Taranaki farmer looking on the Brightside in retirement

After more than half a century of milking cows, Edwin Sheather decided he needed to pick-up a hobby to keep him occupied outside of tending to his beef cattle on his 58-acre property. The Taranaki farmer happened across one that could prove to be nearly as lucrative as slicing up his Taranaki farm – breeding …

Versatile horseman House claims gavelhouse.com Newcomer to Training Award

Michael House’s decision to add a thoroughbred arm to his training operation has reaped rich rewards, earning the gavelhouse.com Newcomer to Training Award for the 2021-22 New Zealand racing season. Among trainers who operate a stable in their own right and have held a thoroughbred licence for fewer than five seasons, the award honours the …

New price highlight for gavelhouse.com Standardbred

In a boon for the New Zealand standardbred industry, Albuquerque will remain in the country despite fierce competition for her from Australia in Wednesday’s gavelhouse.com Standardbred auction. Herself a black-print winner over 2,400m by Bettor’s Delight, Albuquerque is a full sister to dual Group One winner Alberto Contador and black-print winner Duke of Albany. Already …

Group Three win a timely boost for Alburquerque

Millwood Nike’s win in the Gr.3 Helen Pope 2YO Fillies Stakes (1700m) at Ashburton on Sunday was a timely update for her dam Albuquerque who is currently being auctioned on gavelhouse.com Standardbred. All Stars’ Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen quinellaed the race which was a special result for stable junior driver Olivia Thornley who recorded …

gavelhouse.com graduate Aardie’s Express (NZ) powers to Oaks victory

gavelhouse.com graduate Aardie’s Express (NZ) (Always B Miki) continued her monumental rise when powering to victory in the $50,000 Group 2 Nevele R Stud-Macca Lodge Southland Oaks Final (2700m) at Ascot Park. The classy filly scored the biggest of her six wins for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer in a whirlwind seven start career when …

Two winners at Manawatu to sell Thursday

Five of the 16 Lots have their reserve met flags up in the latest gavelhouse.com Standardbred auction with bidding set to close from 7pm tomorrow (Thursday 31 March).  With a number of Lots racing last night at Manawatu, there was plenty to be pleased about with Taliesin and Piiki Whara both winners while Bender, Immer Besser and Mosaic Art featured in the minors. The …

Entries due tomorrow night, extra day added to sale

Entries for the next gavelhouse.com  Standardbred sale are due online by 10pm tomorrow, Wednesday 23 March. This sale will run for a day longer than usual to cater for horses engaged to race on the usual Wednesday closing night.  “We have been approached by a number of trainers and owners who would like to sell horses in this sale …

Entry deadline looming

Entries for the next gavelhouse.com Standardbred sale are due online by 10am Thursday 15 July. Judging the quality of the current entries in the sale, it’s shaping up to be a decent catalogue and one worth tacking onto. This sale will run off the back of a successful last fornightly auction that resulted in an overall sale clearance of 100% and a top price …

Picture perfect for your gavelhouse.com listing

We all know too well the struggle of getting the perfect photo of our horses. But how important is it? A decent photo could be the difference between money in the bank and a horse still sitting in the paddock. It attracts attention and draws in buyers giving them a creditable indication of conformation and …

Purdon scores first Group victory with gavelhouse.com buy

A $9,501 gavelhouse.com purchase is proving to be the best decision of young trainer Michael Purdon’s burgeoning career. When perusing a standardbred.gavelhouse.com auction catalogue last year, the West Melton horseman’s eye was caught by the breeding of Mystic Max, having been a fan of his sire, French stallion Village Mystic. Purdon duly secured the yearling …