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Farewell to Mike Moroney – New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame Trainer

New Zealand Hall of Fame trainer and multiple Group 1 winner Michael Moroney, who won the 2000 Melbourne Cup with Brew, sadly passed away in his sleep on Thursday 27th Feb 2025 aged 66, after previously battling serious illness and associated health issues.Mike Moroney was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023.At the time Trans-Tasman trainer Mike said it was an honor and that he was pleased his late father Denny, who passed away in the previous year aged 93, was aware o...

Oceana Dream: A Legacy of Excellence from Trelawney Stud and the Wanless Family

Oceana Dream, bred by Judi Wanless and reared at Trelawney Stud, is the latest in a long line of successful horses from this renowned farm, running third in the Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (G2) over the weekend Oceana Dream showed he is right on track to be a major contender in Trackside NZ Derby.Trelawney Stud, owned and run by the Taylor family, has built a legacy of producing top-tier thoroughbreds, with the Wanless family being long-time loyal friends who has already tasted success wit...

Shanwah: A star on the rise

The well-related Shanwah (NZ) (Too Darn Hot) fetched $750,000 in the Karaka sale ring two years ago, and he has lived up to that price tag with an increasingly impressive winning treble that culminated in Saturday’s A$300,000 Group Two Stow Storage Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield.Shanwah is by boom sire Too Darn Hot and is closely related to the Group One winners and sires Ocean Park (NZ) and Grunt (NZ). He was offered by his co-breeders Trelawney St...

Shanwah Shines Bright with Dominant Caulfield Win

Bred by Trelawney and long-time partner John Struthers, Shanwah – a striking colt from Too Darn Hot’s first crop – delivered a blistering performance at Caulfield on Monday, winning in class record time. This follow-up to his maiden victory at Mornington has firmly marked him as a rising star.After a flawless start, Shanwah tucked into the trail, and when the gap appeared at the top of the straight, he exploded, powering away to a commanding 3-length victory, easing down as he crossed the ...

Oceana Dream Eyes NZ Derby

Roger James is targeting a seventh $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) with unbeaten three-year-old Oceana Dream, a gelding bred at Trelawney Stud, on behalf of long time friends, Judi and Ron Wanless. The stud, known for producing multiple Group One winners, has once again showcased its excellence with this promising son of Ocean Park.After a comfortable debut win over 1400m, Oceana Dream stepped up to the mile in last Saturday’s Trelawney Stud 1600m at Ellerslie, overcomin...

Shanwah Wins at Mornington, Showcasing Strong Family Ties

Shanwah secured his first victory at Mornington on January 22, 2025, after a strong performance in the Mornington Cup Maiden Plate in Australia. The gelding, trained by Ciaron Maher, showed promising signs in his earlier starts, and his first win validated the high expectations around him.Shanwah's performance also highlighted the quality of his breeding, by Too Darn Hot out of Lady Sayyida, bred and sold by Trelawney.This year in the NZB Karaka sales we have a colt (Lot 417: Snitzel x Zayy...

‘I can tell you there’ll be a Group 1 winner out of it’ - Predictions for Karaka Yearlings Sale

Cherry Taylor is certain about one thing surrounding Trelawney Stud’s draft for this year’s Karaka Yearling Sale, but unsure about another. “I can tell you there’ll be a Group 1 winner out of it,” she said. “I just can’t tell you which one it will be.”That’s some pretty good ground to stand on - and at the tantalising odds of 16-1 for those who buy from them, given the size of their draft.And nor is it some idle boast or piece of marketing hype. The odds are probably in fact sh...

Flying Aquarello set for Karaka Millions start

Fast-improving mare Acquarello (Written Tycoon) produced the perfect dress rehearsal for her Karaka Millions Night assignment at Ellerslie on Sunday, putting away a compact field of class horses in the Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1400m).The daughter of Written Tycoon has scarcely put a foot wrong throughout her five-year-old term, finishing in the first three at every start including a victory in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and a second placing to subsequent Group One winn...

