News

From time to time we will add news about the graduates of Kilgravin Lodge and others with whom we have a connection.

SARAH TWENTYMAN ENJOYS HER DREAM JOB AT KILGRAVIN LODGE 16/05/2013

By Phillip Quay
MediaPA

One of New Zealand’s leading horse women, Sarah Twentyman, says her role at Matamata-based Kilgravin Lodge is a dream job.

Sarah (26), a top eventing and showjumping rider in her own right, is the stable manager at Kilgravin Lodge where she has worked for three years.

She runs the day-to-day side of the operation. She assists with breaking-in and provides guidance to the riders when required at Kilgravin Lodge.

“Being around horses is my dream job and Kilgravin Lodge provides that opportunity for me,” she says.

“I have learned a lot from Eion Kemp (co owner) who is always willing to share his knowledge of horsemanship skills,” Twentyman says.

“I have watched Eion closely and based what I do around him so that the horses are in no doubt of what to expect from both of us,” she says. “It is a very natural way of educating young horses and you have to look at the results on the racetrack of the horses we have had go through the sales to see it is working.”

Group One winners Sangster, Zurella and Artistic are shining examples of the level of success that Kilgravin Lodge has been achieving in recent times.

“Eion is always thinking ahead of what is going to work best for the operation and its clients,” Sarah says. “He always has the welfare of the horses at heart and treats them all as individuals and caters for their needs accordingly”
Eion Kemp of Kilgravin Lodge says: “Sarah Twentyman has a sound practical knowledge of horses and what we are wanting to achieve at Kilgravin Lodge.”

Sarah has been an equestrian competitor since a very young age and at 17 was the youngest-ever rider to compete at three star level in eventing at the three-day event at Taupo.

In the past couple of years she has been plagued by injury setbacks but she is keen to resurrect her riding.

GROUP ONE SUCCESS FOR KILGRAVIN AND LANCE NOBLE 14/04/13

Kilgravin Lodge had a role to play in the success of Viadana who provided Matamata trainer Lance Noble with his first Group 1 winner at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Viadana captured the winners' prize in the $200,000 Easter Handicap and the win brought back plenty of memories for Eion Kemp, who operates Kilgravin Lodge.

"She was broken in, agisted and pre-trained at Kilgravin Lodge," says Eion.

"She was a weak and later maturing type and was tough to handle. She didn't enter the stable until she was in her third preparation. I've got to say she was strong willed and had attitude," he said.

Eion Kemp said he was thrilled for Lance Noble that he gained his first Group 1 training success with Viadana.

"Lance has been a client of Kilgravin Lodge from the outset and we are rapt for him," says Eion Kemp.

Kilgravin Lodge was also represented by Brave Centaur in the Easter Handicap as well as by Zurella.

DOUBLE KILGRAVIN SUCCESS AT ELLERSLIE MEETING 18/03/13

Kilgravin Lodge principal Eion Kemp took immense satisfaction out of yesterday’s feature races at Ellerslie yesterday with both Group Two winners graduates of the Matamata preparation farm.

Upset Falls Restaurant Avondale Guineas winner Valbuena and Sangster, whose victory in the Cardinal Logistics Avondale Cup served to shorten his Gr. 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup odds, gained their early education at Kemp’s establishment.

Ironically, both horses were unwanted as yearlings at Karaka where they failed to meet their reserves and the Peter and Philip Vela-bred and owned Valbuena also failed to sell when put through Kilgravin’s 2011 Ready to Run Sale draft.

“I’m fortunate enough to do all Pencarrow Stud’s ready to runners and he came back to us after the sale and then went on to Bruce Wallace,” Kemp said. “He was a nice type and a good moving horse with an excellent attitude, but he was a bit weak and needed time.”

Valbuena was making just his sixth raceday appearance at Ellerslie and his 34-1 win in the hands of James McDonald saw his Gr. 1 TV3 New Zealand Derby odds tumble from $31 to $6. Holding $3.50 favouritism is Habibi, who suffered her first defeat yesterday when third.

