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.
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
• $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
