Photos of Haunui Farm's Karaka 2010 Yearling Draft can now be viewed by visiting the SALES section of the website.

To view photos, please click on the camera image next to the yearling's Lot number.  Pedigrees can be viewed by clicking on the LOT number.

For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) took another step toward qualifying for the Wellington Cup field at Awapuni on Saturday when winning over 2300m in a Rating 90 event.

Drawn toward the outside, Booming was caught wide in the early stages of the race and was pushed forward to work his way across the field by jockey Opie Bosson. After leaving the homestraight for the first time, Booming was sitting just outside the leader before getting some cover partway down the back straight. Remaining handy for the entirety of the race, Booming set out to chase the race leader Montetra (NZ) (Montjeu) who had put a three length break on the field coming into the turn. The race never looked in doubt with Booming hitting picking up the leader and winning by a length at the line. 

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) four-year-old Brave Kid (NZ) continued his unbeaten run in Hong Kong this weekend with an impressive five length win over 1400m at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Trained by John Size, Brave Kid made it three from three and in doing so took another step toward qualifying for the Hong Kong Derby which will be run on the 14^th of March.  One of three winners for Elusive City in Hong Kong this season, the others being Blaze King (NZ) and Successful Era (NZ), Brave Kid's efforts have undoubtedly elevated interest levels in his progeny and the timing couldn’t be better with the yearling sales just around the corner.

“Brave Kid looks to be a very promising horse and being in the John Size stable he is going to have every chance to get to the elite level,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “We all know how competitive the Hong Kong racing scene is so to string together three-in-a-row shows this horse is definitely a class act,” he said.

Elusive City has 37 yearlings catalogued for Karaka 2010 with 13 to be offered under the Haunui banner.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty – 021 663 995 – or Shannon Taylor – 0212 855 513

Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) three-year-old Donna Mia (NZ) has a lot to live up to being a half sister to Group One New Zealand Oaks-winner Jungle Rocket (NZ) (Jungle Pocket) however on debut at Hawke’s Bay over the New Year weekend, she signalled that there could be more good times ahead for her connections.

Lining up over 1200m, Donna Mia was settled toward the rear of the field by apprentice jockey Rosie Myers and coming into the home turn was tailing the field. Once balanced, Donna Mia showed a powerful turn of foot to reel in her rivals and nab victory on the line.

“It was certainly an impressive victory,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “Coming into the straight I certainly didn’t expect her to win but she showed a huge turn of foot and I know her win had a few people talking,” he said.  “Jungle Rocket didn’t have her first start until early February and she went on to win the Oaks,” said Mark.  “There’s a long way between a maiden victory and lining up in a Group One race but it would be nice to think this filly might be headed along the same lines!”

Donna Mia was bred by David and Cynthia Pleasance and, Craig and Louise Betts.  Through New Zealand Bloodstock’s John Cameron, they purchased Jungle Rocket from Haunui’s 2006 Weanling draft and since then, have purchased Gu Li (NZ) (Last Tycoon), the dam of Jungle Rocket and Donna Mia.

Dasoudi (NZ) (Elusive City) proved too strong for her opposition at Ellerslie on Boxing Day with a commanding victory over 1200m taking her race tally to three wins and a second from only four starts.

Jumping quickly from the gates, jockey Danielle Johnson quickly had Dasoudi travelling well in the trail and with 300m to go made use of the inside run and finished the race off strongly to win by three-quarters of a length.  

Dasoudi will now head to the paddock for three weeks and will be aimed toward a number of black type races in the Autumn.

Another winner for Elusive City on Boxing Day was three-year-old Cizen Bank (NZ) who was victorious at his third start over 1400m in Malaysia.  His win gave Elusive City his fifth winner in five different Southern Hemisphere countries in the past month with winners in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore and now Malaysia.

Hong Kong is a unique racing environment, one of a kind on the world stage and achieving success there certainly helps to put a stallion on the map.  Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) is one such stallion that is beginning to make his mark in Hong Kong. 

Blaze King (NZ) (Elusive City), a two-year-old winner in New Zealand before taking up residence in Hong Kong, won his first three starts there at three and on debut this season from the stable of David Hall, was an impressive winner of a Class One event over 1000m. 

