NEWS                  

26th July 2010 Goldminer Strikes It Rich At Ruakaka Promising filly Goldminer will be chasing an early black-type credit next season after opening her account at Ruakaka at the weekend. She posted an impressive front-running performance on Saturday and will now be given a break by Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie. "She'll have three weeks off and then we'll look at running fresh-up in the Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings," he said. "She's a sprinting filly with a ton of speed and she's got good fighting qualities as well." Goldminer is a daughter of Hallmark Stud's Mr Prospector stallion Gold Mine, who is no stranger to juvenile success. His flagship performer to date has been San Bernardino, who won the Listed $55,000 Ford Welcome Stakes (1000m) and  the Listed $55,000 Fairview Ford Stakes at two and was Gr 1 placed in the Sires Produce Stakes. At 3 he won the Gp III Stewards Handicap (1200m) in 1 min.7.67 secs!! Bred by her owner Bob McHardie, Goldminer was a trial winner before she finished runner-up on debut in May. "She's had all three of her races at Ruakaka because of the better track there," Ritchie said. "She was a good first-up second and then drew the outside and was caught wide all the way. "She's always showed a lot and for a sprinting filly she's pretty tough." Goldminer was taken straight to the front on Saturday by Michael Coleman and kicked strongly in the run home. "Michael was very impressed with her and said she's a beautiful mover," Ritchie said. Goldminer is out of the winning Zieten mare Santastic, who is a half-sister to Gr 2 winner Reiver.

 

25th July 2010 Winning Adventure For Tom Sawyer Marlene Todd's patience with Tom Sawyer was rewarded at Foxton yesterday when the lightly-tried galloper quit maiden ranks. At just his second start, the rising five-year-old was far too good for his opposition over 1600 metres. Tom Sawyer had finished fourth at his debut earlier this month for his Hastings trainer who said the gelding had been slow to mature. Bred and sold by Hallmark Stud, the son of Le Bec Fin is out of the Crested Wave mare Lady Starlet and a half-brother to multiple winner The Merc. Tom Sawyer was a $7500 National Weanling Sale purchase for owner Margaret Harkema at Karaka in 2007. He is from the international Gr 1 family of Kitwood (Longchamp Prix Jean Prat) and Miss Oceana (Acorn Stakes, Frizette Stakes, Gazelle Handicap etc)

10th July 2010 Stud Makes Mark In Singapore Harrison continued his progress in Singapore last night when he downed his class five rivals over 1800 metres on Kranji's Polytrack. The son of Spectatorial was a deserved winner after placing in three of his previous four appearances. Harrison was purchased out of Hallmark Stud's 2007 Select Sale draft by champion trainer Laurie Laxon for $40,000. Bred by Coralie Eagle and the estate of Trevor Eagle, he is out of the stakes-performed Blue Razor mare Blue Reality. Harrison is a brother to multiple winner Blue Skies and a half-brother to four other winners. They hail from the family of Australian stakes winners Brihuego and Chief Wild Eagle.    10th July 2010 Waipa Joy For Kim Te Awamutu trainer Kim Maxwell posted an emotional victory on her home track today with a promising daughter of Le Bec Fin. Barry's Joy is named after Maxwell's late husband and is the only horse she has in work. "I'm absolutely delighted and all my husband's family are here," she said. "She needs the better track and I scratched her at Tauranga because it was heavy." Ridden by Lynsey Satherley, Barry's Joy came with big strides in the straight to win going away by a length. "I got off the fence at the right time and tracked into it and she did it all under her own steam," she said. Out of the winning Zamazaan mare Phoszam, Barry's Joy has now won twice from just seven appearances. She is from the family of the Gr 2 Te Aroha Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes and Gr 3 Hawke's Bay Cup winner Olene.

9th July 2010 Spectacular Rotorua Success Spectacular lived up to her name at Arawa Park yesterday when she provided her co-trainer Belinda Verner with a memorable moment in her racing career. She prepares the filly with her father Kerry and victory in the maiden three-year-old sprint represented her first taste of ownership success. “She’s a family horse and it’s a really big buzz for me,” Verner said. “Mum and Dad are away in London for two months so it’s something nice to come home to as well.” Co-bred by Hallmark Stud, Spectacular had been a trial winner before she finished midfield on debut at Te Awamutu last month. A piece of advice from rider Trudy Thornton proved instrumental in her much-improved display yesterday. “She was a little bit disappointing but Trudy said she needed blinkers on and that has proved spot on,” Verner said. “She’ll just go through the grades now – she’s not very big but has ability.” By Spectatorial, Spectacular is out of the former top racemare Danjiki who won 10 races in the 1990s including the Gr 2 Wyborn Stakes at Te Aroha and the Gr 3 Waikato Stud Stakes as a two-year-old. The daughter of Markella was also runner-up in the Gr 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Spectacular settled midfield yesterday and responded strongly to Thornton ’s urging to win going away. “She actually won with a lot in reserve in the end and is quite blasé in her attitude which is a good thing,” Thornton said. .

28th June 2010 Success In Hong Kong Hallmark Stud struck a winning blow in Hong Kong last night when farm graduate Speedy Tycoon downed his class five rivals at Sha Tin with ease. A four-year-old son of Brahms, he was initially purchased by Sydney trainer Chris Waller at Karaka in 2007 for $40,000. Speedy Tycoon was then re-offered at the Ready To Run Sale and was bought by Michael Chang Racing Stables. He is out of the winning American-bred Danzatore mare Diamond Danz, who is a half-sister to Gr 1 performer Trail City. Speedy Tycoon's pedigree also has a South American flavour with his third dam the former champion Venezuelan filly Gelinotte.

23rd June 2010 Stella's Gold Hits Jackpot! Lightly-tried Gold Mine filly Stellas Gold has wasted no time in opening her winning account with a popular home-track success at Ruakaka. The three-year-old is prepared on the course by Brent Wells, who also bred and races the daughter of Hallmark Stud's Mr Prospector stallion. Stellas Gold had strongly hinted at a quick return with a bold fourth on debut at Pukekoke Park where she had little luck in the running. She is out of the unraced Victory Dance mare Kindling who is a half-sister to the Egmont Cup winner Aide De Camp. The feature name in the pedigree is the Gr 1 Doomben Cup and two-time Gr 2 New Zealand Cup winner Sapio. Among Gold Mine's leading representatives has been the Gr 3 Stewards' Stakes winner and Gr 1 placegetter San Bernardino.

15th June 2010 Debut Winner Impresses Silver Sparkle lived up to his name at Trentham on Saturday with a dashing performance to win at the first time of asking. The Cambridge three-year-old came south with a glowing reputation and had no trouble turning potential into performance. Prepared by Shaune Ritchie, the son of O'Reilly provided leading jockey Hayden Tinsley with an armchair ride to cruise home by four lengths. Silver Sparkle was sold by Hallmark Stud for $250,000 during the 2008 Select Sale session at Karaka in 2008 to John White Bloodstock. He is out of the Gold Brose mare Golden Sparkle who is a sister to the dam of Gr 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes winner Il Quello Veloce and to the mother of Saturday's Eagle Farm winner Our Lukas.

2nd June 2010 Stakes Target For Genuine Mare Matamata trainer Paul Jenkins is confident Nicole Amy is a black-type prospect and he may use a quick back-up to achieve that goal. "She's pretty sharp and as genuine as they come and I think she's up to a decent stakes race," he said. The daughter of Hallmark Stud's Le Bec Fin coasted home at Pukekohe today by a wide margin in Rating 80 company. Nicole Amy is also an acceptor for the fillies' and mares 1400 metre event at Ellerslie on Saturday. "She's not had much more than a track gallop and if she eats up okay and is well she might run at the weekend," Jenkins said. "I'd like to get her into a black type race with no weight on her back - she'd be competitive." The feature Jenkins has in mind for Nicole Amy is the Listed $100,000 Opunake Cup at New Plymouth on July 24. "That's actually been her goal for a month or two," he said. Nicole Amy posted her fourth career victory today and has only failed to weigh in twice from 15 appearances. On both of those occasions she had interrupted runs and was hitting the line well. "She hasn't been the luckiest horse around and is an awful lot better than her last two or three runs might have suggested," Jenkins said. "She's just a little sweetheart to have around the stable and you'd hardly know she was there - she's very good-natured."

28th May 2010 Sneaky Shows Serious Talent   Promising four-year-old Sneaky looks set to make his way through the grades in the coming months after an effortless win on his home track today. Trained at Riccarton by Les and Richard Didham, he careered away with the lower grade sprint in his first appearance for eight months. The gelding now has two wins and a placing from five career starts and his success continued the good times for his Hallmark Stud-based sire Le Bec Fin. Sneaky, who was bred by the Baker family, is out of the Desert Sun mare Champagne Bubble and is a half-brother to the multiple winner Miss Moet. Gr 1 winner Field Dancer (Easter Handicap, NZ Stakes) and Just A Dancer (Sydney Cup, Brisbane Cup) are the feature names in the pedigree.

21st May 2010 Stallion's Roll Continues The stock of Le Bec Fin have continued their excellent strike rate with Odyssey the latest to take a winning trick. The four-year-old son of the Hallmark Stud resident comprehensively beat a competitive field of Rating 70 sprinters at Paeroa on Friday. Trained by Richard Collett, he took control on the turn and coasted home to score by a length and a-half. Odyssey has now won two of his 11 starts and looks set to continue his march through the grades. Le Bec Fin was also in the thick of the action at Te Rapa at the weekend with two more promising types in the money. Noble Warrior was a winner at Pukekohe earlier this month and gave another fine account of himself on Saturday. Still a work in progress, the three-year-old finished third in a talented line-up over 1600 metres. Noble Warrior has plenty of upside about him and appeals as a fine prospect for trainers Grant and Tania Shaw. Le Bec Fin's daughter Nicole Amy has also been the model racehorse with her admirable mix of ability and honesty. She has put together the impressive record of three wins and nine placings from her 14 career appearances. The Paul Jenkins-prepared mare was a fighting third in the closing Rating 80 sprint at Te Rapa.

12th May 2010 More Joy for Le Bec Fin A fresh Barry's Joy returned to racing in excellent fashion yesterday to strike the first winning blow of her limited career. The four-year-old had showed potential in her initial four-start campaign last year and delivered in fine style at Pukekohe. Trained by Kim Maxwell, Barry's Joy also kept Hallmark Stud's superbly-bred resident Le Bec Fin's winning tally ticking over. His son Noble Warrior was an ultra-impressive winner at the last Pukekohe meeting while Nicole Amy looks a prime winning chance at Tauranga on Saturday. She has put together the excellent record of three wins and eight placings from 13 starts and was desperately unlucky last time out. Nicole Amy finished sixth in a competitive Rating 90 line-up at Te Rapa after she lost her winning chance when blocked for room 100 metres off the post.

6th May 2010 Broodmare Beauty For Hallmark Hallmark Stud invested for the future during this week's Karaka sale with the purchase of the regally-bred mare Halloween. She was secured for $80,000 during the Jamison Bloodstock dispersal in the National Broodmare Sale. Served by Sakhee's Secret, Halloween combines the very best Australian bloodlines being a daughter of Encosta De Lago and a Danehill mare. She is out of the dual stakes winner and Gr 1 performed La Lagune from the family of Gr 1 Emirates Stakes winner Titanic Jack. Another notable broodmare acquisition was the End Sweep mare Sweeping Success for $10,000. Served by Hawkeye, she is from the great Gr 1 winning family of Redoute's Choice, Platinum Scissors, Manhattan Rain and He's No Pie Eater. In the weanling division, an Iffraaj colt was sold by Hallmark for $50,000 to Mulcaster Bloodstock, of Cambridge. He is out of a Centaine mare who hails from the Gr 1 family of Black Mamba (John Mabee Handicap), Roman Emperor (AJC Derby) and Tully Thunder (Australasian Oaks).   5th May 2010 Outstanding Filly Changes Hands Star Hallmark Stud graduate Banchee has changed hands with the sale of this season's crack juvenile filly to Peter and Philip Vela's Pencarrow Stud.   Reportedly for NZ$1.5 Million dollars! The Gr 1 Ford Diamond Stakes winner was previously raced by Sam Kelt, who bought her out of the farm's 2009 Premier Sale draft for $375,000 at Karaka. "Peter Vela told me that if I ever wanted to sell the filly could I give him the opportunity to buy her," Kelt said. "We've had a fantastic time racing the filly and John Sargent has done a superb job - she couldn't be going to a better home." By Oratorio Banchee was bred by Hallmark with long-time friend Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga (Taranaki). Oratorio Danehill x Mahrah by Vaguely Noble Sire of Banchee The partnership have enjoyed an outstanding season as they also bred and sold Banchee's history-making half-sister Katie Lee. The top-class daughter of Pins and Miss Jessie Jay rewrote the record book when completing this term's NZ 2000-1000 Guineas double at Riccarton. Banchee's six juvenile starts were rewarded with her Gr 1 success as well as the Gr 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes and a debut victory at Ellerslie. She was also runner-up in the Gr 3 Eclipse Stakes and a desperately unlucky third in the Listed Karaka Million.

