Stud graduates gallant in karaka million

7 February 2017

WS graduates produced sterling efforts to finish in the money of the Karaka Million at Ellerslie. Hasahalo roared home from the back to claim the runner-up berth while Felton Road ran on bravely for third money.

“All going well, we’ll be back here for the Diamond Stakes,” Hasahalo’s trainer Stephen McKee said. “She really rattled home, but to be fair the winner (Melody Belle) was too good. We got a bit further back than we wanted when the pace went out of the race.”

A daughter of Savabeel and the Encosta de Lago mare Halloween, Hasahalo was a $110,000 Karaka purchase for Go Racing’s Albert Bosma. WS will offer a full-brother during tomorrow’s Premier Sale.

Felton Road is a son of Pins and the O’Reilly mare Rose Red and he sold for $20,000 12 months ago. “It was a good effort and full credit to the horse, he’s come a long way,” rider Leith Innes said.

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.