The spring racing season is upon us and we are amped up to see our horses return to the track fully freshened and prepared for strong campaigns. The Proisir Plate is the first New Zealand Group 1 of the season at Ellerslie with many looking forward to the return of the stunning mare WELL WRITTEN, as Marsh Racing ready her for an Australian assault taking on the very best across the Tasman. The advent of warmer weather invariably brings a renewed sense of anticipation as our premier equine athletes recommence their campaigns across both countries, with a focus on various black-type races where the stars come out to play.

We have already witnessed the mighty mare AUTUMN GLOW take out the first Group 1 of the Australian season in the Winx Stakes at Randwick ahead of star mare SHEZA ALIBI and a great Memsie contest at Rosehill last weekend.

We eagerly anticipate the debut performance of the Wexford-trained Super Seth gelding, NEODYMIUM in the near future to see just what sort of engine is under the hood. Additionally, the Stakes-winning gelding, INCANDESCENT is set to return with the objective of competing in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November. QUEEN OF FRANCE is scheduled to make her inaugural appearance in New Zealand subsequent to a return from Australia, with several other contenders poised for advancement this season. We are looking forward to being in Sydney for Epsom Day at Randwick in a month's time.

PROISIR PLATE - 1400m Ellerslie (05)
MOIR STAKES - 1000m Sandown (05)
MAKYBE DIVA STAKES - 1600m Flemington (12th)
SIR RUPERT CLARKE - 1400m Caulfield (19th)
UNDERWOOD STAKES - 1800m Caulfield (19th)
GREAT NZ STEEPLECHASE - 6200m Te Aroha (20th)
HOWDEN INSURANCE MILE - 1600m Hastings (26th)
GOLDEN ROSE - 1400m Rosehill (26th)
MANIKATO STAKES - 1200m Caulfield (27th)

The Group 1 spring season commenced with an exceptional contest featuring Chris Waller's esteemed champion, AUTUMN GLOW, and the promising miler, SHEZA ALIBI, in the Winz Stakes at Randwick, a race that certainly lived up to expectations.

Autumn Glow was the favoured contender in the 1400m race, and the horse, known as "Baby Winx," effortlessly took the lead from the turn, securing a comfortable victory. This marks her 12th win in 13 starts, elevating her stake earnings to over $9 million and achieving her fourth Group 1 title, an extraordinary accomplishment. SHEZA ALIBI demonstrated a strong late surge, closing the gap to Autumn Glow by only 1.4 lengths at the finish.

The champion mare AUTUMN GLOW was then named tbe Australian horse of year for the 2025/26 season to cap off another wonderful season for Chris Waller Racing camp. The five-year-old daughter of THE AUTUMN SUN was also named Champion Middle Distance horse for the season, with wins in that category coming in the Epsom Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m), Verry Elleegant Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) and George Ryder Stakes (Gr 1, 1500m), amassing the second-most prize-money of any horse within the past twelve months.

SHEZA ALIBI was predictably handed the title of Champion 3YO Filly after her resounding wins in both the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile, finishing with 197 votes over TEMPTED on 118 votes. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained four-year-old became the first filly to win the time-honoured Doncaster since SUNLINE back in 1999, scoring by an astonishing 4.3 lengths under Jamie Melham. A daughter of SAXON WARRIOR (Deep Impact) and the only winner from three foals to race out of the winning Shaft mare SHEZA GYPSY, Sheza Alibi was purchased by her owner Fred Noffke for a mere $10,000 during the 2023 Inglis June (Early) Online Sale out of Middlebrook Valley. What a Bargain!

Another one of Waller’s star mares, JOLIESTAR, landed Champion Sprinter honours courtesy of her victories in the T J Smith Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), Canterbury Stakes (Gr 1, 1300m) and Expressway Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). That total would have had every chance of being improved upon had she not taken a detour late in the season to compete at Royal Ascot, where she ran a very close third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

The six-year-old daughter of ZOUSTAR ran out a resounding winner of the category on 142 votes over nearest rival TEMPTED on 65 votes, with TENTYRIS on 52 votes, joining the likes of BLACK CAVIAR, NATURE STRIP, CHAUTAUQUA, FALVELON and BELLA NIPOTINA on the roll of honour. A $950,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Cambridge Stud’s Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay from the Segenhoe Thoroughbreds draft, having been bred by Chris Barham, Joliestar currently sits on ten wins from 21 starts and over $9 million in prizemoney amassed.

