Mackintosh makes it look easy

25 November 2015

Mackintosh produced a sweet performance to post an upset win on debut at Te Aroha this afternoon. Despite a lead-up trial placing, the WS graduate was unwanted in the betting but scored like a short-priced favourite.

The Pins three-year-old showed good gate speed to cross from a wide draw and coasted clear under Vinnie Colgan. He had two and a half lengths to spare on his closest rival with an effort that suggested the Gr 1 New Zealand Derby nominee can shape up in much stronger company.

Mackintosh is trained at Byerley Park by his part-owner James Bridge, who bought the gelding for $11,000 out of WS’s weanling draft to Karaka in 2011. He is out of the Generous mare Lolly Scramble who is a half-sister to the Gr 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes winner Viennetta.

Tivaci’s Movie Night steals the show at Newcastle

A sister to the Gr.1 ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Never Been Kissed, the Waikato Stud-bred and raced Movie Night (NZ) was rewarded for her consistency, breaking her maiden with an all-the-way win over 1400m at Newcastle for trainer Tom Charlton.

9 July 2026

Oilman’s stud stake could change course of NZ breeding

Eighteen months ago, Texas oilman Nelson Bunker Hunt walked through the lush Waikato pasture of Matamata’s Balcarres Stud and announced he wanted some just like it for his own.

Today he has-360 acres about a mile down the road which has been transformed from a dairy farm to one of New Zealand’s leading horse and cattle breeding establishments.