Blaze King’s win started the ball rolling for Elusive City and was closely followed by the debut victory of Brave Kid (NZ) (Elusive City).  Trained by John Size and ridden by Douglas Whyte, Brave Kid has since made it two from two, taking the step up in class with relative ease.  Impressive in his two starts to date, both trainer and jockey are touting Brave Kid as a horse to watch in the coming months and as masters of their trade in Hong Kong, people have certainly taken note.

The third of Elusive City’s Hong Kong winners this season came overnight with the victory of Successful Era (NZ) (Elusive City) at Happy Valley.  Settled mid-field on the rails by jockey Douglas Whyte, Successful Era found some space in the straight hitting the lead with a furlong to go and holding off some strong finishers down the outside of the track.

With only seven horses in Hong Kong and six starters this season, Elusive City is certainly building a reputation in Hong Kong, not to mention Singapore where from three starters this season All Elusive (NZ) and Williams (NZ) have been winners from the stables of Bruce Marsh and Laurie Laxon respectively.

“Conquering racing environments like Hong Kong and Singapore isn’t easy,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “It is so different from New Zealand and Australia so temperament plays a big factor and the Elusive City’s have obviously adapted well,” he said.  “With a Class One winner in Hong Kong already in the form of Blaze King and Brave Kid who if the reports out of the stable are anything to go by, could be in for a big season, Elusive City is really starting to make a name for himself” he said.  “The timing couldn’t be better with the yearling sales just around the corner and knowing the types Elusive City leaves, I think buyers should definitely be marking them down in their catalogues for inspection,” said Mark.

Elusive City has 37 yearlings catalogued for Karaka 2010 of which Haunui will offer 13 – ten colts and three fillies.  For more information in regard to Haunui’s 2010 yearling draft or to book an on-farm parade prior to the sales, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty – 021 663 995 – or Shannon Taylor – 0212 855 513.

Stakes performer Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) showed he is back to his best form at Awapuni on Saturday with a resounding victory in just his third start this preparation.

Settled toward the rear of the field over 2000m, Booming made an impressive run down the outside of the track to take out the last race of the day and left racegoers and viewers with a lasting impression when striding past his rivals to win comfortably.

Third in the Listed St Leger (2500m) last season, Booming looks set to be a strong contender in some of the major staying events over the summer.  “Don Eduardo started 2009 with a bang with Dashing Donna finishing second in the Railway, Vickezzchardonnay taking out the Taranaki Cup and All In Black taking out the Hawke’s Bay Cup so it would be nice to think he could finish the year off on a similar note,” said Mark Chitty.

2009 has seen five stakes winners for Don Eduardo, the three mentioned above and the multiple stakes winners Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) and Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) in Australia.  “Like Elusive City, it is nice to see Don Eduardo’s progeny hitting their straps at the right time of the year and I’m sure come yearling sale time there will be more black type performers added to his tally,” said Mark.

Four-year-old gelding Brave Kid (NZ) (Elusive City) made it two from two in Hong Kong this weekend with an impressive victory over 1400m at Sha Tin.

After winning on debut three weeks ago from the stable of John Size, Brave Kid was stepped up to Class Three company and handled the rise in class with ease.  Caught three wide for a majority of the race, Brave Kid copped some buffeting on the home turn however when balanced up and asked to sprint by jockey Douglas Whyte, he was quickly challenging for the lead and was ridden hands and heels to the line for a half length victory.

Brave Kid joins True Intelligence (NZ) (Elusive City) as winners for their sire in Hong Kong this season whilst All Elusive (NZ) (Elusive City) has been impressive in Singapore with a win, a second and a third from just three starts and Williams (NZ) (Elusive City) made an impression with a victory on debut.

“The results just keep coming for Elusive City in Hong Kong and Singapore which can only be seen as a positive leading into the yearling sales,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “Ahdashim has won and been stakes placed in Australia this spring and with the likes of Dasoudi, Marzia, Sister City and Elusive Chik all sticking their foot in the till in New Zealand, Elusive City is certainly enjoying a nice run leading into Summer racing,” he said.

Elusive City dominated the Festival Sale at Karaka 2009 with the two top lots and an average of just over $35,000 and in 2010, Haunui Farm will offer another outstanding crop of colts in that sale.  “It is nice to be able to follow up such an impressive Festival Sale draft last year with another line up of solid colts,” said Mark.  “We have a very solid draft overall with three standout colts in Premier, I think we will offer our strongest line up of Select colts and once again, we have a great bunch of colts in the Festival Sale of which the Elusive City’s will be very popular,” he said.