29th April 2010 Timely Success For Le Bec Fin Le Bec Fin's son Noble Warrior gain a deserved victory at Pukekohe Park yesterday with his winning effort capping off a run of eye-catching placings. The three-year-old's previous efforts, a number of them without luck after tardy beginnings, had been notable for his late finishing runs. Trained by Grant and Tana Shaw, Noble Warrior is out of the four-time winning Justice Prevails mare Our Kuini Rose. His dominant metric mile success yesterday was a timely one for Hallmark Stud who will offer the only weanling by Le Bec Fin in the upcoming Karaka sale. The filly - Lot 97 - is out of a half-sister by Pompeii Court to the Listed Australian winner Emperor Bonaparte. The feature name in the youngster's pedigree is the great Bonecrusher, a nine-time Gr 1 winner and Australian Horse of the Year. Hallmark will further offer colts by Gold Mine, Handsome Ransom, Captain Rio, Ifraaj, One Cool Cat and Diamond Express at the May 3-5 auction. Weanling daughters of Lucky Owners, Any Suggestion and Oratorio will also be presented.

9th April 2010 Le Bec Fin Youngster A Cracker Mark down Le Bec Fin's impressive son Shotoutofagun as a youngster to follow with confidence after he fired his first winning shot on his home track at Awapuni. He was a strong second on debut and went one better yesterday with a performance that strongly suggested he won't be out of place in better company. Shotoutofagun is a half-brother to multiple winner Ain't That A Shame and Lycaa, who has won twice in Singapore. They are out of the winning Tights mare Spandex who is from the family of Gr 2 Waikato Gold Cup heroine Singing Star. Australian stakes winners Zephyr Art and Western Zip also feature, as does the Group-performed filly Deautche Express. Shotoutofagun's sire Le Bec Fin boasts the impressive strike rate of 14 winners from 30 runners since his retirement to Hallmark Stud. They include the Gr 2 Wellington Guineas winner Skirmish and the stakes-performed two-year-olds Elle Tresor and Posh Bec. By Tale Of The Cat, Le Bec Fin hails from one of New Zealand's most prolific black-type families being a half-brother to the champion mare Ethereal.

20th March 2010 Success Breeds More Success A Hallmark Stud family that has dominated age group racing in New Zealand this season further made its mark in Australia at the weekend. The promising Chateau D'Yquem won her second race from just four starts when she was successful over 1400 metres at Caulfield. She is a half-sister to seven winners, including crack sprinter Gee I Jane (Gr 1 Telegraph Handicap, BTC Cup) and Miss Jessie Jay (Gr 3 Evergreen Stakes). The latter is the dam of NZ Filly of the Year Katie Lee (Gr 1 NZ 1000-2000 Guineas) and the top-rated juvenile Banshee (Gr 1 Ford Diamond Stakes). Banshee's owner Sam Kelt has decided against a crack at the Golden Slipper and she will now head to Awapuni for another Gr 1 title in the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes. By Pins, Chateau D'Yquem is out of the winning Bletchencore mare Miss Distinction, who has also left the fine broodmare Miss Katella. She in turn is the dam of San Bernardino (Gr 3 Stewards' Handicap) and dual Australian winner Sienna Sunrise. Chateau D'Yquem, a 3/4 blood sister to Katie Lee was bought out of Hallmark's 2008 Premier Sale draft at Karaka by Victorian bloodstock agent Robert Roulston for $420,000. He has retained an ownership interest in the three-year-old with Steve Jones, S. Bennett, T C Eddy and Queensland Stud Farm, Glenlogan Park.

17th March 2010 Slipper Start In The Mix Matamata trainer John Sargent is sitting pretty with a range of rich options open to his Gr 1 "Auckland Diamond Stakes" winning filly Banchee. The high-class Hallmark Stud graduate was successfully ridden out of her comfort zone to snare Ellerslie's juvenile prize. Jockey Leith Innes rode to instructions to make use of the inside gate and Banchee came off a handy sit to prove dominant. Sargent is now awaiting a decision from owners Sam and Birdie Kelt about a crack at the Gr 1 $A3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes. "She's come through the race really well and it's up to Sam if he wants to pay the money," he said. "Otherwise she'll go for the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes at Awapuni - she's jumping out of her skin." A late entry fee for the Slipper would set the Kelts back $A150,000 and is payable by March 29. The Gr I $A300,000 AJC Sires' Produce Stakes at Randwick on April 10 or the Gr I $A300,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick are other possibilities still in the mix. Sargent has no doubt that Banchee would be an ideal Slipper filly with her proven ability to sit back and produce a punishing finish. He also believes she has the ideal temperament to cope with the trip - "she's the perfect two-year-old. She's so laid back and all she does is sleep and eat.” By Danehill's triple Gr 1 winning son Oratorio, Banchee was bred by Hallmark with long-time friend Trevor Hurley of Kaponga (Taranaki). A $375,000 yearling, she has now further shortened the odds on their star matron Miss Jessie Jay taking the NZ Broodmare of the Year title. After Banchee's half-sister Katie Lee landed the Gr 1 Guineas double earlier in the season, her credentials are second to none for the honour.     Banchee as a Foal September 2007 Banchee after winning the "Auckland Diamond Stakes" Gp I  March 2010

13th March 2010 Group 1 Celebrations Continue Flying filly Banchee staked her claim for top juvenile honours with a resounding Gr 1 victory in Saturday's "Ford Diamond Stakes" at Ellerslie. The daughter of Oratorio (IRE) also continued the outstanding success this season of Hallmark Stud graduates in the elite age-group events. She is a younger half-sister to dual Gr 1 Guineas winner Katie Lee who has already been crowned the NZ 3YO Filly of the Year. Banchee will now be given the opportunity to match her sibling's double strike at the top level at her final appearance for the season. "We'll see the best of her over a mile and she'll have one more run in the Sires' Produce at Awapuni," Matamata trainer John Sargent said. He prepares Banchee for high-profile Hawke's Bay owner Sam Kelt who bought her for $375,000 from Hallmark's Premier Sale draft at Karaka last year. Out of the farm's broodmare gem Miss Jessie Jay, Banchee drew the inside gate and rider Leith Innes dropped her in behind the pace. "It wasn't her style to be handy and she likes to settle back but I told Leith to be positive and use the draw," Sargent said. "That was the winning of the race and it was a great effort." Banchee dashed to the lead 200 metres from home and held a strong gallop to the post to down the colts Cellarmaster and Jimmy Choux. She has now won three of her five starts in a brief career that has been plagued, up until now, by bad barrier draws. Banchee jumped from the outside gate when third in the Karaka Million and again overcame a shocking alley to win the Gr 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes.   Banchee after her "Auckland Diamond Stakes" Gr1 Victory Hallmark Event A Classic Congratulations to the connections of Rio Fortune who was a stylish winner of the Listed $45,000 Hallmark Stud Mr Tiz Trophy at Ellerslie on Saturday. Hallmark Stud was proud to sponsor the inaugural running of the event that attracted a hot line-up of three-year-old talent. Raced by the Fortuna Syndicate and prepared by champion trainer Mark Walker, Rio Fortune was well-ridden by Vinnie Colgan. Syndicate manager John Galvin said he had instructed Vinnie to ride the chestnut positively from a handy gate. Colgan did that to perfection by settling behind the speed and drove through in the straight to account for Fledgling and Italian Princess. Rio Fortune is now a dual black-type winner having landed last season's Listed Castletown Stakes at Foxton.

6th March 2010 Curtain Falls on Cracking Season Crack filly Katie Lee has been sent for a well-earned spell with the Gr 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley a likely spring target. She has carried all before her during a season that saw her create history at Riccarton with her Gr 1 NZ 2000-1000 Guineas double. Katie Lee also won the Eight Carat and Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic at Gr 2 level as well as the Sarten Memorial. Her genuine nature was further rewarded with Gr 2 placings in the Royal Stakes and at Gr 3 level in the Desert Gold, Gold Trail and Lowland Stakes. Katie Lee's outstanding season elevated her to millionaire status and saw her crowned the NZ Filly of the Year. The Hallmark Stud graduate will also be a well-credentialled candidate for overall Horse of the Year honours. Katie Lee's campaign ended on Saturday at Ellerslie where she returned her only unplaced effort in the Gr 1 New Zealand Derby. "She never handled the ground from the first stride," co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said. "That's racing and you cop the good with the bad - she's had a great time and will go to the paddock now." Rogerson and owner Sir Patrick Hogan will decide future targets in due course but the Cox Plate is sure to loom large in their thoughts.

   

27th February 2010 Graduating With Further Honours  Hallmark Stud have had the honour of producing this season's top three-year-old filly and are right in line to do likewise in the juvenile division. Dual Gr 1 winner Katie Lee has conquered all in her age group and now Banchee promises to emulate her older half-sister. The daughter of Oratorio(IRE) and broodmare gem Miss Jessie Jay was outstanding in victory in Saturday's Gr 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes. She again overcame the outside barrier and a wide passage with an undeniable finish in the hands of Leith Innes. "She's a lovely filly and could be the best two-year-old I've trained," trainer John Sargent said. High praise indeed from the Matamata conditioner who previously produced the ill-fated Naturo to win his home feature. Sargent also trained Il Quello Veloce to finish runner-up in the event before landing the Gr 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes. Banchee will also target that race as well as the Gr 1 Ford Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie. "She's just so relaxed and does everything right and it was a great ride by Leith as well," Sargent said. Banchee was posted three wide in the early stages before Innes was able to slot her in one off the fence. "Full credit to the filly and she dug deep when I asked her for an effort - she's very good," he said. Banchee has now won two of her four starts and was placed in the other two, including luckless third in the Karaka Million. She was purchased by Sargent, through Bruce Perry Bloodstock, on behalf of Sam Kelt's Stampede Ltd, for $375,000 from Hallmark's Premier Sale draft at Karaka last year.

24th February 2010 Green Light For Filly's Derby Bid  Katie Lee will be put to the ultimate three-year-old test at Ellerslie next month with her participation in the Gr 1 $2.2 million Telecom Derby now confirmed. Owner Sir Patrick Hogan has given his NZ Filly of the Year the Blue Riband go-ahead after discussion with trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson. A Derby decision had been delayed until connections were satisfied the Hallmark Stud graduate had come through her brave win in the Gr 2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic in top order. The millionaire grey daughter of Pins and Miss Jessie Jay will be ridden at Ellerslie by regular partner Opie Bosson. He guided her to dual Gr 1 Guineas glory at Riccarton last year but missed her last-start success due to suspension with Mark du Plessis the fortunate replacement. Her confirmed Derby presence will now set up a mouth-watering clash with fellow filly Zarzuela and the leading males Corporal Jones and Monaco Consul. Katie Lee was bred by Hallmark in partnership with Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga (Taranaki), and was purchased from the Te Kauwhata farm's Premier Sale draft by Sir Patrick for $340,000.

16th February 2010 Harrison Hits Winning Note Again Spectatorial five-year-old Harrison continued his cracking run of form this season with another winning run in Singapore yesterday. He was successful over 1400 metres at Kranji to credit him with two wins and six placings from his last eight appearances. Out of the Blue Razor mare Blue Reality, Harrison is a brother to multiple winner Blue Skies and half-brother to four other winners. It is also the family of Australian stakes winner Brihuego and Chief Wild Eagle. He was bred by Coralie Eagle and the Estate of Trevor Eagle and sold by Hallmark Stud to champion Singapore trainer Laurie Laxon at Karaka in 2007 for $40,000.

13th February 2010 Katie Confirmed Champion Filly Katie Lee has proved herself the top filly in the country and she may now get the chance to earn overall three-year-old honours at her next appearance. The champion Hallmark Stud graduate is on track for another showdown with her male counterparts in the Gr 1 NZ Derby on March 6. A start has yet to be confirmed but co-trainer Graeme Rogerson is adamant that the Ellerslie feature is well within her range. "She's a great filly and she's still got few funny traits but she's a winner," he said. "It's up to Sir Patrick but I think the Derby is her race." The grey's dominant victory in Saturday's Gr 2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic gave her an unassailable lead in the NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year series. "Katie Lee had to step up and prove she was the best filly in the country and she's done that," owner Sir Patrick Hogan said. With the "Filly of the Year" title in the bag, the odds have shortened on Katie Lee having a crack at next month's Derby. She has already had the males' measure in the NZ 2000 Guineas in the spring before completing an historic double in the NZ 1000 Guineas. Purchased by Sir Patrick from Hallmark at Karaka for $340,000, Katie Lee has banked more than $1 million with seven wins and seven placings from 15 starts. Ridden for the first time at Te Rapa by Mark du Plessis, she hunted the leading pack one off the rail before making her move into the straight. Katie Lee powered to the front 200 metres from home and dashed clear to hold all challenges at bay in the run to the post. “I probably went a bit too soon, not knowing her, but she was travelling that good I decided to get moving to get around one horse coming back in my face," du Plessis said. "She is a very, very good filly, very classy. The other horse (November Rain) had her chance to pick me up and she just kept sticking her head out."

