Ontrack’s New Zealand Horse and Wine Tour is promising to be one of the most interesting with news that a major development at the world famous Cambridge Stud is nearing completion.

Cambridge Stud is always one of the highlights of the Ontrack New Zealand tour each November and it became famous around the world for the success Sir Patrick Hogan achieved with champion stallions Sir Tristam and Zabeel.

Sir Patrick sold the stud to fellow Kiwis Brendan and Jo Lindsay late in 2017 and the change of ownership sparked a major project to rejuvenate the farm.

“Brendan and Jo are passionate Kiwis and passionate racing people and they wanted to give new life to the farm while preserving the legacy Sir Patrick established,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan.

“When our tour was there last November work was just starting on replacing virtually every building on the farm.

“All the work was planned with input from Sir Patrick and it will be fantastic to get back in November and see what’s been achieved.

“The Lindsays are perfectionists and I’m pretty certain that the end result will be spectacular.
“It’s also going to be interesting to inspect the latest addition to the farm’s stallion roster in well performed Roaring Lion.

“He was the best three-year-old in the world according to Cartier ratings in 2018 and the winner of four consecutive Group One races and his book for his first spring has been closed,” said Grant Morgan.
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View progress at Cambridge Stud

Top Hong Kong trainer John Moore looks to have some serious horsepower for December’s big International meeting in unbeaten gallopers Aethero and Thanks Forever.

At Sunday’s big Sha Tin meeting Moore enjoyed a great day with three winners from four starters and Aethero and Thanks Forever both recorded their second wins from two starts.

The young horses are likely to be aimed at December’s big Hong Kong International meeting and both look highly exciting prospects.

Aethero is a Sebring two-year-old and a half-brother to Hong Kong-owned but Sydney trained Everest contender Classique Legend and was a $575,000 purchase at last year’s Inglis Easter Sale.

Ontrack Racing runs an annual tour to the Hong Kong International meeting and Managing Director Grant Morgan said the form shown by Aethero and Thanks Forever will have their connections looking towards December.

“Hong Kong owners love winning on International day at Sha Tin and you can bet John Moore will want to have these young horses in one of the big Group Ones on that day.

“Thanks Forever is an interesting horse because he won first-up in Hong Kong in June last year and then had a long time off the scene before resuming last Sunday with an impressive win.
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“He obviously had an issue, but John Moore is a great trainer and he’ll be wanting to get this horse into a nice race come the big meeting in December,” said Grant Morgan.

Recent race and sales results have ensured Triple Crown winner American Pharoah will be a major drawcard for this year’s Ontrack Racing Hunter Valley Horse and Wine Tour.

The son of Pioneer Of The Nile shuttles from America to stand at Coolmore Stud in the Hunter Valley and he’s making headlines in the Northern Hemisphere from his first crop.

His first yearlings sold for up to $2.2 million and on the racetrack his first runner Monarch of Egypt bolted in for legendary trainer Aiden O’Brien while Maven was a debut winner at Aqueduct in the US for Wesley Ward and is heading to Royal Ascot.

This week a colt by American Pharoah was sold for 1.1 million euros at the Deauville breeze up sale.

“Last spring was the first time the Ontrack Tour got a close-up look at American Pharoah and the horse didn’t disappoint,” said Ontrack’s Grant Morgan.

“He’s a lovely stallion and a very athletic individual and it comes as no surprise that he’s making headlines with his first Northern Hemisphere crop.

“This year’s Hunter Valley trip will be unique in that Coolmore Stud will present two Triple Crown winners in Justify and American Pharoah.

“That’s going to be something truly remarkable.

“It was interesting that the American Pharoah colt at Deauville was purchased by Coolmore’s MV Magnier.

“Coolmore is never afraid to back their stallions and this colt will head to legendary French trainer Andre Fabre’s famed Chantilly stable.

“The colt was purchased at last September’s Keenland Sale for $US275,000 so it’s a great pin hook result for Grove Stud.
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“If you have the right horse for these breeze up sales the results can be very, very lucrative,” said Grant Morgan.