Three-year-old gelding Distillery (NZ) (Don Eduardo) added his name to a growing list of impressive three-year-old performers for his sire Don Eduardo when effortlessly winning at Kilmore yesterday.

Facing the starter for the second time after finishing second by a neck at his first start, Distillery showed speed from the barriers taking the lead and then came back to jockey Mark Zahra nicely to settle at head of the field.  Popped the question on the turn, Distillery kicked away from the rest of the field easing down at the line with four lengths to spare.

Trained by Lee and Shannon Hope at Kilmore, Distillery is the fifth graduate of Haunui’s 2008 Ready-to-Run draft to salute the judge following Dunloe Park (NZ) (Lonhro), Celtic Fantasy (Aus) (Giant’s Causeway), Tuffinup (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) and, Williams (NZ) (Elusive City) and.  Always held in high regard by the stable, Distillery looks set to take the step up to city company at his next start.

Don Eduardo’s current crop of three-year-olds are the first to have been bred at Haunui Farm and already he has produced the stakes performing filly Miss Bindi (NZ), second start winner Elaparado (NZ) – both possible Classic contenders – Melbourne winner Meet Me At Raffles (NZ) and, Don Eduardo’s Best (NZ).

“It’s great to see Don Eduardo’s first Haunui-bred crop starting to notch up the wins,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “Distillery’s win yesterday was very impressive and with the story behind the horse it was certainly very satisfying,” he said.  “He was a colt that we targeted specifically for the Ready-to-Run Sale,” said Mark.  “He was always a good looking colt, almost black, of medium size with very good bone and muscle,” he said.

Don Eduardo has twenty four yearlings entered for Karaka 2010 and Haunui will offer fifteen of those yearlings.  “There is no doubt that getting winners on the board at this time of year is ideal leading into the yearling sales,” said Mark.  “There is no doubt the performances of Swift Alliance and Moti in Australia early this season has certainly put Don Eduardo on the radar of Australian trainers and in fact, we had a couple of mares sent to him this season from Australia,” said Mark.  “He has followed this up with some very nice three-year-old performers of late and some of his proven horses are starting to step back out again so it bodes well for the major carnivals ahead and we’re certainly looking forward to presenting some nice Don Eduardo’s come sale time,” he said. 

With five winners in the space of six days, Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) is starting to build some momentum leading into summer racing.

The roll started last Sunday with an impressive win on debut by four-year-old Brave Kid (NZ) (Elusive City) in Hong Kong.  Stepping out for the stable of John Size, he found the line comfortably in a Class 4 event over 1000m.

Marzia (NZ) (Elusive City) started the roll in New Zealand with a hard fought victory over 1200m at Avondale on Avondale Cup day.  Settling mid-field with plenty of racing room, Marzia was taken wide on the turn by jockey Michael Coleman and knuckled down to a tussle with race favourite Khemosabi (Aus) (Commands).  Marzia won the battle down the straight hitting the line just a head in front with a further three-and-a-half lengths back to third taking her race record to two wins, two seconds and two thirds from just ten starts.

Thursday saw an Elusive City double at Matamata with Sister City (NZ) (Elusive City) and Elusive Chik (NZ) (Elusive City) saluting the judge one after the other.  Bred by Trelawney Stud and raced by Brent and Cherry Taylor in partnership with Debora Ho, Sister City broke her maiden status when winning over 1200m.  Jumping from the inside barrier she was settled just behind the leaders by jockey Mark du Plessis and finished off her race in smart fashion crossing the line three-quarters of a length clear.

Elusive Chik followed suit one race later with an impressive two-and-a-half length victory over 1400m.  Upon settling from the start, Elusive Chik was three back on the rails giving runaway leader Papas Revolution (NZ) (Istidaad) a good six length break into the straight.  Once balanced up, Elusive Chik finished off her race strongly easily reeling in the leader and was eased down to cross the line for her second race win from ten starts.