 

10th February 2010 Hallmark Enjoys A Karaka Cracker The only regret Hallmark Stud had during the NZ Bloodstock National Yearling Sales series was that they didn't have more stock to offer. The huge demand for their draft allowed them such a luxurious thought at the conclusion of an outstanding auction for the Te Kauwhata farm. "We had a fantastic sale right across the board and we didn't want it to end - we just wish we'd had 20 more horses to sell," Mark Baker said. "We had a wonderful time at all three sales and for a good, correct colt with a bit of scope there was such a strong demand from the buying bench." Hallmark's Premier Sale consignment was topped by an Encosta De Lago colt out of a daughter of Gr 1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes winner Love Lock who made $300,000. He was bought by major New Zealand buyer David Ellis. Patinack Farm's Nathan Tinkler parted with $220,000 for a son of Commands from the family of Golden Slipper winner and successful sire Catbird while an Oratorio colt from the winning Unbridled's Song mare Superb Melody took Paul Moroney's eye and he signed for him at $180,000. A half-brother to Gr 1 Australasian Oaks winner Rena's Lady by Zabeel's unbeaten son Reset was knocked down for $150,000 to top Melbourne conditioner Peter Moody and champion Singapore trainer Laurie Laxon snapped up the first of Hallmark's offerings to grace the ring. He went to $125,000 to secure a son of O'Reilly out of La Scala, a half-sister to dual Gr 1 winner Final Destination (NZ 1000 Guineas, Levin Classic). Yet another six-figure colt for the farm was the half-brother by Nadeem to stakes performer Seattle Lass. Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie liked what he saw and backed his judgement with a closing bid of $100,000. "It was a great start for us and all the Premier lots sold right on our pre-sale budget," Baker said. While expectations were met on the opening two days, Hallmark's Select Sale hopes were well and truly exceeded. "All ours sold well over budget - the bench was so strong and demand for a decent colt was unbelievable," Baker said. They ended the three-day sale as the leading vendor by average at $110,667 after nine lots sold for $996,000 with their prized offering a son of Pentire and the winning Danehill mare Sheza Gem who realised $170,000 to the bid of Sydney trainer Bede Murray. "He was without a doubt our top colt and a really nice type," Baker said. The money continued to flow with the O'Reilly grand-son of two-time Gr 1 winner Cinder Bella (Kelt Capital, Captain Cook Stakes) making $145,000 to the bid of NZ Bloodstock and backed up with three $130,000 colts. First out was a son of Spinning World from the winning Marauding mare Park City bought by Matamata trainer Roger James and followed by an Artie Schiller colt knocked down to prominent Auckland owner Alistair Sutherland and then Victorian trainer Colin Little secured the Stratum colt hailing from the legendary Eight Carat family. Resident Hallmark stallion Gold Mine was also in on the act when his beautifully-related son - a brother to Gr 3 Stewards' Stakes winner San Bernardino - from Miss Katella made $110,000. Bought by Keith Hawtin, he is from the stud's hugely-successful family featuring Gr 1 winners Katie Lee (NZ 1000-2000 Guineas) and Gee I Jane (BTC Cup, Telegraph Handicap). "We were most pleasantly surprised with all our Select horses - it was a powerful sale and it flowed on through to the Festival," Baker said. Matamata horseman John Sargent made Hallmark's Shinko King colt, who boasted an international pedigree that also featured Gr 1 NZ 2000 Guineas and Levin Classic winner Buzz Lightyear, their session-topper at $56,000. Trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson also chased a son of Shinko King and won the race for the colt from the family of Gr 2 Dulcie Stakes winner Christiania Belle for $40,000. Waikato Bloodstock secured a son of Gold Mine out of a half-sister to Australian Gr 3 performer Emperor Bonaparte for $32,500. A son of Hidden Dragon with Gr 1 SA Derby and 2000 Guineas winner Potomac on his pedigree page realised $30,000 while a grand-son of Gr 2 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner Danjiki by resident sire Le Bec Fin left the ring with a $20,000 sale tag.

10th February 2010 Dazzling Debut In Macau Home-bred Speed Train has made the best possible start to his racing career in Majaysia with an impressive first-up victory. The Hallmark Stud graduate three-year-old son of resident sire Gold Mine was successful on debut over 1200 metres at Penang.  Speed Train was purchased by Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie for $35,000 from the farm's 2008 Festival Sale draft at Karaka and was subsequently bought by Malaysian interests for $185,000 at the following year's Ready To Run Sale. He is out of the Haayil mare Shaayil from the family of Listed Counties Bowl winner and Gr 1 Waikato Sprint runner-up Bareall and the Dunedin Guineas winner Catastrophe. A half-brother by Ustinov to Speed Train was also sold by the stud at Karaka last year.

30th January 2010 Derby Hopes For Brave Filly Trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson is keen to chase another Gr 1 victory at the expense of the colts and geldings with star filly Katie Lee. "Hopefully she'll go to Auckland for the Derby - I think she'll stay," Rogerson, who prepares the Hallmark Stud graduate with wife Debbie, said. Katie Lee downed her male counterparts in the NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November before landing the fillies' equivalent a week later. Her form since has been excellent with runner-up finishes in both the Gr 3 Eulogy and Gr 2 Royal Stakes. In between times the daughter of Pins claimed the Gr 2 Eight Carat Classic and on Saturday was a brave third in the Gr 3 Desert Gold Stakes. Katie Lee jumped well on Saturday but got shuffled back soon after and had only two runners behind her 600 metres from home. She was hooked into the clear on straightening by rider Opie Bosson and finished well for her placing. "She's a great filly and she's done a great job and hasn't had the best of luck a few times," Rogerson said. Katie Lee is out of the Spectacularphantom mare Miss Jessie Jay and Hallmark will offer a close relation at Karaka this week. Lot 547 in the Select Sale is by resident sire Gold Mine out of Miss Jessie Jay's half-sister Miss Katella. The youngster is a brother to Gr 3 Stewards' Stakes and three-time Listed winner San Bernardino. Another member of the family was also narrowly denied victory at Trentham in a photo finish. Miss Krisdel, a Spectatorial half-sister to dual Gr 1 winner Gee I Jane and Miss Jessie Jay, was just nosed out of her third career success. 30th January 2010 Grand Group Does Hallmark Proud Hallmark Stud was right in the thick of the Group racing action on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday. On the home front, Awesome Planet and Katie Lee were prominent at Trentham while Encosta Belief gained black-type in Australia. There was honour in defeat for Gr 3 Doomben Roses and dual Listed winner Awesome Planet with a bold showing for second in the Gr 2 Wellington Cup. The Giant's Causeway mare was purchased by Graeme Rogerson's Dormello Stud for $155,000 from Hallmark's 2007 draft to Karaka. Awesome Planet's outstanding stablemate Katie Lee had earlier finished a courageous third in the Gr 3 Desert Gold Stakes. In Melbourne, Encosta Belief was narrowly denied a hat-trick of wins when he finished runner-up in the C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington. Offered by Hallmark during the 2008 Premier Sale, the son of Encosta De Lago went to the bid of Peter Moody for $150,000.

23rd January 2010 In-Form Rathsallagh On Cups' Trail Hallmark Stud graduate Rathsallagh will head to Tasmania in red-hot form in search of further black-type honours.. She confirmed a crack at a Gr 3 double in the Hobart and Launceston Cups after blitzing her rivals at Sandown yesterday. The five-year-old remained unbeaten for the year when she coasted home by nearly three lengths over 2400 metres. Rathsallagh, who had also triumphed on the track last time out over 2100m, is a daughter of O'Reilly. She was born and bred at Hallmark by Barbara Saunders of Victoria Australia. Rathsallagh is out of the Assert mare Star Of Amarissa who was a dual winner in America. Her grand-dam Amaranda was a Gr 2 winner and Gr 1 placed in England while Danasuria and Hairy have been Australian stakes winner from the family. Star Of Amarissa has left eight winners including Te Akau Sin (Listed Warstep Stakes) and Rathsallagh's Gr 3 performed brother Paddy O'Reilly. Rathsallagh first earned black-type when placed in the Gr 2 Wellington Guineas and Listed Bonecrusher Stakes at three before continuing her career in Australia. She was also runner-up in the Gr 1 Queensland Oaks and her recent form has coincided with a return to middle distance racing.

16th January 2010 Cracking Karaka Trophy Trial   Luke Nolen has sounded an ominous warning to Encosta Belief's rivals in the Karaka Million 3YO Trophy at Ellerslie on January 31. The top Melbourne jockey has ridden the New Zealand-bound Hallmark Stud graduate to his last two victories. "He's got good tactical speed from the gates and relaxes and he'll be in that race up to his ears," Nolen said. His comments came in the wake of Encosta Belief's comprehensive age-group win at Flemington on Saturday. Nolen had the son of Encosta De Lago travelling easily in the second spot to the turn before taking control. Encosta Belief held a strong gallop down the long straight to coast home by a length. "He's really focussed and got a lovely sprint - I had it under control a long way out," Nolen said. He is trained by Peter Moody who went to $150,000 to buy him out of Hallmark's 2008 Premier Sale draft. Encosta Belief is from the Danehill mare Plaisir D'Amour, a sister to dual Gr 1 winner and leading sire Danehill Dancer. Champion American sire Mr Greeley and the Gr 1 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense also feature in the pedigree.

14th January 2010 Karaka Yearlings On-Line Hallmark Stud are proud to present another top-quality draft to the 2010 National Yearling Sales at Karaka next month. Video footage of our consignment can now be viewed on-line at the New Zealand Bloodstock website. Please browse our Premier, Select and Festival Sale drafts at www.nzb.co.nz

13th January 2010 Further Success For Crack Hallmark Breed   Blue-blooded filly Chateau D'Yquem hit the board at Sandown yesterday to continue the outstanding success of her Hallmark Stud family. The Pins filly is a half-sister to seven winners including Gee I Jane (Gr 1 Telegraph Handicap, BTC Cup) and Miss Jessie Jay (Gr 3 Evergreen Stakes). The latter is the dam of Katie Lee (Gr 1 NZ 1000-2000 Guineas), Eclair Fantastic (five wins) and the promising Group-placed juvenile Banshee. Chateau D'Yquem is out of the winning Bletchencore mare Miss Distinction, who has also left the fine broodmare Miss Katella. She in turn is the dam of San Bernardino (Gr 3 Stewards' Handicap) and recent dual Australian winner Sienna Sunrise. Chateau D'Yquem was bought out of Hallmark's 2008 Premier Sale draft at Karaka by Robert Roulston Bloodstock, Australia for $420,000. She improved quickly on her debut seventh at Geelong on Boxing Day to win decisively over 1400 metres yesterday. Hallmark will present a brother to San Bernardino, by resident sire Gold Mine, during the Select Sale at Karaka next month.

8th January 2010 Sienna Sunrise A Star In The Making! Progressive three-year-old Sienna Sunrise looks poised to add further black-type honours to an outstanding Hallmark Stud family. The filly took her record to two wins and a placing from three starts when successful in fine style at Moonee Valley last night. Sierra Sunrise is trained by Robert Smerdon and had followed up a debut third with her maiden success at Geelong. By Bertolini out of Miss Katella, she was a $60,000 purchase by Barbara Saunders of Victoria Australia. Ric Wylie bidding on behalf of Barbara, from Hallmark's 2008 Select Sale consignment. Sierra Sunrise is a half-sister to Gr 3 Stewards' Handicap winner San Bernardino, whose brother will be offered by the farm at Karaka next month. Dual Gr 1 winners Katie Lee (NZ 1000, 2000 Guineas) and Gee I Jane (Telegraph Handicap, BTC Cup) are other stand-out family performers.

7th January 2010 Rathsallagh Back In Winners' Circle A return to a middle distance trip has brought the best out of the Robert Smerdon-trained O'Reilly mare Rathsallagh. The five-year-old posted an overdue victory midweek when successful over 2100 metres at the Sandown meeting. Born and bred at Hallmark Stud, Rathsallagh was having just her third run over ground since her successful three-year-old season. She was a black-type performer in New Zealand with placings in the Gr 2 Wellington Guineas and the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes. Rathsallagh then went to Australia where she has won twice and finished runner-up in the Gr 1 Queensland Oaks. Her Sandown success gave Hallmark a winning double after Karaka Million 3YO Trophy hope Encosta Belief landed the opening event.

6th January 2010 Ellerslie Trip A Step Closer! An impressive win at Sandown yesterday almost certainly booked Encosta Belief a trip home for a crack at the Karaka Million 3YO Trophy at Ellerslie. The Peter Moody-trained gelding was unextended to score by a length to strenghten his claims for the $200,00 feature on January 31. The inaugural metric mile is open to graduates of the 2008 sale at Karaka where Encosta Belief was offered by Hallmark Stud. Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor said Encosta Belief could have one more outing before Ellerslie. "If he needs another run the option is there to run at Flemington on the 16th or Moonee Valley on the 22nd and still get him to New Zealand at the end of the month.". Moody secured the half-brother to five winners, including the Group-performed Olnistto, by Encosta De Lago for $150,000. He is out of the winning Danehill mare Plaisir D'Amour, a sister to dual Gr 1 winner and leading sire Danehill Dancer. It is also the family of champion American sire Mr Greeley and the Gr 1 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense. Encosta Belief has won twice from nine starts and run four seconds, including one at Kilmore last year behind subsequent Gr 1 winner Denman.