Sangster was passed in as a yearling when offered by Windsor Park Stud and was subsequently purchased by co-trainer Trent Busuttin for a meagre $19,000 out of Kilgravin’s 2010 Ready to Run Sale consignment. The Savabeel four-year-old has now won more than $1.5 million and is a commanding $2.20 Auckland Cup favourite.

“He also had time written all over him,” Kemp said. “He was a big, tall and weak horse and was definitely a staying type.”

MELBOURNE RAID FOR SYDNEY SPRINTER 28/09/12

The attraction of a feature race at the ideal distance has prompted Sydney trainer David Payne to make a one-off Melbourne raid with the reliable but ageing Centennial Park (NZ) (Thorn Park).

Payne will run the gelding, who has battled incessant leg injuries his whole life, in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Sunday. Read More

ELEGANCE IMPRESSES IN GOLD TRAIL 22/09/12

Richly-bred filly Pure Elegance (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) added a quality performance to her potent pedigree when she claimed the Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes at her three-year-old debut at Hastings on Saturday. The winner of her sole two-year-old outing at Waipukurau, the aptly named filly got home impressively at the expense of the Group One-performed Rollout The Carpet (Holy Roman Emperor)."We’ve always had a lot of time for her and Jason gave her the gun run," said Steven Ramsay, who prepares Pure Elegance with his partner Julia Ritchie for New Zealand Bloodstock principals Peter and Philip Vela. "Once she gets up to a mile she’ll be really smart". Read More

PURE ELEGANCE HEADS QUALITY GOLD TRAIL STAKES 21/09/12

A high-class field of three-year-old fillies has been assembled for Saturday’s Group Three Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings with the Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie-trained Pure Elegance (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) likely start favourite in the first leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series.
A winner of her only start to date when trouncing her rivals at Waipukurau back in March, the regally bred Pure
Elegance has prepared for her racetrack reappearance with a trials victory at Paeroa. Read More

ZURELLA IN CUP BID 21/09/12

New Zealand trainer Shaune Ritchie admits he has to tread a fine line dealing with his capricious mare Zurella (NZ) (Zabeel). The talented four-year-old is the favourite for the Group Three Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday with a win giving her direct entry into the Caulfield Cup.While Zurella has improved “remarkably” since her winter spell and first-up win at Flemington in the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) earlier this month, she always gives Ritchie nervous moments. Zurella is consistently unruly before the start of every race, and Ritchie says he needs to find a mix between calming her down and preserving her precocious nature. Read More

JAMES UNVEILS CLASSY TOUCH TO WIN 21/09/12

Roger James unveiled promising three-year-old Touch Win (NZ) (Excellent Art) at Poverty Bay on Thursday, with the highly-touted gelding living up to the wraps when winning the Roseland Tavern 1200. Starting a well supported favourite, Touch Win found the line two lengths in advance of talented fellow debutant Biddable (NZ) (Exceed And Excel) under a hand ride from Vinnie Colgan. “He looked like he would learn a lot from the experience,” said a delighted Roger James post-race. “He’s come here a boy and might hopefully go home a man. “He’s got a lot of raw ability but he just needs a few miles on the clock probably. “ Read More

TRIP IDEAL FOR TOM 21/09/12

A well-judged ride from apprentice Koh Teck Huat paved the way for Tom (Darci Brahma) getting back into the winner’s list in the $75,000 Class 3 Stakes over 1400m on Friday night, writes Craig Brennan. And the victory brought up a winning double for trainer Laurie Laxon, who had previous success with To Be Remembered (Pins) in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden. Returning a dividend of $85, Tom sailed down the outside to record a one-and-a-half length victory from City Lad (Elusive City) with Totality (Danroad) a head away in third place. Read More

SILVERON WARRIOR WINS AGAIN IN SINGAPORE 16/09/12

Warrior wins again Kiwi-bred three-year-old Silveron Warrior (NZ) (Spartacus), a debut winner two runs back and third at his next start, both over 1200 metres, took the step up to 1600 metres in his stride to score an easy two-length win at Kranji on Sunday night.“He’s been a cheap and good buy. He cost me only $21,000 at the Ready to Run sales last year and he’s already won twice and placed once,” said trainer Leslie Khoo. “He will probably get even further later on.”