Acquarello Triumphs at Ellerslie, Set for Karaka Million Night

Acquarello delivered a top performance at Ellerslie yesterday in the Auckland Co-Op Taxis 1400, securing a well-deserved victory under jockey Michael McNab. The talented mare, trained by Tony Pike, showed her class and resilience throughout the race, holding off a determined field to claim the win.Pike was understandably pleased with the performance, which marked another success for his stable. Acquarello's victory adds to her growing reputation as consistent performer in her class.After her win...

Fabulous foals: The crop of 2024

Exceptional pedigrees and striking types stand out among the top foals of 2024. Kristen Manning from ttrausnz.com.au caught up with breeders and stud staff to hear their top picks from this year's exciting arrivals. Which foals will go to which sales, which will be retained, who will train them, what will a good name be, all the fun things breeders do as they dream of their next big winner.Trelawney's Brent Taylor is one example of a breeder who has his thinking cap on right from the start ...

Farewell to Petit Verdot: A Mare Who Left Her Mark

This week, we said goodbye to Petit Verdot, a mare who may not have been the fastest on the racetrack, but was undoubtedly a star in every other sense. With a heart as big as her presence, she was a farm favorite and loved by all who worked with her.Petit Verdot was not destined for greatness on the track, but she more than made up for it in the broodmare paddock, where she truly shone. Over the years, she produced 14 foals who collectively won more than 30 races, including 9 Group and Listed vi...

Moody and Dalziel visit Trelawney for first round of yearling parades

Peter Moody and Wylie Dalziel visited Trelawney Stud last week to experience our first round of yearling parades. These yearlings will be available for purchase at the 2025 Karaka sales. It was great  to see them visit the farm and enjoy an afternoon with us. See below a few images....

Trelawney Stud Offers Two Strong Colts at Karaka Ready to Run Sale

At the 2024 Karaka Ready to Run Sale this week, two exceptional colts caught the attention of buyers. The first, a chestnut colt out of Astor, by Circus Maximus, was purchased by Leighton Howl and Jo Pride. This colt is expected to shine on the racetrack with his strong pedigree and impressive physical presence.The second colt, a striking bay by Vinevale, sired by Savabeel, sold to Import Racing Australia Ltd. With Savabeel's consistent success as a sire, this colt is a promising addition t...

Acquarello Claims Valuable Black-Type Success

Patiently handled mare Acquarello has the looks to match her rich pedigree and she’s now added winning black-type form to her record to boost her future broodmare value.Trainer Tony Pike identified Wednesday’s Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton as the ideal race for the five-year-old and she duly obliged with a commanding victory off the front.The Trelawney Stud-raced daughter of Written Tycoon had been in fine touch ahead of her southern venture and she del...

Stakes hopes in tip-top order for southern challenges

Tony Pike’s runners haven’t missed a beat in their bid to successfully execute a black-type double for the stable at Riccarton on Wednesday.The Cambridge trainer has the in-form Witz End and Acquarello in the feature events on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival with Matt Cartwright and Michael McNab their respective riders.The lightly raced Witz End confirmed his passage south for a crack at the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) with a last-start success at Ellerslie to take his record to fo...

Trelawney Stud Proudly Reflects on the Career of Pride of Jenni Following Her Retirement

At Trelawney Stud, we are filled with immense pride as we reflect on the remarkable career of Pride of Jenni following her retirement from racing. Bred by our team, this exceptional mare has not only left an indelible mark on the racing world but has also become a true testament to the quality of bloodstock produced at Trelawney.From the very beginning, Pride of Jenni showed immense promise and talent. She has been a shining example of the type of horse we strive to breed — one that combines s...

Witz End Secures Spot Down South After Ellerslie Win

Cambridge gelding Witz End(NZ) (Savabeel) booked his plane ticket south to Christchurch later this week following victory in the Powerturf 1500 at Ellerslie on Tuesday. The Savabeel gelding jumped well and was taken straight to the front by jockey Matt Cartwright and the pair didn’t relinquish their advantage, holding on for a half-length victory over the fast-finishing Skyman. The four-year-old has swiftly made his way through the grades, having now won four of his eight c...