2nd January 2010 Hallmark Filly A Rising Star! Hallmark Star looked a filly with a definite black-type future following another dazzling performance at Doomben yesterday. The daughter of Johar settled well back in the field and was still among the tailenders when the field turned for home. However, Hallmark Star showed an outstanding turn of foot to scorch down the outside of the track and win with ease. The Rob Heathcote-trained three-year-old is now unbeaten in three outings this season. She was bought out of Hallmark Stud's 2007 National Weanling Sale draft by Alwyn 'Ace' Shaw of Aceland Stud, Tasmania for $26,000. Hallmark Star is out of the Jetball mare Street Star, a juvenile winner in Australia and Gr 3 placed in the Sweet Embrace Stakes. Street Star is also half-sister to Gr 2 Travis and Matamata Breeders' Stakes winner Conquistar and has now left four winners, including the stakes-performed Audacious Amber.

 

27th December 2009 Fantastic Family Fires Another Winning Shot! Katie Lee's older sibling Eclair Fantastic by Spectatorial x Miss Jessie Jay by Spectacularphantom, farewelled Australian racing on a winning note and he's quickly announced his arrival in Macau. The four-year-old was a first-up third there before setting a class record when flying to victory on Boxing Day. Eclair Fantastic won his first three starts in South Australia for leading trainer Phillip Stokes to earn a trip to last year's Melbourne spring carnival. He finished a game sixth behind subsequent Gr 2 winner Drumbeats in the Listed Hilton Stakes at Flemington before a spell. Eclair Fantastic returned in April for his final Australian start, which he comfortably won, and was then transferred to Macau. Bred and sold by Hallmark Stud and Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga, he is by former resident sire Spectatorial and was a $120,000 yearling at Karaka in 2007. Eclair Fantastic

26th December 2009 Hallmark Filly Packs Boxing Day Punch!   Glamour three-year-old Katie Lee bounced back from a narrow last-start defeat to extend her lead yesterday in the NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year series. The top-class daughter of Pins returned to her winning ways at Ellerslie on Boxing Day with victory in the Gr 2 Eight Carat Classic. She has now accumulated 24.5 points in the series to hold a commanding 17.5 margin over her closest rival for the crown. Katie Lee made history when she claimed the Gr 1 Guineas double at Riccarton in November and returned to action at Awapuni earlier this month. She finished a close runner-up there and co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said she had been a victim of circumstances in the Gr 3 Eulogy Stakes. "It was a wet track and he (rider Opie Bosson) went too soon, but we took it on the chin." Bosson made no mistake at Ellerslie yesterday for Katie Lee to record the sixth victory of her outstanding 12-start career. "She's the best filly I've ever had anything to with - she's a real trier who loves racing and knows where the post is," Rogerson said. Katie Lee is likely to make her next appearance in the Gr 2 Royal Stakes on New Year's Day. It will continue her build-up toward the Gr 1 NZ Oaks in March and Rogerson is confident she will cope with the 2400 metre trip at Trentham. "I can't see any reason why not against her own age group. She's the best filly around," she said. Bred by Hallmark Stud in partnership with Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga (Taranaki), Katie Lee was purchased from the Te Kauwhata farm's Premier Sale draft by Sir Patrick Hogan for $340,000. Katie Lee reaches for the line to hold out Adaline, with Blonde Bombshell third. Kenton Wright www.raceimages.co.nz

26th December 2009 Double Strike For Colt's Family!   A brother to Gr 3 winner San Bernardino bound for Karaka in February received significant pedigree updates on Boxing Day. The Hallmark Stud colt's half-sister Sienna Sunrise by Bertolini x Miss Katella by The Commander, won at Geelong while Katie Lee earned further family kudos at Ellerslie. Sienna Sunrise was bought out of the stud's 2007 Select Sale draft at Karaka by Matamata agent Ric Wylie for $60,000. She is trained by Robert Smerdon and was placed on debut at Bendigo before opening her account over 1300 metres yesterday. The daughter of Bertolini is out of Miss Katella, who is a half-sister to the dam of dual Gr 1 heroine and Gr 2 Eight Carat Classic winner Katie Lee. Miss Katella's first visit to resident Hallmark stallion Gold Mine produced San Bernardino. The Gr 3 Stewards' Handicap winner has also been a three-time winner at Listed level in the Welcome and Fairview Ford Stakes and the Lion red Plate. It is also the family of dual Gr 1 winning sprinter Gee I Jane (Telegraph Handicap, BTC Cup).

16th December 2009 Hallmark Graduate Strikes Again!   Hallmark Star maintained her unbeaten record for the season when she was a decisive winner on her home track yesterday. Trained at Eagle Farm by Robert Heathcote, the Johar filly was untroubled to score by two lengths over 1500 metres. The three-year-old was bought out of Hallmark Stud's 2007 draft to the National Weanling Sale by Aceland Stud for $26,000. She won her seasonal debut over 1400 metres earlier this month and now has two wins from her five career appearances. Hallmark Star is out of the Group-performed Jetball mare Street Star, a half-sister to dual Gr 2 winner Conquistar.

14th December 2009 Banchee Sings On Family Roll Of Honour   Banchee by Oratorio x Miss Jessie Jay by Spectacularphantom, showed she had inherited her share of the family ability when the half-sister to crack filly Katie Lee made a dynamic winning debut at Ellerslie on Sunday last. The Oratorio youngster had to overcome an early check before accelerating in the straight in the style of another future black-type winner for Hallmark Stud. She made $375,000 from the Te Kauwhata farm's Premier Sale draft at Karaka earlier this year to the bid of Masterton-based agent Bruce Perry. The John Sargent-trained filly is raced by the Stampede syndicate, which includes high-profile Hawke's Bay breeder and owner Sam Kelt who selected her days before she went to the ring! Banchee was ridden on Sunday by Vinny Colgan, who had also guided her to victory in her one trial appearance at Cambridge. Her super sibling Katie Lee lost no caste in defeat at the weekend when she finished a brave second in the Gr 3 Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni. Jockey Opie Bosson conceded after the race that he may have gone a touch early, but she was not helped by the rain-affected track. Katie Lee's effort took on further merit as she was galloped on during the race and suffered cuts, fortunately minor, to her back legs. She will make her next appearance in the Gr 2 Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day before returning to Ellerslie on New Year's day for the Gr 2 Royal Stakes.

3rd December 2009 Star Shines For Hallmark The appropriately-named Hallmark Star shone brightly for the Te Kauwhata farm yesterday when she opened her winning account in Queensland. Prepared by premiership winning trainer Robert Heathcote, she was successful at her three-year-old debut over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm. The lightly-raced Hallmark graduate was a $26,000 weanling purchase for Aceland Stud at Karaka in 2007. She is by Johar out of the Jetball mare Street Star, a juvenile winner in Australia and Gr 3 placed in the Sweet Embrace Stakes. Street Star is also half-sister to Gr 2 Travis and Matamata Breeders' Stakes winner Conquistar and has now left four winners, including the stakes-performed Audacious Amber.

1st December 2009 Danahere Opens Account In Melbourne Lightly-tried filly Danahere struck her first winning blow for leading Melbourne trainer Danny O'Brien when she was successful at yesterday's Kyneton meeting. The future looks bright for the Dehere three-year-old after breaking through over 1850 metres at only her third raceday appearance. She showed her appreciation of the extra ground after finishing an eye-catching fifth at her previous run over a shorter trip. Danahere was a $160,000 purchase by O'Brien out of Hallmark Stud's Premier Sale draft to Karaka last year. She is out of the winning Danasinga mare Danex, who was Gr 3 placed in the Sir Tristram Classic and ran fourth in the Gr 1 New Zealand Oaks. It is also the family of the top-class Calm Harbour whose 16 victories included the Thorndon Mile and Captain Cook Stakes at Gr 1 level.

26th November 2009 Single Currency Worth Waiting For... Cambridge trainer Chris Wood's talented three-year-old Single Currency is on the easy list and won't be seen out again until next year. The Hallmark Stud graduate emerged as a serious talent in the spring with two runaway wins from three appearances. "He's out in the paddock for three or four weeks - he got a bad boil on his wither," Wood said. "It's unfortunately held us up, but he's worth waiting for and he's a pretty decent sort." The problem surfaced after Single Currency had suffered his first defeat in the Listed Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa. "He didn't finish far off them and that's pretty good form," Wood said. Single Currency was forced to race three wide without cover and was less than four and a-half lengths from the winner. That was fellow Hallmark graduate Katie Lee, who went on to an historic Gr 1 Guineas double at Riccarton. Single Currency had been untested to win his previous two starts at Taupo and Hastings. By Bachelor Duke, he was purchased by Wood for $29,000 from Hallmark's Festival Sale draft at Karaka last year. He is out of the multiple winner Pennies From Heaven, a Pompeii Court mare from the family of dual Gr 1 winner and champion sire O'Reilly.

26th November 2009 Filly Shows Family Ability Superbly-related filly Banchee by Oratorio impressed in her first public outing this week when she won at the Cambridge trials. Trained at Matamata by John Sargent, she showed good pace to land her heat over 800 metres. Bred by Hallmark Stud with Trevor Hurley, Banchee made $375,000 from the farm's Premier Sale draft at Karaka earlier this year. By Oratorio, she is a half-sister to fellow graduate and dual Gr 1 heroine Katie Lee. Their Gr 3 winning dam Miss Jessie Jay has also left the multiple Australian winner Eclair Fantastic. Another untried youngster to keep a watch on is the Le Bec Fin-Journal Entry gelding with Robert Patterson at New Plymouth. The three-year-old has trialled twice for a debut second and most recently a runaway win at Waverley.

14th November 2009 Derby Dream No Fantasy Promising three-year-old Celtic Fantasy, by Giant's Causeway x Snowdonia by Peintre Celebre took another winning step toward a Gr 1 target when he again beat the older horses at Tauranga. Pukekohe trainer Craig Ritchie has held the Hallmark Stud graduate in high regard for some time and has New Zealand Derby ambitions for him. "He was a big, strong horse when we bought him and I knew early on he had plenty of ability," he said. Ritchie paid $40,000 for Celtic Fantasy during the Select Sale at Karaka last year. He is by Giant's Causeway, who won five consecutive Gr 1 races in 2000 to earn rave reviews for both his class and bravery. The freegoing Celtic Fantasy is undefeated in both his starts over 1600 metres and each time has also showed commendable fighting qualities. He is out of the imported Peintre Celebre mare Snowdonia from the family of dual European Gr 1 winner and sire Croco Rouge. Ritchie said he would now be looking to take on the better three-year-olds with Celtic Fantasy as he worked toward a Derby start.

14th November 2009 Hallmark Girl Races To Historic Double Hallmark Stud's star graduate Katie Lee once again overcame a torrid run to make New Zealand racing history at Riccarton on Saturday. The Te Kauwhata farm-bred and sold filly wrote a fresh chapter in the record books with another dazzling Gr 1 performance. Katie Lee became the first horse to complete the New Zealand 2000-1000 Guineas double and she did it in stunning style. She was knocked from pillar to post before downing the males on the opening day of the Christchurch carnival and was again in deep trouble in the fillies' classic. "All credit to her - she's a champion filly with the heart the size of a lion," winning rider Opie Bosson said. "Across the top she had her head up in the air all the way, it was that rough and she still picked herself up." Katie Lee bullocked her way into the clear in the straight and, in a repeat of the previous week, charged to victory. "It hasn't sunk in yet - it's a huge thrill and a massive result for us," Mark Baker said.      Katie Lee going to the line for her victory in the 2000 Guineas. The champion daughter of Pins and Miss Jessie Jay was bred by the stud with Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga.   She was purchased out of Hallmark's Premier Sale consignment last year for $340,000 by Sir Patrick Hogan. Her dam Miss Jessie Jay, who is back in foal to Pins, was a Gr 3 winner by Spectacularphantom out of the Bletchencore mare Miss Distinction. "We had Katie Lee's great grand-dam Estella Dawn, here for years", Baker said. Estella Dawn was by Hasty Cloud, she a full sister to Rising Damp. "I think a lot of the credit in the pedigree goes to Bletchencore - he was such a strong, fast horse and left some really nice types." The NZ Filly of the Year title was now Katie Lee's main objective and thought would also be given to a crack at the Gr 1 NZ Derby. "My wish is that she does not leave New Zealand this racing season," Sir Patrick said.. "Possibly when she is a four-year-old she might have a crack at Australia, but I would not be tempted to go to the AJC Oaks or Queensland Oaks." Trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, Katie Lee has now won five of her 10 starts and more than $890,000.

