South Island stars on the radar of Aussie trainers and buyers

9 min read
The impressive Randwick victory of former New Zealand miler Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) for Annabel Neasham last Saturday provided another timely reminder of opportunities on offer from the South Island.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

One of the world's great thoroughbred nurseries for over a century, the South Island has produced a multitude of champions of the turf, headed of course by the pride of Timaru, the legendary Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}).

Phar Lap (NZ), the pride of Timaru | Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Traditionally regarded as the home of strong, staying stock, perceptions of the South Island are changing, particularly when it comes to sourcing tried horses.

Lightning Jack wasn't purchased out of New Zealand, rather sent to Australia by owners Allan and Marie Tyler in search of better opportunities having reached his level at the top of the weights in much of the region's better mile races.

Lightning Jack (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

The move has already proved a bit of a master stroke as he picked up over $60,000 with one victory, having won just $184,000 in 20 starts back home, including six wins and two stakes victories.

He is just the latest of a string of ex-South Island horses to make a mark in Australia this year. Impecunious (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), bought off the strength of a Riccarton maiden, was Group 1-placed, while Inglewood Stud-bred Matchmaker (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) won a G3 PJ Bell S. for trainer Chris Waller in the autumn.

Gallery: A few of the ex-South Island horses making a mark in Australia

"It’s a really good place to breed horses down here," Inglewood Stud's Gus Wigley told TDN AusNZ.

"We grow plenty of grass, the climate is good and there's a really good, long history of horses coming out of the South Island and performing all over the world, particularly in Australia.

"We grow plenty of grass, the climate is good and there's a really good, long history of horses coming out of the South Island and performing all over the world, particularly in Australia." - Gus Wigley

"Inglewood Stud has been here in the family since 1938, and we have had Doncaster H. winners, VRC Derby winners and Stradbroke H. winners bred off the farm over the years. Certainly a good horse can come out of the South Island."

Respecting the form

The South Island's reputation for producing quality has never been in doubt but what has changed, according to Wigley, is the willingness of Australian investors to back in the South Island form, especially out of Cup week at Riccarton, and secure ready-made horses to capitalise on Australia's excellent prizemoney.

Gus Wigley | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk

"I certainly feel that the form at Riccarton is well-respected. There are horses that travel from all around New Zealand to compete at Riccarton, especially during Cup week. It’s some of the best-quality racing you'll get in New Zealand across that time," Wigley said.

The South Island has long proven a happy hunting ground for Hong Kong buyers as well, and the G2 Chairman's Trophy win of Mighty Giant (NZ) (Power {GB}) earlier this year, having began his career with Canterbury trainer Ross Beckett, was another feather in the cap.

Mighty Giant (NZ) | Image courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club

"Ross has been selling and trading horses up to Asia for a long time and has sold some very good ones up there. He's obviously got his existing contacts," Wigley said.

"Mighty Giant has turned into a very good horse over there. Certainly the New Zealand thoroughbred is going really well in both Hong Kong and Australia at the moment and there is certainly an appetite to buy New Zealand horses in work."

"Certainly the New Zealand thoroughbred is going really well in both Hong Kong and Australia at the moment and there is certainly an appetite to buy New Zealand horses in work." - Gus Wigley

Other key factors in the surge in interest in South Island horses, is the increasing expense of the tried horse in Europe, the complications of COVID and the impressive record of New Zealand-bred horses in Australia's best races.

"There are more agents getting involved and some of those big Aussie buyers are looking over here, it’s very encouraging for South Island breeders" Wigley said.

White Robe a master of the stayer

White Robe Lodge, located in Otago, owned by Brian and Shane Anderton and managed by Wayne Stewart, has done more sales to Australian buyers in the past 12 months than any time in its storied history.

White Robe Lodge property view | Image courtesy of White Robe Lodge

"I have sold more horses privately that I have ever sold before. There has been a real surge for selling horses off the farm," Stewart told TDN AusNZ.

White Robe Lodge has built its brand on producing the traditional 'South Island' stayer, standing stallions which produce stamina-based horses. While others in the region have sought to diversify, Stewart said the farm knew what it was famous for.

