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...
NZ Ready to Run Purchase Wins Listed Launceston Guineas
Ready to Run Sale graduate Dad And Dave (NZ) (Time Test) almost doubled his purchase price in one hit with an impressive come-from-behind victory in the A$125,000 Listed Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas (2000m) in Tasmania on Wednesday night. 
Diamond Hopefuls Emerge at Sandown Trials
Unraced Ole Kirk filly Jadzia and stakes-placed Wild Ruler colt Stretan Ruler will plot a path towards the $2 million Group 1 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) following trial wins at Sandown Hillside on Thursday.
Zoustar Mare Chasing Another G2
Stephen Marsh will be chasing a third victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and is confident he has the firepower on reasonable ground to go close.
$500,000 Filly for Nicconi – Sister to Scorched Earth
Widden Stud’s 20 year-old stallion Nicconi is best known as the sire of champion sprinter Nature Strip and while high end commercial breeders have largely moved on from the evergreen sire, he made his presence felt at the Magic Millions on Friday when his lone yearling sold for $500,000.
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 15
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Bred Speed Dragon Strikes in G3 January Cup
Ready to Run Sale graduate Speed Dragon (NZ) (Darci Brahma) delivered a milestone moment for his trainer Francis Lui with a spectacular come-from-behind victory in the A$4.2m Group Three January Cup (1800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. 
Widden Sell First Million Dollar Yearling for Anamoe
Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe is leading the first season sire averages at Magic Millions and put the issue well beyond doubt when he produced his first seven figure yearling on Friday with Widden Stud’s colt from Secret Trail fetching $1.1million.
MyRacehorse Snap Up $750,000 Stay Inside Filly
With two stakes-winners on his resume already, Golden Slipper winning sire Stay Inside couldn’t be doing much more and Sledmere Stud were well rewarded when they sold one of his fillies at Magic Millions on Friday for $750,000.
People at Magic Millions - Day Three
Day Three at Magic Millions and Maree wasn’t finding it difficult to find the love for Frankel, while there’s a great story about a $250,000 sale from a $6,000 service fee with Ben Lucas.
Breeding to Win - 2026 Magic Millions 2YO Classic
The Gold Coast is the centre of the Australasian thoroughbred universe this week, abuzz with all the theatre and excitement of the Magic Millions on and off the track!