http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.theoaksstud.co.nz en-us Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:07:06 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/163111/navy-ensign-looking-to-go-back-to-back/ Navy Ensign delivered on his promise when winning his maiden over a mile at Pukekohe last month, and he will attempt to double his tally when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to tackle the MyRacehorse 1600.The U S Navy Flag gelding carries the silks of part-owner David Archer, whose colours have been to the fore this season through fellow three-year-old Belle Cheval, who was victorious in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), and while Navy Ensign isn’t in the same tier, he has b... Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:08:09 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post163111 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/162899/lady-iris-on-target-for-breeders-stakes/ Genuine filly Lady Iris will bid to crown a rewarding preparation with an overdue stakes success.The Stephen Marsh-trained three-year-old is at the tail-end of her preparation and will head toward her final outing of the season in winning form.The daughter of U S Navy Flag accounted for a competitive age group line-up at Trentham on Saturday and will chase the first black-type victory of her career before a deserved break.“She’s only small, but she is as game as they come and was great again... Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:21:40 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post162899 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/162117/guineas-ideal-fit-for-improving-flashback/ Emerging three-year-old Flashback has progressed well during his fledgling career and higher honours beckon the son of Darci Brahma at Trentham on Saturday.Trainer Stephen Marsh believes the Gr.2 Taylor Property Plus Wellington Guineas (1600m) sets up as an ideal opportunity for The Oaks Stud-bred and raced representative to further his record.“It’s a good target for him and not as strong a race as I thought it would be, so I think he’s a really good chance,” he said.“Racing is improvi... Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:47:57 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post162117 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/161166/group-one-winner-savaglee-retired/ Group One winner Savaglee has been retired from racing and a new home is being sought for the four-year-old entire as he transitions to a career at stud.Bred by Waikato Stud, Savaglee is by their Champion Stallion Savabeel and out of Glee, a full-sister to Group Three performer Symphonic, the dam of dual Group One winner Orchestral.They offered him through their 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he attracted the eye of The Oaks Stud’s General Manager Rick Williams, w... Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:24:34 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post161166 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/160735/ritchie-seeking-fourth-nz-oaks-crown/ The Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) may have a new home, but Cambridge horseman Shaune Ritchie is hoping his strong record in the race continues as he seeks his fourth title in the race on Saturday.To be run at Ellerslie for the first time this weekend, the New Zealand Oaks was previously contested at Trentham where Ritchie won three editions of the fillies’ classic with Keep The Peace (2010), Artistic (2012) and Jennifer Eccles (2020).Ritchie, and training partner Colm ... Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:29:59 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post160735 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/160163/navy-ensign-seeking-breakthrough-win/ Promising three-year-old Navy Ensign will be seeking to break through for an elusive maiden victory when he heads to Te Aroha on Wednesday to contest the Taylor Perry Insurance NZB Mega Maiden (1150m).The son of U S Navy Flag (pictured) was initially purchased as a pinhook prospect by part-owner David Archer out of Haunui Farm’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft for $47,500, but was retained after he failed to meet his $60,000 reserve at the Ready To Run sale later that ye... Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:38:04 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post160163 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/159890/tajana-in-prime-order-for-oaks-lead-up/ Tajana is coming toward the sharp end of her season and co-trainer Shaune Ritchie is well-qualified to rate her chances of ending it on a high.The top-rated filly will attempt to add further winning momentum to her Classic campaign when she steps out in Saturday’s Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2100m) at Te Rapa.Ritchie has already won the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with Jennifer Eccles (2020), Artistic (2012) and Keep The Peace (2010) and will bid for his first in the Al ... Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:31:48 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post159890 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/158975/pukekohe-detour-pays-off-for-tajana/ ... Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:37:09 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post158975 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/158973/stakes-targets-looming-for-well-related-filly/ Stakes targets are looming for well-related filly Quello Dolce after she posted her second successive win in the Aztech Engineering LTD Sprint (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday, but she will have to wait until ANZAC Day to get her chance at black-type.Bred by Westbury Stud General Manager and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Chairman Russell Warwick and his wife Lesley, Quello Dolce is by U S Navy Flag and out of Group One winner Il Quello Veloce, and she is raced by the couple in partnership with ... Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:23:22 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post158973 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/post/158758/speed-dragons-huge-valley-victory/ Francis Lui Kin-wai joined an elite group of trainers to reach 1,000 wins in Hong Kong when Darci Brahma gelding Speed Dragon stormed home from last for a stunning victory in Wednesday night’s Group Three January Cup (1,800m) at Happy Valley.Champion trainer in 2023-24 and the handler of champion galloper Golden Sixty, Lui joined John Moore (1,735 wins), John Size (1,629), Tony Cruz (1,583), Caspar Fownes (1,196) and Ricky Yiu (1,082) in reaching the major milestone when Winning Money and Spee... Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:55:11 +1300 http://www.theoaksstud.co.nz/blog/#post158758