GRAYSON SQUARE WON'T BE RUSHED 14/09/12

Brisbane trainer Brian Wakefield will resist the temptation to rush talented three-year-old Grayson Square (NZ) (Savabeel) interstate for a spring carnival campaign, even though the gelding’s narrow but impressive win on debut at Doomben last month immediately floated the idea of lofty goals.

“I was toying with taking him interstate but the timing wasn’t right and I would prefer to keep him up here for his immediate future,” Wakefield said. “The plan is to run him in a 1200 metre three-year-old QTIS race at Doomben on Saturday then a 1400 metre race at Eagle Farm a fortnight after that. Read More

CRAFTY IRNA TOO GOOD FOR RIVALS 07/09/12

2011 Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes winner, Crafty Irna. has kicked of this season's campaign in grand style having won the A$100,000 La Gioconda Stakes over 1600m last night, recording her third career victory.
Only two weeks before hand Crafty Irna produced a very bold performance fresh up when running Dystopia to half a nose in the Listed Toy Show Handicap over 1300m at Warwick Farm, a distance not preferred by the daughter of Starcraft.
The daughter from Singapore Horse of the Year Zirna, Crafty Irna is the third foal and is doing the job on track for her family and of course when she eventually retires to stud. Read More

CRAFTY IRNA IMPRESSES IN FRESH STATE 28/08/12

Kilgravin Lodge graduate, Crafty Irna, produced an outstanding performance over the weekend when running second by the smallest of margins in the Listed Toy Show Handicap over 1300m at Warwick Farm on Saturday.Going down to the Chris Waller trained mare Dystopia, the 1300m trip was well short of the Starcraft filly's ideal distance and could be one of the mares to following over the coming months.Trained by R J Quinton, Crafty Irna was offered at the 2009 Karaka Premier Yearling Sales where she was sold on account of Westbury Stud and managed to fetch a tidy $125,000 sum. Read More

FREEDMAN ON FIRE WITH KILGRAVIN GRADUATES 24/08/12

Singapore trainer Michael Freedman could have another Darci Brahma superstar to go alongside his eleven-from-eleven champ Super Easy (NZ). The latest version, Super Junior (NZ),(Pictured) established his own, more modest, two-from-two record when overcoming difficulties to score at Kranji in the $65,000 Novice Stakes on Friday night. Ridden by Joao Moreira, Super Junior scored a fighting neck victory over Hot Gold (Danny Beasley) with Flag Of Command (Ivaldo Santana) three-quarters-of-a-length away third. Freedman said the gelding did a good job in landing the prize as he had raced tight over the last 300m . Read More

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CAVALLO SUPER IMPRESSIVE IN WIN 24/08/12

The Michael Freedman trained Cavallo (pictured) was super impressive last Sunday night when winning on his second race day appearance in a $65,000 restricted maiden stakes over 1100m at Kranji last night. By Vinery Stud's Testa Rossa, Cavallo was bred at Westbury Stud by Principal Gerry Harvey and was sold at the 2011 Ready to Run Sale for $130,000 on account of Lyndhurst Farm, Cavallo was broken in by Kilgravin Lodge before heading to Lyndhurst. Ridden by Stephen Baster, Cavallo provided the Singapore based jockey his fourth win for the night and also rode him in his first start when running third. "I gave him a pretty ordinary ride on that day. He was very green and was slow out of the gates," said Baster. "But he had no luck as we couldn't get out when I wanted, but he still ran on strongly. "We were expecting a good run today, but again, he missed the kick. I was able to get him in a good position this time, and the horse did the rest in the end." Read More

ANOTHER IMPRESSIVE WINNER FOR KILGRAVIN IN SINGAPORE 11/08/2012

Owners dream of finding that good horse and when it’s their first it is even more special.

