The APG is back! And still absolutely slack. The mob who unsuccessfully attempted to sue me a year ago for telling the truth are having one last crack. It reminds me of the last gasp of a drowning man. They’ve launched it with a new e-magazine that looks like it’s been designed by a kid. […]
Nutrien Fire an Early Shot Across the APG’s Bows – But What Does It All Mean? – Lets Ask the Hard Questions
There is a huge holler and hoopla about yesterday’s Nutrien announcement of a $1.25 million race night at Melton on the 13th of April next year, but what does it all actually mean? What are the prize purses for each race? Nutrien had already promised national series races worth a minimum of $975 000. Is the […]
Stonewall Stud is a Failure – Here are Some Tips on How to Make it a Success
With almost 2/3rds of the New Zealand racing season gone, the Stonewall Stud stable owned by Steve Stockman and managed by Steve and Amanda Telfer is sitting 6th on the Premiership Ladder with just 28 wins, and has earned only $430 000. The stable has 100 horses in work, which must cost a conservative million […]
The Off N Racing Syndications Exposed – Part 2 – The Sting: The Cons and the Questions (First Published April 2022)
This above is the current standardbred (harness) race horse ‘ownership’ syndicate being promoted in New Zealand by a man named Andrew ‘The Canary’ Fitzgerald through his company Off N Racing Ltd, also known as Off N Racing Syndications. As you can clearly see, the Canary is offering prospective customers is advertising the opportunity to share […]
Perverse Incentives That Just Don’t Work – Why the APG Needs to Ditch Vendor Bonuses
The APG 2YO finals are worth $500 000 each, but it doesn’t all go to the owners. For reasons totally beyond my understanding, $100 000 of the half million goes in $10 000 lots to the breeders of the horses that start in the races . Now in my view this is just plain stupid, […]
Hits and Misses From the 2020 APG Sales
The Hits RIPP Vendor – Lauriston Bloodstock Buyer – Wayne Loader Cost – $40 000 Earnings – $205 364 MY ULTIMATE RONNIE Vendor – Ron Littler Buyer – Tumby Park Cost – $60 000 Earnings – $213 946 LEAP TO FAME Vendor – Redbank Lodge Buyer – Kevin and Kay Seymour Cost – $47 500 […]
Nutrien Melbourne Sale Day 2 – Top Lots Reviewed
Nathan Jack on behalf of the Cluse family paid $270 000 for the top lot of the sale, and who wouldn’t if they had the dough? He’s a gorgeous looking Captain Treacherous colt, from the first crop of the former top-class race mare Carlas Pixel, who won the Ladyship Mile, the Breeders Crown and the […]
Meet Bluey – A Spike on the Run Man From Way Back
The bloke in the picture is Gary Lane, known to one and all in New Zealand as Bluey. Bluey used to work for the horse moving company Majestic Transport, until he was accused of spiking up horses with prohibited drugs on their way to the track. These days he works for Robert Dunn and his […]
Wanna Sell a Pony? – Then Don’t Come Here
There were 128 lots in yesterday’s Nutrien QLD sale. Only 54 of them were sold. That’s a live sale rate of just 42.9%. Or to put it in the alternative, its a pass in rate of a massive 57.1%, Or in other words, an abject failure. Be careful what you wish for breeders, cos you […]
An Unmitigated Disaster Delivered by People You’d Expect it From
The Ladbrokes Sunshine Stars Yearling Sale, to be conducted by Nutrien Equine at the Magic Millions complex on March 11 and 12, will be the keystone of an iconic weekend at the Gold Coast. The brainchild of the Albion Park Harness Racing Club, the sale has attracted well bred yearlings from leading breeders in Queensland, […]