7th November 2009 More Classic Success For Hallmark Stud Crack filly Katie Lee brought further Gr 1 glory to Hallmark Stud when she brushed aside her male challengers to win the $1 million New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton. The outstanding daughter of Pins and Miss Jessie Jay overcame a rough run to show her quality and post a scintillating victory. "You won't see any better than that," co-trainer Graeme Rogerson, who prepares the grey with his wife Debbie said. "She got flattened and flattened again and couldn't win at the furlong - she's had a lot of things go wrong, but she's real class." Rogerson said he would monitor the filly during the week before deciding if she would back up in next Saturday's New Zealand 1000 Guineas. Bred by Hallmark in partnership with Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga, Taranaki, Katie Lee was purchased from the Te Kauwhata farm's Premier Sale draft by Sir Patrick Hogan for $340,000. "It was a big call to go to the 2000 Guineas," Sir Patrick said. "To be honest I said all along if Opie chose another horse she just wasn't running. "I was not going to be putting another jockey on, not because I didn't think they were not good enough, but I really wanted the 1000 Guineas. "I was worried I had stuffed it up here if she did not go any good, so it was a big gamble." Bosson rode Katie Lee to her lead-up victory in the Listed Sarten Memorial and knocked back several other rides to stick with her at Riccarton. With four wins and four placings from her nine career starts she has now banked $714,300. Katie Lee is out of the Gr 3 winning mare Miss Jessie Jay and she is safely in foal again again to Pins. Her Oratorio filly made $375,000 at Karaka earlier this year. Hallmark have enjoyed outstanding success with the family and in February will offer a full-brother to Gr 3 winner San Bernardino. The son of resident stallion Gold Mine is out of Miss Jessie Jay's half-sister Miss Katella, who is in foal to Pentire. They are both out of Miss Distinction, who has recently been served by High Chaparral and has a Darci Brahma filly at foot. Miss Distinction is the dam of six winners, including the dual Gr 1 heroine Gee I Jane.

30th October 2009 Another Stakes Strike For Le Bec Fin Talented filly Elle Tresor drew further attention to Le Bec Fin's excellent strike rate when she finished runner-up in the Listed Wellesley Stakes at Trentham. The daughter of Hallmark Stud's regally-bred Tale Of The Cat stallion is his third black-type performer from only 25 runners - an impressive 12 per cent ratio. Skirmish (Gr 2 Wellington Guineas) and Posh Bec (runner-up Listed Soliloquy Stakes) have also furthered contributed to Le Bec Fin's better than 50 per cent winners to runners statistic. At just $2500 + GST, the half-brother to champion mare Ethereal offers outstanding value and Elle Tresor is yet another cracking example. "She's a very good filly and we've always had a high opinion of her," Te Awamutu co-trainer Brendon Hawtin said. "She's an absolute gem and, while we knew she would run early, we think she'll be even better as a three-year-old. "She was a little bit tough - but all the best fillies have that streak - and once the penny dropped she's been a dream." Elle Tresor was a trial winner on her home track in August before she coasted home in her Whangarei debut last month. She then trekked south to Trentham where she beat all but the highly-regarded Big River in the Wellesley. "She did handle the heavy ground at Trentham, but she'll be twice the filly on top of the ground," Hawtin said. "She's won at the top of the North Island and performed at the bottom of the North Island and taken it all in her stride." Elle Tresor is currently enjoying a short break and will make her next appearance in the Listed Murdoch Newell Stakes at Pukekohe on November 21. "We'll put her aside then and come back for the Matamata Breeders' Stakes and her main aim will be the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes," Hawtin said. Elle Tresor is raced by her Te Kuiti breeder Paul Guise and is out of the Strike Diamonds mare Spot Of Luck who visits Le Bec Fin again this season.

 

27th October 2009 Graduates Going For Riccarton Gold. Team Rogerson will head to next month's New Zealand Cup carnival with Group goals in mind for their latest last-start Labour Day winners Katie Lee and Awesome Planet. The pair booked their berths South when they credited Hallmark Stud with a notable double at Te Rapa! Pins filly Katie Lee added to her black-type credits when she powered home to land the Listed James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes to go with her Gp III Eclipse Stakes success of last season. She was bred and sold by Hallmark Stud and Trevor Hurley of Kaponga, for $340,000 to Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan during last years Premier Sale at Karaka. A decision has yet to be made whether Katie Lee targets the Gp I $1Million NZ 2000 Guineas or is reserved for the Gp I NZ 1000 Guineas. She is out of Gp III Fayette Park Stakes winner Miss Jessie Jay, a Spectacularphantom 1/2 sister to dual Gp I Telegraph Hcp and the BTC Cup winner Gee I Jane! Katie Lee is also closely related to Gold Mine four-year-old and fellow farm graduate and stablemate San Bernardino, recent first-up winner of the Listed Lion Red Plate at Te Rapa. He will be in action at Christchurch as well to defend his Gp III Stewards' Stakes title on the middle day of the meeting. He is unbeaten on the track wih a juvenile success in the Listed Welcome Stakes to his credit. Quality mare Awesome Planet was an impressive winner of the open metric mile at Te Rapa and is now set for the Gp II Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton. She was a $155,000 Premier Sale purchase from Hallmark's 2007 draft and enjoyed an outstanding three-year-old season with victory in the Gp II Doomben Roses off the back of the Listed wins at home in the Manawatu Breeder's and Soliloquy Stakes and a Gp I placing in the NZ 1000 Guineas. By Giant's Causeway, Awesome Planet is a daughter of the winning Irish-bred Fasliyev mare Dance On The Moon. whose dam is a 1/2 sister to Gp I Epsom derby winner Dr Devious and successful New Zealand sire Shinko King.

24th October 2009 Derby Hope Debuts In Style! Craig Ritchie's faith in Hallmark Stud graduate Celtic Fantasy by Giant's Causeway x Snodonia by Peintre Celebre, was vindicated with an impressive debut win and the Pukekohe trainer now has classic aspirations for the three-year-old. "It's not easy to win first-up at Ellerslie, but I knew the horse was good enough and I'd like to think he's a Derby horse," he said. "He's a dead-set stayer and he'll run at Tauranga next and then we'll look to take on the better three-year-olds. "After that I'll map out a programme toward the Derby." Ritchie purchased the son of Giant's Causeway out of Hallmark's Select Sale draft to Karaka last year for $40,000. He is out of the imported Peintre Celebre mare Snowdonia from the family of dual European Gr 1 winner and sire Croco Rouge. "He was a big, strong horse when we bought him and I knew early on he had plenty of ability," Ritchie said. "He's a very professional type and Shane Udy broke him in and he's a kind horse and always been pretty straight forward to handle." A trial winner before he raced, Celtic Fantasy's private reputation went public at Ellerslie last weekend when he overcame a wide barrier to win at the first time of asking. "He was pretty forward and when Matt (Cameron) gave him a slap he kept finding and it was a very good effort," Ritchie said.

17th October 2009 San Bernardino Straight Back Into Spotlight San Bernardino x Gold Mine defied an eleven month absence from the track to return for immediate black-type reward at Rotorua on Saturday. Unseen since his win in the Gp III Stewards Stakes, 1200 metres last November, San Bernardino demonstrated he had lost for none during this time, racing home for an all the way win in the Listed Lion Red Plate, 1200m. Trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, the four year old son of Gold Mine has now recorded four wins and five placings from twelve starts for owners T.Clarke, B.Hickey, B.K.Parker, G.A.Rogerson MNZM, and K.Summers, with the cummulative effect of this being $202,875.00 in Earnings. Bred by Trevor Hurley of Kaponga, San Bernardino was initially purchased by Rogerson for $28,000.00 at the 2007 NZ Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale from Hallmark Stud where he was born and raised! Precocious from the get-go, San Bernardino added the Listed CJC Welcome Stakes 1000m and the Listed Waikato Fairview Ford Stakes 1100m to his resume at two and has added Stakes success each season thereafter with the aforementioned Gp III and Listed win. His dam Miss Katella by The Commander has this month been to Pentire, has a full brother to San Bernardino at foot and ourselves and Trevor Hurley have another strapping full brother to present at the upcoming select Session at Karaka 2010

 

1st October 2009 Le Bec Fin Scores Again Overnight! Le Bec Fin chalked up yet another winner overnight! This time in Singapore in the shape of Gutsy Knight by Le Bec Fin x Sylph by Nassipour. He is in fact a full brother to the Stephen McKee trained 3 year old gelding Thinkin' Happy who won first up at Te Aroha last month. Gutsy Knight provided Le Bec Fin with his sixth individual winner since the commencement of the 2009/2010 racing season to go alongside Posh Bec's Listed placing last Saturday in the Soliloquy. Le Bec Fin's book this season is deservedly filling steadily. On total merit he looks set to serve his biggest book yet!

26th September 2009 Another Blacktype Performer For Le Bec Fin! Le Bec Fin's three Year old filly Posh Bec by Le Bec Fin x Silver Cent by Centaine, provided him with his second black type performer today, just getting headed in the last stride, when contesting the Listed Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie.  In running second in this hotly contested black type event, Posh Bec is more evidence that Le Bec Fin can sire a runner of the highest quality backing up Skirmish's Gp II Wellington Guineas win last season. Posh Bec, who won on debut as a two year old earlier this year, looks sure to give her breeder/owner and good farm client, Sandy Moore, many more thrills on the back of todays pedigree enhancing stakes placing.

 

12th September 2009 Le Bec Fin Two Year Old Bolts Home Le Bec Fin's marvellous start to the 2009 - 2010 season continued on it's merry way today at Ruakaka when the two year old Elle Tresor by Le Bec Fin x Spot Of Luck by Strike Diamonds trounced her eight rivals by over two and a half lengths in the 88o metres event.  The field included three other impressive trial winners like herself. We made reference to Elle Tresor on our news page on the 25th August last. See below. Elle Tresor is trained by the Hawtin team at Te Awamutu and raced by her breeder Te Kuiti farmer Paul Guise. We are now only six weeks into the 2009 - 2010 season and yesterday's win provided Le Bec Fin with his fifth individual winner since the 1st August. In the process Le Bec Fin is proving many things!!        viz:        That he is great value at only $2,500.00 +GST        His versatility siring Colts AND Fillies.       Siring Two year olds       Ideal breed to race horses with a view to trading       And to top it off he can sire a Group winner! That being last season's Gp II Wellington Guineas winner Skirmish!

9th September 2009 Good Day For Hallmark Graduates Congratulations to Chris Wood for his runaway first up win, with the Bachelor Duke x Pennies In Heaven gelding Single Currency, today at Taupo!  Chris Wood bought him from us out of the 2008 Festival Sale for $29,000.00. He has a bright future after leading from a widish alley and then accelerating again to win by three and a half lengths.  Single Currency was bought by us as a foal out of the paddock.  Another of the farm's pinhooks from the Karaka 2007 Premier Sale, Hussons Fortune, by Hussonet x O'Fortuna also won impressively today at Sandown, in Melbourne, for the David Hayes stable. He is fashioning a very good form record and we should see him out again over the Spring Carnival.  Hussons Fortune was $220,000.000 purchase by Mark Pilkington

5th September 2009 Te Horo Nugget Wins After Consistent Form Four  year old gelding Te Horo Nugget by Gold Mine ex Te Horo Girl by Jet Ball, won well at Wanganui in the TCL Communications Maiden 1600 metres adding another winner to our resident sire Gold Mine.  Bred and raced by Marie and Timothy Faith, loyal clients of Hallmark Stud had great pleasure in their big bay gelding winning well in the hands of Hayden Tinsley. Te Horo Nugget is trained by Kevin Gray at Palmerston North.   We wish them well for future racing, well done team.

4th September 2009 Sneaky Adds to Le Bec Fin's record Four  year old gelding Sneaky by Le Bec Fin ex Champagne Bubble by Desert Sun, overcame his outside barrier draw to win untouched today, at Riccarton, in a 1200 metre maiden at only his third start!  Sneaky has been held in high regard for some time by trainers Les and Richard Didham.  Having been handled patiently the rewards should come on a continuous basis.  Well done to both owners and trainers. Sneaky was bred by us at Hallmark Stud and was sold by the farm privately.

2nd September 2009 Another Le Bec Fin Steps Up! Three year old gelding Thinkin' Happy by Le Bec Fin ex Sylph by Nassipour, was most impressive on debut today at Paeroa. The Stephen McKee trained son of Le Bec Fin came from an awkwardly wide barrier and sat three and four wide without cover throughout the race but still drew out to win easily over the final stages.  Thinkin' Happy was bred by us, Hallmark Stud, from the Nassipour mare Sylph and was sold by the farm as a weanling for what now looks a real bargain price of $6,000.00, especially given that there looks to be plenty more in store for Thinkin' Happy and his owners!

25th August 2009 Le Bec Fin Two Year Old  Quickest of Day At the Waipa trials today an un-named Le Bec Fin 2 yr old filly put her hand up as one to watch in the future! The daughter of Le Bec Fin and Spot of Love, by Strike Diamonds, ran the fastest time of the three 650-metre 2yr old heats winning by a length with four lengths back to the others. She was bred by Paul Guise of Te Kuiti and is trained by the father and son team Keith and Brendon Hawtin in Te Awamutu.

8th August 2009 Tale Of the Cat gets Multiple Gp1 Performer on Turf in USA  Tale Of The Cat, the sire of resident stallion Le Bec Fin gets Multiple Group I Turf winner in America! Castleton Lyons’ Gio Ponti notched his fourth consecutive Group I victory August 8th at Arlington Park, as he rolled to a 1 1/4-length win in the Arlington Million (Gr. I on Turf) under Ramon Dominguez. A 4-year-old son of Tale of the Cat, Gio Ponti qualified himself as the top turf horse in the country with his convincing win over a tough field, one that put him over the $2-million mark in career earnings. It was the ninth win in 14 lifetime starts for the bay colt and his seventh Group stakes performance. He also earned an automatic berth to the Nov 7th Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita and the Japan Cup (Jpn-I). Christophe Clement, one of the nation’s best turf trainers for years, collected his first Arlington Million win. "We were very patient with (Gio Ponti) when he was a 3-year-old and he keeps maturing and is a better 4-year-old,” said Clement. "There are many good races around and he could go in any one of them. Let’s just enjoy today.”