First time owners, as a part of the Mummify Stable, landed their first success with their first runner in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1000m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

Ridden by Stephen Baster, first starter Ronnie Brown (NZ) (Darci Brahma), the $9 favourite, scored a four-and-a-half length victory over Pure Tactics (Strategic) with Idealistic Moment (Barley A Moment) a length-and-a-half away third. Read more

VASIL HOPING BIRDIE HAS CHANGE OF LUCK 09/08/12

A wide barrier proved detrimental when Green Birdie (NZ) (Catbird) had his first start in Melbourne since returning from Hong Kong and an inside gate turned out to be almost as bad at his second.

So, for his third run this time in, trainer Tony Vasil has chosen a race in which the barrier draw is almost irrelevant.

A Group One winner in Singapore, Green Birdie runs in Saturday's Group Three Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) down the Flemington straight course.

"We had no choice but to go right back to last in his first-up run," Vasil said. Read more

2011 KILGRAVIN RTR HORSES IMPRESSING AS THEY HIT THE TRACKS 05/08/2012

Silveron Warrior (NZ) (Spartacus) scored an upset victory in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden (2 & 3YO) race over 1200m at Kranji on Friday night when swooping to defeat Code Red (Came Home) by a length.

After enjoying a soft lead, Code Red looked home when he pinched a two-length break with 200m to run, but he had no answer when the Leslie Khoo-trained debutant Silveron Wings came from midfield with a powerful turn of foot.

Khoo said he had expected a forward run from Silveron Warrior, who is raced by the same connections as handy middle-distance performer Silveron Wings (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe), but was a little taken by surprise by the win. Read more

SUPER JUNIOR HANDLES THE PRESSURE ON DEBUT 30/07/2012

Newcomer Super Junior (NZ) (Darci Brahma) lived up to the pre-race hype when he scored a debut win in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1000m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

Sent out the favourite on the strength of three trial victories, Super Junior provided jockey Joao Moreira with his fourth winner for the evening in scoring a one-and-a-half length victory over Oasis Spur (NZ) (Rusty Spur) with Mr Know It All (Sequalo) three-and-a-quarter lengths away third. Read more

ENTRIES ARE CLOSING SOON FOR THE 2013 YEARLING SALES 7/06/12

Spaces are filling fast. To secure your yearling a place in the Kilgravin Lodge Yearling draft ring Eion today.

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STAKES SUCCESS FOR WEALTHY MAN 6/06/2012

courtesy of NZB

Six-year-old New Zealander Wealthy Man (NZ) (Danzighill x Tatts M' Name) claimed his first stakes success in Macau on Saturday, beating top racehorse Luen Yat Forever (Honours List) to win the M$700,000 M-2 Macau Directors' Cup (1500m).
French apprentice jockey Charles Perkins gave Wealthy Man the perfect ride in the feature race of the meeting, jumping on the speed before settling in the box seat just off the leaders and powering away in the straight. The race winning time of 1 minute 25.5 seconds was a new track record, over half a second quicker than the old record of 1 minute 26.1 seconds. Read more

OAK PARK WINS ROTORUA STAKES 12/05/12

Cambridge trainer Murray Baker pulled the right rein with Oak Park (More Than Ready) at Rotorua on Saturday.
But his assistant trainer Andrew Forsman was afraid that getting into the Listed weight-for-age Rotorua Stakes (1400m) might have been like feeding her to the lions.

As it worked out, the tiny filly produced a giant-killing act in the hands of Lisa Cropp to claim the 1400 metre fillies and mares feature.
"I thought she was a certainty in the three-year-old race and that was the race I wanted her to go in,'' Forsman said.
"It's nice when it all works out like that. It doesn't always.'' Read More

KILGRAVIN ENTERS YEARLING MARKET 04/05/12

Kilgravin Lodge has extended its range of thoroughbred services with the establishment of a yearling division on their Matamata complex.

It will run alongside Eion and Megan Kemp’s successful agistment, breaking-in and pre-training operations as well as specialist Ready to Run Sale preparations. “For the last 12 months we have been looking at our business as a whole and ways to expand and as we already successfully do the Ready to Run Sale made sense to utilise our skills and facilities further to do yearlings,” Eion Kemp said.

