biggest achievement in 2025? Anything that you think can be augmented or further developed in the new year?   KW: The obvious answer is our last sale hitting a record for a sale topper in $550,000 for Brotha Kenny which the whole team was delighted with. When speaking about success we cannot forget Regaled's incredible performance in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). She was an astute purchase by Legion Bloodstock for $300,000 in our May 2025 Sale. We also capitalized on our international reach by selling horses to a number of countries including the UAE and Australia. What I've been really proud of is all the feedback I've received from customers regarding the personal touch they get by working with us. We try and be as hands on as possible and as we continue to grow we don't plan on forgetting the importance of that.   TDN: Did you encounter any obstacles over the past season that you didn't anticipate? What was the solution?   KW: The main obstacle isn't Inglis Digital USA specific and that's just the slow nature of an industry to adapt to the digital market. We've made huge strides in the last couple of years and I think the growth in this sector is only just beginning. Other than that I think the “obstacle” that threw me for a loop the most is when our announcer, Naomi, came up sick a couple days before our December Sale! Luckily our Founder and former CEO Liza Hendriks stepped up to fill in.   TDN: Do you still meet some resistance from those unwilling attempt a digital sale? How do you try to convert them using real life success stories?   KW: Certainly! Digital sales represent a big change in the industry. I can understand some hesitance towards something that is a departure from what people are used to. During my time at Keeneland there were a number of people against internet and phone bidding. Now it's a major part of all in person auctions. What we're trying to do is create an outlet where buyers and sellers can do business in the most convenient and flexible way possible. We only take a commission on a sale which is different than the other major outlets. We operate on 0% RNA commission. What we've seen is that for certain horses it just makes more sense to leave them in their stalls and sell them from home. As for converting people we just let the successes speak for us and grow from there.   TDN: What is the process used to locate perspective candidates for your sales   KW: In a broad sense it's all about exposure. One way to locate candidates is have a good sale. It's the best advertising possible. We also use the tried and true method of finding something you like and picking up the phone. Once you get someone to have a good experience then the better chance they'll come back. One horse sold in one sale could turn into five in the next. We also have a good relationship with consignors and work closely with them to create opportunities for their clients to make some money whenever possible. While the other major companies in the U.S. sell horses using both digital and in-person sales, Inglis sells horses primarily on an online platform. Do you think that's an advantage or a disadvantage? I don't consider it a disadvantage but we always try to make sure our new customers know how important the Inglis brand is in the global market. The company has been in existence since 1867. They have been selling horses digitally since 2017. Inglis is a major international auction house with a number of different commercial arms that all compliment one another. Digital sales is shrinking the world in a good way by providing opportunities for individuals who may not have had them before. Introducing a global brand like Inglis to North America can only be a good thing. As far as strictly selling online, I don't see that as a disadvantage. We certainly haven't been around as long as the other auction houses in North America but not having to worry about an in person sale makes us as flexible as possible. We can do what someone wants whenever they want and I believe that is the best way to maximize a horse's liquidity at the right time. We target horses to sell on our platform, not a specific sale at a specific time.   TDN: What do you think is at the foundation of a successful online sale?   KW: I think there are three very important things. One of course is the horses on offer. It's necessary to have something with buzz around it to bring eyes to the sale. The next is momentum. The current sale can always drive business to the next sale so keeping things moving and fresh is very important. Lastly it's loyalty and support which I do think are byproducts of the first two but no business is built solely by the people working there. We have had our success because great horsemen and horsewomen supported us and we'll never forget that. We make customer service the most important part of our business. Inglis Digital USA prides itself on our ability to have a one on one relationship with the seller and the buyer to make the process as smooth and rewarding as possible. In the bigger scheme of things, the digital market is a relatively new one. What do you think about its progression, overall, thus far? Being tied to Inglis I've had the fortune of seeing how things progressed in Australia. Inglis is a good 8-10 years ahead of us in the digital market and selling a serious amount of horses every month. Inglis has two sales a month with anywhere from 250 to 400 horses per sale. The North American market is larger in terms of the number of horses so the sky is the limit over here.   TDN: Where do you see the digital platforms and market heading in the next five years? 10 years?   KW: I think the platforms are going to continue to get more advanced and the buyers/sellers are going to become more likely to participate. As horses bought out of digital sales continue to perform well on the track and in breeding programs it's going to be hard to ignore. Digital sales will never replace certain in person sales but it makes the sales process a lot more approachable for a sector of the business that normally wouldn't travel to a sale.   