Vale, Dave Bradford

Media Release - Sunday February 25

Respected racing journalist and administrator Dave Bradford passed away peacefully in Auckland on Thursday, aged 91.

Having started out as a cadet reporter with the Thames Star, Bradford moved onto the Rotorua Daily Post before later becoming racing editor of the Auckland Star/8 O’Clock.

David Bradford. Photo: Trish Dunell

A committee member of Auckland Racing Club and Matamata Racing Club, Bradford was the first editor of the New Zealand Racing Annual from early 1970s for MOA Publications.

He managed Whitford agistment property Lone Oak Lodge, then established Glen Orchard Stud Matamata in partnership with ARC president and New Zealand Racing Conference chairman Arthur Hughes.

Following the death of first wife Nancey in the early 1980s, he moved to Australia for two years, but returned to New Zealand and joined the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association as executive director in 1986, where he played a big part in overseas trade missions in conjunction with the likes of Labour Government Trade Minister Mike Moore.

He would later join Magic Millions New Zealand. 

Bradford married wife Sonia in 1987 and together they formed Bradford Publishing, and resumed editorship of Racing Annual, while also racing editor of Sunday News until the mid-2000s.

Retired to Havelock North in 2012, Bradford was forced by failing health to return to Auckland in late 2023 until his death last week.

Advertisement

“Dave lived for racing and contributed at many levels, motivated by his love of the sport ahead of monetary reward,” said long-time friend and colleague Dennis Ryan.

“His distinctive writing style embodied those two essential elements – entertaining and informative – as he combined his natural story-telling ability and broad experience of horses and their people.

“He was a willing mentor to me and numerous others and could always be relied upon for sound advice.

“Dave was always enjoyable company, whether working locally, travelling overseas or socially, and his countless friendships were testament to his warm and caring personality.”

Bradford’s  son Neville describes his father as someone who felt privileged to have lived and worked in the racing and breeding industry.

“It was never work to Dad, racing was what he loved and the bonus was the friendships he made with so many wonderful people through his long life,” he said. “He was forever grateful for the opportunities racing gave him.”

At his own request there will be no funeral, however it is hoped for an opportunity in the near future for family and friends of Dave Bradford to gather in his memory. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aquis Welcome First foals for Young Gun Officiating
A fast Group winning sprinter by Breeders Cup Classic winner Blame, Officiating (USA) was carefully selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure an outcross stallion for Queensland and his first foals are arriving this spring.
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 25
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Toronado Filly Snow Mercy Wins G3 Scarborough
Coming off the back of a maiden victory at Morphettville recently at just her second start, the Phillip Stokes trained Snow Mercy highlighted her future class with an impressive victory in the Group 3 MVRC Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Expensive I Am Invincible Mare Wins G1 Manikato
The highest priced filly at the 2022 Magic Millions Yearling Sale when selling for $1.55million, I Am Invincible filly Charm Stone has been a star from day one and is now a two time Group I winner after landing her second victory at the top level with a dominant win in the $2million MVRC Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Pride of Jenni Too Good for Treasurethe Moment in G2 Feehan
Pride of Jenni might be an eight year-old mare that is drawing ever closer to the end of her glorious career, but there was a sparkle in her eye before the Group II MVRC Feehan Stakes (1600m) and it was the Jenni of old that ran her rivals ragged at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
€1.9million Sale-Topping Colt Wins G3 Somerville Stakes
The Group III Somerville Stakes (7f) was run at Newmarket overnight with the Godolphin blue carried by exciting Night of Thunder colt Distant Storm, who they purchased for a sale-topping €1.9million at the Arqana May Breeze Up Sale earlier this year.
Golden Rose Colts – Sires of the Future
The $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) this Saturday offers the winner far more than prizemoney and assuming it’s a colt he is given a golden ticket to a commercial stud career, so let’s take a look at this year’s contenders, who would you want on your stallion roster in 2026?
Manhattan Rain Gold Rush in WA
Geisel Park won’t be the only WA breeder on board when the first locally-conceived 2yo crop of its Group 1 sire Manhattan Rain get mobile this season.
Horse Trading Stock Issues to Avoid
One of the key areas in thoroughbred taxation is accounting for trading stock and ensuring the tax closing value is properly ascertained. You’d be quite surprised of the enormous difference to the tax position of any racing player where trading stock problems occur.
30 Runners in Goffs Million!
The stage is set for Europe’s richest two-year-old race, the Goffs Million (7f), which has attracted a maximum field of 30 runners at the Curragh this Saturday and the €1 million contest, with prize money down to 10th, is only open to graduates of last year’s Goffs Orby Sale.