8th August 2009 Skirmish Scores Again! Le Bec Fin's Group II winning daughter Skirmish out of Jollify by Kingdom Bay, was back to her best today at Riccarton.  The 4yr old grey mare looked beaten half way down the straight, but the 2008 Wellington Guineas winner fought back with vigour to take out the 1800 metre event by 3/4 length. Skirmish has been patiently handled and placed by her owner, breeder, trainer Adrian Bull. All else being equal, she will go on to more Black Type this season!

22nd July 2009 Another Winner For Le Bec Fin Three year old gelding Odyssey by Le Bec Fin out of Inaninstant,  provided our resident son of Tale Of The Cat with yet another winner in an 1100 metre maiden today at Paeroa. He was beautifully ridden by Jason Collett, the son of Odyssey's trainers Richard and Judy Collett. The gelding by Le Bec Fin looks destined for more wins in the not too distant future. Le Bec Fin is on a roll at the moment having sired four individual winners in the last month; proving he is the ideal 'breed to race' stallion who offers the best value available at $2500.00 having already left a Gp II winner in his first crop!

15th July 2009 Le Bec Fin filly Wins First Up! Posh Bec by Le Bec Fin out of Silver Cent by Centaine, made an impressive winning debut today, ridden by Samantha Spratt, in the Juvenile event over 1200 metres at Tauranga. Her first up victory was on the back of a strong trials win. She may now press on to Listed company in the Northland Breeders Stakes, or the Ryder Stakes at Levin on the 25th July, or be given a let up before the Spring. She was bred and is raced by Sandy Moore, an Auckland Racing Club committee man and a client of the farm. Posh Bec provided Sandy with his first win and hopefully there is more in store for Sandy and the Richard Yuill trained Le Bec Fin filly. Le Bec Fin our resident sire has been on a roll in the last few weeks, with the 3 year olds Seedorf and Nicole Amy both winning impressively in the last month.

 

3rd April 2009 Black Type Quinella In Listed Event The Listed Manawatu Breeder's Stakes (2000m) run at Awapuni today was taken out by the evergreen 3 year old filly Awesome Planet who was far too strong in the finish, even for the fast finishing Dutyful who filled second placing. Both these two females were raised and/or sold by the farm for the breeders. Awesome Planet was purchased at the 2007 Premier Sale for $155,000 by Graeme Rogerson. Dutyful went through our 2005 Festival draft, knocked down to New Zealand Bloodstock's Mike Kneebone for $20,000 on behalf of her United Kingdom based owners Richard and Sara Ward. The ulta consistent Awesome Planet has achieved black type five times this season, including a Gp1 placing in the 1000 Guineas in November last and a victory in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie back in September! Awesome Planet winning the Listed Manawatu Breeders Stakes 2000 metres today

February 2009 Gold Mine Roll's On In the last fortnight our resident sire  Gold Mine has sired another 3 winners, in the form of Anticipating (ex Graphite by Bigstone) at Trentham on the 19th January 2009, Sherborne (ex Our Thumbs Up by Spectacular Love) at New Plymouth on 30th January 2009 and yesterday at Gore, Goldminers Daughter (ex Rapaki Dash by Haayil) raced away in fine style to win at her 3rd start backing up some recent good form.

30th January 2009 Tale Of The Cat Colt Tops Select Session The stunning Bay Colt by Tale Of The Cat ex Eyes Light Up prepared by the farm, today topped the Select Session of the Karaka 2009 Sales Series at $205,000.00. Owned by Whangarei couple Neville and Rosemary Child, who bred the good looker, the colt was purchased by leading Perth trainer Lindsey Smith.  The colt capped off what was an excellent Select Session for all of us involved on the farm.   We finished second on average ($73,722) pipped by less than $6,000.   Given the sale average was $37,000 and with a dip in the market, we are delighted with our results.

2009 Select Sale-topper  Lot 1155  Tale of the Cat ex Eyes Light Up,  by Redoute's Choice

1st January 2009 2009 Off To A Perfect Start At Ellerslie 2009 got off on the right foot for the farm yesterday at Ellerslie when the time honoured Group III Eclipse Stakes (1200m) was taken out in very impressive fashion by 'Katie Lee'. The precocious Pins - Miss Jessie Jay filly was bred by us in partnership with Trevor Hurley and was sold through our Premier draft at Karaka 2008 for $340,000 to the bid of Sir Patrick Hogan. Katie Lee elevated some very consistent form after a win and two stakes placings at her last three starts, and will now press on to the 'Karaka Million' on the 25th January, where she should prove competitive, especially after recording a three length winning margin in the time of 1min 9.83 for the 1200m yesterday, only 2/10 of a second behind the Railway Hcp Group I winner's time. We will offer a 1/2 sister to Katie Lee this month at Karaka by first season sire, "Oratorio", the three times Group I winning Coolmore resident. She is a great type and her sirecam footage should be on our website by the 12th January. Katie Lee at three weeks old. Katie Lee running away with the Group III Eclipse Stakes yesterday. Diamond Express Prevails in Group One - "Jacowils" To cap off a great day, long time friends and farrier Marshall Stead, and his wife Kristine, the trainer, pulled off the countries feature Sprint, the Group I Railway Hcp at bolter's odds of $105.00 with Jacowils !! A family affair as the name Jacowils is the names of Marshall and Kristine's boys Jacob and Wilson rolled into one. Strong rumour has it that Marshall snared half the trifecta, which paid $179.000!,  ...but the question remains on everyone's lips: "Will he shout?" as more than one industry participant replied "he wouldn't shout if a shark bit him"! Huge congratulations to Kristine on a monumental training effort! It's just a shame she can't get a decent farrier!  Jacowils was bred by Marshall and Kristine and is by our Hallmark Stud owned, ex-resident, evergreen sire Diamond Express, out of their grand old, one-eyed matriarch 'Patch My Eye'.....which reminds us, we are fairly sure Marshall still owes us a couple of new sets of shoes and an ale or two for the contingency deal if the resulting progeny won a Group I!! Diamond Express' dam Tudor Light, and grand-dam Elabama won the Railway Hcp, so it's befitting that he has achieved this milestone as a sire, especially so with limited books. Diamond Express will be standing in the South Island for the the next three seasons at least, on the property of Graeme Lamb at Rangiora.

