HALLMARK STUD     
WAIKATO    NEW ZEALAND
                                                                                                                     



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                                                               NEWS                  

                     
          2010 - 2011
        Season

12th January 2012
It's Crunch Time Strikes Again

It's Crunch Time maintained his perfect record this preparation when he triumphed at the Ballarat meeting for Cranbourne trainer Doug Harrison.

Put aside after two runs last year, he returned on a winning note at Moonee Valley last month and was again dominant yesterday.

He was originally bought out of Hallmark Stud's 2009 Premier Sale line-up for $100,000 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

A son of Fusaichi Pegasus, It's Crunch Time is from the Sadler's Wells mare Gypsy Princess.

She has a perfect record at stud with all three of her foals to race having won and includes the stakes performer Danehill Princess.

It is a strong international family with the grand-dam Filia Ardross, the champion German filly of her year.

It's Crunch Time completed a good day for Hallmark whose graduate Maravi followed up his Kumara win with further success at Hokitika.

26th December 2011
The Miner Digs deep For Victory

A highly-regarded son of Hallmark Stud stallion Gold Mine further emphasised his talent at Ellerslie today.

The Miner overcame a wide barrier draw and seasoned opposition to trounce his Rating 75 rivals.

The gelding has now won twice from four starts, he was runner-up in the other two, for trainer Richard Collett.

The Pukekohe horseman rates the four-year-old a potential topliner and has him nominated for the Gr 1 Telegraph Handicap.

Out of Ruakiwi Diamond, he claims the the Listed Avondale Stakes winner and Group performer Ruakiwi Lass as his third dam.

The Miner's connections include, among others, NZ Racing Board chairman Michael Stiassny and member Liz Dawson, John Hooper and prominent owners Alastair Sutherland and Peter Walker.

26th December 2011
Stud's Success Continues

Hallmark Stud's run of festive period success continued at Ellerslie on Boxing Day when Mosh Pit posted a stylish maiden victory at Ellerslie.

Part-owned by the farm, and long-time client Ray Fleetwood, and the Stewart family, the daughter of Scaredee Cat stormed home from the tail of the field to claim the $15,000 maiden.

Mosh Pit is out of the unraced Danasinga mare Ten Guitars who is a half-sister to the Gr 2 TJ Smith Stakes, QTC Cup and Premiere Stakes winner Century Kid (Centaine).

It is also the family of Gr 3 Tressady Stakes winner Breezy (Pins) and Neo Star (Centaine) who was a Gr 3 winner in South Africa and also placed at Gr 1 level.

Mosh Pit's victory followed Hallmark graduate Winning Glory's success at Canterbury last Friday.

A $100,000 yearling at Karaka in 2009, the son of One Cool Cat has now won five times from David Payne's Randwick yard.

He is a half-brother to dual stakes winner Alpine Delight from the famous Heights family of the Melbourne Cup winner Viewed.

24th November 2011
First Parade For The 2012 Sale Yearlings

Today saw the farm hosting 35 Australian trainers, agents and owners as part of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing organised annual tour of farms in the Auckland and Waikato areas.

We paraded a selection of a dozen yearlings bound for the NZ Bloodstock Yearling Sales Series for January at Karaka.
                                                                                                                                             

  

Above, the Pins - Miss Jessie Jay Chestnut full sister to Katie Lee, Lot 328, NZB Premier Catalogue

While it is still very early in their preparation the yearlings all paraded very well and no doubt gave many good judges present, a chance to evaluate what's in store when they return in January.

A very focussed gathering of astute horsemen on the New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing Tour

The tour is a marvellous initiative by New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing which all participants who venture across the Tasman, thoroughly enjoy and one which, year after year proves invaluable come sale time!!

26th November 2011
Golden Ellerslie Day For Hallmark Graduates

Goldminer added another significant string to her bow at Ellerslie today when she maintained her impressive strike rate. The daughter of Hallmark Stud's Gold Mine stepped up for the first time to 1400 metres and ran the trip out strongly to score a soft victory at the expense of a competitive line-up.

The four-year-old is trained at Cambridge by Shaune Ritchie who may now test the mare over a touch further. "She'll get in at a nice spot in the weights over the miles and she loves Ellerslie," he said. Goldminer has posted two of her four wins at the premier track and has a further three placings from 13 appearances..

She was capably handled today by Jason Jago who sat her in behind the pace near the rail. He was off the fence before the turn and they lengthened stride quickly to take control and coasted home to win by a decent margin. 
"It's great for Jason, he rides a lot of work for me and he rode her beautifully," Ritchie said.

Reared at Hallmark for her breeder-owner Bob McHardie, Goldminer is an outstanding type out of a half-sister to Gr 2 Japan-New Zealand International Trophy winner Reiver. The Gr 3 winners Il Comandante (Dunedin Gold Cup) and Seapost (Tranquil Star Stakes) also feature in her pedigree .
26th November 2011
Sophia Dashes To Ellerslie Reward

Speedy mare Sophia showed she was more than capable of making up for lost time with a stylish victory at Ellerslie today.

The Hallmark Stud graduate capped a successful return from serious injury to beat the lower grade sprinters.

"She bowed a tendon as a three-year-old and she's got a lot of ability," trainer and part-owner Scott Lucock said.

The Spectatorial mare, who won her maiden in 2009, had finished a sound fifth when resuming at Dargaville prior to Ellerslie.

"She hadn't had a run for two years and she was very slow away," Lucock said.

"We put the barrier blanket on today and she had been working well enough to win so we were pretty confident."

Bred by Hallmark, Sophia is from the family of the multiple Gr 1 winners and top sires Lonhro and Grosvenor.


25th November 2011
Marechal A Step Closer To Karaka Million

Marechal opened her winning account at Otaki yesterday but connections of the promising filly had to endure a sequel off the track before victory was confirmed.

The chestnut daughter of General Nediym showed improvement on her debut run for fifth, with a determined finish to take major honours.

A subsequent protest from the runner-up delayed confirmation of her first success until stewards allowed the result to stand.

She is trained at Matamata by John Sargent who said the filly would now be aimed toward the Karaka Million at Ellerslie.

Marechal was bought out of Hallmark Stud's Premier Sale draft Karaka earlier this year for $70,000.

Raced by former All Black Mark Carter and his family, she is out of the winning Zabeel mare Zalika.

Her dam is a grand-daughter of the former crack European sprinter Habibti and this is also the family of the great Octagonal.

1st November 2011
Stud Plays A Winning Hand

Hallmark Stud played a significant role in providing Catherine Cleghorn with a memorable moment in her racing career.

The Te Kauwhata farm co-bred Spectacular who yesterday gave the young Waiuku trainer her first success at Ellerslie.

"It's really exciting and she's a nice horse who had a leg issue early on so I got her out to the beach," Cleghorn said.

The sand and surf routine has worked wonders and Spectacular successfully returned from a year-long break.

She has now won twice from seven starts and added a further two placings to emphasise her ability.

By Spectatorial, she is out of the former top racemare Danjiki who has produced four winners.

Danjiki won 10 races including the Gr 2 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes and the Gr 3 Waikato Stud Stakes.

22nd October 2011
Nicole Amy In Hot Form

Talented mare Nicole Amy furthered her career record at Ellerslie today when she downed a competitive field of open class sprinters.

In just her second run after a break, she finished strongly to down Balerune and the Hallmark Stud graduate Single Currency.

The latter got to the front half-way down the straight and fought on strongly and should be close to winning form when he strikes better going.

Nicole Amy, a daughter of resident stallion Le Bec Fin, has now won eight races and with a further 15 placings has banked $118,107.

Prepared by Paul Jenkins, she was campaigned at the Queensland winter carnival and weighed in at five or her six starts.

She has been genuine throughout and her trainer is confident the six-year-old can add black-type to her record.

15th October 2011
Best Yet To Come From 3Yr Old

Former top jockey Jim Collett is convinced his promising sprinter Golden Globe has the ability to go all the way.

He has prepared the son of Hallmark Stud stallion Gold Mine to win three of his four starts so far.

"He's a pretty exciting horse and he's still learning the game," Collett said.

"He's really strong with a big heart and as a four-year-old he can make into a top-class sprinter."

Golden Globe posted the latest of his victories over 1200 metres at Rotorua today.

Under topweight of 58kg, he jumped away well and sat outside the leader to the turn.

Collet's daughter Sam took him wide into the straight and he quickly took control....!!

"He got two or three lengths in front and then waited a bit for the other horse," she said.

A $14,000 Karaka yearling, Golden Globe is out of the winning Maroof mare Marita who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Brendel.

Their grand-dam Ebony Belle was a top juvenile and headed the New Zealand 2YO Free Handicap of her year.

14th October 2011
Potent Pedigree To Fore Again

One of the most prolific families in the New Zealand Stud Book added another winning notch to its belt at Pukekohe this afternoon.

A son of Hallmark Stud's beautifully-related stallion Le Bec Fin was responsible for adding to a proud record with his second career victory.

The lightly-tried The Flying Affair landed his second race from just six appearances when he put paid to his Rating 70 sprint rivals.

The promising four-year-old is out of the Deputy Governor mare The Secret Affair who boasts an impressive pedigree page.

She is a descendant of the Dennis brothers' famous family that features Gr 1 winners The Jewel, The Phantom Chance, The Phantom, Irish Chance and The Twinkle.

6th October 2011
Banchee Back and Melbourne Bound

One of Hallmark Stud's star graduates made a triumphant return to racing at Taupo this afternoon.

Banchee successfully kicked off her Spring campaign over 1400 metres and an overseas trip now beckons.

Trainer John Sargent has his sights set on the Gr 1 Myer Classic at Flemington with the Oratorio mare.

