Westbury Stud Celebrate Producing NZ Horse of the Year, Sharp 'n' Smart

Media Release - Monday September 11

The champagne was flowing at Westbury Stud’s table at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards in Auckland on Sunday night following Sharp ‘N’ Smart being crowned IRT Champion Three-Year-Old of the Year and SENZ Horse of the Year.

A son of resident stallion Redwood, Sharp ‘N’ Smart was bred by farm principal Gerry Harvey and sold through Westbury Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft to Graeme Rogerson for $55,000.

SENZ Horse of the Year Sharp 'N' Smart. Photo: Trish Dunell

Westbury Stud General Manager Russell Warwick said Sharp ‘N’ Smart has always had a strong presence about him.

“He was always quite an imposing horse. He was out of a mare that really didn’t show any ability. He was the first foal and had a bit of presence about him,” Warwick said.

“He always had a lot of confidence in himself and portrayed that in everything you did with him – he was cheeky and had that little bit of attitude about him.

“We had a $55,000 reserve on him at Karaka and Graeme had the last bid at $55,000, otherwise he would have been coming home.

“He asked us if we wanted to stay in, which we did, and from that point he said ‘we would ready-to-run him and if we make a good profit on him we will sell him, if not, we will hang onto him’.”

Sharp ‘N’ Smart was passed in at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run sale later that year and in hindsight his connections are happy about the outcome.

“He had a $100,000 reserve on him at the ready to run sale. He went through the ring and passed in at $90,000,” Warwick said.

“If someone had actually put their hand up at $100,000 the whole ballgame of Sharp ‘N’ Smart could have been quite different.”

He has gone on to win six and place in four of his 14 starts and earned more than $3.1 million in prizemoney.

Five of those victories came last season as a three-year-old, where he won the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1600m), Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

Advertisement

He was also runner-up in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2400m).

“It was great to see him rewarded with the accolade (of Horse of the Year), particularly in a year where the competition was so high,” Warwick said.

“The group of three-year-olds that we had in New Zealand this year was very strong, but to go and beat them at Group One level over in Australia and then run second in a VRC Derby and fourth in an ATC Derby (Gr.1, 2400m), he got all the accolades he deserved.”

Redwood (GB) stands at Westbury Stud at a fee of $10,000, click for more info and a Hypo mating.

Sharp ‘N’ Smart has been a great product of Westbury Stud and Redwood, and Warwick is looking forward to the future with the gelding.

“He has been a superb headline horse in a number of ways, not only with his racing prowess, but also from Redwood’s position,” he said.

“He is only a four-year-old, so all things going well, he has still got a good two or three racing seasons ahead at the highest level.”

Unfortunately, his dam Queen Margaret died following a paddock accident, but the Westbury team have retained her only other foal, a three-year-old unnamed Redwood filly.

“She is a big filly and has just needed time,” Warwick said.

“She is pre-training at the moment and has got a value regardless of whether she races. We have put no pressure on her just because of her size, but we can get a little more serious with her going forward.

“She will be retained and race in Gerry’s colours.

“Unfortunately, Queen Margaret broke her leg in a paddock accident. She was ill-fated but her son is carrying a lot of pride for her at the moment.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
French Derby Winner for Wootton Bassett
The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Star Sharp 'n' Smart Returns to Work - Cups Campaign Looms
Hamilton trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson have enjoyed welcoming back a number of their stable stars this week ahead of their spring preparations.
Sharp 'n' Smart Ready for Summer Campaign
Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart is set to head to Trentham on Saturday to kick-off his summer campaign and ready for a Group One assignment at the Upper Hutt track next month.
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.
Pony Racing Series Finals This Saturday
The excitement is building as the 2025 National Pony Racing Series Finals prepare to take centre stage at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday, 7 June, showcasing the nation's most promising young riders and their ponies.
Williams honoured with Damehood
Two thoroughbred industry stalwarts have been bestowed one of New Zealand’s highest honours in the King’s Birthday honour list, including Catriona Williams, who has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport.
Can Rogey Win Cup?
As New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Graeme Rogerson prepares for his shot at again winning racing's Holy Grail, he has revealed to Trackside: "I'm just lucky to be alive".
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Spring Goals for Progressive Per Incanto
Spring stakes assignments are in the crosshairs for exciting gelding Twain following his victory in the Waihou Tavern (1150m) at Te Aroha on Monday.
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.