Backing Tomorrow’s Leaders: Sunline Trust and Stallion Auction Unite for the Future

Media Release - Monday July 14

On Saturday 26 July, the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding community will gather at the National Breeding Awards — not only to celebrate excellence, but to invest in the future of our people and our industry.

At the heart of the evening is a fundraising effort supporting the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship, which gives emerging Kiwi leaders a unique nine-month global experience to build the skills, confidence, and connections our industry needs to thrive. Over 20 past recipients have gone on to contribute significantly across the industry, here and abroad — click here to see the full list of Sunline Scholarship alumni.

The Sunline Scholarship continues a proud tradition of investing in people. In both 2001 and 2012, stallion nominations were generously donated and auctioned to raise funds for the programme — a testament to the industry’s willingness to support its own and secure opportunities for the next generation. Thanks to the vision and generosity of some of New Zealand’s leading stud farms, the scholarship’s next chapter can begin.

Three of New Zealand’s leading stallions will have service nominations auctioned on the night — Proisir, offered by the Proisir Syndicate and standing at Rich Hill Stud; Circus Maximus, standing at Windsor Park Stud; and Sword of State, standing at Cambridge Stud — with all proceeds going to the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship.

Proisir, from humble beginnings, has rocketed to prominence with a string of Group 1 winners and was crowned New Zealand’s champion sire for the 2023–24 season. Standing at Rich Hill Stud, his progeny continue to impress both on the track and in the sales ring; this season alone he has sired eleven individual stakes winners, and his yearlings have sold up to $1.1 million at Karaka 2025.

Circus Maximus, a triple Group 1-winning champion miler in Europe, is already making a strong impression with his first two-year-olds, which include stakes winners and impressive metropolitan performers. His progeny are showing the same class and toughness that defined his racing career.

Sword of State, New Zealand’s leading first-season sire at the 2025 yearling sales, was a brilliant juvenile himself, winning the Group 1 Sistema Stakes by a wide margin and defeating top-level performers like Imperatriz and On The Bubbles along the way. His first yearlings sold for up to $540,000 and have been praised for their precocity and quality.

The leaders of these farms spoke passionately about why they chose to support the scholarship.

John Thompson, owner of Rich Hill Stud, said:

Advertisement

“The Sunline Management Scholarship gives young New Zealand horse people the chance to travel abroad, expand their knowledge and skillset and ultimately contribute to the New Zealand industry. The achievements of some of our previous Sunline winners reflect how successful this initiative has been. The Proisir Syndicate recognise the opportunity the management scholarship provides for the next generation of thoroughbred industry leaders. We are gifting this nomination to be auctioned with the funds generated helping finance future Sunline recipients to continue this great legacy.”

Scott Calder, Head of Sales & Nominations at Cambridge Stud, added:

“You only need to look at the list of alumni and the positions they now hold to see the value the Sunline Scholarship provides to our industry. It’s essential we continue to provide opportunities for our best young people, which is why we are committed to helping fund the scholarship’s future.”

Steve Till, General Manager at Windsor Park Stud, agreed:

“At Windsor Park, we’ve always prided ourselves not just on investing in thoroughbreds, but in people. Supporting initiatives like the Sunline Scholarship is our way of giving back to an industry that has given us so much — and of helping to inspire and equip the next generation to carry it forward.”

Nick Johnson, CEO of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and a trustee of the Sunline Trust, summed up:

“The Sunline Scholarship has opened doors, broadened minds, and built confidence in the leaders our industry needs. To see the Proisir Syndicate and Rich Hill Stud, Windsor Park Stud, and Cambridge Stud stand behind this cause with their stallions shows the kind of vision and generosity that makes our industry special. We hope everyone will get behind the auction and help secure this opportunity for the next generation.”

For more information about the Sunline Scholarship and the National Breeding Awards, visit www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz, or to discuss supporting the scholarship further, contact nick@nzthoroughbred.co.nz.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.