Spring is Nigh

The best thing about winter, and passing the shortest day, is that we know Spring is on its way! 

It's the thought of our babies turning two, our young horses beginning their racing careers, our experienced horses resuming theirs - all the excitement that Spring brings - that keeps us all going through the cold winter months.

Foals are born, mares are mated, numerous trialists step out too - and the 'big boys and girls' come out to play.

The first Group 2 race of the season is staged at the Waikato Racing Club's (WRC) home venue at Te Rapa in Hamilton.  Both David and Karyn are past Chairmen of that Club, as well as Life Members, and always enjoy hearing good news from the WRC.  

This week, WRC Chairman John Elstob and CEO Andrew 'Butch' Castles had some brilliant news to announce regarding the time-honoured Foxbridge Plate - a race we have won two of the past four years with our classy Group 1 mares Avantage (who won nine Group 1 races) and Melody Belle (NZ's Group 1 record holder with 14 to her credit).

The Club reports:

Iconic farm Waikato Stud will, for at least the next 3 years, be the naming rights sponsor of the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate. Waikato Stud will sponsor the $120,000 Group 2 sprint that traditionally acts as a springboard for the campaigns of high quality gallopers in their hunt for Australasian Group 1 glory.

“Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate Day annually sees any number of high class horses resume from their Winter breaks and signals the arrival of Spring racing” commented Waikato Racing Club CEO Andrew (Butch) Castles.

“To have an industry icon like Waikato Stud lend their support to both the race, the day overall and the Waikato Racing Club in general is fantastic and shows their unwavering commitment to the thoroughbred racing industry,” Castles said.

Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick was delighted by the opportunity.

“Waikato Stud is delighted to take on the sponsorship of the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate, as well as the seven undercard races on the day that will each carry the name of one of our resident stallions.

“Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate Day ushers in spring racing across New Zealand and provides a chance for us to celebrate the start of the new breeding season. We are delighted to partner with the Waikato Racing Club and look forward to enjoying a great day out at Te Rapa.”

Winners of the last four renewals of the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate have been Mascarpone, Avantage, Endless Drama and Melody Belle, winners who underline the quality of this event.

What: Group 2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate, $120,000, 1200m

Where: Te Rapa Racecourse

When: Saturday 27 August 2022