"We'll see how she comes through this and we'll go for the hit and run," the Matamata horseman said.

Banchee was opposed by only three rivals and won with plenty in hand after a tardy start.

"She was slow and I don't know why and James (McDonald) kept her up to her work - she can be quite lazy," Sargent said.

Banchee was in front early in the run home and cruised home by a length.

"She was very worked up which isn't like her, but she was very fresh," McDonald said.

"She's come up a lot better this preparation."

                                                          
                                                                 Banchee after her Victory in the Gp 1 Diamond Stakes

Banchee has won six of her 16 starts with the Gr 1 Diamond Stakes her career highlight.

A daughter of Champion broodmare Miss Jessie Jay, she was purchased out of Hallmark's 2009 Premier Sale draft for $375,000.

Banchee was initially raced by Sam Kelt before she was bought by Peter and Philip Vela in mid-2010 for an undisclosed figure.

 

2nd October 2011
Commanding Performance From Blueblood

A four-year-old with a Gr 1 pedigree closed out today's Te Rapa programme with a slashing victory to continue his impressive form line.

Hallmark Stud graduate Knight's Command downed a competitive field of Rating 80 gallopers for the third victory of his five-start career.

Prepared by Stephen McKee at Ardmore, the entire had also been successful at his previous outing when defeating subsequent two-time winner Royal Queen.

Knight's Command added to his growing reputation today when he proved too good for the highly-regarded Zabisco over 1400 metres.

Bred by Jomara Bloodstock, he is a son of champion stallion Pins and the Waikato International Stakes winner Emerald Dream.

The Danehill mare has a perfect record at stud with her only previous foals to race, the brothers Zabene and Zed, both winners. 

Knight's Command was purchased out of Hallmark's 2009 Premier Sale draft at Karaka by Dominic Li's IDL Racing for $250,000.

23rd September 2011
Maude Completes Winning Double

Maude completed a lucrative day at New Plymouth for Hallmark Stud's stallions when she maintained her winning form. 
Refer 4th September last..!!

Following the earlier success of Gold Mine's son Golden Globe, the Le Bec Fin mare followed suit against her Rating 70 rivals.

The promising grey had cleared maiden ranks at her previous start and comfortably handled a rise in class.

Maude sat outside the leader for rider Darryl Bradley and proved superior in the run home to win by a length and three-quarters.

The four-year-old was purchased out of Hallmark's 2008 draft at the National Weanling Sale for $5500 by Wanganui buyer Ian Hadfield.

She is a daughter of the former smart racemare La Sileen who won six races, including the Gr 2 Waikato Gold Cup.

By Le Belvedere, La Sileen hails from the family of the dual Gr 3 winner and Gr 1 placegetter Jondolar (Tatt's Cup, Diner's Club Cup).

Maude is prepared at Wanganui by Paul Belsham and she has now progressed to two wins and a placing from her six appearances.

 

23rd September 2011
Sprint Honours To Golden Globe

Golden Globe dominated both the betting market and the finish of the three-year-old sprint at New Plymouth today.

The son of Hallmark Stud resident Gold Mine was the stand-out form runner and delivered in fine style.

He was forced to sit three wide on the speed before coasting clear in the straight to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

It was his second victory from three starts and in between times was a creditable third on a premier day.

Golden Globe had finished third at Hastings last month behind the highly-regarded pair of Ginner Hart and Micken.

A $14,000 Karaka yearling, the gelding is trained by former top jockey Jim Collett and was ridden by his daughter Sam.

Golden Globe is out of the winning Maroof mare Marita who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Brendel.

Their grand-dam Ebony Belle was a star juvenile and headed the New Zealand 2YO Free Handicap of her year.

The Gr 2 NZ Breeders' Stakes winner also left produced six winners including the Listed Wellesley Stakes winner Schmooze.

18th September 2011
Noble victory At Pukekohe

He can sprint and stay, he can perform on wet and dry tracks and he's rarely far away from the action.

The aptly-named Noble Warrior again proved his versatility when successful at Pukekohe today.

The son of Le Bec Fin returned from a five month break to triumph over the Rating 90 sprinters.

Noble Warrior, who has also won beyond 2100 metres, has now posted four career successes.

His genuine nature is further emphasised with a further 22 top-five finishes in 31 appearances.

Trained by Grant and Tana Shaw, he is out of the multiple winning Justice Prevails mare Our Kuini Rose.

14th September 2011
Black Type Mare Back To Best

Le Bec Fin's stakes-performed daughter Elle Tresor bounced back to her best form with a fighting performance at Taupo today.

The four-year-old looked under pressure before the turn but she rallied bravely to knock off a competitive field of sprinters.

"She had to do a bit of work and I told Matthew (Cameron) to go forward on her at all costs," co-trainer Brendon Hawtin said.

"I was worried when she looked like the first one beaten but she came back and that's more like her two-year-old form."

Elle Tresor was a debut winner as a juvenile and was then runner-up in the Listed Wellesley Stakes at Trentham.

She also finished fourth in the Gr 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes behind the Hallmark Stud graduate Banchee.

Out of the Strike Diamonds mare Spot Of Luck, Elle Tresor is now the winner of three races.

3rd September 2011
Maude Makes Her Mark

Well-related mare Maude showed her appreciation of the step to a metric mile at Wanganui today with a dominant performance.

The grey daughter of Le Bec Fin made all the running and dashed clear in the straight won win by two lengths.

Maude was bought out of Hallmark Stud's 2008 draft at the National Weanling Sale for $5500 by Ian Hadfield, of Wanganui.

She is a daughter of the former talented racemare La Sileen who six races, including the Gr 2 Waikato Gold Cup.

By Le Belvedere, she hails from the family of the dual Gr 3 winner and Gr 1 placegetter Jondolar (Tatt's Cup, Diner's Club Cup).

Trained by Paul Belsham, Maude was making just her fifth raceday appearance today and first at 1600 metres.

24th August 2011
Bakerboy Gets The Dough

A bright future has been tipped for Newyork Bakerboy who delivered at the first time of asking at today's Ruakaka meeting.

The Australian-bred colt, who had been a trial winner back in March, impressed with a tidy display to triumph on debut.

"He's a really nice horse and I think he's got a bit of class," Matamata trainer Peter McKay said.

"He didn't have a trial this time in so he was a bit vulnerable and he's going to improve a lot with the run."

A son of the Gr 1 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller, Newyork Bakerboy was a $130,000 buy from Hallmark Stud's 2010 Select Sale draft.

From the family of the multiple Gr 1 winner Taj Rossi, he was ridden today by Sam Spratt.

"He kicked well on the corner and when the other horse came alongside he still had a fair bit in reserve," she said.

Newyork Bakerboy is likely to return to Ruakaka for his next start in the Listed Northland Breeders' Stakes.

20th August 2011
Siblings Loom AsTop Spring Prospects

Noble Park recently got his Caulfield Cup campaign away to a highly satisfactory start at Flemington and his half-brother also now looks set for a profitable spring.

Pentire colt Heza Playboy returned from a six-month break at yesterday's Kembla Grange meeting and took up where he left off in the autumn.

The three-year-old was put aside after winning at Warwick Farm at his third start in March and triumphantly came back from a spell over 1000 metres at the weekend.

Heza Playboy is trained by Bede Murray who purchased him during last year's Select Sale at Karaka for $170,000.

Both Noble Park and Heza Playboy were sold under the Hallmark Stud banner and are out of the Danehill mare Sheza Gem.

She is from the family of the outstanding Sydney mare Tuesday Joy, the multiple Gr 1 winner of the Chipping Norton, Ranvet and BMW Stakes and the Coolmore Classic.

Noble Park, a $70,000 buy for Paul Moroney in 2009, produced a bold first-up showing for third in his re-appearance form a three-month break.

"We have always had a pretty high opinion of him," trainer Michael Moroney said.
"He did it pretty much on raw ability last time in and this is a starting point for him.
"Certainly (the Caulfield Cup) would be in our thoughts and we will see how far we can get towards it."
He said the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 17 would be his medium-term goal as it was a qualifying race for the Caulfield Cup.
"Winning that might be the only way for him to make the Cup field," Moroney said.
Noble Park has won three of his five starts and was put aside after winning over 2000 metres at Flemington in May.

The second placegetter Turnitup subsequently won the Gr 3 Grand Prix Stakes at the Brisbane winter carnival.

17th August 2011
Just Gordon Just Too Good

Le Bec Fin debutant Just Gordon got a new training partnership away to a flying start at Te Awamutu this afternoon.

The four-year-old presented Richard Otto and Mark Brooks with their first winner with a bold front-running performance.

"It's a very good start for us and we can't be happier and hope it's a sign of things to come," Brooks said.

Just Gordon, who had placed at the trials, jumped smartly to dictate terms and rallied strongly to prevail by a long neck.

He is the first foal to race from the winning Alleged Dash mare Dee's Dash.

Hallmark Stud's Le Bec Fin has now produced 22 winners, including Gr 2 Wellington Guineas winner Skirmish, from 51 starters.


16th August 2011
Crack Hallmark Mare Retired

                                                                        

Top-class Hallmark Stud graduate Katie Lee has been retired but stud plans for the millionaire mare have yet to be confirmed.

The decision to bring down the curtain on her racing career was made after a below-par performance in the Foxbridge Plate.

Owner Sir Patrick Hogan said it was clear the dual Gr 1 winner no longer retained her zest for racing.

He purchased the daughter of Pins and the Broodmare of the Year, Miss Jessie Jay out of Hallmark's 2008 Premier Sale line-up at Karaka for $340,000.

Bred by the stud with Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga (Taranaki), she will now either visit champion stallion Zabeel or be mated in Australia.

Trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, Katie Lee enjoyed a successful juvenile season with two wins, including the Gr 3 Eclipse Stakes, before she made turf history at three.