“This year we’ll be looking to prepare a draft of between 10 and 12 and aimed predominantly at the Select Sale and Festival yearlings.” Read More

KILGRAVIN GRADUATES QUINELLA NEW ZEALAND OAKS 19/03/12

A formidable partnership all the way round no matter which way you look at it. With Kilgravin, The Oaks Stud and Shaun Richie taking the quinella in the New Zealand Oaks on Saturday with Artistic and Zurella. Artistic was also the fist Group one winner for her sire Darci Brahma. Read more

BLACK TYPE FOR EIGHT SCHILLINGS 19/03/12

Kilgravin graduate claimed another stakes races at the feature meeting at Trentham on Saturday with Eight Schillings (NZ) winning his first race at stakes level.

The inform sprinter Eight Schillings (O'Reilly x Landon) brought up a stakes winning double for trainer Stephen McKee in the $50,000 Listed Sakhee's Secret Melbourne Racing Club Lightning Handicap. Read more

3 GROUP ONE RUNNERS FOR KILGRAVIN 03/03/12

Kilgravin will have 3 group one runners today between Auckland and Flemington. Zurella will kick things off on this side of the tasman in the New Zealand Derby and has a realist chance of picking up another Group one for Team Oaks as well as increase the ever growing list of Kilgravin Graduates picking up Group sucess. Later in the day Sangster and Bombalatomba will go head to head in the Australian Guineas. We wish Trent , Chris Hyland and Rohan Hughes all the best with their charges.

ZURELLA PROVIDES ANOTHER GROUP WINNER FOR KILGRAVIN 13/02/12

Kilgravin graduate Zurella (NZ) raced into Oaks and Derby contention at Te Rapa on Saturday with an impressive win in the eighth leg of New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year Series, the $100,000 Group 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m). Read more

A BIG THANK YOU 06/02/2012

KILGRAVIN is off to a great start for the current year. We would like to thank our local owners, trainers and breeders as well as our international clients for entrusting us again with their valuable purchases at the recent 2012 NZB Yearling sales.
All the horses have settled in well and are enjoying a well earned break before they come in to be broken in.

KILGRAVIN ON BUYING SHEET 05/02/2012

Kilgravin Lodge once again had a presence on the buying sheet of the recently finished 2012 NZB yearling sale series, with three purchases over the select and festival sales. All three colts will head towards the 2012 Ready to Run sales in November. They are by commercially sort after stallions and have been purchased with the Asian market in mind.

Kilgravin purchases include:

Towkay colt out of a half sister to the stakes winner and Hong Kong performed BYRON
Elusive City Colt half brother to the Hong Kong winner Fortune Together
Bachelor Duke Colt out of a half sister to ISTA KAREEM multiply stakes winner

Kilgravin Lodge is still in the market for other 1 or 2 quality colts suitable for the 2012 Ready to Run sales. If you have something that may be suitable either email us on eion@horsebreaker.co.nz or call me on 0274 55 7776.

ANOTHER MAJOR GROUP ONE FOR KILGRAVIN LODGE 31/10/11

Sangster joins the growing list of Group One graduates of Kilgravin Lodge. Others include Keep the Peace, Green Birdie, Fully Fledged, Jessicabeel, My Scotsgrey, Guillotine and Vigor.

For a horse unwanted as a yearling, Sangster has given plenty of judges, good and bad, cause to think again since, writes Darryl Sherer. Originally passed in as yearling at the New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, he then went to NZB Ready-To-Run Sale where he was purchased for NZ$19,000 and yesterday at Flemington he ran out the winner of the AAMI-sponsored $1.5 million Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m). Read More

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KILGRAVIN RTR GRADUATE SHOOTS FOR VRC DERBY 27/10/11

The Ready to Run Sale has produced two Derby winners since 2010 and will be looking to take number three in one of Melbourne's spring features, the $1.5 million VRC Derby on Saturday.

With Military Move (NZ) (Volksraad) winning the Group 1 New Zealand Derby in 2010, and the Ready to Run Sale's newest Group 1 winner Shootoff (NZ) (Duelled) taking the Group 1 Queensland Derby in June, the inform Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel x Quinta Special) will be representing the Sale in the big race.

