OTHER NEWS

Fortuna runners score a winning double on Karaka Millions Day (but not at Ellerslie)

Karaka Million Day 2024 at Ellerslie was a great occasion as the glamour day of New Zealand racing returned to the famous course – a sellout crowd of 12,000 (including 850 from the Boys Get Paid Group, a great atmosphere, class horses, the three year-old race with an increase in prize money to $1.5, a brand-new $1 million race for the four-year-olds – it was all on for young and old. Notable that both the Prime Minister, Chris Luxon and the Deputy Prime Minister (and Minister of Racing), Winston Peters were on course – surely a great endorsement for a resurgent NZ Racing industry!!!

The weather was a wee bit indifferent as the day went on but certainly didn’t damage the atmosphere. To be fair, the new track did not quite meet expectations being a bit slippery on the day, however the jockeys, who are the ones who risk life and limb, were happy to continue.  Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) have acknowledged the issue surrounding the track, have listened to the input from riders and trainers and are promising improvements for the next race meeting there.

From a Fortuna perspective we hosted over 100 people on track and we had booked a great facility in the Tote on Ascot room with plenty of space, big screen TVs, betting facilities, not to mention the bar and carvery of course – we were there for our wonderful two-year-old Bellatrix Star who was running in the Karaka two-year-old event and our syndicate Members were expectant, given her last start success in the Group Two Eclipse Stakes on New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, she was slow away, which probably cost her a winning chance, but ran on very strongly for a fourth placing, was certainly far from disgraced and our Syndicate Members, who were there on the day, while naturally disappointed, were very proud of her and thrilled that they could be there on the day with a real live chance in a $1m race.

However Fortuna runners did not come away empty-handed on the day as earlier at Riccarton, a  well judged ride by Joe Kamaruddin had seen Angels Wings score her third career win over 1100m down the Riccarton chute (Click HERE to see that story and replay), and then 20 minutes after the Karaka Million was run, our Singapore runner Elliott Ness defied an outside barrier draw to win the Class 4 1100m event, bringing up his 4th  career win in Singapore, after being given a lovely ride by stable apprentice Sarwi Jamil (Click HERE to see that story and replay). There was a certain irony with this victory, as Elliot Ness is by Written Tycoon, who of course is the Sire of the KM 2yo winner, Velocious, however we had several Members of the Bellatrix Star group who also have shares in Elliot Ness, so there was quite a din in the Tote on Ascot room as he surged to the front!!!

Fortuna  was active at The NZ Bloodstock annual Karaka Sales

As I’m sure you are aware the 2024 edition of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling sale – Book one – was very strong with significant increases in turnover average and median prices. We have secured two Yearling offerings to date, one a three year year-old staying type of Filly, the other a get up and go two year-old type, by a really exciting young Stallion, who we think has a real chance of being our Karaka Million two-year-old type for next season – as always, we are very firm on budget, but managed to secure two lovely lots within budget, but did have a bit of a tussle to achieve that with the 2yo type

Lot 219 – the El Roca – Megara Filly

We just love buying this type of horse. She won’t be an early runner but has the physique and the pedigree to develop into a really nice middle distance staying type as a 3yo – and gee, there are some great prizemoney races for three-year-olds aren’t there – from the Classic 1000 guineas at Riccarton, to the Karaka three-year-old Classic on Karaka Million day, now for prize money of $1.5 million and of course from 2025, the new NZB Kiwi “slot race” for prize money of $3.5 million. By a stallion in El Roca, who is a top 5 NZ Stallion, and who is really starting to make his mark and out of a winning Encosta De Lago mare, who has had five to the races for four winners, there is a lot to like about her pedigree page as well. Notable that El Roca has already left two racemares that have won the Group One Levin Classic, Travelling Light and Romancing The Moon. Given good race day success, a Filly like this would have great residual value as a broodmare also

Read all about her below and also at the link HERE – orders for shares in this Filly can me made online from this link