"I think that the Australians are looking for good, sound staying horses and that is what we can breed and provide for them," he said.

"I think that the Australians are looking for good, sound staying horses and that is what we can breed and provide for them." - Wayne Stewart

"I know a lot guys I talk to are happy buying them off the farm rather than going through the sales. They can buy them a year or two older so that they don’t have to wait."

Success builds success in the stallion game and the performance of the progeny of Raise The Flag (GB) in Australia's rich staying and jumps races, highlighted by G1 Sydney Cup winner Etah James (NZ) and star jumper/stayer Ablaze (NZ), a winner of over $830,000, has provided a huge fillip for White Robe Lodge.

Raise The Flag (GB) | Standing at White Robe Lodge

"In the last few years, it (the Australian market) has certainly got stronger and stronger off the back of what Raise The Flag has done in Australia," Stewart said.

"It’s been happening for quite a few years but more so, the last year or two it's really taken off.

"It’s a lot easier to sell them off the farm. When the likes of Ciaron Maher start buying them sight unseen, there's a lot of trust that goes on, they trust you and you have to sell them good, clean stock that you know is suitable for their environment."

"When the likes of Ciaron Maher start buying them sight unseen, there's a lot of trust that goes on, they trust you and you have to sell them good, clean stock that you know is suitable for their environment." - Wayne Stewart

Latterly it has been another White Robe Lodge resident, Ghibellines, which has been grabbing the spotlight in Australia, thanks to Listed Pakenham Cup winner Smokin' Romans (NZ), another member of the Maher and David Eustace stable.

Smokin' Romans (NZ) (white cap) | Image courtesy of Browen Healy

"A lot of people went away from breeding the stayers, but we have always stuck to it. It’s paying dividends now," he said. "We don't try and breed horses at a mile or less, we will go a mile and further. Some of the best races in Australia are middle distance and staying races.

"Australia has become our backbone. The prizemoney is so great and so attractive."

"Australia has become our backbone. The prizemoney is so great and so attractive." - Wayne Stewart

In fact, Australian trainers such as Maher, Symon Wilde and Amy Yargi, have taken the next step, purchasing mares to stay at White Robe Lodge and go to Raise The Flag. The aim is to breed horses which can be raised on the rich Otago pastures and come into the stables in time as staying prospects.

Far from a one-trick pony

Gus Wigley has the utmost respect for what White Robe Lodge are doing and the reputation it has built, but diversification is a key part of the strategy of Inglewood Stud and a host of other South Island breeders are pursuing.

Inglewood stands War Front's (USA) son War Decree (USA), who won a G2 Vintage S. over seven furlongs for Aidan O'Brien, and whose eldest progeny are two.

Gus Wigley with Kevin Hickman

Wigley also said that local breeders, emboldened by the international interest in South Island horses, have upped the quality of their broodmare bands.

"There has been quite a deal of investment in mares down here by a few breeders," he said. "They have been quite active at the Gold Coast and Sydney at the broodmare sales which is good to see.

"The number of breeders has dropped off and so too has the number of mares, but the quality is strong. War Decree, who stands with us, has clearly covered his best quality crop of mares this year."

"The number of breeders has dropped off and so too has the number of mares, but the quality is strong." - Gus Wigley

That points to further rich pickings for those willing to invest in the South Island, which while both Wigley and Stewart admit, can weaken the standard of local racing, is a crucial revenue stream for local breeders and trainers.

Wigley said while demand is high, he doesn't expect the price of South Island horses, be they tried or untried, to skyrocket.

"It’s a lot cheaper to breed a horse than in Australia. The service fees aren't at the same price-point and you are looking at $30 a day agistment at the Hunter Valley now and the farms over here are usually half that price," he said.

"From a cost point or view, you can breed a good horse, so when you get that good money, there is plenty of profit in it. That's encouraging for people racing horses and those breeding them as well."

South Island
Lightning Jack
Inglewood Stud
Gus Wigley
White Robe Lodge
Wayne Stewart
Raise The Flag
Ghibellines