"It has certainly been a good week after he has had some horses knocking on the door over the last few weeks," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  "Summer racing is just around the corner so it is nice to see Elusive City building some momentum with a number of racing carnivals coming up and I'm sure there will be a few more winners to add to the list by the time the New Year rolls around," he said.

Haunui Farm will offer a half sister by Perfectly Ready (Aus) (More Than Ready) to Group One Levin Classic-winner Eileen Dubh (NZ) (Storm Creek) at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Select Yearling Sale in February 2010.

Bred by the Moore family of Soliloquy Lodge, Eileen Dubh was passed in as a yearling at the one and only Carnival Sale and was subsequently leased to trainer Francis Finngegan who races her with fellow New Zealand-based Irishmen Ronan Costello and Roison McQuillan.

Out of Vingtaine (NZ) (Centaine) Eileen Dubh is a member of the Moore’s ever successful Solilquy family being out of a daughter of Soliloquy (NZ) (Sobig) in Solstice (NZ) (Marceau).  A family that has continued to produce an array of blacktype winners, this filly is closely related to the likes of Culminate (NZ) (Elnadim), Captivate (NZ) (Stravinsky) and Solvini (NZ) (Bertolini).

“This pedigree is littered with blacktype performers and it is a family that just keeps producing top-class racehorses,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “The yearling selections were already finalised before Eileen Dubh’s win in the Levin Classic but I’m sure there won’t be too many half siblings to Group One winners in the Select Sale catalogue so I’m sure this filly will be well inspected come sale time,” he said.

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) continued his run of success in Hong Kong on Sunday with the win of Brave Kid (NZ) (Elusive City) on debut for the John Size stable.

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) continued his winning run of the past seven days with the win of four-year-old All Elusive (NZ) (Elusive City) in Singapore on Sunday night.

Lining up from the stable of Bruce Marsh, All Elusive was settled at the rear of the field for the 1600m event by jockey Robbie Fradd.  Always on the outside, he was improving on the home turn and under a hands and heels ride, looked the winner all the way down the straight, putting the race to bed when changing gear at the 200m mark.

The last seven days has seen Elusive City sire winners in Melbourne, Hong Kong and now Singapore.

Lining up for the first time from the stable of David Hall, Blaze King (NZ) (Elusive City) was an impressive winner of the Class One Panasonic JOBA Handicap (1000m) in Hong Kong over night. 

Settling handy to the lead for jockey Brett Prebble, Blaze King surged to the front in the last fifty meters of the race, the four-year-old nabbing his fourth win in Hong Kong, adding to the three-in-a-row he bagged when first arriving there. Blaze King has now earned over $2 million in Hong Kong and if last night’s race is anything to go by, looks set to continue adding to that total this preparation.  

Blaze King's win comes on the back of an impressive victory by Ahdashim (NZ) (Elusive City) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day whilst stakes winning filly Lamington Vegas (NZ) (Elusive City) will be looking to become her sire's first Southern Hemisphere Group One performer when she lines up in the Group One Levin Classic (1600m) in just under three week's time.

Four-year-old mare Freedom March (NZ) (Flying Spur) began her new campaign in fine form for Darley and trainer Peter Snowden with an impressive victory over 1400m at Newcastle yesterday.  Bred by Marie Leicester, Freedom March was a graduate of Haunui Farm’s 2007 Easter Yearling Sale where she was sold for $475,000. 

Fellow Haunui graduate Justa Kinda Magic (NZ) (Magic Ring) recorded his fifth victory from eight starts when winning over a mile at Te Rapa on Saturday.  His second start in this preparation, Justa Kinda Magic proved a consistent performer last season with four wins and two placings from his six starts.  Justa Kinda Magic was sold by Haunui for $16,000.

Another Haunui graduate stringing the wins together is Beautiful Girl (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) who made it three-in-a-row at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day.  The winner of five from fifteen starts, Beautiful Girl has been placed on a further two occasions with her total stakes just over $70,000.  A raduate of Haunui Farm’s 2005 Select Sale Draft, Beautiful Girl was sold for $13,000.

Click here to view photos of some of Iffraaj's first Southern Hemisphere crop.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready-to-Run Sale is just around the corner with the two-year-olds set to fall under the hammer on Tuesday, 17th November. 

Many of the horses entered in the sale are turned out to the paddock after the breeze-ups but a decision by Glen Anderton to keep Lot 88, a colt by Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) out of three-time stakeswinner Sheka (NZ) (Sandtrap), has paid dividends.