About The Yearling Filly by El Roca out of Megara

This beautiful Filly was acquired by Fortuna Racing and David Ellis at the 2024 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Yearling sale – this after David, in conjunction with fellow thoroughbred selectors, Marcus Corban and Fortuna’s NZ Trainer, Mark Walker, had conducted extensive inspections over the previous six weeks. As always, our focus was very much on type and any Fillies that made the shortlist needed to have ticked several boxes before they could be on the list. We also had a budget and we are firm on not going above budget. Our budget for this year sale was NZ$120,000 and we managed to secure this lovely Filly for NZ$105,000 from her Breeders, Westbury Stud

Pedigree

This Filly’s Sire, El Roca, a Sire son of Champion Australian Stallion, Fastnet Rock, is well proven Stallion with 135 winners to date with several Stakes Winners, including the Group One winners, Traveling Light and Romancing The Moon

The Dam, Megara (by Encosta De Lago) was a winner in Australia and she is the dam of five foals to race, with four winners, including the Listed winner, Red Striker and the Te Akau trained Accidental Tourist who is Stakes Placed.

Click HERE to view this Filly’s pedigree

Physical type

This Filly, whom we have given the Stable Name “Meg” is a beautiful walking Filly of good size and scope. She certainly ticked all of the usual boxes we look for when trying to select genuine, athletic types.

Click HERE to see her parade ahead of the Karaka Sale

The Yearling Filly by El Roca out of Megara

Preparation and Racing Plans

“Meg” has been transported to Te Akau Stud in the western Waikato – she will paddock spell there for approximately six weeks before commencing her breaking in process. This usually takes around 5 to 6 weeks and after being broken in she will travel to the Matamata stables of Te Akau Racing,  where under the close eye of Fortuna’s trainers, Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, she will have her first preparation –  this will last about three weeks and after that she will go for a further paddock spell before returning to Matamata for a more complete preparation, which may well culminate in a trial at some stage during the spring of 2024 and ongoing plans for her will be dependent on her physical progression and maturity at that time. Presenting as a physical type who will develop into a strong, powerful 3yo, we will take her along patiently in her early preparation, but as a well grown, early foal, she may well be ready to make her raceday debut in the Autumn of 2025

Here is what our selection Team have to say about this Filly

Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis says

“John, once again  you have done incredibly well here with a beautiful physical type of Filly here  We loved this Filly when we paraded her – she has a lovely walk and has plenty of size and scope about her. By a Stallion who leaves consistent performers and out of an Encosta de Lago mare, who is out of a Danehill mare, she has a lovely pedigree page and we bought her at a great price – she represents exceptional value for you and your Syndicate Members.”

Te Akau Racing Trainer Mark Walker says 

“John, this Filly by El Roca really caught our eye at inspections – she is very athletic with a great walk and we think she could run as an Autumn 2yo but train on nicely to be a lovely 1600m plus type 3yo –  out of a mare by  Encosta de Lago who is a Champion Broodmare sire, the dam herself had had four winners out of five to the races including one that is a Stakes winner and one who is Stakes placed – she is a ripper”

 Syndicator’s view (John Galvin)

“We love buying Fillies who present as real athletes at inspections and have the size and scope to develop into middle distance/staying types as 3yo’s – this Filly by El Roca certainly ticked all of the boxes we look for and we were very happy to secure her within budget ”

Karaka Millions Race Series

Note that “Meg” is to be registered for the Karaka Millions Race Series. This means she is eligible to run in the Karaka Millions 2yo event over 1200m for $1m run at Ellerslie in January of 2025 and the Karaka Millions 3yo event over 1600m for $1.5m run at Ellerslie in January of 2026 – she is also eligible to run in the NZB Kiwi – the new “slot” race for 3yos over 1500m for prizemoney of NZ$3.5m

Disclosure Statement & Agreement

View and/or Download the Disclosure Statement and the Syndicate Agreement for MEG

