curious

OK. Thanks for clarifying that. Certainly didn't upset me in the least. As I said, I don't see what it has to do with this topic.

Yes. They got their slots free. Didn't have to pay any auction premium. That's the 4 clubs hosting bonus eligible races. The CJC, ATR, WTR and RACE. NZTR also have a slot on a similar basis.

Agree. Cool vid too.

Well, I know of at least 4 Canterbury trainers that have horses for him and his syndicates, 3 in North Canterbury. Are you questioning that he actually has a large number of horses in work, not that I see why that would make any difference to this initiative.

NZTR is preparing to unveil a uniquely crafted trophy, named Te Puhoro. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ No images? Click here Introducing Te Puhoro: The New NZB Kiwi Trophy New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has unveiled a uniquely crafted trophy, named Te Puhoro, to mark a significant milestone in the journey towards the inaugural running of the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old horse race – the NZB Kiwi. The governing body has commissioned a piece by renowned carver Deane Moreton of Moko Pounamu in Ōtautahi Christchurch, featuring a special design incorporating Māori imagery. The trophy will be awarded to the winner of the NZB Kiwi - a race sponsored by Thoroughbred auction house New Zealand Bloodstock, held on 8 March 2025 at Ellerslie Racecourse. Designed and crafted by Christchurch-based company Frontal Lobe, the contemporary Te Puhoro features a split Koru pattern symbolising swiftness, speed, and agility. In Māori culture, this design can also represent a storm or something tempestuous, mirroring the fiery temperament of a stallion. A standout feature of Te Puhoro is the pounamu stone, carved in the silhouette of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The Hāpopo variety of pounamu is found near Big Bay in South Westland and sourced by expert carver Deane Moreton. Reflecting on Te Puhoro, Moreton said “This has been a rewarding project, allowing us to highlight the unique qualities of the pounamu we selected and showcase it alongside other native materials incorporated in this impressive trophy.” “The multi-layered effect is striking and represents whakapapa, the Māori word for ancestry and bloodline, which is of immense importance and a source of mana for Māori,” he said. NZTR Chairman Russell Warwick expressed his excitement about Te Puhoro on behalf of New Zealand’s Thoroughbred racing code. “This trophy will celebrate the best of our world-class breeding and racing industry, featuring a lineup of premier three-year-olds conceived, born, or sold in New Zealand,” Warwick said. “It has been an honour to work alongside Deane Moreton, who sourced and carved the magnificent pounamu, and the team at Frontal Lobe, who brought the design to life. “We also received strong support from acclaimed writer and poet Ben Brown, who guided us through the process, helping us name the special piece, as well as Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who blessed Te Puhoro in an intimate ceremony for Slot Holders and partners of the NZB Kiwi.” Warwick also highlighted the significance of Te Puhoro as part of a broader initiative to enhance New Zealand’s Thoroughbred racing scene. “We are thrilled to unveil this uniquely stunning piece for the sport of Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. This is just one part of a series of new initiatives aimed at elevating the country’s first-ever Thoroughbred slot race,” he added. NZTR has announced the highly anticipated slot race will take place on Champions Day during the revamped Thoroughbred racing Summer Carnival. The Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, the NZB Kiwi, will be held on 8 March 2025, with New Zealand’s premier three-year-olds competing over 1500m at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland. Watch the creation of Te Puhoro below. NZB Kiwi New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Emma Thompson emma.thompson@nztr.co.nz

Are you going to the meeting?

Managed concussion is required for bone development, hence the increased soundness?