She claimed both the New Zealand 1000 and 2000 Guineas as well as the Eight Carat and Sir Tristram Classics at Gr 2 level and the Listed Sarten Memorial.

Katie Lee was the NZ Filly of the Year and was the top-rated filly and second-highest three-year-old on the Free Handicap (1200-1600m).

As a four-year-old she won the Gr 3 Traderack Stakes in what was to be her last career success.

Katie Lee retires to the stud with the record of eight wins and eight placings from 23 appearances and stake-earnings of $1,100,675.


 

13th August 2011
Knight Takes Command At Te Rapa

The regally-bred Knight's Command has been patiently handled and the waiting tactics brought a winning result for his connections at Te Rapa today.

Trained at Ardmore by Stephen McKee, the four-year-old was making er and looks set to make his mark in good company.

By the champion stallion Pins, Knight's Command is out of the Waikato International Stakes winner Emerald Dream.

The Danehill mare has a perfect record at stud with her only previous foals to race, the brothers Zabene and Zed, both winners. 

Knight's Command was purchased out of Hallmark's 2009 Premier Sale draft at Karaka by Dominic Li's IDL Racing for $250,000.

12th August 2011
Golden Globe Takes Centre Stage

A three-year-old son of Gold Mine created a strong impression at Taupo today when he posted a runaway debut victory.

Golden Globe jumped smartly from a wide gate to take up a handy sit before striding to the front 200 metres from home.

He quickly put the issue beyond doubt and coasted away to score by three and a-half lengths.

A $14,000 yearling buy at Karaka, the well-related gelding was wayward when younger but full of talent.

"He's been a very tough horse and he's got a future," said trainer and former top jockey Jim Collett.

Golden Globe is out of the winning Maroof mare Marita who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Brendel.

Their grand-dam Ebony Belle was a star juvenile and headed the New Zealand 2YO Free Handicap of her year.

5th August 2011
Hallmark Enjoys Good Sale

On a day of difficult trading, Hallmark Stud provided two of the leading four lots at New Zealand Bloodstock's Winter Sale at Karaka today.

Their top lot was the Stravinsky mare Diamond Babe who is the dam of the Gr 2 Phar Lap Stakes winner Blackie.

In foal to Red Giant, she was purchased by Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud for $82,500.

Hallmark also sold the unraced four-year-old Classy Bawn to Matamata's Millfield Stud for $22,000.

The daughter of Pins is out of the Sadler's Wells mare Silver And Roses.

She is a sister to the dam of the multiple European Gr 1 winners Peeping Fawn and TheWayYouAre.

Silver And Roses is also a half-sister to the 2007 US Broodmare of the Year, Better Than Honour who was purchased for a world record $US14 million in 2008.

It is also the family of the Gr 1 Belmont Stakes winners Rags To Riches and Jazil.

29th July 2011
Katie On Way Back To Best

Katie Lee's connections are confident she can regain her best form this spring with an early Gr 1 assignment is on her programme.

The Hallmark Stud graduate has returned from a spell in grand order and will be ready to resume next month.

"I'm really happy with her and I think she's back to what she was as a three-year-old," co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said.

That will sound as an ominous warning to allcomers after Katie Lee's achievements during an historic classic season.

The daughter of Pins completed the New Zealand 1000-2000 Guineas double to earn the champion 3YO title.

Katie Lee was the Gr 3 winner of the Kelt Memorial earlier this season before her form tailed off on rain-affected tracks and she was turned out.

“She’ll be trialling at Te Teko next week and then have a run at Te Rapa in the Foxbridge Plate before she meets Scarlett Lady at Hastings, ” Rogerson said.

The pair will clash in the Gr 1 Makfi Challenge on the opening day of the Triple Crown meeting at Hastings on August 27.

Plans for Katie Lee, the winner of eight races and more than $1 million, beyond that have yet to be confirmed.

“She’s nominated for the Triple Crown here but she might go to Melbourne – it depends on the track conditions and the weather,” Rogerson said.

 

26th July 2011
Choice Lot Under Hallmark Banner

Hallmark Stud will be offering one of the prized lots at the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock sale at Karaka.

The farm will present the well-credentialled mare Diamond Babe at the winter auction on August 5.

The daughter of Stravinsky, Lot 19, is the dam of only one named foal - the Black Minnaloushe three-year-old Blackie.

Trained by Michael Kent at Cranbourne, the progressive gelding has won four of his six starts.

Blackie was spelled after his Gr 2 victory in the Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill.

"He has been back in training for a few weeks now and has come back from a spell in great shape, he has really strengthened up," Kent said.

"We are looking at starting his campaign in late August or early September, we haven't decided on a race just yet but there are some attractive options for him."

His dam Diamond Babe has been served by the Giant's Causeway stallion Red Giant.

Hallmark will also be offering the well-bred Classy Bawn, Lot 60, at the Karaka sale.

The unraced three-year-old by Pins boasts an international pedigree with her dam the Sadler's Wells mare Silver And Roses.

She is a sister to the dam of the multiple European Gr 1 winners Peeping Fawn and TheWayYouAre.

Silver And Roses is also a half-sister to the 2007 US Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour who was purchased for a world record $US14 million in 2008.

Better Than Honour is the dam of champion three-year-old filly Rags To Riches as well as Jazil, both consecutive winners of the Gr 1 Belmont Stakes. 

 

16th July 2011
Filly Flies To Ruakaka Victory  

A lightly-tried daughter of Le Bec Fin showed an impressive turn of foot when she coasted home to open her winning account at Ruakaka.

The three-year-old El Menear had placed in two of her previous six appearances and made no mistake on Saturday.

With the benefit of a first-up effort for fifth at Te Rapa, she exploded clear in the straight to win by two and three-quarter lengths under rider Michael Coleman.

El Menear is trained on the track by Derek Allen with co-breeder and former Gr 1 jockey Rodney Heaslip sharing in the ownership.

The filly is out of The Jogger mare Oh So Easy who hails from a productive American black-type family.

9th July 2011
Smart 3yr Old Hits The Mark Again!

Le Connoisseur's sparkling pedigree was again to the fore when the lightly-raced three-year-old made his presence felt at Ipswich.

The son of Hallmark Stud's Le Bec Fin is now unbeaten in two runs this preparation after his latest stroll to victory.

Le Connoisseur came back from a brief let-up to win convincingly earlier this month and handled a quick back-up with ease last Friday.

The gelding has now won two of his four starts for Gold Coast trainer Alan Bailey and primed to make his mark in better company.

Le Connoisseur was purchased for $11,000 out of Hallmark's 2009 Festival Sale team at Karaka.

He is from the the Markella mare Danjiki whose 10 race victories featured the Gr 2 NZ Breeders' Stakes and the Gr 3 Waikato Stud Stakes.

She is also the dam of the multiple winners Tap To It and Glorious Rhythm and is a half-sister to Silver Samurai who won the Gr 3 Thompson Handicap.

The prestige name in the family is the Australian Horse of the Year and multiple Gr 1 Strawberry Road.

The Cox Plate and AJC Derby winner was an international trailblazer who also won at the highest level in Europe and North America.

9th July 2011
Sherborne Strikes Again

Versatile Wanganui sprinter Sherborne pushed his career earnings beyond the $70,000 mark today when he made a long southern trip worthwhile.

The five-year-old struck another winning blow when he accounted for his Rating 80 rivals at the Ashburton meeting.

He has now won six races, on both firm and heavy tracks, up to 1400 metres and has also posted a further 15 placings.

From the first crop of Hallmark Stud stallion Gold Mine, Sherborne has proved a smart piece of business for his trainer Stephen Crutchley.

He paid just $1750 for the gelding, who is out of the Spectacular Love mare Our Thumbs Up, at Karaka in 2007.

Sherborne's pedigree carries an international flavour with his third dam the American Gr 1 Keeneland Spinster Stakes winner Safe.

2nd July 2011
Le Connoisseur Does It In Style

The well-related Le Connoisseur looks a horse to follow after he posted a stylish win in Brisbane yesterday to kick-start his career.

Trained on the Gold Coast by Alan Bailey, the three-year-old returned from a break to blitz his rivals over 1200 metres at Ipswich.

Le Connoissseur was making his third appearance after a debut sixth and was then given a break after a promising fourth on his home track.

An $11,000 buy out of Hallmark Stud's 2009 Festival Sale consignment to Karaka, he is by the farm's regally-bred resident stallion Le Bec Fin.

Le Connoisseur's dam is the Markella mare Danjiki who won 10 races including the Gr 2 NZ Breeders' Stakes and the Gr 3 Waikato Stud Stakes.

She is also the mother of the multiple winners Tap To It and Glorious Rhythm and is a half-sister to the Gr 3 Thompson Handicap winner Silver Samurai.

This is the family of the former Australian Horse of the Year and international top-flight winner Strawberry Road.

The Cox Plate and AJC Derby winner was an outstanding galloper who also conquered Europe with victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France.

29th June 2011
So Bling's Golden Day

Jim Pender is confident the best is yet to be seen of a three-year-old son of Gold Mine who broke his maiden at Te Teko today.

The Tauranga trainer was delighted with So Bling's successful middle distance debut in trying underfoot conditions.

"I've always rated him and 1400 metres has been too short for him and then 1600 metres," Pender said.

"Up to the 2100 today and he saw it out really well and he's still got a lot of developing to do yet."

So Bling had weighed in five times from his previous nine starts and the step up to more ground today saw him crown his lead-up form.

The gelding, who was withdrawn from Hallmark Stud's 2009 Karaka line-up, is out of the unraced Loranay.

By Prince Of Praise, she is a half-sister to the Gr 3 winners McLaskry (Winter Cup, Wanganui Stakes) and Firbolg (Lion Brown Plate).