Read the Declaration.\

Terms

• Shares available right down to 1%.
• 10% share $16,000, 5% share $8,000, 2.5% share $4,000, 1% share $1600 – with ongoing costs from 1 April 2024 @$44 per month per each 1% share
• Initial Capital includes Purchase Price, NZ GST, Promoters Fees, Insurance to 31 Jan 2025, Karaka Millions Race Series Fee and working capital of over $7,000
• Monthly ongoing costs from 1^st April 2024 – from that date ongoing costs are – 10% share $440 per month – 5% share $220 per month – 2.5% share $110 per month – 1% share $44 per month.
• Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers by Bank Payment or Credit Card

Go to the link HERE  to order shares – feel free to contact John direct by return email or call/text him 021 921460 if you require further information or need assistance with the ordering process – John is always available to speak with you at anytime

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Entain and NZ Racing – the gift that just keeps on giving

As readers may be aware, the writer has had a lifelong involvement with thoroughbred racing – since my early teenage years in fact and have had some great experiences over the years attending race meetings, having a punt, socialising with friends and fellow racegoers and then, since the early 2000s, some great thrills as a private owner, and of course, even greater thrills as a syndicator since 2007 with over 250 winners emanating from our syndication business

Yet taking all of that account, I don’t believe that I have ever observed as much excitement or anticipation in thoroughbred racing as there is at the present – everywhere I go, everyone I talk to, there is just such a buzz and it seems as if almost every week there is a new announcement about prizemoney increases, new races, new bonus schemes or incentives. It’s certainly a great time to be involved in racing and on track it’s just amazing to see the crowds  – virtually every race meeting I have been to over recent months has been a sellout or close to a sellout and notable that is  intergenerational as well, with great representation from that 20’s/30’s demographic.

Betting turnover is up substantially and I guess that is only natural as increasing stakes and enhanced marketing means increase participation by both industry participants and its followers – from my perspective I think one of the most exciting things is that the new initiatives and incentives are going to greatly assist to keep our better horses here in New Zealand, rather than seeing them many of them sold off shore as has been the case for the last 25 years or so

There is no question that the involvement of Entain in New Zealand racing since they have taken over the day-to-day operations of the TAB since the 1st of June 2023, has been a major factor here. The people at Entain understand racing, they understand betting, they understand what drives betting turnover, they understand marketing, and they have observed at firsthand the growth in the Australian market over the past two decades and are now applying those principles here in New Zealand.

I had an interesting conversation with a senior management person from Entain recently who had been previously employed at the old TAB in a similar role, I asked them what the essential difference was and they said “John, it’s pretty simple – everyone at Entain at senior level is invested in racing. They like to bet, they own shares in racehorses, they love going to the races, whereas back in my TAB days, I hardly had any colleagues that were actively involved in racing”

Since Entain took over the former TAB day to day operations we have seen an immediate 28% increase in Stakes across the board. Group One Racing prizemoney is now double what it was three years ago and similar stats apply to other levels of Group and Listed races. At the bottom end, the minimum stakes for Maiden races have been lifted significantly and Grade races both midweek and Saturdays are now providing Owners with a reasonable return.

At the top end, we have seen the Karaka 3yo Classic go to $1.5m this year (won by Orchestral) and the new 4yo race for $1k (won by Desert Lightning) have both been warmly received by the racing fraternity

A couple of weeks ago, we saw the announcement of the NZB Kiwi, a “slot race” modeled on Sydney Racing’s highly successful Everest – this is a 1500m race for 3yo’s to be run at Ellerslie on their new “Champion’s Day” which sees the Auckland Cup, the Derby and other elite races all combined into one huge day of racing. As we have seen with the Everest, the hype, anticipation and publicity surrounding the allocation of slots and the participants involved in that process, both equine and human, is a real driver for wider public participation in racing other than from its traditional support. Runner eligibility for this race is uncomplicated with runners having to either (a) be bred in NZ or (b) have been sold through a NZ Bloodstock or Gavelhouse Sale

