NZ HOTY Contenders Announced

Media Release - Thursday July 18

Matamata trainer Jamie Richards is poised to make an impact at the 2019 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards.

Sold to Hong Kong, Yourdeel is a contender for Champion 2YONew Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) today announced the finalists for five of the six racehorse categories. The finalists for Champion Jumper will be announced later this month.

Richards, 29, is in his first season as a solo trainer and prepares a quarter of the 20 flat finalists. The Te Akau Racing stable provides three of the four finalists – Aotea Lad, Probabeel and Yourdeel - in the two-year-old section and will be represented by Melody Belle and Te Akau Shark in the sprinter-miler category. Melody Belle is also a middle-distance finalist.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Lisa Latta, Tony Pike and Michael and Matthew Pitman are other trainers with more than one flat finalist.

All finalists are eligible for the Horse of the Year title, which will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland, at the Ellerslie Racecourse, on Sunday, September 8.

The flat racing finalists are:

Advertisement

Champion Two-Year-Old: Aotea Lad, Aretha, Probabeel, Yourdeel.

Champion Three-Year-Old : Crown Prosecutor, Madison County, Media Sensation, Sentimental Miss, Surely Sacred.

Champion Sprinter-Miler (up to 1600m ): Bostonian, Enzo's Lad, Melody Belle, Shadows Cast, Te Akau Shark.

Champion Middle Distance (1601m to 2200m): Danzdanzdance, Melody Belle, On The Rocks, Savvy Coup.

Champion Stayer (2201m and further) : Five To Midnight, Glory Days, Rondinella.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 10
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Carrazzo Melbourne Sport of Kings Tax Talk
It gives Baumgartners great pleasure to announce that Paul Carrazzo’s “Sport of Kings” horse tax talk returns to Inglis Melbourne on Wednesday 13 August.
FBT Exempt Vehicles and The Private Use Trap
Dealing with the complex Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is one of the many financial challenges that regional breeding and racing operations must face. Any relief from this tax is very welcome!
Pencarrow takes top billing in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Pencarrow Stud’s select offering of four broodmares proved to be the star attraction in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday, earning the two highest prices of the sale.
G1 Sprinter Crocetti Returns to Work
Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has returned to Danny Walker and Arron Tata’s Byerley Park stable with some lofty summer targets in-mind.
Sebring Sun Delivers for Owner Breeders
The legacy of Sebring was highlighted last month when his classy daughter Tashi won the Group I Tatts Tiara and for fans of the much missed Golden Slipper winning sire he does have several sons at stud and they include Glenthorne Park Stud’s Sebring Sun, whose winner to runner strike rate is brushing 70%.
Two powerful additions announced for Equate 2025
The countdown to Equate '25 just got even more exciting. Australasia's number one innovation event for the thoroughbred industry has announced two brand-new sessions that bring together transparency, technology, and tangible takeaways for all attendees.
Juddmonte Bred Orchid Bouquet Sells For Record 550,000 Guineas at Tattersalls July Day 2
rade soared on the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale with a new record price of 550,000 guineas for Juddmonte’s ORCHID BOUQUET and four lots realising 300,000 guineas or more. The median and average were up 67% and 60% respectively from the equivalent day in 2024 and the clearance rate was an impressive 91%.
Debut Win for Expensive Capitalist 2YO
An $800,000 Magic Millions purchase from Attunga Stud for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Capitalist colt Caesar was the highest priced yearling by his sire sold in 2024 and made a winning debut at Gosford on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 9
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.