The feature name in this pedigree is the dual Gr 1 winner Arbre Chene (Air NZ Stakes, Railway Handicap).


18th June 2011
One Cool Rosehill Winner

Winning Glory furthered an already impressive career record with another dominant victory at Rosehill today.

The son of One Cool Cat has put together four wins and three placings from his 10 starts for trainer David Payne.

Winning Glory stalked the pace to the turn and then showed a fine turn of foot to sprint clear in the straight.

"He's a big-striding horse and he's got to get out and roll along - Nathan (Berry) rode him perfectly," Payne said.

Winning Glory was purchased out of Hallmark Stud's Premier Sale line-up at Karaka in 2009.

He is a half-brother to three winners including the dual Listed Invercargill Gold Cup winner Alpine Delight.

Their dam Alpine Beauty is a sister to the dam of Bart Cummings'  2008 Melbourne Cup hero Viewed

11th June 2011
Promising 3Year Old Adds To Record

Progressive three-year-old Scent Of Osmanthus has stepped up to the mark again in Hong Kong with another victory at Sha Tin.

The son of Stravinsky had won over 1400 metres on the course at his previous start and staged a repeat performance last night.

Scent Of Osmanthus was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from Hallmark Stud's 2009 Premier Sale line-up at Karaka for $85,000.

He is out of Bayswater who is a half-sister to the Gr 2 Sir Tristram Classic winner Centrofold and the Gr 3 HK Classic Trial winner Smart Kid.

The Dance Floor mare is also a sibling to the dam of the multiple winner and stakes-performer Cassini.


11th June 2011
Well-bred Filly Strikes At Trentham

An international pedigree was to the fore at Trentham where the Hallmark Stud graduate Golden Miss successfully returned from a spell.

The three-year-old was making her first appearance for five months and had no trouble opening her winning account on Saturday over 1200 metres.

Golden Miss is by the stud's resident stallion Gold Mine out of Super Wench, who is a winning daughter of respected broodmare sire Last Tycoon.

This is most notably the family of the four-time Gr 1 winner and 2003 Eclipse Horse of the Year Mineshaft.

He now stands at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky where he is enjoying a successful stallion career and has been a Gr 1 producer.

Other top-flight winners in the pedigree include Prospectors Delite, Tomsue's Delite and Runup The Colours.

Trained at Awapuni by Mark Oulaghan, Golden Miss showed encouraging form during her first six-start preparation.

She was turned out after three consecutive placings on good tracks and is now another good example of adaptable nature of Gold Mine's progeny.

Golden Miss struck heavy going for the first time at Trentham and won with authority under top jockey Hayden Tinsley.

  

8th June 2011
Boy Star Lives Up To His Name

The versatility of Gold Mine's stock was emphasised at Matamata when his son Boy Star won the second race of his brief career.

The three-year-old had broken his maiden at Rotorua on a good surface last November and struck the complete opposite yesterday.

Boy Star coped admirably with a deep and testing track to account for his older Rating 70 opposition.

"It was a good effort as it was his first run for five months," Matamata trainer Graham Richardson said.

His opinion was confirmed by jockey Craig Grylls who was impressed by the gelding's performance.

"He was quite keen first-up and pulled hard but he really fought on," he said.

The winner of two of his eight starts, Boy Star is raced by his breeders L K and Mrs P M and Miss S P Townsend.

He is out of The Commander mare West Life who was a multiple winner from the family of Group winners Out In Front, Escalation and Paddy O'Riley.

Hallmark Stud's Gold Mine is a winning son of the international breed-shaper Mr Prospector out of a mare by the legendary Storm Cat.


6th June 2011
Filly's Ability No Secret

Talented youngster Testa Secret has gone for a deserved winter break with her unbeaten record intact following her holiday weekend black-type success.

The Australian-bred filly was a debut winner at Awapuni in April and then gave a classy display to claim Monday's Listed Castletown Stakes.

The daughter of Testa Rossa was bred by Peter Zander and came to New Zealand as a weanling to be offered by Hallmark Stud at Karaka in 2010.

"She was a big, raw-boned filly as a yearling," Mark Baker said. "She had a massive girth and great length of rein.

"We didn't get the money we wanted at the sale so Peter retained her to race and if she doesn't do another thing he's got himself a great broodmare."

Zander races Testa Secret out of Kevin Gray's stable with a syndicate that leases their interest and includes All Blacks Conrad Smith and Jason Eaton.

"She's a very good filly," Gray said. "She'll go out for a brief spell and come back for the spring time."

A half-sister to three winners, Testa Secret is out of the Silver Deputy mare Acacian Secret who won twice in the United States.


21st May 2011
Golden Time For Teen

A son of Hallmark Stud resident stallion Gold Mine provided a Wanganui teenager with a special racing moment at Hawera yesterday.

Capable sprinter Sherborne posted his fifth career victory and the first for his apprentice rider Mereana Hudson.

The four-kilo claimer is indentured to the gelding's trainer Stephen Crutchley and was having her 15th raceday ride.

Sherborne is from the first crop of the Mr Prospector stallion Gold Mine who is out of the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Ocean Cat.

His best performer to date has been the Gr 3 Stewards Stakes winner San Bernardino, who has also won three Listed events.

12th May 2011
Top Family Strikes In Sydney

The family of the outstanding stayer Viewed was to the fore in Sydney yesterday when Winning Glory posted another victory.

The three-year-old recorded his third victory and has only failed to bank a cheque once from eight appearances.

Winning Glory provided trainer David Payne with the middle leg of a winning treble when he was successful over 1400 metres at Randwick.

By One Cool Cat, the gelding was bought out of Hallmark Stud's Premier Sale draft at Karaka for $100,000 in 2009.

He is a half-brother to three winners including the dual Listed Invercargill Gold Cup winner Alpine Delight.

Their dam Alpine Beauty is a sister to the dam of Bart Cummings'  2008 Melbourne Cup hero Viewed.

7th May 2011
Hong Kong Victory For Hallmark Graduate

Stravinsky three-year-old Scent Of Osmanthus was on the board in Hong Kong last night when he struck for the first time at Sha Tin.

The Hallmark Stud graduate was a dominant winner over 1400 metres at just his sixth appearance after placing at his lead-up outing. 

He was purchased out of Hallmark's Premier Sale consignment for $85,000 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2009.

Scent Of Osmanthus is the third winner for the well-related Dance Floor mare Bayswater.

She is a half-sister to the Gr 2 Sir Tristram Classic winner Centrofold and the Gr 3 Hong Kong Classic Trial winner Smart Kid.

Scent Of Osmanthus was ridden last night by former champion apprentice Victor Cheng for trainer Me YS Tsui.

 

7th May 2011
Group I Goal For Hot Three Year Old

Exciting prospect Noble Park put his name firmly in the frame for a trip to the Brisbane winter carnival with a dominant victory at Flemington at the weekend.

On Melbourne's premier racing stage, the Hallmark Stud graduate gave a stellar staying performance to down a hot field of three-year-olds.

The strapping son of Pins has only been beaten once from four starts and is now likely to take his chance in the Gr 1 Queensland Derby.

While Noble Park has fashioned an excellent record already, trainer Michael Moroney said he was far from the finished article.

"He has got the frame there but probably hasn't quite got the flesh there yet," he told the Melbourne Herald Sun.

"I know he's not going to be easy to do for the spring as he doesn't spell that well so we might better off charging on (to the Queensland Derby).

"We have to consider everything and I will talk to the owners, but we need to make a quick decision as I think a plane leaves on Tuesday."

Noble Park was settled in midfield by Lisa Cropp who allowed him to stride forward near the turn.

He challenged soon after straightening and maintained a powerful finishing run to score by a head.

"He's still pretty new about the whole thing but he's looks very promising," Moroney said.

"It was a bit of an ask today and with the wide draw he got caught wide and had to soldier on with 58 kilograms on his back."

Noble Park gave jockey Lisa Cropp a difficult ride for the first half of the race when he was reefing without cover but her confidence grew as the race went on.

"He gave me a neat ride from the 700 when he dropped the bit and started to get his breathing," Cropp said."I thought from there he would win."

Noble Park was purchased by the trainer's brother Paul Moroney out of Hallmark's 2009 Select Sale draft to Karaka for $70,000.

He is a son of the well-related Danehill mare Sheza Gem who is from the family of the outstanding Sydney mare Tuesday Joy.

She collected Gr 1 titles with victories in the Chipping Norton, Ranvet and BMW Stakes and in the Coolmore Classic..

Tuesday Joy is also a half-sister to the Australian Oaks and Stocks Stakes winner Sunday Joy.

Noble Park is a half-brother to Heza Playboy who has been a two-year-old winner in Sydney this season.

Trained by Bede Murray, the Pentire juvenile was sold by Hallmark for $170,000 at Karaka last year.

25th April 2011
Gold Mine's Daughter Strikes

Lightly-raced mare Stellas Gold added another string to her bow when she overcame trying conditions at Ellerslie on Easter Monday.

She has now won twice from just nine starts with her maiden victory at her home Ruakaka track posted on much better footing.

A daughter of Hallmark Stud's Gold Mine, Stellas Gold is trained by her owner Brent Wells who also bred the versatile four-year-old.

She is out the unraced Victory Dance mare Kindling who hails from the family of former top-class stayer Sapio (Gr 1 Doomben Cup, NZ Cup-twice).

Stellas Gold was ridden yesterday by the promising apprentice Alysha Collett who picked an inside path home to a one and three-quarter length victory.

"I thought I'd cut the corner and she really picked the bit up and pricked her ears with 100 metres to go," she said.