HALF YOURS proved a complete revelation during the 2025-26 campaign and deservedly scooped the honour of Champion Stayer, amassing 195 votes to beat AELIANA (Castelvecchio) on a very commendable 122 votes. The six-year-old gelding went from an impressive success in the Naturalism Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) in September to then registering back-to-back wins in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, becoming just the 13th horse to complete the feat in the same year and finishing the season as leading earner on $9,032,450.

Owned by Australian Bloodstock, Half Yours is a son of late Brackley Park stallion ST JEAN (Teofilo), who died in a paddock accident just weeks after his son’s Melbourne Cup victory.

Champion 2YO went to the brilliant Golden Slipper winner GUEST HOUSE (Home Affairs), his sire Home Affair’s leading light during the season and main provider for the stallion’s Champion First Season Sires title. In an era when Champion sire titles can often be shaped by one exceptional progeny or one massive payday, Home Affairs’ dominance ran far deeper - he would still have claimed the title even without the deeds of his standout first crop performer.

As well as his Slipper success, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt finished third in the Gr.1 Blue Diamond and runner-up in the Gr.3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G). Guest House garnered huge support with 191 votes, beating Blue Diamond-winning filly STREISAND (Magnus) on 98 votes. CAMPIONE D’ITALIA (Snitzel) was third in the juveniles on a tally of 65 votes.

CRAIG GRYLLS, the highly skilled jockey from a famous background, retained the prestigious New Jockey's Premiership last season, a recognition that was truly merited. The 36-year-old Grylls ran away with the title nailing 140 victories, placing him 47 wins ahead of the next best in Sam Collett. Grylls collected 11 Stakes wins for the season, including a Group 1 double on the fine Wexford-trained galloper, WAITAK.
Craig meticulously honed his horsemanship skills during his apprenticeship with Graeme Sanders, commencing in the mid-2000s. He spent two years in Singapore, where he rode 44 winners, returning home to ride CROWN PROSECUTOR to victory in the 2019 NZ Derby at odds of 100/1. In 2022, Grylls brought up his 1000th win in the saddle in New Zealand, joining his father Gary and 35 other jockeys in reaching the milestone.
His highlights package last season included G1 victories on LA DORADA in the Levin Classic and HINEKAKA in the Cal Izuzu. While Grylls has contemplated entering the highly competitive Australian racing circuit, having commenced his riding career in New Zealand in 2005, he presently prioritises his established lifestyle and domestic achievements. Given his current level of prominence, transitioning to a less central role within such a competitive landscape would present significant challenges, particularly as his current level of riding has him at the top of his game at home.

Grylls has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather John and father Gary, while his sister Bridget has also ridden successfully on both sides of the Tasman. From a famous racing family, his father Gary Grylls is best known for riding 1,251 winners including nearly 20 Group One triumphs over 28 years in the saddle. Gary's late father Johnny Grylls was also a top-tier jockey who won over 700 races and major features like the Auckland Cup. Given this extensive experience, fantastic pedigree and innate talent, it is understandable that Craig Grylls has achieved such a remarkable career as New Zealand's leading jockey.

We anticipate an exceptional season for the three-year-old crop in New Zealand, featuring both established talent from their juvenile campaigns and promising new kids on the block emerging that have already shown fine ability. The Daniel Nakhle owned SHALABIYA (Brazen Beau) blitzed the opposition on debut up at Ruakaka looking every part a talented young galloper, but SHE'S NO SAINT (Prague) defeated the filly in the Northland Breeders to rack up three straight wins, and she has was a late developer for Michelle Bradley. The filly is a quick horse and loves to get out there and run freely, winning three-in-a-row, including the Breeders at up North.

Early spring meetings help define the pecking order for emerging three-year-old stars heading toward major summer carnivals, and FORTUNATO, a PER INCANTO gelding trained by the Lowry/Zydenos duo, delivered a remarkable debut performance in a competitive Colts & Geldings race at Taupo, demonstrating exceptional potential by securing a decisive victory. Guy Lowry did believe he will need more time and they won't be rushing him, but he did appear very professional first up and surely they press on from there. You may have to crowbar Craig Grylls out of the saddle with this one.