TDN: What is the vision for Inglis Digital USA in 2026? What about your own goals for your first full season as CEO?   KW: I do have some ideas but I'm keeping those close to my chest for the time being! We can't keep doing the same things every year and expect different results so there are some new concepts we're working on we can hopefully see come to fruition this year. I'd like us to continue to grow. I'd like to sell more horses for more money…if that's too simple I apologize but that's the name of the game. It's very important to continue to add new customers, but equally as important to retain current ones so that will be a focus for the team in 2026. I'd like to add some staff as well. Just because selling online is flexible and easy there is still a ton of work that goes on behind the scenes in a very short period of time.   Addressing the appointment of Wilson and the continuing  expansion of the Inglis Digital USA platform, Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster offered, “Horse racing and breeding is more global than ever thanks to evolving technology and broad-minded industry participants who have the capacity to think, invest and play outside their own backyard. Our digital business in Australia services every continent offering global bloodlines twice a month to a savvy local and international market, we are now seeing that same evolution developing with our USA business; now led by former Keeneland executive Kyle Wilson who was recently promoted to CEO.” Webster continued, “Noting the increasing importance of technology, Inglis acquired its own tech dev company Ardex Technology more than five years ago which gives us a unique advantage to share our innovations with almost all thoroughbred industry participants around the world, including trainers, breeders, veterinarians, transporters, farriers, bloodstock agents, syndicators and of course small and largescale traditional and or digital auction houses.” “The next stage of our evolution is extending our Ardex developed services to the USA and the relaunch of ID USA on our latest platform in the coming months is an important for our growth in the US market.” The post TDN Q and A with Inglis Digital USA’s New CEO Kyle Wilson appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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If recent history is anything to go by, Thursday's crowd at Cagnes-sur-Mer could have been looking at a future Group 1 winner as Frankish prevailed in what is becoming a storied maiden. Three years after the Prix Ace Impact was won its former guise by the illustrious colt after which it is now named, the 10-furlong test on the sand which has seen two other subsequent top-level winners come to the fore produced another highly promising newcomer. Unsurprisingly, the Wertheimers' son of Lope De Vega and their 1,000 Guineas heroine Miss France (Dansili) was sent off the 3-1 second favourite behind the Rouget colt Armano (Waldgeist), who as a half-brother to Ace Impact himself and the 2024 winner of this race in Arrow Eagle (Gleneagles) was always going to be popular. In the event, the more stoutly-bred Waltraut Spanner homebred was never able to get into the race in any meaningful sense while the Yann Barberot-trained Frankish travelled with menace restrained under cover in third under Hugo Journiac. While the 19-10 market-leader Armano could only stay on into fifth, the winner overhauled Jean-Claude Seroul's Cosmic Boy (De Treville) approaching the furlong pole and on to a convincing two-length success. Frankish has big boots to fill now, with last year's Grand Prix de Paris hero Leffard (Le Havre) having become the third straight Prix Ace Impact to register a victory at the highest level. The post Wertheimer Blueblood Frankish Wins Key Cagnes Pointer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Troubled but talented mare Tarvue (NZ) (Tarzino) will chase successive Flemington victories when she lines up in the staying event on the card this Saturday. The John Sadler-trained daughter of Tarzino is on the quick back-up after she saluted at headquarters last weekend. “She’s had lots of feet problems which have really interrupted her career so far,” Sadler said. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen the best of her until possibly last Saturday where we saw a glimpse of what we’ve been hoping for.” Sadler gave credit to renowned farrier John Bunting for the work that he’s done in assisting Tarvue with her feet issues. Saturday’s 2520m contest will prove to be a decisive race for Tarvue’s preparation, as a tilt at the Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March could be on the cards for her, depending on how she handles the rise in distance this weekend. “Of course, the query is the 1800m to the 2500m, but she would have been better at 2000m last week,” Sadler said. “I don’t think the 2500m is going to be a worry.” Luke Cartwright will retain the ride on Tarvue on Saturday. Tarvue was bred by Rosemont Stud and is by Westbury Stud’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner Tarzino, who has quickly made his name as a sire of classic horses – such as Derby winners Jungle Magnate and Willydoit and Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess. The dam of Tarvue is the Japanese-bred Admire Moon mare Vamoose, a half-sister to the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Admire Rakti. Mapperley Stud offered Tarvue in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, where Vue International Pty Ltd bought her for $25,000. Tarvue’s 16-start career has produced four wins, two placings and A$168,800 in stakes. View the full article

An expanded Hong Kong 10s tournament and midweek racing at Happy Valley are among the changes being made to this year’s sevens week in the city, as the landmark tournament celebrates its 50th birthday in April. For the first time, a partnership between Hong Kong China Rugby, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Hong Kong Football Club will bring an element of cohesion to what is traditionally the biggest week in the city’s sporting calendar. Rugby and racing will work in tandem through the week, with...View the full article