 

23rd April 2011
Group Success For Stud Graduate

Paddy O'Reilly stamped himself today as one of the most improved stayers in Melbourne when he easily bridged the gap to stakes company at Caulfield.

The five-year-old has been patiently-handled by trainer Robert Smerdon and his waiting tactics are now being richly rewarded.

Paddy O'Reilly had landed the rich Albury Cup last month and today franked that form with victory in the Gr 3 Easter Cup.

The son of O'Reilly has now won four of his 19 career starts and has comfortably taken his stake earnings beyond the $A270,000 mark.

The Hallmark Stud graduate is out of American-bred Assert mare Star Of Amarissa who has also left Te Akau Sun (Listed Warstep Stakes).

The winning mare is further a half-sister to the Danehill stallion Danasuria (Listed Gibson Carmichael Stakes).

Paddy O'Reilly's victory completed a satisfying day for the stud whose resident sire Le Bec Fin was represented by a winner at Tauranga.

His genuine daughter Nicole Amy was untested to win the open sprint in her second appearance this preparation for Matamata trainer Paul Jenkins.

The versatile five-year-old has fashioned the impressive record of seven wins and 14 placings from her 26 appearances

 

21st April 2011
Jacaila In The Money

Honesty is a prized asset in any thoroughbred and the Awapuni mare Jacaila scores top points in that department.

The genuine nature of the Hallmark Stud graduate was again to the fore on her home track this afternoon.

Jacaila's courage under fire was evident when she fought off allcomers in the straight to beat a competitive Rating 70 line-up.

Trained by part-owner Lisa Latta, the six-year-old has now won two of her 30 raceday appearances.

However, a further 17 placings have helped to boost her stake earnings to an impressive $37,037.

Jacaila has also been patiently handled due to past tendon issues and is most effective on rain-affected going.

By Spectatorial, she is out of the Crested Wave mare Lady Starlet from the family of international Gr 1 winners Kitwood and Miss Oceana.

15th April 2011
Deserved Success In Singapore

Daring Youth's luck finally took a turn for the better in Singapore last night and the five-year-old took full advantage with a dominant victory.

The son of Bertolini triumphed by one and three-quarter lengths over 1200 metres at Kranji to record the fourth win of his career.

Daring Youth had weighed in at his two previous appearances after being forced to cover extra ground each time.

The gelding was initially purchased at Karaka in 2007 by Victorian agent Robert Roulston for $30,000 from Hallmark Stud's 2007 Select Sale.

He is out of the Ebony Grosve mare Ebony Pearl who is a half-sister to the Gr 1 Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes winner Kaaptan.

Zola is another winner of the Auckland feature in the family which further includes the NZ Derby winner So Casual.

14th April 2011
Derby Plans For Talented Three Year Old

Lightly-raced three-year-old Noble Park has emerged as a Gr 1 prospect after landing the second victory of his three-start career at Sandown yesterday.

Trainer Michael Moroney is looking ahead to the Brisbane winter carnival with the promising Hallmark Stud graduate.

"We've always a had a good opinion of this horse and we think he has a very bright future," his racing manager Anthony Feroce.&

A son of Pins, Noble Park won his Sale debut in February and then came from well back in the field to finish fifth at Sandown last month.

Rider Craig Williams adopted front-running tactics yesterday and the gelding went to the line strongly for a dominant win over 1600 metres.

Noble Park was bought out of Hallmark's Select Sale draft at Karaka in 2009 for $70,000 by the trainer's brother Paul.

He is out of the well-related Danehill mare Sheza Gem who is from the family of the outstanding Sydney mare Tuesday Joy.

She won four times at Gr 1 level in the Chipping Norton, Ranvet and BMW Stakes and in the Coolmore Classic..

Tuesday Joy is also a half-sister to the Australian Oaks and Stocks Stakes winner Sunday Joy.

Sheza Gem is also the dam of the Pentire two-year-old Heza Playboy who recently won in Sydney.

Trained by Bede Murray, he was sold by Hallmark for $170,000 at Karaka last year.

 

26th March 2011
Heza Playboy Turns Heads

Heza Playboy by Pentire out of Sheza Gem by Danehill,  opened his account in fine style in Sydney yesterday when he beat his two-year-old rivals at Warwick Farm. The Pentire colt is a half brother to Noble Park who won for Mike Moroney on the 25th February last, see below!

He was making his third appearance for trainer Bede Murray when he scored over 1000 metres in the hands of apprentice Josh Adams.

Heza Playboy had finished an encouraging fifth on debut in February and was unplaced after a chequered run at his only other start.

He was purchased for $170,000 out of Hallmark Stud's 2010 Select Sale line-up at Karaka and is out of the Danehill mare Sheza Gem.

She hails from the Gr 1 family of Tuesday Joy (Chipping Norton, Ranvet, BMW Stakes, Coolmore Classic) and Sunday Joy (AJC Oaks).

Heza Playboy is raced by a syndicate that includes Sir Patrick Hogan, Alistair Sutherland, Tony Timpson, Peter Walker and Max Whitby.

 

25th March 2011
Paddy Claims Rich Cup

Paddy O'Reilly handled a steep rise in class with ease when he downed a hot field of stayers to win yesterday's $A170,000 Albury Cup.

The Hallmark Stud graduate had only two previous wins to his credit but was Gr 3 placed in the Norman Robinson Stakes two seasons ago.

By O'Reilly, the Robert Smerdon-trained five-year-old also continued the outstanding run of form for jockey Glen Boss.

Paddy O'Reilly was given a cosy run near the pace and, after taking control on straightening, held a strong gallop to win by half a length.

By O'Reilly, he is out of American-bred Assert mare Star Of Amarissa who has also left Te Akau Sun (Listed Warstep Stakes).

The winning mare is further a half-sister to the Danehill stallion Danasuria (Listed Gibson Carmichael Stakes).

4th March 2011
Big Gallant Slams Rivals Again

Big Gallant enhanced his growing reputation in Singapore last night when he coasted home over 1000 metres to complete a hat-trick of wins.

The three-year-old is prepared by former champion New Zealand trainer Mark Walker for the Champagne No 2 Stable.

By the Cox Plate winner Savabeel, Big Gallant was runner-up at his December debut and hasn't been beaten since.

He was bought by Te Akau Stables principal David Ellis out of Hallmark Stud's 2009 Select Sale draft for $42,000.

Big Gallant is out of the winning Danehill mare Laa Tansaa whose only other foal to race is the multiple winner and stakes performer Thunderstrike.

They hail from the family of the champion Irish stayer Vintage Crop who created history in 1993 when he became the first European to lift the Melbourne Cup. 

25th February 2011
Noble Display On Debut

Noble Park made a dream start to his racing career in Melbourne today when he made a successful debut at Sale.

The three-year-old son of Pins lined up for the first time over 1200 metres and won with authority.

Prepared at Flemington by Michael Moroney, Noble Park is out of the well-related Danehill mare Sheza Gem.

Out of a Marscay mare, she was a winner and is from the family of the outstanding Sydney mare Tuesday Joy.

She won four times at Gr 1 level in the Chipping Norton, Ranvet and BMW Stakes and in the Coolmore Classic.

Tuesday Joy is also a half-sister to the Australian Oaks and Stocks Stakes winner Sunday Joy.

Noble Park was purchased by the trainer's brother Paul from Hallmark Stud's 2009 Select Sale draft for $70,000.

23rd February 2011
Hot Trot Continues In Melbourne

Promising staying prospect Danahere is in a rich vein of form and she added another notch to her belt in Melbourne yesterday.

The Hallmark Stud graduate was successful over 2100 metres for rider Ben Melham at the Sandown meeting.

It was the four-year-old's second consecutive victory having produced a commanding performance to score at Seymour earlier this month.

Danahere has now put together three wins and four minor placings from her 11 starts for trainer Danny O'Brien.

He purchased the grey daughter of Dehere from Hallmark's 2008 Premier Sale draft at Karaka for $160,000.

Danahere is out of the Danasinga mare Danex whose sole career victory didn't reflect her true ability.

A measure of her class was evidenced by her placings in the Gr 1 New Zealand Oaks and the Gr 2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic.

She hails from the family of Gr 1 winner Calm Harbour (Thorndon Mile, Captain Cook Stakes) and Gr 3 winner Sand Sweeper (Canterbury Gold Cup, Easter Cup).

14th February 2011
Danahere Does It Again

Danahere continued her good progress through the Melbourne staying ranks yesterday with a dominant victory at Seymour.

The grey four-year-old furthered her career record to two wins and four placings from 10 starts with her latest 2000 metre success.

A daughter of Dehere, Danahere is the first foal of the Group-performed Danasinga mare Danex.

It is also the family of the Gr 1 Thorndon Mile and Captain Cook Stakes winner Calm Harbour.

Danahere is trained by Danny O'Brien, who bought her out of Hallmark Stud's Premier Sale draft in 2008 for $160,000.

11th February 2011
Classics On Filly's Programme

Woodville trainer Francis Finnegan is already looking ahead to Gr 1 targets next season for his promising filly Smoke 'N' Mirrors.

The juvenile broke through for her first victory at New Plymouth today after three previous placings.

"We'll keep her on top of the ground and with time to fully mature she'll be a nice three-year-old," Finnegan said.

"There's races like the Levin Classic and the New Zealand 1000 Guineas for her."

Ridden by Matthew Cameron, she was too good in the straight today after sitting outside the leader to the turn.

Smoke 'N' Mirrors was sold by Hallmark Stud at last year's Select Sale at Karaka for $21,000.

The first winner for the Redoute's Choice stallion Fast 'N' Famous, the filly is likely to have one more start this campaign.

"We won't do too much more and might have a look at the Matamata Breeders' Stakes - we'll see how she does first," Finnegan said.