OUT OF THE BLUE (Tivaci) featured in that Taupo field and he might end up more of a sprinter throughout the season but seemed more mature and able to settle better before picking up strongly with a late burst of speed. The other Te Akau runner KINNAIRD (Home Affairs) didn't look good at all, but the stable still have a number coming through likely to run in the big 3YO features and he may not have appreciated the Heavy track. Their ones to watch out for are SYSTEM OF PLAY (Ole Kirk) and ZAFAR (Snitzel) along with SWEETEST THING (Hello Youmzain), while star juvenile pair LARA ANTIPOVA (Russian Revolution) and SEIZE THE DAY (I Am Invincible) are well settled in the Cranbourne stable in Melbourne.

INCANDESCENT has been held back by the James/Wellwood team to keep him fresh, and as a Stakes winning two-year-old, doesn't need to be pushed to qualify for any age-group features. He will likely return in September with a race on the 14th at Ellerslie possibly a nice target to prepare for the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November. His stablemate EXCITE (Wootton Bassett) was only lightly raced as a 2YO, but did claim a Te Rapa Stakes event over INCANDESCENT, so both look like geniune milers and the stable enjoyed a wonderful 2025/26 season with their quality three-year-olds.

A number will be aimed towards the Guineas as the first major assignment in 2026 before preparing towards the Karaka Millions 3YO feature in late January 2027 and the NZB KIWI at Ellerslie on Champion Day, early March. But the one thing we do know, is that there will be no WELL WRITTEN this season to dominate proceedings.

Other competitive horses in the age group, including Colin Jillings Classic winner LIGURIA (Snitzel), Taupo fillies winner in August, HAWEA (Hellbent), TE ENCUENTRO (Frankel), HARVEY WALLBANGER (Home Affairs), LASSIFIED (Stay Inside), MISS JANET (Home Affairs), POUNCE (Almanzor), and Ryder Stakes winner BACK OF THE BUS (Hello Youmzain), are expected to showcase their abilities throughout the season. We will have a better overview of the two-year-olds likely to feature once they are up and running.

New Zealand jockey Samantha "SAM" COLLETT officially reached the milestone of 1000 New Zealand domestic wins on Sunday, 23 August 2026, creating arguably a world-first family racing legacy. Collett brought up her historic 1,000th domestic win aboard the horse RIPPINALL at the Hawera race meeting. Collett won the race wearing Thurlow’s racing silks - the same colours she wore during her first career Group One victory aboard GLORY DAYS in the 2019 Auckland Cup. The one thing you know about Sam, is she always has a smile on her face and seems to love life in the saddle. Her ability to judge a racehorse to perfection sees Sam as one of New Zealand's most preeminent jockeys and highly respected in the industry by trainers, owners and her fellow riders.

While Collett had already crossed her 1000th overall career victory back in May 2023 while riding in Queensland, Australia, achieving 1000 wins strictly on New Zealand soil holds immense sentimental value. The win cemented her position alongside both her mother and father in New Zealand racing history, a multi-generational feat unmatched in global racing.

After moving to Brisbane in 2021 and riding over 150 winners across the Tasman, Collett returned to New Zealand for the 2025–26 season, immediately making an impact by finishing second on the National Jockey's Premiership with 93 wins.
Jim Collett, a highly successful former jockey who recorded over 1624 wins in New Zealand, including 12 at Group One level. He now operates as a racehorse trainer based in the Waikato. Mother, Trudy Thornton was a widely respected, elite Group One-winning rider who achieved over 1,150 career victories. She has famously remained an active, competitive force in the saddle well into her 50s. The racing pedigree extends across generations. Her cousins Jason Collett and Alysha Collett are prominent, well-established jockeys in Sydney, Australia. Their parents, Richard Collett (a trainer and former rider) and Judy Collett (former rider), also spent their lives embedded in the industry.

LORD SPENCER guided by popular Wanganui trainer J.J Rayner backed up his fine Koral win with a stunning last stride victory in the 151st running of the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton in August. Despite the absence of starts chasers JESKO and the late WEST COAST, and the withdrawal of CAPTAIN'S RUN prior to the event, the spectacle proved to be exceptional, culminating in a memorable contest between two formidable competitors.