Storm Front strikes on debut at Ellerslie

Storm Front’s (NZ) (Snitzel) pedigree, trial form and reputation within the Tony Pike stable created a buzz around his race-day debut in Saturday’s DunstanHorsefeeds 2YO (1100m) at Ellerslie, and the promising colt produced a first-up performance worthy of the hype.Storm Front is by Australian super-sire Snitzel out of the Per Incanto mare Indecision (NZ), who Pike trained to win six races including the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m), Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) and NZB Finance S...

Two Exceptional Colts at the Ready to Run Sales in Karaka

As the Ready to Run sales approach in Karaka, excitement is building for the debut of two standout colts that promise to capture the attention of buyers and racing enthusiasts alike.Lot 237: Savabeel x Vinevale (Bay Colt)Lot 281: Circus Maximus x Astor (Chestnut Colt)Both colts have been expertly broken in and prepped by Kit Brooks for their breeze up’s, known for his meticulous approach and careful guidance to training young horses.Both colts will undergo x-rays etc  this week, ensuring ...

Cox Plate showdown set for Jenni

Superstar Trelawney Stud-bred mare Pride Of Jenni out ran all of her rivals in her last attempt over 2000m, and she will be out to do that on the biggest stage in Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.Prior to last season, Pride Of Jenni had placed at Group One and Group Two level, but she catapulted herself into stardom with stunning front-running victories in the A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), A$3 million Gr.1 Champions Stakes (1600m) and A$3.7 million All...

Pride of Jenni ready for more Randwick magic

Ciaron Maher says Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) could not be going any better as she returns to the scene of her most devastating win this weekend.The superstar mare heads to Randwick to contest the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), her first run in Sydney since her demolition win in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at the course in autumn.“It’s exciting,” trainer Ciaron Maher said.“It doesn’t matter where you run her, it’s exciting every time you take her to t...

Trelawney’s Pride of Jenni Crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year

Pride of Jenni has been honuored as the Australian Racehorse of the Year 2024, a title she earned after a stellar season under the guidance of top trainer Ciaron Maher. Bred at Trelawney Stud by Brent and Cherry Taylor, she showcased exceptional talent with multiple Group 1 victories.In winning this prestigious title of Australian Racehorse of the Year, Pride of Jenni surpassed strong contenders such as Without A Fight, Riff Rocket, and Mr Brightside. Her remarkable performances throughout the y...

Lim’s Kosciuszko Final Finale in Singapore this weekend

In what might be a case of saving the best for last, superstar Karaka graduate Lim’s Kosciuszko(Kermadec) won the Gold Cup in 2023 and is back to defend his title in the final edition on Saturday.The Lim’s Kosciuszko story began somewhat inauspiciously, with breeders Trelawney Stud passing him in with reserves of $75,000 and $60,000 at Karaka 2019 and the Ready to Run Sale respectively. But he has gone on to become one of the all-time greats of Singaporean racing.Lim’s Kosciuszko has ...

Pride Of Jenni dazzles in Feehan

Star Trelawney Stud-bred mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) put on yet another stunning front-running display to prevail in a thrilling Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on AFL Grand Final eve.The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was brilliantly ridden by Declan Bates who enabled her to skip to her customary lengthy lead before she withstood the late challenge of Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) who was as gallant as ever in defeat. New Zealand breeders supplied the trifecta, ...

Trelawney Bred Noble Pursuit Shines in Hong Kong

Last night in Hong Kong, Noble Pursuit delivered a win in the Class Three Central Handicap (1,650m at Happy Valley), securing a well-deserved victory. Bred by Trelawney Stud, this impressive son of Savabeel—out of the Flying Spur mare, Okahu Bay—was purchased from the Karaka Ready to Run sale and showcased his exceptional talent on an international stage.Noble Pursuit is not only one to watch but also boasts a strong pedigree, being a half-brother to the talented late Pareanui Bay (Lonhro x ...