Trialling at Avondale on the 5th of November, the colt jumped nicely from the barriers going to the front with Belisarius (Aus) (General Nediym).  Travelling nicely, the colt was given a little squeeze on the turn and let down impressively to win by five lengths over the 600m trip with a further four lengths back to third.

"It just goes to show that you shouldn't place too much emphasis on breeze-up times," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "This colt breezed up in 12.16 but he showed a good action and did everything right," he said.  "He has come out and won a trial very impressively and that will ensure that a lot of buyers have a serious look at him come sale time," said Mark.

For more information in regard to Haunui's Ready-to-Run Draft, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Four-year-old gelding Ahdashim (NZ) (Elusive City) impressed over the straight six at Flemington yesterday with a narrow victory over race favourite Here de Angels (Aus) (Dehere) in the MSS Security Sprint (1200m) on Melbourne Cup Day.

Trained by Gerald Ryan, Ahdashim was twice stakes placed at three, beaten only a nose on both occasions, and was placed in the Group Three STC Concorde Stakes (1100m) at his second start this preparation.  Sent to Melbourne in October, Ahdashim ran second to Here de Angels at his first start in Victoria and successfully turned the tables yesterday at Flemington.

Settling in behind the leaders, Ahdashim and jockey Blake Shinn had to deal with some traffic issues coming to the business end of the race but after getting onto the heels of Here de Angels, settled down to a head-bobbing finish over the last 100m with a photo finish finally going in Ahdashim’s favour.

“He should be the winner of two stakes races in Sydney if not for the bob-of-the-head,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm, Elusive City’s New Zealand base.  “He was due to win a nice race and certainly deserved to win a race like that and here’s hoping he can go on to get a black type win,” said Mark.

Elusive City is coming toward the end of his sixth season in New Zealand and at the end of December will return to the Northern Hemisphere where he will stand for the first time in France at Haras D’Etreham.  “Having sired a Group One-winning filly in France in the form of Elusive Wave, combined with the strong results he has had there over the last two seasons and the support he has had from French breeders, the decision was made by our Northern Hemisphere partners to stand the horse in France,” said Mark.  Elusive City’s Northern Hemisphere fee was announced last week which see’s him headline the stallion roster at his new home at a fee of €20,000.

Three-year-old filly Miss Bindi (NZ) (Don Eduardo) broke through for her maiden victory at Ellerslie yesterday, taking her race record to a win and four placings from just five starts.  Continuing a run of outside barrier draws, Miss Bindi drew barrier 17 over 1400m at Ellerslie yesterday.  Checked by jockey Cameron Lammas to avoid Andrew Calder who fell from his mount, Pearl Dancer (NZ) (Danehill Dancer), Miss Bindi's one-and-a-half length victory was even more impressive given that she made her run from the rear of the field. 

Stakes placed in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie at her last start at the end of September, Miss Bindi has continued to impress her breeder and owner Ngaire Fraser, enough so that the filly will now go directly to the Group Two Avondale Guineas.   

“Michael Manson trains the filly for us and he does a great job,” said Ngaire.  “He actually trained Yellow Brick Road, the dam of Miss Bindi, and brought her down to Haunui to be covered by Don Eduardo when she was still up at Ruakaka with him,” she said.  “His wife used to work for Donna Logan and she tells me that they by-passed going to Christchurch and Trentham with Vapour Trail and went to the Avondale Guineas and she went on to win the Oaks,” said Ngaire.  “It would be dreaming to think this filly could do the same thing but who knows!” 

Miss Bindi is one of three stakes performers for Don Eduardo for the 2009/2010 season, joining the likes of Group Three-winner Swift Alliance (Aus) and multiple stakes winner Moti (NZ) – both in Australia.  With a total of ten stakes performers to his credit to date, nine of these coming in 2009, Don Eduardo has proved a popular choice with breeders this season and is set to serve a full book of mares by the time the breeding season is completed.  “He is a great stallion in the breeding shed,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “He is very professional and most importantly, very fertile,” he said.  “It has been great to see his numbers creeping up and up during the season and there are a lot of his progeny just starting to step out onto the tracks again and I’m sure there will be some big results to come,” he said.