Having transitioned from a distinguished hurdling career to steeplechasing, the nine-year-old ZED gelding, LORD SPENCER, demonstrated superior performance against competitors at Te Aroha and Woodville prior to his journey south for the Koral Steeplechase, which he won with remarkable proficiency. In the time-honoured Grand National, LORD SPENCER tracked BRUCIE throughout as both put on a jumping masterclass with the Raymond Connors gelding pressing hard from the turn after making all the running. Lemmy Douglas then commenced his efforts with Lord Spencer, who successfully cleared the final obstacle between the brush and began to diminish the lead held by the brave Brucie.

As the arduous three-and-a-half-mile contest drew to a close, it appeared that Brucie, having led for the entire race, would just hold on and secure victory. However, Lord Spencer demonstrated a remarkable surge in the final 50 metres, ultimately overtaking the resilient Wellington Steeplechase winner precisely at the finish line. Briucie led for all of 5599m of the race and there was no shame in defeat up against such a stylish chaser at the top of his game. Rayner was fighting back tears as she described how much the win meant to her family, including her father, Evan, who prepared dashing hurdler MISTER DIVINSKY to win the 1990 Grand National Hurdles.

The WRITTEN TYCOON stallion, MEDIA WORLD, previously under the tutelage of Peter Snowden at Randwick, has been relocated to New Zealand by Yulong with the objective of achieving Group 1 black-type success to enhance his market value. Media World is a 5-year-old out of the EPAULETTE mare, MERYL. He has had 18 race starts for 4 wins and five placings but has yet to live up to expectations.

The Gr.3 Hawkesbury Guineas winner was almost gelded as a colt, but majority owner Yulong opted for one last shot with him as an entire. Yulong paid $1.4 million for Media World at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Fairview Park Stud in 2023. A strong 2nd place finish in the Foxbridge Plate behind ALABAMA LASS in his NZ debut suggests he will be a strong sprinting prospect throughout the spring and summer racing period in New Zealand.

A business structure reliant solely on familial trust is inherently fragile, as evidenced by its inevitable failure when that trust erodes. The dissolution of two thoroughbred racing entities associated with the distinguished Nakhle family serves as a quintessential illustration of the repercussions and has played out as a messy family discourse in the media and courts.

The dissolution of both Karaka Estate Limited and Bloodstock Partners Limited follows a contentious dispute between Henriette Nakhle and her son, Daniel, with Henriette alleging the misappropriation of over $40 million. The family, which previously appeared on the New Zealand Rich List, established its wealth through South Auckland property ventures before diversifying into hospitality, education, quarrying, and racing. While the unfolding events present a compelling narrative, the underlying lessons are of significant value.

In the case of Nakhle v Karaka Estate Limited, adjudicated in November 2025, the High Court admitted expert testimony from chartered accountant Grant Graham, who conducted an analysis of four years of financial statements up to March 2024, concluding that both entities were insolvent based on both balance-sheet and liquidity metrics.

These operations, which were unprofitable, were sustained by the family holding entity, NTL, through alleged advances to one company totaling over $10 million and distributions exceeding $7 million. Furthermore, since 2020, Daniel Nakhle has been personally financing operating costs, accumulating a related-party loan account without the requisite board approval. In essence he has been dipping in to sustain his lifestyle and racing interests without approval.

Daniel asserted the companies maintained solvency. The court, however, unequivocally rejected this claim, observing that his financial contributions merely led to the companies accumulating additional debt to an unapproved related party. Simply put, an individual's ongoing provision of funds does not equate to solvency, and the court declined to recognise it as such. The Nakhle case is not a marginal instance; it represents a clear insolvency presented as an internal dispute. Nevertheless, the underlying issue - a firm operating solely on personal trust without structural safeguards to address its breakdown - is a common occurrence.

This development significantly impacts the 250 acres Byerley Park training facility which is part of the families assets, and which houses trainers like Donna Logan, Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, Steven Cole, Kylie Hoskin, Barbara Kennedy, Wallace/Cooksley Racing and Jenna Mahoney and supports owner-breeders such as Nakhle, in collaboration with the Danny Walker and Aaron Tata training team.

