Third Trial Winner for Home Affairs – This Time New Zealand

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday September 23

Hot on the heels of siring two trial winners at Randwick on Monday at the official Sydney 2YO trials, Home Affairs produced an impressive trial winner at Te Rapa in New Zealand on Tuesday.

Trained by Stephen Marsh and ridden by George Rooke, two year-old colt Rupeni surged home to win the 730m heat by a neck coming from off the pace to score a stylish win.

Advertisement

Rupeni was a $160,000 Inglis Easter purchase.
Rupeni was a $160,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Alma Vale Thoroughbreds for Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock and is the second foal of Yolanda, a half-sister by Shamus Award to Group III winner Tallow, the dam of Group I ATC Golden Slipper winner Farnan stakes-winner Group III winner Sandbar.

Yolanda was bought by North Bloodstock for $270,000 at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in foal to Home Affairs last year and duly produced a filly for her new owners, who will no doubt be watching the progress of Rupeni very closely.

Home Affairs has had three trial winners this week!

Home Affairs is working through his fourth book of mares at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $82,500 with high expectation for his first runners this season following some exceptional sale results in 2025.

Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 National Thoroughbred Week Launched
National Thoroughbred Week, the newly launched industry initiative designed to bring the public closer to the thoroughbred and our sport, is excited to confirm a truly trans-Tasman exposure, with hosts confirmed across all Australian and New Zealand regions.
One to Watch – Warrnambool
So You Think is the first sire to hit 40 winners for the season and he did it with a three year-old filly that won easily on debut at Warrnambool on Monday in the Kia Ora Stud colours.
Well Bred Wootton Bassett Ready to Win
Regally bred colt Lydiard Park will have conditions more in his favour on Wednesday to add performance to his pedigree.
Keeneland September Concludes with Record $531.5 Million in Sales
The 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale closed Saturday having achieved a defining industry milestone. Over 12 sessions, the sale rewrote records by selling 3,070 horses for a total of $531.5 million: the highest gross ever realized at a Thoroughbred auction worldwide. Historic highlights included 56 yearlings bringing seven figures, besting the previous record of 40 set in 2005 and led by a $3
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 23
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Mare Youngstar Produces Rising Japanese Staying Star Eri King
Australian Group I winning half-sisters Youngstar and Funstar are both at stud in Japan and the former has a very smart three year-old colt in Eri King, who won the Group II Kobe Shimbun Hai (2400m) at Hanshin on Sunday.
2025 G1 Golden Rose Field and Barrier Draw
Godolphin filly Tempted will take on eight colts in a nine horse Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday where she retains favouritism after drawing barrier eight.
Written Tycoon Filly Bursts into NZ 1000 Guineas Contention
The Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) was expected to be the weekend’s key pointer for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), but a spectacular performance on the Ellerslie undercard had its own impact on fixed-odds betting for the Christchurch classic.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 21
Here is the full list of 66 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wootton Bassett Sad Passing
Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires, has sadly passed away today at Coolmore Australia.