New Zealand bred horses have a strong record in the VRC Derby winning four of the last five runnings with Efficient (Zabeel), Kibbutz (Golan), Monaco Consul (High Chaparral) and Lion Tamer (Storming Home) and Sangster looks a leading chance for the kiwis. Read More

2011 READY TO RUN DRAFT 12/10/11

It's that time again and once again Kilgravin Lodge will present a quality draft of well educated and prepared two year olds at the up coming NZB Ready to Run Sale to be held at Karaka on the 15th and 16th of November 2011. The Breeze Up's will be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on the17th and 18th of October 2011. The two year olds have all progressed well over the last couple of month's to a stage where they are ready to go on Monday 17th. To view the Kilgravin Lodge draft . Kilgravin Lodge Breeze up videos and times

MR TIPSY WINS MARTON CUP 17/01/11

The Bjorn and Murray Baker-trained galloper Mr Tipsy (NZ) (Montjeu) announced a sweet return to form with a bold win in the Listed Gallagher Group Marton Cup (2200m) on Saturday. After settling the dual Gr.1 placegetter in eighth, jockey Opie Bosson pulled the talented six-year-old gelding into the clear upon straightening, and with momentum gathered, put paid to all others 100m from home.

Well done to Scott and his team at Flemington Park as well as Murray and Bjorn . Kilgravin Lodge is pleased to be associated with Mr Tipsy in his breaking in and more recently with his rehabilation from his injury sustained in Australia. Congrats guys and may he continue on with this form to Australia. Read More

KILGRAVIN PAIR TAKES BREEDERS STAKES

Past graduates Obsession and Cool Storm claim 1st and 2nd place in the Group 2 at Pukekohe. Both fillies were broken in here at Kilgravin Lodge and we send our congratulations to their prespective owners and trainers.

Obsession (4 Br. M. Bachelor Duke – Mystery Creek, by Kaapstad) managed to overcome some adversity in a topsy-turvy run $100,000, Group II, NRM/Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes for Fillies and Mares over 1400-metres at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Scrubbed along in the early stages by rider Matthew Cameron before settling beyond midfield on the rail, Obsession sidestepped a concertina effect to a group of horses off the pace near the 600m before surging into the clear at the 300m.

From that point, she unwound a strong finish to collar the game pacemaker Cool Storm (One Cool Cat) in the shadows of the post. Read More

ALL ROADS LEAD TO KARAKA

All roads lead to Karaka next month for Kilgravin Lodge as their grand final looms with a quality consignment of young talent bound for the auction ring.
The NZB Ready To Run Sale on November 16 and 17 has become the most significant event on the Matamata operation’s calendar.
"Everything we do during the year is aimed at this sale and we've become even more focussed on it in recent times," principal Eion Kemp said. Read More

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RICHARDSON WINS WITH KILGRAVIN DOUBLE

Both Atom Cat & Show Up are graduates of Kilgravin Lodge. Atom Cat received early education before continuing with Richardson and Show Up was both broken in and pre - trained by us for her owners. Kilgravin Lodge congratulates the respective owners and the Richardson Stable for their double win with Atom Cat and Show Up.

From Maiden status to winning an eighth race within ten months is a monumental performance for any horse and trainer. A feat achieved by local horseman Graham Richardson and Atom Cat (5 B. G. Traditionally – Gatestopper, by Carnegie), winner of the $45,000, Listed, Team Wealleans Matamata Cup over 1600-metres at Matamata on Saturday. Read More

GREEN BIRDIE CONFIDENCE

We will be watching with interest the Sprinters Stakes in Japan, urging on Green Birdie. He is another graduate having been broken in and pre trained here before moving on to Casper Fownes.

