Kiwi Breeders to be Honoured at National Awards

Media Release - Tuesday July 15

The New Zealand thoroughbred breeding community will come together on Saturday July 26 to celebrate another year of excellence at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at the Sir Don Rowlands Centre in Cambridge.

The evening will acknowledge 24 individual winners of 37 Group One races as breeders can again take pride in the global success of horses with the NZ suffix.

Ka Ying Rising as a foal at Windsor Park Stud with his dam Missy Moo Photo: supplied

Recently crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising and Australian star Mr Brightside will be among the leading contenders for the Property Brokers Seton Otway Horse of the Year along with triple Group One winner El Vencedor, in a nod to the calibre of equine produced.

“The National Breeding Awards remain the premier occasion to celebrate the exceptional achievements of New Zealand breeders and horses,” NZTBA CEO Nick Johnson said.

“This year’s finalists continue to show why the Kiwi-bred is so highly regarded on the world stage.

“It’s not just about trophies — it’s about coming together as an industry to acknowledge talent, dedication, and success, both human and equine. We’re proud to host a night that shines a light on those stories and the people behind them.

“Season after season, the New Zealand-bred proves its worth at the highest levels internationally. The 2024/25 season has been no exception, with breeders, horses, and owners making their mark across Australasia and beyond.

“These awards are a testament to what can be achieved when passion and perseverance meet. It’s inspiring to see the depth of skill and commitment that underpins the success of our breeders and their horses.”

The gala evening will commence at 5:30pm with tickets $230 or $2250 for a table of 10, purchased from https://www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/nztba-awards-dinner/

The humans behind the New Zealand bred stars will be recognised, including breeders of all scale in addition to the Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever of the Year and the Entain AU & NZ

Personality of the Year.

Emily Murphy and Steve Davis will MC the event, with the latter’s auctioneering skills on show as nominations to Proisir, Sword Of State and Circus Maximus go under the hammer to raise funds for the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship.

Date: Saturday July 26

Venue: Sir Don Rowlands Centre in Cambridge.

Tickets

Advertisement

• $230pp (incl. GST)

• $2,250 (incl. GST) for a table of 10

• Available from: https://www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/nztba-awards-dinner/

Stallion Award winners:

Dewar (Australasian earnings): Savabeel

Grosvenor (New Zealand earnings): Savabeel

Centaine (Worldwide earnings): Per Incanto

Nominations:

Breeder of the Year sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds Ltd:

  • Nearco Stud
  • Waikato Stud
  • Pencarrow Stud
  • Brendan and Jo Lindsay

Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year sponsored by Arion Pedigrees:

  • Lilahjay (Mr Brightside, owned by Ed Sheather)
  • Missy Moo (Ka Ying Rising, owned by Fraser Auret)
  • Sombreuil (Provence, Damask Rose, owned by Tony Rider)
  • Strictly Maternal (El Vencedor, owned by M W Freeman and D G Price)

Small Breeder of the Year sponsored by Luigi Muollo

  • Grandmoral Lodge
  • M W Freeman and D G Price
  • R I & Est late M A G Johnson

Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever of the Year sponsored by LOVERACING.NZ:

  • Jack Stewart – White Robe Lodge
  • Richelle McMillan – Wentwood Grange
  • Simon Lawson – Waikato Stud

Personality of the Year sponsored by Entain AU & NZ– announced on the evening

Property Brokers Seton Otway Horse of the Year – announced on the evening

Advertisment
More Reading...
Walker Upbeat Heading into Flemington
Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel, with lightly-tried McWoody also making the field.
Aussie Bred Sprinter to Run in G1 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint This Weekend
Australian spring racing might appear to be the centre of the universe in our neck of the woods, but in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend it is all about the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar in California and an Aussie bred sprinter could be poised to spring an upset.
Henry Dwyer Secures Top Lot on Day 4 Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Promising Wootton Bassett two-year-old SKIATHOS topped the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at 150,000 guineas with robust trade resulting in a clearance rate of 90% for the session. Turnover for the sale exceeded 33,000,000 guineas for only the fourth time in its history with a fifth and final session still to come on Friday, followed immediately by the Tattersalls Aut
Vin Cox to Join Forces with Star Thoroughbreds
Leading Australian syndicator Star Thoroughbreds has announced it will be partnering with Vin Cox for the 2026 yearling sales season.
Waller Seeking Another Melbourne Cup
He may already have a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) win to his name but New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller says he still yearns to win the Flemington showpiece as much as anyone.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 30
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 29
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
600k Fantasy World Heads Third Day of Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
FANTASY WORLD was one of three lots to realise 500,000 guineas or more on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale which saw significant increases to the median, average and turnover from the equivalent session in 2024.
High Hopes for Pencarrow Stud Homebred Farnan Filly
Passiflora will provide her connections with a sound guide at Tauranga as to where she sits in the three-year-old pecking order.
Tabitha Ridley-Thomas Joins Magic Millions Bloodstock Team
Australia's leading thoroughbred auctioneer Magic Millions has boosted it's impressive Bloodstock Team with news Tabitha Ridley-Thomas has this week joined the company.