18th November 2008 Gold Mine Gelding Sells in Top Ten on First Day of Ready to Run Sale  Our resident sire Gold Mine proves he is up there in the top ranks holding his own as a top sire on the first day of the Ready To Run sales with Lot 212, a gelding out of Shaayil (ex Haayil) selling for $185,000.00. Congratulations to Shaun Ritchie on this result. This gelding was born and raised on the farm for good farm client Georgie Snelling.  He was unwanted at the National weanling sale and was taken through to the Festival sale and sold for $35,000.00 to Shaun Ritchie.  Shaun and his team did a great job in getting the gelding running along.  His breeze up was 10.74 and he also won a trial by 5 lengths at Cambridge. We wish the new purchaser well. The Gold Mine - Shaayil two year old gelding as a foal in 2006 12th November 2008 San Bernardino Home In The Group III Stewards One of last season's leading two year olds 'San Bernardino' by Gold Mine ex Miss Katella, by 'The Commander' was back to his brilliant best today when taking on the open class sprinters in the time honoured Group III Stewards Hcp. 1200 metres, at Riccarton. In the process he began the first three year old to win the race in 22 years and ran a blistering 1.07.67!! 'San Bernardino' was quickly into stride, leading easily, settled beautifully and then exploded away to win by a length leaving some very handy old, street wise sprinters, unable to peg him back! Bred by Trevor Hurley from Kaponga, raised and sold by us at Karaka Select Session 2007 for $28,000.00 to G.A.Rogerson he has been a great flag bearer for our young resident stallion Gold Mine who has had two other placegetteres this week in Te Horo Nugget at Riccarton and Sherborne. San Bernardino's dam Miss Katella has a stunning full brother to 'San Bernardino' at foot and is back in foal to Gold Mine. San Bernardino winning the Group III Stewards Hcp in the sharp time of 1.07.67 1st November 2008 Sale Graduate Into the Cup via SAAB Win Moatize, sold by us through our Premier draft at the 2006 Karaka Sales for $105,000.00 to the bid of the legendary Bart Cummings, ground out a very tough finish to win the Group III SAAB Quality Handicap at Australia's greatest day of racing, today, on "Derby Day" at Flemington. In the process he gained automatic entry off the Melbourne Cup ballot and is a live chance in Tuesdays world famous race. Allotted only a featherweight 50kgs he will be piloted by VRC Derby winning hoop Claire Lindop. Moatize has always shown huge potential, which includes black type placings at Group I level last season and continues the great Spring form on the track! Moatize as a yearling at Karaka pictured with Charlotte Hook Moatize in winning action   26th October 2008 Le Bec Fin Gets Another On The Board Right on the back of Le Bec Fin siring his first Group winner from his first crop when Skirmish scored in the GpII Wellington Guineas last Saturday, first starter 'Cizen Fighter' (by Le Bec Fin x Hoiya by Haayil) won handsomely in Penang, Malaysia on Sunday last. Sold by us at the Festival Sale in 2007 on behalf of longtime clients Christine and John Mason, this three year-old son of Le Bec Fin provided him with his third individual winner of the season. The statistics now read very impressively for this up and coming young sire, who has now had four winners and two placegetters from only eight starters, with many more to come, with several showing up at the trials in recent weeks. 25th October 2008 Le Bec Fin gets first Group winner - 'Skirmish'       Courteous of Thoroughbred News NZ   Skirmish upsets in Wellington Guineas                                                                                                                                                    25 Oct 2008 By Jeff Dore As the rain came down on an already heavy track at Trentham on Saturday, a burden of the widest draw suddenly became an advantage. Skirmish (3 Gr. F. Le Bec Fin – Jollify by Kingdom Bay) came from the outside alley in a field of fourteen to win the $100,000 Group II New Zealand Bloodstock Wellington Guineas (1500m). Skirmish swept into contention wide out in the home straight, as those inside her began to weaken in more testing footing, and jockey Robert Hannam drove her to the line for a narrow victory. Robert Hannam celebrates aboard Skirmish. Brian Yaxley www.raceimages.co.nz Bred by J Bull and trained by Adrian Bull for her owners H L Bull & J P McLean, the half-sister to handy performers Kaimanawa (Stark South) and The Twist (Danske), Skirmish recorded a notable last start Maiden victory after finishing fourth to impressive Wanganui Fillies Stakes winner Keeper Special (Keeper) at her previous start, and added plenty to her value by winning a black-type race at her fourth race-day appearance. Skirmish is from the first crop of foals by Le Bec Fin (Tale Of The Cat – Romanee Conti). His dam, Romanee Conti, won the Hong Kong Cup, and Le Bec Fin stands at Hallmark Stud in New Zealand for a service fee of only $2,500.     12th October 2008 Three From Three For Eclair Fantastic Eclair Fantastic made it three wins from as many starts today at Caulfield, on Guineas Day when he took out the Harrod's Fashion Plate 1200 metres most impressively, after blundering the start. Bred and raised by us and Trevor Hurley, the big grey, now three, was sold by us as a yearling for $120,000 dollars through our Premier draft to  Leo Molloy, who then turned him over at the Ready To Run sale here in New Zealand for $310,000, earning an excellent profit!  The son of Spectatorial and Miss Jessie Jay was originally purchased by Peter Moody but is now trained by Phillip Stokes in Adelaide.  Eclair Fantastic may step out next in the Gp I  Coolmore (ex Ascot Vale) up the straight at Flemington on Derby Day. Miss Jessie Jay is in foal to Darci Brahma and has a stunning yearling filly by Oratorio (IRE) to go to the NZ Bloodstock's Premier Sale at Karaka in January 2009.                                       Eclair Fantastic as a foal at foot. Ten days old Eclair Fantastic winning at Caulfield Eclair Fantastic going to the line! 5th October 2008 What A Week For Le Bec Fin Le Bec Fin's three year old filly "Skirmish" featured at Woodville on Thursday 2nd October winning brilliantly at her third raceday start backing up recent top form which included a very close fourth in the Listed three year old fillies race at Wanganui last month. She also provided Le bec Fin with his second individual winner in the last fortnight, this being his first crop. Yesterday Le Bec Fin's Champion evergreen Globe trotting sire Tale Of the Cat sired two individual Stakes Winners on both sides of the Tasman! The first was "Tell A Tale" at Hastings taking out the Gp III Hawkes Bay Guineasfor the three year olds and within an hour another son of  Tale Of The Cat ran away with the Listed Breeders Plate for two year olds at Randwick in Sydney. And just to cap the day off the Gp II Rose Of Kingston Stakes was won by Bellini Rose, she, like Le Bec Fin, both share the same great-granddam & granddam, in that marvellous matriarch "Richebourg"!!! providing Le Bec Fin's pedigree with yet another Black Type performer! 27th September 2008 Another Hallmark Graduate...'Awesome Planet' Rockets Home Three year old filly, "Awesome Planet" recorded her first Stakes success today winning the Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400 metres) and doing so notched up valuable points in the NZ Bloodstock Filly Of The Year series! Ridden by Opie Bosson, for the Graeme Rogerson, Scott Lucock, Roydon Bergerson Training Partnership, "Awesome Planet" proved too strong over the Ellerslie track, drawing away in the closing stages to win by two and a quarter lengths. Running a time a tad quicker than the feature race of the day. She was purchased by Dormello Stud from our Premier Draft at the 2007 Karaka Yearling sales for $155,000.00 which now looks smart buying given her Black type win to go alongside her already huge pedigree. 18th September 2008 Le Bec Fin's First New Zealand Winner On the back of Le Bec Fin siring his first winner in South East Asia last month, Le Bec Fin was provided with his first winner in New Zealand today in the form of the Stephen Marsh trained "Super Cruise" at New Plymouth. Le Bec Fin's stock are really starting to step up as three year olds, franking all the opinion that they need some time to realise the ability they have promised. "Super Cruise" fought back tenaciously in the straight after being headed, to win by a neck, and score a much deserved win after some recent good form. "Super Cruise" is only Le Bec Fin's second runner in New Zealand, the other being 'Skirmish' who ran second at her first start and was only a nose from black type when finishing fourth in her second race-day appearance in the Listed 3 year old fillies race at Wanganui two weeks ago. 7th September 2008 Three To The Races, All In The First Three! Le Bec Fin's first crop, now three year olds, continue to show plenty of ability as the new season gets under way. In the last three weeks he has been represented by his first winner in Korea, out of the Biscayo mare White Mischief.  Yesterdays placegetter at Hawera 'Super Cruise' trained by Stephen Marsh. And 'Skirmish', who after just being beaten first start ten days ago, flew home in the Listed 3yr old fillies race at Wanganui on Saturday to only miss 'Black Type' by a short head! A lot of good judges have said about their Le Bec Fin's, they "just need some time!", as do the progeny of those 'reasonable' sires, Zabeel, Pins, O'Reilly and Pentire!!! 30th August 2008 Hallmark Stud Sales Graduate Very Impressive 'Eclair Fantastic' the three year old son of Spectatorial and Miss Jessie Jay, won at Cheltenham on his ear. Debuting from the stable of P. Stokes, he sat behind the leaders, then took over after straightening to execute a facile victory. We sold him at the 2007 Premier Sale to Leo Molloy for $120,000. From there he went to be prepared by Lyndhurst Farm for Leo and then sold at the Ready To Run sale that same year. Purchased for $320,000 by Peter Moody for Thomas Li of Macau, who races him. 17th August 2008 Top-quality Sprinter Secured for Stud Gr 1 performed sprinter Any Suggestion has been purchased for stud duty by a syndicate of leading New Zealand farms, including Hallmark Stud. The dashing short-course performer will stand his first season this year at Rich Hill Stud at Walton, on the outskirts of Matamata. “He is a big, strong, fast horse standing at 16.2hh who ran some incredible sectionals in his races,” Rich Hill studmaster John Thompson said. “He won a 1020 metre race at Doomben in a time of 57.83 with the last 600 in 32.26 – as the commentator said on the day… ‘they don’t run much faster than that.” Cambridge Stud, Windsor Park Stud, Hallmark Stud, Chandon Stud, Soliloquy Lodge and Monovale Farm are also involved in Any Suggestion’s ownership. Queenslander Ross Cutts, who raced the stallion, has retained a small interest. Any Suggestion was the Australian stakes winner of nine races up to 1200 metres and performed in the best of company. “His best performance was undoubtedly a close second to Miss Andretti in last year’s Gr 1 Australian Stakes over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley, Thompson said. “In a very strong field, he defeated Gr 1 winners Virage De Fortune, Gee I Jane, Rewaaya, Red Dazzler and Lad Of The Manor.” The grey was successful as a two and three-year-old and came back from injury at four to post his career-best effort when runner-up to Miss Andretti at Gr 1 level. Any Suggestion is the fastest son of the dashing but ill-fated Danehill horse Lion Hunter. He won three of his eight starts, and was runner-up in both the Gr 1 Galaxy Handicap and the Gr 3 Rupert Steele Stakes, before his retirement to stud. From humble beginnings in Queensland, Lion Hunter developed into one of Danehill’s successful sire sons before his untimely death in 2004. His leading representatives include the outstanding Gold Edition (Gr 1 Ascot Vale, Manikato Stakes) and Lovely Jubbly (Gr 1 QTC Sires’ Produce, TJ Smith Classic). Any Suggestion is out of the Regal Advice mare Advisable, herself the winner of six races up to 1400 metres. She is a sister to Miss Sandman, the dam of one of Australia’s leading young sires in Show A Heart.  Last Sunday the17th August Any Suggestion was paraded at Rich Hill Stud to over 100 people including a number of prominent and succesful breeders. He will stand at $6500 + GST.   22rd June 2008 List of Black Type Graduates Continues The farm has added to the good results it has enjoyed at the Queensland winter carnival when 'Rags To Riches' won the Listed Centenary Classic Mile at Eagle farm yesterday.  It was the second successive victory for 'Rags To Riches, who previously took out the Listed Phil Sullivan Hcp.    Rags To Riches winning the Gp1 Easter Hcp  The farm has also picked up two valuable Gp1 placings via Moatize and Rathsallagh. Moatize finished third in the Gp1 Queensland Derby and the previous weekend Rathsallagh beat all but Riva San in the Queensland Oaks 'Rags To Riches', who won the Gp1 Easter Hcp when trained at Cambridge by Ralph Manning, is owned by Hallmark Stud owners Denny and Mark Baker and International owner Eamon Cleary. By Entrepeneur, 'Rags To Riches' has now won three races from Liam Birchley's stable. Yesterday 'Rags To Riches' was taken to the front by Glen Colless and stuck on strongly to beat Mr Slick and Sir Xaar. Moatize has yet to win a race but is Australia's best performed maiden with previous Gp3 placings in the Frank Packer and Rough Habit Plates. By Danehill Dancer from the Zabeel mare Shezabeel, Moatize was sold from Hallmark's 2006 Premier draft at Karaka to trainer Bart Cummings for $105,000. Rathsallagh, by O'Reilly, from the American-bred mare Star Of Amarissa, also recorded two Stakes placings behind Alamosa and Rios before going to Australia. She was born and reared here on the farm, like her full-brother, 2yr old Paddy O'Reilly. He is one to watch next season after showing a heap of potential for trainer Russell Cameron. He franked this with an excellent first start third at Moonee Valley last month. It has been an outstanding season for graduates of Hallmark Stud.  Apart from the Group1 performers at the Queensland Carival mentioned above, top 2yr Old  'San Bernardino' kicked off the 2007/2008 season with two Stakes wins before Christmas then followed that up with three Listed or Group placings including a third in the Gp1 Manawatu Sires Produce.  Dutyful, sold by us at the 2005 Festival Session for $20,000 was narrowly beaten by brilliant mare Katy Keen in the Gp2 Travis Stakes at Te Rapa. Farson, pinhooked by the Farm, then sold to Dean Hawthorne at the 2005 Select Session for $85,000, brilliantly won the Gp1 Macau Derby in April to cap off what has been a great season for the farm 28th April 2008 Hallmark Stud Sale Graduate wins Macau Derby Farson, by Postponed ex Lady Gesine lived up to early expectations when he capped his win in the Gp3 Macau Derby Trial with an impressive victory in yesterday's Gp1 $M2.6Million Macau Derby (1800m) for owner Vincent Li! Farson was bred by Mike Tololi's Karaka Group Ltd, and bought privately by us out of the paddock as a foal. He was later sold through theKararka Select Sale for $85,000.00 to Dean Hawthorne on behalf of Melbourne trainer Mick Price. Price had asked Dean Hawthorne to "pick out a Derby horse for me". When raced in Australia as 'Deferment', the brown gelding won on debut in Victoria and a few starts later he ran fifth in the Gp2 Alister Clark Stales at Moonee Valley. Farson now a four-year-old, now trained in Macau by Peter Leyshan, had earned his Derby tilt through a sound win over 1500 metres in the key lead-up event, the Gp3 Macau Derby Trial a month ago. Yesterday he was given the perfect trip in the trail by Brazilian jockey Fausto Durso before bursting to the lead at the 150 metre mark and scoring a comfortable win. 19th April 2008 Another 2 year old Winner from 2007 Hallmark Stud Yearling Draft Tuscan Spirit (Chianti - Fortelo) took out the 2yr old event today at Tauranga, gamely holding out the favourite 'He's Licarocket'. He had won a barrier trial at Counties by eight lengths earlier this month leading up to this win! The Cameron-McRae trained gelding was bought by us as a weanling for $6,500.00 and re-sold at the 2007 Festival Session for $40,000.00. Purchased by Russell and Gareth for Bill Stretton, who looks as though he may have a lot more fun in store with him yet. Tuscan Spirit was the third 2 year old winner this season to come out of our 2007 Yearling Draft, which includes dual Stakes winner 'San Bernadino' by Gold  Mine 25th March 2008 More Success for Hallmark Stud Sale Graduates Farson (NZ) (Postponed x Lady Gisene by Grosvenor) Pinhooked privately as a weanling and subsequently sold by us at the 2005 Select Yearling Sale to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock for $85.000.00 Derby Trial Win for Farson (NZ) Bodes Well for "Kiwi-peat" in Gr.1 Feature The Gr.3 win of New Zealand-bred galloper  in Sunday’s M$650,000 Macau Derby Trial (1500m) seemingly bodes well for consecutive kiwi success in the Gr.1 equivalent on April 26. The group one feature for four-year-olds was taken out in stylish fashion by the My Halo gelding Ka Lam Fortune (NZ) last year  and Farson (NZ) looks to replicate the deed in four weeks time. Tracking the leader throughout, Farson (NZ) Farson (NZ) (Postponed x Lady Gisene by Grosvenor) srevealed a fighting instinct in  the home straight to take out the highlight of Sunday’s Macau race card by a head from fellow kiwi bred Best Jade Horse (NZ)   (Ebony Grosve x Down and Up by Tights). A winner of three races from 12 starts, Farson (NZ) commenced his racing career in Australia where he recorded his debut win before weighing-in in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.  