Bonuses and Incentives seem to be the order of the day as per the two recent announcements below

KARAKA MILLIONS SERIES & NEW BONUSES – $2.9 million

NZB’s Karaka Millions sales graduates series comprises of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) plus two new bonuses announced for horses purchased out of Karaka 2024.
NZB has joined forces with Entain to introduce an additional $400,000 in available bonuses for horses offered at the 2024 National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.
The $200,000 New Owners Bonus will be won by the first horse across the finish line in the 2025 $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO that has 50% or more of the ownership being held by first-time owners. Aimed to introduce newcomers to the thrill of racehorse ownership, new owners can purchase a yearling at the fast-approaching yearling sales at Karaka in January and be racing for $1.2 million only a year later.
The $200,000 Book 2 Bonus will be won by the first horse across the finish line in the 2026 $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO that was offered in NZB’s Book 2 Sale in January 2024.
Sign up at the fall of the hammer for the Karaka Millions Series and your purchase could be racing for $1m in 12 months time and a further $1.5 million in 24 months plus bonuses.

Sires Produce Stakes to Kick Off $1 Million in Bonuses for The NZB Kiwi
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has today revealed the initial New Zealand races that will allow the country’s fastest juveniles to compete for their share of an additional $1 million in bonuses associated with the country’s first Thoroughbred slot race, The NZB Kiwi.
To be eligible for a share in the $1 million bonus pool, a horse must win one of the various Bonus Eligible New Zealand and/or Australian races, and also run a top three placing in The NZB Kiwi held on Champions Day (8 March 2025).
The Bonus for horses that run a place in The NZB Kiwi (provided they have won a Bonus Eligible race), will be $600k for first, $250k for second, and $150k for third place.
The first Bonus Eligible race will be the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) for two-year-olds, set to be run this season on 6 April 2024. The initial list of New Zealand Bonus Eligible races is outlined below:

• Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) – Manawatu Racing Club at RACE Trentham
• Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) – Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse
• Group 1 Barneswood Farm One Thousand Guineas (1600m) – Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park
• Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) – Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park
• Group 1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m) – Wellington Racing Club at RACE Trentham
• Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) – Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse
• Group 2 Cambridge Stud Alamanzor Trophy (1200m) – Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse
• Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) – Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse

Further incentives

Of interest to me was that the powers that be are not overlooking “grass roots” racing either. For example significant increases for the Matamata Racing Club’s flagship meeting in February, featuring the Matamata Breeders Stakes, were announced. Being run for $120k in 2023, this iconic race will be run for $150k in 2024 and with the enhanced Stakesmonies announcement by NZTR and Entain/NZ (in conjunction with the NZB Kiwi announcement) it will lift to $225k in 2025 and and incredible $300k in 2026. Other feature races at the same meeting are the Group 3 Fairview Matamata Slipper, run for $100k this year, the Listed Kaimai Stakes, run for $$80k and the Listed Lisa Chittick Plate, run for $50k. Under the new announcement, the stakes for these three races will go to $150k, $90k and $100k respectively in 2025 with further increase forecast in 2026. If those forecasts prove to be forthcoming, it could mean that total Stakesmonies at the Matamata Breeders Stakes day in 2026 could be in the vicinity of $1m!!! – this is an incredible outcome for a provincial Racing Club that does more than its share of “heavy lifting” with industry race days and of course, a great training facility

The bottom line on all of this is that it is a great time to be involved in NZ Racing – there is no question about the fact that the last 20 years or so have been extremely difficult for participants at all levels of NZ Racing and we have only been able to watch on in awe as our cousins across the Tasman have seen their racing industry go from strength to strength. However some important structural changes, emanating in the main from the Winston Peters inspired Messara report, are now taking effect – there is still a long way to go, particularly with race day facilities at many of our race tracks, but the momentum is certainly there.