Smoke 'N' Mirrors is out of the Dance Floor mare Bayswater who is a half-sister to Group winners Centrofold and Smart Kid.

Their dam is the Gr 1 Western Australian Oaks and dual Listed winner True Devotion.   

8th February 2011
Royal Results At Karaka

Pre-sale indicators suggested a strong result for Hallmark Stud at Karaka and results subsequently exceeded all expectations.

The Te Kauwhata farm enjoyed an outstanding Premier Sale and ended the two days as the second leading vendor on average.

Hallmark sold eight lots for $2,060,000 at an average of $257,500 with a top price of $625,000.

"The feedback from the parades we held was very good and from the Australian trainers who came over in November," Mark Baker said.

"It was a great sale for us and we knew we had a top draft but having said that you never know.

"You have to keep a lid on it and it goes to show if you've got the right types with the pedigrees you can get the chocolates."

Hallmark's sale topper was the half-sister to Miss Jessie Jay, dam of Katie Lee and Banchee and dual Gr 1 winner Gee I Jane by Darci Brahma who went to Sydney agent Rick Connolly for $625,000.

She represented the stud's prolific family of NZ, 1000 and 2000 Guineas winner Katie Lee and her half-sister and Gp1 Diamond Stakes winner Banchee.

"The family stood up and the filly did on type and while we're Darci's biggest fans he is unproven," Baker said.

"Three or four people went to war on her and we benefitted from that."

Western Australian agent John Chalmers had earlier gone to $500,000 for the son of Zabeel and a half-sister to dual Gr 1 winner Final Destination.

"He's was a lovely type and a big, strong colt and the High Chaparral was the other big ticket horse," Baker said.

The latter is a half-brother to dual Gr 3 winner O'Ceirins Angel and went to Bart Cummings for $300,000.

A half-brother to Gr 3 winner Absolutelyfabulous by Snippetson was Hallmark's star of the Select Sale.

Out of a winning Rory's Jester mare, he was knocked down to Aquanita Racing for $170,000.

"We bought him at the Gold Coast and he sold really well," Baker said.

Prominent Auckland-based owner David Archer later outlaid $80,000 for the colt by resident sire Gold Mine.

The youngster is a brother to the Gr 3 Stewards' Stakes winner San Bernardino from the Katie Lee/Banchee family.

"He is a lovely horse - a big, strong and correct colt," Baker said.

Trade was also strong for Hallmark during the Festival Sale with a top price of $52,000 for a son of Don Eduardo.

From the family of the multiple Gr 1 Australian winner Fair Sir, the colt was purchased by the O'Sullivan family's Wexford Stables.

"We were delighted with the results throughout and they really were huge results for us," Baker said.

 
10th February 2011
Crack Filly On Derby Trail

Star filly Banchee's fondness for Ellerslie has her heading for a showdown with top colt Jimmy Choux in the $2.2 million New Zealand Derby.

Owners Peter and Philip Vela made the second withdrawal payment this week to target the Gr 1 prize with their Hallmark Stud graduate.

Banchee has posted consecutive wins in the Karaka and Cambridge Stud 3YO events at Ellerslie where she won last season's Gr 1 Diamond Stakes.

Three further juvenile appearances at the Auckland track have resulted in a victory and placings in the Karaka Million and Gr 2 Eclipse Stakes.

The daughter of Oratorio and Miss Jessie Jay has won five of her 13 career starts and banked nearly $420,000.

Trainer John Sargent plans to use Saturday week's Gr 2 Avondale Guineas as Banchee's NZ Derby dress rehearsal.

5th February 2011
Victory Opens Options For Goldminer

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie may be forced to change his opinion of Goldminer after her latest victory at Te Rapa.

The progressive daughter of Hallmark Stud's Gold Mine had been considered an out and out speedster until Saturday.

Goldminer produced a determined bid in the straight to record her third victory from just eight appearances.

"I always thought she was only a 1200 metre filly, but on that run she may well get 1400," Ritchie said.

Goldminer settled back in the field and rider James McDonald was forced to draw the stick nearly 800 metres from home.

"She reared up in the gates and she's got a bit of a mind of her own and lost concentration mid-stages," Ritchie said.

"She's hit the line really hard and it was a very good ride by James."

Reared at Hallmark for her breeder-owner Bob McHardie, she is an outstanding type out of a half-sister to Gr 2 winner Reiver.

"She's had to work hard in a few of her races and she keeps finding and is a real trier," Ritchie said.

30th January 2011
Banchee Simply Brilliant Again!!

The country's top rider James McDonald sounded an ominous warning to Banchee's rivals after they combined for an impressive victory at Ellerslie today.

The Hallmark Stud graduate produced a high-class performance to land the NZ Bloodstock Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile.

"This is a very good filly and she's just getting better and better all the time - she's got a fantastic turn of foot," he said.

Banchee settled well back in the field but when McDonald angled her wide into the straight she showed outstanding acceleration to win with ease.

"She got to the front a bit too soon but she was just way too good," McDonald said.

Last season's Gr 1 Diamond Stakes winner, the daughter of Oratorio has now recorded five career successes and earned nearly $320,000.

She was initially purchased by Sam Kelt from Hallmark's 2009 Premier Sale draft for $375,000.

Banchee was purchased last July by NZ Bloodstock principals Peter and Philip Vela for an undisclosed figure and remained with Matamata trainer John Sargent.

"It's a big thrill for me and the biggest winner I've ridden for Peter and Philip," McDonald said.   

 
15th January 2011
Boost for Karaka Bound Filly

Well-related and Two Year Old Champion filly, Banchee by Oratorio (IRE), made a timely return to winning form at Ellerslie on Saturday with victory in the three-year-old Metric Mile.

It was her first success since she claimed last season's Gr 1 Diamond Stakes and provided a further boost for her Karaka-bound relation.

Banchee's co-breeders Hallmark Stud will offer a filly from her illustrious family during the upcoming NZ Bloodstock Premier Sale on the 31st January - 1st February this year.

Lot 438 is a daughter of five-time Gr 1 winner Darci Brahma and the Bletchencore mare Miss Distinction.

She has been an outstanding producer and is the dam of dual Gr 1 winner Gee I Jane and Miss Jessie Jay the mother of Banchee and NZ Three Year Old, Filly of the Year, Katie Lee.

The pedigree further features the Gr 3 Stewards' Handicap winner San Bernardino, a full brother at Lot 1045 in the NZ Bloodstock Select Session, 2nd February - 4th February 2011, sons of Hallmark resident Gold Mine.

Banchee was bred by Hallmark and long-time friend Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga (Taranaki) and sold for $375,000 at Karaka in 2009.

28th December 2010
Knight's Command: Colt Impresses On Debut

Bred by Jomara Bloodstock, the Hallmark Stud graduate Knight's Command launched his racing career in the best possible manner at Ellerslie today with a commanding debut display.

The three-year-old braved trying underfoot conditions to win with authority over 1200 metres with a performance to match his 
Gr 1 pedigree.

By the Australian Guineas winner Pins, Knight's Command is out of the Waikato International Stakes winner Emerald Dream.

The Danehill mare now has a perfect record at stud with her only previous foals to race, the brothers Zabene and Zed, both winners. 

Knight's Command was purchased out of Hallmark's 2009 Premier Sale draft at Karaka by IDL Racing for $250,000.

Trained at Ardmore by Stephen McKee, he was partnered today by Leith Innes who had ridden the colt to a lead-up trial success earlier this month.

18th December 2010
Hallmark Mare Cashes In

Awapuni mare Jacaila rewarded the patience of her connections when she posted an overdue first victory on her home track at the weekend. 

Bred and sold by Hallmark Stud, she was making her 25th appearance and had previously weighed in no fewer than 19 times.

Jacaila did make the wait worthwhile as Saturday's special conditions event carried a $20,000 purse to take her earnings beyond $30,000.

Trainer and part-owner Lisa Latta said the six-year-old has suffered from tendon problems in the past and preferred give in the ground.

Jacaila settled back in the field before angling wide on the turn and she powered home to win a widening three lengths. 

"She was always travelling well and she gave plenty in the straight," rider Darryl Bradley said.

By Spectatorial, Jacaila is out of the Crested Wave mare Lady Starlet from the family of international Gr 1 winners Kitwood and Miss Oceana.

 
11th December 2010
Star Cashes In Again

Single Currency confirmed his status as a rising star of New Zealand racing with another authoritative victory at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The talented four-year-old was on the pace all the way and maintained a strong gallop to the post to account for his Rating 90 rivals.

Single Currency has now won six of his 10 starts for trainer Chris Wood and three of his last four appearances.

He can be counted unlucky not to have also won at his previous appearance at Riccarton during the cup carnival.

The son of Bachelor Duke finished second, behind subsequent winner All In Tempo, after losing a plate during the running.

Single Currency was a $29,000 purchase by Wood out of Hallmark Stud's Festival Sale draft to Karaka in 2008.

He is out of the winning Pompeii Court mare Pennies In Heaven, who is from the Group One family of leading sire O'Reilly (Telegraph Handicap, Levin Classic).

4th December 2010
Appropriate Victory At Ellerslie

Hallmark Stud stallion Gold Mine was represented by another Ellerslie winner at the weekend when The Miner posted an emotion-charged victory.

Connections had pledged any stake-money won to the Pike River Mining Trust and the three-year-old duly banked $5900 to the most worthiest of causes.

"It's a very satisfying result and the other week Goldminer won here and now this one relates to it all so well," trainer Richard Collett said.

Both horses were reared at Hallmark and Goldminer had been impressive on the course last month and The Miner was every bit as dominant.

"He's got a little bit of fire about him and has got immense ability," Collett said. "He got left in front a long way out so he's done a big job."

