News Briefs - October 14

Jumal goes number one, Eurostyle retired and other open class trotting news, a 50th win for a Kiwi-bred overseas and Kaikoura's marquees all feature in this week's News Briefs.      

Jumal now No 1

Superstar three-year-old Jumal is now the highest earning horse in this country this year. Going into the weekend he was second on $403,040 behind The Race winner and Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup favourite Leap To Fame ($430,000). But his win in Friday's Group 1 $100,000 Braxton Farriers 3YO Flying Stakes Mobile has seen him go to number one. Worth $55,000 in stakes, it was his eighth win this year from just nine starts. His stakes this year now stand at $458,040. Bruntwood Brigade and Buffy Northstains are the only others to have had eight wins in 2026.    

Eurostyle retired

Multiple Group-winning trotting mare Eurostyle is off to be a mum. The seven-year-old, a winner of 13 races, has been retired after injuring her hind leg. Her last start was a ninth in September's Ordeal Cup at Addington. Among her top wins were the Group 3 Dark Horse and the Group 3 Heather Williams Memorial (twice). She'll now be served by In Range, a 1:51.8 nearly $US800K-winning grandson of Muscle Hill, whose frozen semen is available on both sides of the Tasman through Yabby Dam Farms. 

1 year 2 wins  

Prestigious' terrific win in the Renwick Farms Trotters Classic at Addington on Friday completed a very unusual double for driver Kimberly Butt. It was in fact her second win in the race this year. She also took out the Group 3 feature with (the now retired) Eurostyle in February.  Prestigious sealed his spot in the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot  with Friday's win and is currently a seventh favourite in the markets at $12 after opening at $51.  

New trotting winner

There'll be a first time winner of Friday's Group 3 R D Butt Canterbury Park Trotting Cup at Addington and for the victor will be the bonus of automatically qualifying for the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot on Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup day on Tuesday on November 10. None of the horses in the field have sealed their spot in the $400,000 feature as yet and none were involved in the same race last year. The early favourite is the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Higher Power. Recent winners of the race including Muscle Mountain, Oscar Bonavena, Sundees Son and Bet N Win have all been retired. The five trotters to have qualified for the Dominion this year so far are Gus, Mr Love, Mighty Logan, Habibti Pat and Prestigious. 

50th career win

Now 11, the Kiwi-bred On The Cards has just had his 50th career win. It came at the Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland in the USA last week, paying $21 for the win. The son of Bettor's Delight was bred by Brian West and Neville Tilsley and had 11 wins from 49 starts in this country for Barry Purdon (and/or Scott Phelan) before heading to the USA in 2021. His last race here was a sixth in the 2020 Summer Cup at Alexandra Park.

Group 1 for former southerner

Purchased by Southland trainer-driver Kirstin Green for $17,000 at the 2024 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale, Skinny Dippin has just claimed her first Group 1. The three-year-old took out the Western Oaks at Gloucester Park in Perth. She had two wins for Green before being sold and has won five times in 13 career starts, earning more than $130,000 in prizemoney.

Club News : Kaikoura  

With Kaikoura's big day fast approaching some mini marquees are still available. The two day meeting will be held on Sunday/Monday November 2 and 3. The marquees will be on the Lyell Creek Lawn. The cost is $800 for 2 days, with a marquee, table and 10 chairs included. BYO drinks, catering available on request with Country Feasts. All enquiries to : [email protected]

Club News : Waimate  News

The stakes have been confirmed for Waimate Cup day at Timaru on October 25. The Cup, which was won last year by Rock Band for Steve and Amanda Telfer,  will be worth $20,00 and be for R51-75 Pacers while the feature Trot, a R41-60 will be for $15,000. The annual meeting will be held on the all-weather track at Phar Lap Raceway.

Wai Eyre Farm Stallion Open Day

Wai Eyre Farm will hold a stallion open day this Saturday (October 17). Breeders will get a chance to win free services to on-farm stallions, plus a frozen service to Village Mystic and one service to EL Titan. The open day starts at 1.30pm where there will be a parade of their on-farm stallions including Lazarus and US Captain. Yabby Dam Farms will also discuss their stallions on the day. Following the presentation of stallions guests will be invited at 3pm to travel through Wai Eyre Farm before arriving at Dancingonmoonlight Farm where they will be able to enjoy hospitality and view the establishment. Everyone who RSVPs in advance and attends will go in the draw to win stallion services on the day. Services available will include Village Mystic, Classic Connection, On A Streak, EL Titan, Enchauffour, Lazarus, US Captain and Carlton. (Terms and conditions will apply and will be sent on confirmation of RSVP via email). These services will be drawn following the stallion parade at Wai Eyre Farm, and winners must be present to claim the prize. Please email your RSVP before noon Friday 16 October to [email protected] or call Jess on 027 261 4427, or Lisa on 03 312 6338.