Abstract The impact of high-speed exercise on the musculoskeletal system of young racehorses has been extensively discussed because of concerns regarding animal health and welfare. This study investigated the correlation between age, degree of ossification of the distal radial epiphysis, sex, and career longevity of Thoroughbred racehorses in Brazil from 2012 to 2015. We performed a retrospective evaluation of 286 dorsopalmar radiographs of the left radiocarpal region of young horses and their racing performance. Distal radial epiphyseal closure was classified into three degrees: A, B, or C. Performance data included the number of races raced, athletic career length, and the number of races per month. The variables were subjected to regression analysis. At the time of radiographic examination, male horses were significantly older than females, and horses with epiphyseal closure degrees differed with age. Age at first race was 33.08±3.81 months, the average of races raced was 18.32±15.14 races, athletic career duration was 20.37±13.82 months, and the number of races raced per month was 0.93±0.46 races. Age influenced (P>0.001) the distal radial epiphyseal closure on racehorses, but sex did not (P=0.218 for males and P=0.275 for females). An inverse association was observed between age at the first race, the number of races raced per month, and athletic career duration. The frequency of race and the age at the first race influenced athletic career duration. Ramos, M. T., Silva, C. F. D. O., Rocha, A. C. F. D., Oliveira, C. A. D. A., Ribeiro, C. V. D. M., Costa, M. F. D. M., & Abidu-Figueiredo, M. (2023). Influence of age and sex on bone development and athletic career longevity of Thoroughbred racehorses in Brazil-preliminary study. Ciência Animal Brasileira, 24, e-74190.

Simple Summary Of common debate among equine professionals and enthusiasts alike, is whether entering race training at two years of age is detrimental or beneficial to the animal’s career and growth. This literature review evaluates epidemiological studies to elucidate that two-year-old horses are not at greater risk of injury compared to older horses. Horses which enter race training at two years of age are, in fact, found to have greater earnings and longer race careers. This review also tackles the impact that exercising an animal at two years of age or younger has on bone, articular cartilage, and tendons. Numerous studies on growing animals have found confinement to be detrimental to normal musculoskeletal growth. However, exercise of dynamic nature in moderate distances, such as that attained with pasture access or prescribed sprints, is beneficial to musculoskeletal development and may prevent injuries when entering race training. Based on scientific evidence, the research cited in this review supports the training and racing of two-year-old horses and advises caution in the use of medications such as corticosteroids. Logan AA, Nielsen BD. Training Young Horses: The Science behind the Benefits. Animals (Basel). 2021 Feb 9;11(2):463. doi: 10.3390/ani11020463. PMID: 33572461; PMCID: PMC7916178.

Yes. It would be bad if that proves to be true but probably worse if it turns out that they have failed to keep it topped up to the initial level.

Yes. And circa 200mms to the asphalt base.

Aidan O'Brien obviously doesn't mind using them. https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/279846/city-of-troy-on-to-breeders-cup-after-southwell-work

incompatible? Or did you mean incomparable?

3x3 to Danehill. Some may like that, though I'm no pedigree geek these days. Anyway, this thread seems to have segued into an examination of the author, rather than the concerns raised in his report.

Meritable is mainly for his own mares though he will serve outside walk-ins.

Maybe, but it's easy to verify or negate. Anyone can walk round with a probe and check the measurements in an hour or two. The fatality data came from NZTR.

Hmmm... "as the author of this report, I own 70 Thoroughbred horses located in the Hawkes Bay, Canterbury, Victoria and in NSW. 35 of them now two and three year olds in their racing development phase."

Yes. A huge improvement. Well done NZTR.

Is that Riccarton also?

This is atrocious.

I'm trying to find out.

You been drinking again billy?

Did a quick survey of a few friends last night. All non-racing people though some have pleasure horse riding experience and/or kids having riding lessons etc. Showed them the finish of the Northern and asked if anything struck them. Here are the responses: I don’t know anything about it. Or what to look for. Is the whipping standard? yes that stands out for me as well Is the white horse at the back ok? The whipping by the front person seems more than necessary. I can’t bear to watch it …it does seem archaic 😢 Ä couple of those would take a share in a horse with me if it were not for this. Yet the response I got to my roadshow question on the matter said: We have not seen a considerable negative impact from the current Rules.

I don't agree. Do you think video refs/umpires are a bad thing for rugby and cricket?