The Miner had just been beaten at his previous debut run and on Saturday was forced to cover ground early under the trainer's son Jason.

"We had to work hard to cross them and got caught wide so I had to press on," he said.

The Miner took control 800 metres from home and, after easing clear on the turn, held on bravely in the straight to score by three-quarters of a length.

Out of Ruakiwi Diamond, the gelding claims the Stakes winner and Group performer Ruakiwi Lass as his third dam.

The Miner's connections include, amongst others, NZ Racing Board chairman Michael Stiassny and member Liz Dawson, John Hooper and prominent owners Alastair Sutherland and Peter Walker.

Hallmark Graduate "Winning Glory" A Rising Star

Winning Glory completed a satisfying weekend for Hallmark Stud when the talented three-year-old was successful at Rosehill.

Trained in Sydney by David Payne, he thumped his age group rivals over 1500 metres in the hands of Glyn Schofield.

The son of One Cool Cat has now won two of his four starts and has yet to finish out of the money.

Bought out of Hallmark's Premier Sale draft at Karaka in 2009 for $100,000, Winning Glory is out of the Khozaam mare Alpine Beauty.

He is a half-brother to the dual Listed Invercargill Gold Cup winner Alpine Delight.

Winning Glory hails from the family of Melbourne Cup winner Viewed and the Gr. 1 winners in Noble Heights, Royal Heights and Mapperley Heights.

 

2nd December 2010
Le Bec Fin's Daughter Impresses

Nicole Amy's luck took a deserved turn for the better at Pukekohe Park today when the genuine five-year-old added to her record.

The daughter of Hallmark Stud's Le Bec Fin was slow away two starts back when third at Ellerslie behind subsequent Gr 3 placegetter Catalina.

Nicole Amy was again tardy at the jump on the Pukekohe track next time out before finishing strongly for sixth to the talented Fears Nothing.

"She's a tough mare and both her last two starts she's drawn wide and been parked three wide against good horses," trainer Paul Jenkins said.

Rider James McDonald was once again forced to cover extra ground on Nicole Amy today before landing outside the leader 800 metres from home.

"They weren't going to let me in, but I slid forward when the pace slackened," he said.

Nicole Amy took control 150 metres from the post and stayed on strongly to down the highly-regarded stablemates Allegrio and Shantaine.

"She just jogged up to them and she really tries hard every time," McDonald said.

That is reflected in her record of six wins and 13 placings from her 24 career appearances.

17th November 2010
Game Goldminer Too Good

Goldminer furthered her record on the Premier stage at Ellerslie on Saturday with a comprehensive defeat of a competitive field of fillies and mares.

"It's always nice to win one here and for her owner who has been a good and loyal client," trainer Shaune Ritchie said.

By Hallmark Stud's Mr Prospector horse Gold Mine, Goldminer is raced by her breeder Bob McHardie and has now won two of her seven starts. Reared at Hallmark Stud from birth she is a lovely physical specimen!

"She's a real 1200 metre filly and it's not easy to find races for her - I hate running three-year-old fillies against the older horses but I might have to now," Ritchie said.

Goldminer sat off a fast pace before apprentice rider Zawari Razali angled wide into the straight.

They ranged up to the leaders 200 metres from home and fought on strongly to take the decision by a long head.

Goldminer is out of the winning Zieten mare Santastic, who is a half-sister to Gr 2 Japan-New Zealand International Trophy winner Reiver.

12th November 2010
Stud Celebrates With Ritchies

Hallmark Stud completed a grand day for the Ritchie family when farm graduate Celtic Fantasy was successful at Tauranga.

He is trained by Craig whose father Frank had minutes earlier won the Gr 2 New Zealand Cup with Showcause.

Both horses are by Giant's Causeway and Celtic Fantasy also promises to make his mark in top company.

The four-year-old had finished runner-up, behind fellow Hallmark product Single Currency, when resuming at his previous appearance.

Celtic Fantasy went one better in impressive fashion at Tauranga to down the Rating 80 metric milers.

The winner of three of his seven starts and Gr 2 placed last season in the Waikato Guineas, he is out of the Penitre Celebre mare Snowdonia.

Ritchie bought Celtic Fantasy out of Hallmark's 2008 Select Sale draft for $40,000.

1st November 2010
Millionaire Graduate Completes Stud Double

Tuscan Spirit spearheaded an international double for Hallmark Stud on Sunday night when the millionaire performer was successful in Hong Kong.

The son of Chianti followed the winning lead in Singapore of fellow farm graduate Daring Youth who won in Class five company at Kranji.

A four-year-old trained by John Size, Tuscan Spirit defeated a competitive open line-up at Happy Valley to take his career earnings to $1,026,924.

A Gr 1 placegetter in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, he was a $40,000 purchase out of Hallmark's 2007 Festival Sale draft.

Daring Youth was bought by Robert Roulston from the farm's Select consignment the same year for $30.000.

He is out of the Ebony Grosve mare Ebony Pearl, who is a half-sister to Gr 1 Diamond Stakes winner Kaaptan.

It is also the family of Gr 1 New Zealand Derby winner So Casual while Daring Youth's brother topped last year's RTR Sale at $400,000.

30th October 2010
Single Currency Strike Again  

Feature race honours look well within the range of the progressive Hallmark Stud graduate Single Currency in the wake of his latest success.

The four-year-old recorded the fifth victory of his eight-start career when he put paid to his Rating 90 rivals with ease at Awapuni yesterday.

Single Currency bounded straight to the front and, after easing clear on the turn, coasted home by two and a-quarter lengths.

By Bachelor Duke, he was purchased by Cambridge trainer Chris Wood for $29,000 from Hallmark's 2008 Festival Sale draft at Karaka.

He is out of the winning Pompeii Court mare Pennies In Heaven, who is from the Group One family of leading sire O'Reilly (Telegraph Handicap, Levin Classic).

Meanwhile, Hallmark's resident sire Le Bec Fin was represented by another promising type at Matamata last Friday.

His three-year-old daughter Sercial overcame a tough run to post her maiden success at just her fourth appearance.

Bred and raced by Peter and Philip Vela, she is out of the Anabaa mare Solaia who is a half-sister to Al Mansour (George Ryder Stakes, Queensland Classic, QTC Sires' Produce Stakes).

 

14th October 2010
Stud Duo Dominate at Te Aroha

Hallmark Stud graduates Single Currency and Celtic Fantasy combined to credit the farm with an outstanding result at Te Aroha today.

They provided the quinella against a competitive line-up of Rating 80 performers to further enhance their reputations.

Single Currency has now won four of his seven starts and Cambridge trainer Chris Wood is confident there are plenty more to come.

"I rate this horse very highly - he's pretty promising and I think he'll get 2000 metres," he said.

By Bachelor Duke, he was bought by Wood for $29,000 from Hallmark's 2008 Festival Sale draft at Karaka.

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.

Single Currency headed straight to the front today and maintained a strong gallop to the post under rider Mark Hills.

"I talked to Mark before the race and the plan was to go to the front - I was thrilled with the effort," Wood said.

Celtic Fantasy's performance in his return to racing after an eight-month break was also impressive.

The lightly-tried son of Giant's Causeway won twice last preparation and placed in the Gr 2 Waikato Guineas at just his third start. 
Trainer Shaune Ritchie purchased him out of Hallmark's 2008 Select Sale draft for $40,000.

Celtic Fantasy is out of the imported Peintre Celebre mare Snowdonia from the family of dual European Gr 1 winner and sire Croco Rouge.

14th October 2010
Blueblood Welcomed At Hallmark

  A colt with regal bloodlines has been foaled at Hallmark Stud with the arrival this week of a High Chaparral youngster out of Miss Distinction.

He is the latest in the celebrated family's line and was described by studmaster Mark Baker as a stunner.

He is a half-brother to the dual Gr 1 winner Gee I Jane (Telegraph Handicap, BTC Cup) and to the Gr 3 winner Miss Jessie Jay (Taranaki Breeders' Stakes).

The latter was recently crowned the New Zealand Broodmare of the Year at the Mercedes Thoroughbred Awards.

In a clean sweep for Hallmark and co-breeder Trevor Hurley, of Taranaki, Miss Jessie Jay's top-class daughters claimed both their respective age-group titles.

Katie Lee rewrote turf history by completing the NZ 2000-1000 Guineas double while Banchee landed the Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes.

Miss Jessie Jay has this season delivered a full-sister to the Melbourne-bound Katie Lee and will again be served by Pins this year.

A Darci Brahma filly out of Miss Distinction will be among Hallmark's choice lots at next year's NZ Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.

9th October 2010
Staying The Warrior's Game
A bright staying future has been predicted for the Le Bec Fin four-year-old Noble Warrior who returned to winning form at Matamata at the weekend.

"He's a class horse in the making this fellow," said Waiuku trainer Grant Shaw, who prepares the gelding with wife Tana.

While Noble Warrior was sharp enough to down his Rating 70 opposition over a metric mile on Saturday, connections believe he will improve over more ground.

Rider James McDonald backed that belief when he said the horse relaxed well and kicked strongly to the line.

"He struggled a bit round the corner but was good when he balanced up and fought on well," he said.

Noble Warrior was making his second appearance for the season having finished fourth over 1200 metres when resuming at Pukekohe last month.

He is out of the Justice Prevails mare Our Kuini Rose who won four times from the Shaw's stable.

 2nd October 2010
Hastings Stunner From Crack Mare  

Glamour mare Katie Lee is Melbourne-bound after booking her ticket with a superlative performance at Hastings on Saturday.

Hallmark Stud's outstanding Gr 1 graduate turned in an electrifying display to account for the open class sprinters in the Traderacks Stakes.

"It was fantastic and she's still a run short," Tuhikaramea co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said.