The other slight worry about Ultra Fantasy is that he lost some weight on the journey to Nakayama, via the quarantine stable in Tokyo. “He lost about 25lbs in his travels,” says Yiu, “but he’s relaxed and put the weight back on. Japan’s bad weather has been a slight problem too as it’s made the track very deep. So we haven’t been able to work him quite as we’d wanted, and postponed the fast work he was going to do on Wednesday. But the plan now is to give him his final gallop tomorrow.” Read More

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SINGAPORE SLING MAKES AMENDS IN SOLILOQUY

Kilgravin Lodge offers congratulations to Lisa Anderson & Grant McLeod on their first Stakes Winner and wish them continued success.We also have a connection with the third place getter, Cool Storm, who we broke in.

A tooth and nail finish to the $45,000, Listed, Soliloquy Lodge Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1400-metres at Ellerslie on Saturday saw 12-1 Singapore Sling (3 Gr. F. Starcraft – Gin Sling, by Western Symphony) pip the odds on favourite Dating (O’Reilly) by a nose.

The other grey filly in the race, Cool Storm (One Cool Cat), finished three-quarters-of-a-length away in third. Read More

READY TO RUN CATALOGUES ON LINE NOW

The line-up for Karaka's 2010 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs has been unveiled, with the 494-strong catalogue now online at www.nzb.co.nz Read More

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HUSSONET - SUNLINE FILLY WINS HER FIRST TRIAL

Kilgravin Lodge broke in Sunsett for her owners.
Sunsett, the three-year-old daughter of Arrowfield Stud's sire Hussonet and world champion racemare Sunline, on Monday won her first trial at Ruakaka, Whangarei.
Sunsett is appropriately named, for she is the last foal of her superstar mother, who developed laminitis in 2008 and was euthanised on 1 May 2009.
The filly is trained by Stephen McKee, who also owns her in partnership with two of Sunline's racing owners, his father Trevor McKee and Thayne Green. Read More

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GREEN BIRDIE FLASHES HOME FOR 2nd

Green Birdie(NZ) (Catbird) advanced his case for Japan’s Gr.1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama on October 3 with a bold second in last night’s Gr.2 Centaur Stakes at Hanshin Racecourse.On the instruction to ride him quiet, New Zealand jockey Mark Du Plessis had the top weight chance just rear of midfield on the rails coming into the straight, and when time came for the handbrake to be released, the pair flashed home three wide. Read More

PLENTY OF FIGHT IN FANTASTIC JAW

Fantastic Jaw was in our 2008 Ready to Run draft.

Trainer Stephen Gray and jockey Vlad Duric were right on the ball on Friday night scoring an early double.After winning the opening race with Surprise Surprise, they followed up in the third event when debutant Fantastic Jaw took out the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1200m. Read More

KILGRAVIN GRADUATE SCORES INTERNATIONAL GROUP 1

The New Zealand-bred and Hong Kong trained, Green Birdie (NZ) won the S$1m, Group One, KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) at Kranji on Sunday night to make it back to back sprint wins in the race by Hong Kong horses after Scared Kingdom (AUS) won last year. Read More

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JESSICABEEL SWEEPS TO SYDNEY CUP VICTORY

Trainer John O’Shea is glad of the day close friend Byron Rogers introduced him to Jason Abrahams. As O’Shea says himself, Abrahams helped fund his career so yesterday was a degree of payback as the Abrahams-owned Jessicabeel (NZ) swept down the outside to land the $600,000 Sydney Cup (Gr 1) and announce herself a future Melbourne Cup contender. Read More

MERCURY MISTRESS - 2010 SOUTHERN FILLY OF THE YEAR

Mercury Mistress's only start in the Southern Filly of the Year series resulted in a dominant win in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes over 1600m on the 10th April.Read More

SCHOLARSHIP A STEPPING STONE TO BUSINESS OF HORSES

It''s often said education is the key to success so it''s no surprise Kilgravin Lodge proprietors Eion and Megan Kemp are carving a name for themselves in the local thoroughbred industry.

These days a successful hands-on horseman, Eion set out to be an equine veterinarian and spent three years at university gaining part of his qualifications before changing tack. That meant winning a scholarship to the world-renowned Marcus Oldham Equine College in Victoria, Australia, a one-year all encompassing course aligned to the thoroughbred industry. Read More

For quality breaking in, pre-training and agistment