Farson (NZ) stems from a strong New Zealand family of Group one, two and three winners, with outstanding performers counted here in Gallic (NZ) (Zabeel) Solveig (NZ) (Imposing), Greig (NZ) (Grosvenor) and Mr Ubiquitous (NZ) (Tale of the Cat). 20th March 2008 Another Winner For Gold Mine! Resident stallion Gold Mine notched up his second individual winner from his first crop of 2 year-olds today! The win was provided by the Stephen Crutchley trained 'Sherborne' (ex Our Thumbs Up) when he fought back bravely when challenged, after leading from barrier rise, to win the Juvenile event in impressive fashion at New Plymouth.  The win came at only his third start, after his last start 2nd placing on the 8th March at Waverley. The good-looking son of Mr Prospector, Gold Mine, has now had two winners from only four starters and may now have two represenatatives in the Gp.1 Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni on Saturday week. The other being his Dual-Listed winner San Bernadino. 12th March 2008 Hallmark Stud's Good Day for Graduates Two of our sale graduates won impressively today at Matamata! 'Awesome Planet' ran away by 4-1/2 lengths to win the 2 year-old event. She looks destined for much bigger things. She is by Giant's Causeway out of Dance On The Moon and was purchased by Graham Rogerson, who trains her with Gary Newham, for $155,000.00 out of our 2007 Premier draft. In the last race of the day, 3 year old 'Shevchenko' ( by promising stallion, Van Nistelrooy, out of Majestic Walk) made it two wins for the season.  He is now trained by John Sargent, but was purchased from our 2006 Select Draft by his original trainer, 'Olympic Comeback King' Mark Todd for $45,000.00 8th March 2008 Another Gold Mine Shows Up The two year old 'Sherborne' ( by Gold Mine ex Our Thumbs Up) continues to demonstrate the ability being shown by Gold Mine's first crop when he finished second at Waverley today, at only his second start. The Stephen Crutchley, impressive trial winning colt, looks very promising and should pick up a race before the season's end, providing Gold Mine with another winner!                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Karaka Yearling Sales Hallmark team 2008                       Christina Ginten, Mark Baker, Charlotte Hook, Denny Baker, Lara O'Brien, Aimee Swain, Alan Roberts and Stephen McLean.           We wish the buyers of our yearlings, the best of luck with their purchases.   To see our Sales Results please click here.   1st February 2008 Lot 1113 delivers for "Hallmark Team" Lot 1113, the bay colt by Don Eduardo ex Zipperup provided a nice little windfall for the farm and its co-owners Hallmark evergreen staff members, when bought by Bjorn Baker of Cambridge (son of leading trainer Murray Baker) at the Select session for $67,500.  Pictured from left to right. Happy vendors Lara O'Brien, Denny Baker, Charlotte Hook, Mark Baker and Alan Roberts and of course, the colt Lot 1113.   We wish Bjorn the very best of luck with his new purchase. 15th January 2008 Another trial winner for Gold Mine Resident leading 1st season sire Gold Mine recorded another ultra impressive trial winner today at the Foxton trials.   2 year old gelding 'Sherborne', Gold Mine ex Our Thumbs Up, went the quickest time of the day over 800 metres and won by 3 lengths in the process. Gold Mine is not only the current leading 1st season sire but also leading sire of 2 year olds in New Zealand, thanks to the efforts of 'San Bernadino' who is on target for the Karaka Millions at Ellerslie on the 27th January.   10th January 2008 Dutyful delivers  Hallmark Stud born and raised 4 year old mare Dutyful (Deputy Govenor ex Diana Ferrari) continued on her winning way through the grades today at Tauranga.  She was extremely impressive winning her 2nd race in the last fortnight over a mile by 3 1/4 lengths, ridden by Lisa Cropp, hard held. She certainly looks destined for bigger things.   Her next assignment is the Douro Cup at Trentham later this month.   She is raced by English based couple Richard and Sara Ward, trained by Tim Ryan and was bred by farm client Peter Zander.  She was sold through our Festival draft at the '2005' yearling sale for $20,000.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2007   15th December 2007 San Bernardino Bags Another Stakes Race If you want to hear glowing praise about a young racehorse just ask Lisa Cropp what she thinks of the smart two-year-old San Bernardino, a leading candidate for the Karaka Million at Ellerslie on January 27.  Cropp has been San Bernardino's regular rider and she completed a stakes-winning double on the son of our resident first-season sire Cropp was full of praise for San Bernardino after he won the Listed Ford Welcome Stakes at Riccarton and was even more impressed today. "He just does whatever you want and he just keeps getting better," said Cropp. "He's an awesome horse to ride". "I love riding him and I can't wait to get to the Karaka Million". "What he did today he's going to be really hard to beat in it" "I don't want to be on anything else" Cropp was impressed by the way San Bernadino came back to her when it was obvious he wasn't going to get to the lead in the early stages without a fight.  "I booted him out and when I took hold to sit behind the leaders he just dropped the bit and relaxed," said Cropp.  "That's what good horses can do." Vincent Mangano eyeballed the leader Sanjura to the home turn with San Bernardino tracking the pair, then in the home straight soon after Vincent Mangano took over San Bernardino pounced. "He went passed the leaders so easily," said Cropp.  "He's going to be even better when he gets over more ground." San Bernardino scored by a length and three-quarters from Lady Alberton with Explosive Dancer next ahead of Vincent Mangano, who wound up two and a quarter lengths from the winner. Trainer Garry Newham can't wait to see San Bernardino step up to 1400 metres and even further as a three-year-old. "He's going to make a lovely three-year-old," said Newham, who trains San Bernardino in partnership with Graeme Rogerson. "The trip down to Riccarton knocked him a bit, but he picked up well after a couple of quiet weeks and he's bounced right back." As said in the earlier news item when he won the "Welcome Stakes".  San Bernardino was bred by good client and friend Trevor Hurley of Taranaki.  He was born and bred here on the farm and was sold out of our Select Sale Draft this year for $28,000.     Part-owner Trevor Clarke leading San Bernardino (Lisa Cropp) back to scale at Te Rapa today. Photo: NZ Racing News.      24th November 2007 Major Pedigree update for our 2008 Premier Sale Entrant    Saturday night’s racing at Turffontein in South Africa saw a wonderful update for one of our 2008 Premier entrants, with 'Strategic News' winning the Steinhoff International Summer Cup (Gr 1) over 2000m.    Strategic News (by Strategic) is a half brother to our Charge Forward colt that Mark & Denny purchased at the Australian Inglis Select Weanling & Broodmare sale in April this year for $70,000.  He is in our Premier draft for the 82nd National Yearling Sales Series 2008 at Karaka this coming January/February.    The lightly raced ‘Strategic News’ has now won four times and placed five times from just 12 starts for earnings over R1.15 million.    They are out of the lightly raced Grand Lodge mare Sensuous, herself a half sister to Sydney Group winners De France and Whistler.    Charge Forward (pictured right) is the sire of our Premier Lot colt, half brother to 'Strategic News' who is out of Sensuous (by Grand Lodge)  We look forward to seeing you all there.     Strategic News Arrowfield stallion Charge Forward Gr.1 Winning,  first crop sire   21st November 2007 Our 2007 Yearling Draft - A Source of PROFIT Once again pinhookers found good value in our yearling draft from January this year. Several buyers realising handsome margins of profit at this weeks Ready to Run sale.   The best of them was Leo Molloy's Spectatorial ex Miss Jessie Jay colt (pictured right as a foal), that he purchased from us at this years Premier Sale for $120,000.  Consigned this week for Leo by Lyndhurst Farm, he was knocked down for a massive $310,000 to Melbourne trainer Peter Moody. Others include the Istidaad ex Chickaboom colt that made $100,000, bought by Brent Hrstich for $5,250 and Doug Cave spent $15,000 for the Gold Mine ex Fairy Floss colt that sold for $60,000.  Both of these colts were selected out of our Festival draft. Well done guys, see you again in January 2008!!!   17th November 2007 GOLD MINE ...out in front. Our resident stallion Gold Mine shot to the top of the first season sires list today when his only runner to date "San Bernadino", blew his opposition away in the time honoured Listed, 'Ford' Welcome Stakes over 1000 meters by 3 lengths at Riccarton.   He has always been held in high regard by the Rogerson/Newham stable and this was reinforced by San Bernadino's rider Lisa Cropp yesterday after the race saying "he was most impressive, has an amazing attitude and wait till he's a three year old, he looks like one now!"   San Bernadino was born and raised on the farm and was bred by good client and friend, Kaponga dairy farmer, Trevor Hurley.     San Bernardino (NZ) en route to victory in Saturday's Listed $55,000 Ford Welcome Stakes (1000m).  Photo: Race Images, South Island     San Bernadino is out of Miss Katella (by The Commander) and is a half sister to Gee I Jane.   She is back in foal to Gold Mine, and has a Bertolini filly to sell at the 2008 Select session at Karaka. The same sale at which her older half-brother San Bernadino, was sold.   San Bernadino was purchased out of our draft in January 2007 for what now seems a bargin price of $28,000.  There is more in store for this strapping son of  Gold Mine.  He is now being set for the inaugural "Karaka Million" to be run at Ellerslie on the 27th January 2008. San Bernadino - Gold Mine on his way!! 12th November 2007 Rathsallagh home for a short break "The best maiden in New Zealand" 3 year old filly Rathsallagh returned here to the farm today where she was born and raised.  She is here for a short break before being set for a possible crack at the 2008 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham.   Rathsallagh (by O'Reilly out of Star of Amarrisa) has produced two very bold black type performances in the last month, beaten only a neck by Rios in the listed Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie.  Then only going down half a length finishing 3rd to the boys Rios and Alamosa in the Group Two Wellington Guineas, before a game 5th behind Insouciant in the Group One 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.   Rathsallagh is raced by her breeders and loyal farm clients, Barbara and Barry Saunders from Victoria.       She is pictured here chilling out on sunshine and grass with her paddock mate, her own mother, Star of Amarrisa. 2nd October 2007 Son's of Mr Prospector Just Keep On Keeping On!! What a weekend it was for sons of Mr Prospector in both hemispheres.  Mr Prospector the sire of course, of our resident stallion Gold Mine. In the USA, evergreen stallion Smart Strike pulled off the near impossible, by siring 3 individual Gp1 winners in the one day. Curlin winning the Group One Jockey Club Gold Cup, English Channel the Group One Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, and Fabulous Strike prevailed in the Gp1 Vosburgh.   South of the equator the first Australasian crop of Hussonet continue to kick on at 3 with his siring two very genuine Classic/Guineas type colts one on each side of the Tasman. Rios looks the real deal by taking out the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday and at Sandown on Sunday Weekend Hustler demolished a quality field of 3 year olds and in the process earned himself Caulifield Guineas favouritism.   8th September 2007 Great Start For Gold Mine On Saturday last, the first two year old race of the season, over 800 metres at Wanganui, saw our resident stallion Gold Mine represented by his first runner in "San Bernadino". After drawing the widest alley, 8 out of a field of 8, he sat three wide throughout the race and finished a very brave second only beaten a length by race favourite Silk Spur. He looks a colt of real promise, and as co-trainer, Garry Newham said: "is crying out for at least 1200metres" The stable has always held him in high regard. He had been placed in both of his trials leading up to Saturday's race. "San Bernadino" is out of the half sister to Gee I Jane in Miss Katella. "San Bernadino" was bred by friend and farm client, Trevor Hurley. A magnificent individual, he was bought at this year's Select Session at Karaka by Rogerson Bloodstock for $28,000 through our draft.   21st August 2007 Gold Mine On His Way! Progress for the Hallmark Stud connection. Recent Trials at Taupo on 21st August, exposed the very good run of the colt by Gold Mine out of Miss Katella, the 1/2 sister to Gee I Jane and Miss Jessie Jay. And the Stravinsky colt out of Ethereal, the 1/2 sister to Le Bec Fin. The enclosed is a display of the trial run in Heat 1,over 750 metres, in 46.88seconds, compared with the Ethereal colt winning in heat 2 in the time of 47.95secs.  750 metres was run by the two year olds of the day. The Gold Mine colt, after running about off the turn, was beaten a head in the fastest time for the distance. Heat 01 2YO Catchweight 750mTime: 0.46.88Margins:  HEAD, 2 LEN   PLACING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER 1 .....  (2c More Than Ready (USA) - Render) Michael Walker Tony Pike & Mark Donoghue, Cambridge 2 .....  (2c Gold Mine (USA) - Miss Katella) Opie Bosson Graeme Rogerson & Garry Newham, Tuhikaramea 3 .....  (2c Thorn Park (AUS) - Our Sportsgirl) Samantha Collett Mark Walker, Matamata U .....  (2f Show A Heart (AUS) - Sibilant (AUS)) Gavin McKeon Graeme Rogerson & Garry Newham, Tuhikaramea U Tarista (AUS) (2g Tabkir (USA) - Siska (USA)) Renee Fraser Andrew Campbell, Opaki U Heartline (AUS) (2c Show A Heart (AUS) - Naturaline (AUS)) Reon Aukett Kenny Rae, Ruakaka Heat 02 2YO Catchweight 750mTime: 0.47.95Margins: 4 LEN, 7 LEN   PLACING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER 1 Aetherius (2c Stravinsky (USA) - Ethereal) Michael Walker Mark Walker, Matamata 2 .....  (2f Captain Rio (GB) - Hellriegel (AUS)) Thomas Russell Vanessa & Wayne Hillis, Matamata 3 .....  (2f Galileo (IRE) - Interdame) Opie Bosson Graeme Rogerson & Garry Newham, Tuhikaramea U .....  (2c Daggers Drawn (USA) - Noelle Braselle) Reon Aukett Kenny Rae, Ruakaka U Shah Jahan (2c Viking Ruler (AUS) - Lady Pavlova (AUS)) Gavin McKeon Graeme Rogerson & Garry Newham, Tuhikaramea U Starlove (2g Danelove - Staran) Kelly Davidson Ted Laxon, Hastings                       28th June 2007                    Tale Of The Cat Keeps The Flag Flying Two State Juvenile Double for Tale of the Cat Tara Madgwick - Thursday, June 28, 2007 Tale of the Cat (USA), sire of our up and coming resident sire Le Bec Fin, posted his eighth and ninth individual Australian two year-old winners this season with a two state metropolitan double in Sydney and Melbourne courtesy of Cat Flap and Hawas. A striking liver chestnut with four white feet, the Graeme Rogerson trained Cat Flap put her best foot forward at Canterbury to beat the colts and geldings and claim her first win in the restricted event for juveniles over 1100 metres.              Le Bec Fin by Tale Of The Cat stands at $2,500.00 plus GST                                                                                       Ridden by apprentice jockey Peter Wells, Cat Flap took a sit off the pace and accelerated in good style to win by a length at her third race start.                                             “She led at her last two runs and raced a bit too keenly, but she settled well today and really appreciated that, so was able to find the line well,” said Wells. Trainer Graeme Rogerson was also full of praise for Cat Flap and indicated she would now spell and return a better filly in her next preparation. Bred and offered for sale by Stratheden Stud, Cat Flap is by Tale of the Cat (USA) from the Danewin mare Wadderwin and fetched $135,000 when secured by Graeme Rogerson at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. She is the first foal of Wadderwin, a daughter of stakes-placed Marscay mare Nawadder who is in turn out of the former slick juvenile Purpose, a Group Three winner of eight races, five of them at two. The Lee Freedman trained filly Hawas opened her account with an easy victory in the open juvenile fillies event over 1200 metres at Seymour, strolling clear to win by nearly two lengths. A homebred for Gooree Stud, from the Flying Spur mare Tempting Beauty, Hawas has shown steady improvement at each run this time in and was overdue for a win. Interestingly, both Hawas and Cat Flap are bred on the same cross, being from mares by sons of Danehill (USA). Coolmore based Tale of the Cat (USA) (pictured right) has now had 9 Australian juvenile winners including Group Three winner Bantry Bay from his first Australian conceived foal crop, plus New Zealand based stakes-winner El Cuento. He returns to Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $33,000.

  
ARCHIVES


 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 HALLMARK STUD
   State Highway One
R.D.2,Te Kauwhata 3782
    Waikato 
    New Zealand

   [Home] [History] [Stallions] [Matings Advice] [Bloodstock] [Graduates] [Contact] [Links] [Foals] [Sales] [News]