THE brilliant sprint mare ALABAMA LASS returned to her very best form fresh up in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at TE RAPA and it was no surprise to see the daughter of ALABAMA EXPRESS dominate proceedings after such a nice build up by trainers Bev and Ken Kelso. In classic Ken style, he was reserved before the contest and hardly offered a murmur following the race but knows she has the ability to take it to the Aussies once again if they commit to another Trans-Tasman campaign.

The now five-year-old mare experienced a fantastic three-year-old season before finishing 2nd in the Railway behind CROCETTI, then won the King Plate at Ellerslie with a stunning rail-hugging front running display. She finished 2nd in the Moir at Moonee Valley but crashed into the rail losing Sam Collett trying to defend the Kings Plate. Looks like some unfinished business both here and abroad to attend to.

Sadly, Bev Kelso who trained in partnership with her husband Ken passed away at the age of 80 only one week after this fine victory and had been ill for some time. It will be a very difficult time for the family while the horse continues this current preparation, and Bev would probably want to see ALABAMA LASS give her all representing the team. We wish them all the best and it will be an emotional time at Ellerslie

The previous season provided valuable insights that enabled us to refine our service delivery and enhance the quality of our offerings for our members that they so richly deserve. However, it represented a valuable learning experience.

Maintaining a consistent weekly pace demands significant dedication and substantial time investment, and without a genuine passion for thoroughbred racing and our active participation, this endeavor would present considerably greater challenges. With the foundational support of our dedicated membership and greater wisdom, we are confident in our ability to continuously enhance our services and deliver high-quality information-based platform tailored to assist the everyday punter

As our company continues to expand and evolve, we welcome any suggestions you may have that could further enhance our services. We are still small in nature but big in heart and fully committed to being the best we can.

We have thoroughly reviewed the Project Stamina report, which is anticipated to bring about substantial reforms within the New Zealand racing industry. It is clear that change is essential, particularly in light of the prolonged underinvestment in infrastructure and the declining standards and quality of racecourses over an extended period. However, should these closures proceed, what will be the impact on the cultural racing landscape in both smaller rural areas and major metropolitan centers, and how will this affect the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry as a whole?

While racing is a high-cost endeavor that can yield significant returns, we observe that an organisation such as the Waikato Racing Club, despite hosting numerous race meetings annually, has made limited progress in enhancing public amenities or ensuring their track surface meets appropriate standards. Smaller, more localised racing clubs face similar significant challenges to their continued operation and may be compelled to discontinue their long-standing racing traditions if the NZTR force their hand. A number are willing to put up a fight, but if the historical Avondale Jockey Club is up against it in Auckland, then most stand little to no chance of surviving under the current format and will need to reevaluate how they do business.

The Wellington Racing Club are one determined to stay alive as pressure mounts for the NZTR to negotiate a deal that would see the profitable land sold off and funds reinvested elsewhere in the industry. This goes for a number of regional and metropolitan tracks who have struggled to keep their heads above water and relied on the funds provided by the TAB via NZTR to function effectively. It appears the NZTR are placing all their chips on Ellerslie and the new Waikato venture Greenfields in the north, and Riccarton in the South Island to carry the load, with premier meeting and focus on the higher stakes among these successful racing entities.

Smaller clubs generating lower revenue seem destined for gradual discontinuation to optimise operational expenditures. The reallocated funds will be utilised to sustain training and trial facilities across various regions which will mean a boost for some but a gut-wrenching loss for others. Nevertheless, this initiative will unfortunately lead to the closure of numerous smaller stables that face challenges in attracting investors for their equine placements and force others to relocate. The hope is common sense prevails and there is some flexibility around negotiations to ensure some of our most vulnerable clubs survive in the short term to provide a level of confidence for trainers and owners alike while supporting the way forward.

The scariest aspect would be a scorched earth policy where the TAB (ENTAIN) fight tooth and nail to pressure the NZTR into pushing through radical changes without the appropriate consultation. This could end up with elongated court battles and a drawn-out process where little is achieved within a fair and equitable timeframe. The Avondale Jockey Club don’t seem like budging anytime soon and they could be the test case example having ownership of the land and the desire to push back on closure. If they do in fact fold under pressure denying them any race days, then we could see a flow on effect and number following in quick succession. None of the men in the hot seat look even remotely happy as pressure mounts for them to establish a reasonable solution where New Zealand racing can thrive in a new realm.