"I want to peak her on October 23 for a fillies' and mares' race and then the Gr 1 Myer on Derby Day."

Katie Lee had finished third at Ruakaka when resuming last month and showed at Hastings her appreciation of a drier racing surface.

The daughter of Pins and Hallmark's Broodmare of the Year, Miss Jessie Jay was given plenty of time to settle into stride by James McDonald.

"Debbie told me to be really patient on her and I probably got back a bit further than I thought but didn't panic," he said.

Katie Lee was second last early and was still well off the pace 250 metres out after being crowded for room early in the run home.

McDonald was finally able to angle her into the clear and the grey flew home to score by a neck.

"She's pretty incredible - a very good horse - and she was just too good for them," he said.

Katie Lee will take the imposing record of eight wins and eight placings from her 18 starts for stake earnings of $1,049,675.

3rd September 2010
Magical Moments For Hallmark

Hallmark Stud enjoyed an outstanding evening at the Mercedes Thoroughbred Awards and celebrations continued the following morning for the Te Kauwhata farm.

Their resident breeding gem Miss Jessie Jay was, on Friday night, named the Broodmare of the Year and her top-class daughters claimed their respective age-group titles.

History-maker Katie Lee was the Champion Three-Year-Old while her half-sister Banchee was the 
Champion Two-Year-Old.

With exquisite timing, Miss Jessie Jay then delivered a full-sister to Katie Lee with the arrival on Saturday morning of a much-awaited Pins youngster.

"She's a lovely, strong filly and the mare will be going back to Pins - it's a cross that has obviously worked," studmaster Mark Baker said.

"Miss Jessie Jay has come through it all as good as gold, which is great as she's had a bit of bad luck.

"Banchee was her last foal after she slipped one and then had a dead foal last year."

Sharing in the glory with Hallmark Stud was co-breeder and long-time Taranaki friend Trevor Hurley, of Kaponga.

By Spectacularphantom, Miss Jessie Jay won nine races from Kevin Gray's stable, including the Gr 3 Evergreen Stakes and the Listed Levin and Warstep Stakes.

She has been an outstanding success at stud with Katie Lee, a daughter of Pins, last season completing the NZ 2000-1000 Guineas double.

The crack grey also won the Eight Carat and Sir Tristram Fillies' Classics at Gr 2 level and the Listed Sarten Memorial.

She was secured by Sir Patrick Hogan in 2008 for $340,000 at Karaka when presented during the Premier Sale by Hallmark.

Current plans for Katie Lee are to make her seasonal debut at Ruakaka on September 11 before heading for Gr 1 riches at the Melbourne spring carnival.

Her younger half-sister Banchee, by Oratorio, won three of her six juvenile starts, including the Gr 1 Auckland Diamond Stakes and the Gr 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes.

She was originally purchased out of Hallmark's 2009 Premier Sale draft to Karaka by Hastings owner Sam Kelt for $375,000.

She raced in his colours last season but is now in the ownership of Peter and Philip Vela who bought the filly for an undisclosed figure.

She has remained with Matamata trainer John Sargent who has set the Gr 3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings on September 18 as her first-up target.


21st August 2010
Elle Tresor On Stakes Trail

Black-type options await Le Bec Fin's talented daughter Elle Tresor following her impressive seasonal debut at New Plymouth.

In her first appearance for five months, she proved far too slick for her fellow three-year-olds over 1100m on Saturday.

"She spelled very well and we'll now head to either Wanganui or Hawke's Bay," Te Awamutu co-trainer Brendon Hawtin said.

The two black-type events on the radar are the Listed Wanganui Fillies' Stakes and the Gr 3 Gold Trail Stakes.

All roads this preparation will lead to Christchurch for the Gr 1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas.

"That's the main goal and I think the mile will be her best trip so there's a lot to look forward to," Hawtin said.

Elle Tresor disputed the pace to the turn on Saturday and held a strong gallop in the straight to win by three-quarters of a length.

"That was a really good effort and she fought like a good horse," Hawtin said.

Successful rider Mark Du Plessis also had words of encouragement after the filly had overcome the heavy footing to score.

"It was a good win and she didn't really cop the track and was doing her best work at the finish," he said.

Elle Tresor won one of her six starts last season, finished runner-up in the Listed Wellesley Stakes and also ran fourth in the Gr 3 Matamata Breeders' Stakes.

Raced by her Te Kuiti breeder Peter Guise, she is out of the Strike Diamonds mare Spot Of Luck.

14th August 2010
Further Success For 'Dream' Mare

Model racemare Nicole Amy made the step up to a metric mile with ease at Te Rapa on Saturday to further her impressive record.

The consistent daughter of Le Bec Fin was given a patient ride by Opie Bosson and put away her Rating 90 rivals with ease.

They had settled well back in the field before the champion jockey brought the mare with a well-timed run in the straight.

Nicole Amy has now won five times from 18 starts and a further 11 placings emphasises her genuine nature.

She is trained at Matamata by Paul Jenkins who is confident she is up to winning a good stakes race.

He said Nicole Amy was a good-natured type and a dream mare to have in the stable.

6th August 2010
Single Currency Back In Style

Mark down Single Currency as a horse to follow in the spring after his outstanding return to racing at Ruakaka today.

The four-year-old was out of his class in Rating 80 company but was still far too good in his first outing for 10 months.

"He's had a few issues, nothing major, and he's a very, very good horse," Cambridge trainer Chris Wood said.

He bought Single Currency out of Hallmark Stud's 2008 Festival Sale draft at Karaka for $29,000.

The son of Bachelor Duke won his first two starts and was turned out after an unplaced run in the Listed Sarten Memorial.

"He didn't finish all that far behind Katie Lee and was caught three wide the trip and only knocked up the last bit," Wood said.

Single Currency had placed in two trials before returning to competition at Ruakaka.

"They were both on heavy tracks and I'd like to think he'll be in some of the better races in the spring," Wood said.

"I'm not sure where he'll go next - we'll just have to look around somewhere for a good track."

Single Currency settled in fourth spot today and drew out stylishly in the straight to win by two lengths.

"He travelled sweetly all the way and showed a good turn of foot," rider Mark Hills said.

The gelding is out of the multiple winner Pennies In Heaven, a Pompeii Court mare from the family of dual Gr 1 winner and champion sire O'Reilly.




                                                                                    2010 - 2011 Season

30th July 2010
Major Honours For Hallmark

The Waikato Group One Awards evening in Hamilton proved a memorable occasion for Hallmark Stud on two fronts.

Home-bred star Katie Lee and farm co-principal Denny Baker were both honoured during the night.

Bred by the stud with Trevor Hurley, Katie Lee was named the Waikato Horse of the Year.

She enjoyed a sensational three-year-old season with dual Gr 1 wins when completing the 1000-2000 Guineas double.

The daughter of Pins and Miss Jessie Jay also claimed the Eight Carat and Sir Tristram Classics at Gr 2 level and Listed Sarten Memorial.

Katie Lee was the top-rated filly and second-highest three-year-old on the Free Handicap (1200-1600m).

A night to savour for Hallmark was completed with Denny Baker named the Waikato Personality of the Year.



KatieLee multiple Group 1 winner, 1000 Guineas - 2000 Guineas double.
Waikato Horse Of The Year 
Waikato Branch of  NZTBA 2009/2010



Banchee Group 1 winner of the Diamond Stakes, Ellerslie

30th July 2010
Owner's Winning Roll Continues

Hawke's Bay owner Margaret Harkema has struck gold for the second time within seven days with a Hallmark Stud graduate.

She was successful last week with Tom Sawyer (Le Bec Fin) at Foxton and again yesterday at Wanganui won with Speck.

He is a grey son of former resident sire Spectatorial out of the unraced Sun And Shine mare Ruakiwi Sunshine.

A $5500 weanling purchase, Speck is a half-brother to the well-performed I'm The Business. She was a stakes-placegetter in New Zealand before her sale to America where she won a Listed race and was Gr 2 placed.

Speck is trained at Hastings by Sue Thompson-Brown and was making just his third raceday appearance at Wanganui.

 

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 2YO filly in ownership change

Banchee now part of the Pencarrow racing/breeding empire – exclusive report from Adrian Clark of NZTM

The season’s outstanding two-year-old filly Banchee has been sold by Sam Kelt to Peter and Philip Vela of Pencarrow Stud.
 
The winner of both the Ford Diamond Stakes-Gr.1 and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes-Gr.2 this season, Banchee will be wearing the Vela brothers’ famous blue and white colours when next seen on the racetrack.
 
Sam Kelt made this significant announcement exclusively to New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing this morning.
 
“Peter Vela told me that if I ever wanted to sell the filly, could I give him the opportunity to buy her,” said Sam Kelt.
 
“We’ve had a fantastic time racing the filly and John Sargent has done a superb job,” added Kelt.
 
“She couldn’t be going to a better home,” Kelt concluded.
 
By Oratorio from Miss Jessie Jay, Banchee is not only a Group One winner in her own right, but a half-sister to Katie Lee, Sir Patrick Hogan’s Pins filly who created history when winning the NZ 2000/NZ 1000 Guineas double at Riccarton Park this season.
 
“She’s a filly I’ve liked ever since I saw her as a yearling when sold by Hallmark Stud through our Karaka Premier Sale,” Peter Vela told NZTM today.
 
“It’s now a fantastically-commercial family, so she’s going to make a wonderful addition to our broodmare band at Pencarrow Stud at the end of her racing career.”
 
Banchee changes hands with a record of 6 starts for 3 wins and her placings include a second in the ARC Eclipse Stakes-Gr.3 and a third – when coming from last – in the $1m Karaka Million-RL.

Banchee - the Group One-winning half-sister to Katie Lee has been sold to Peter & Philip Vela



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 Ford 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.