Brisk trade for top mares
Jon Snow’s mum among those changing hands ARC boss brings wealth of expertise
Group one mares Orinda, Rising Romance and Savaria have all changed hands. The former, the dam of the ATC Derby winner Jon Snow, has been purchased by Peter Yip, of the Hong Kong Breeders’ Club, who also has strong New Zealand ties.
“I bought Orinda on behalf of Peter, my business partner in the farm here,” Highview Stud’s Brent Gillovic said.
“He’s had a share in Snitzel right from the outset so we had to get a mare that justified going to him.
“We had a great yearling sales series at Karaka with the Snitzels — we got $525,000 for one and a couple of others at $210,000 and $130,000.
“We also sold a son of Snitzel called Hypnotist for $240,000 at Karaka a couple of years ago. He has won two
It was a standing joke with other trainers to put Savaria in the race if they wanted a wet track. Roydon Bergerson
from two, including an impressive win at Newcastle on Tuesday.
“I was talking to [bloodstock agent] Michael Otto and he mentioned that this mare could possibly be bought and I didn’t need any convincing given her pedigree and she’s a nice deep-bodied type.”
Previously owned by Richard Moore, the O’Reilly mare’s first foal is Jon Snow and she also has a rising three-year-old Showcasing colt and a rising two-year-old filly by Pins. She is carrying a full sibling to Jon Snow.
“She’s gone to Attunga Stud where she’ll foal down and then walk into Snitzel,” Gillovic said.
Group one Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance, who also ran topflight seconds in the New Zealand Derby, New Zealand Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Mackinnon Stakes, Makybe Diva The Auckland Racing Club has a new boss.
Paul Wilcox has been appointed to the position of chief executive at Ellerslie, the home of Auckland racing.
Wilcox is presently a director of both New Zealand Bloodstock and Pencarrow Thoroughbreds, having held those positions since October 2013, following previous roles at Lion Nathan.
ARC chairman Paul Kenny says Wilcox, who has worked closely with Stakes and Memsie Stakes, is another bound for the Hunter Valley.
“She’s been sold to Arrowfield Stud so she’s gone to a great home and no doubt she will be visiting a top stallion,” former part-owner John Carter said. the racing industry and in particular the breeding sector, brings a wealth of business experience to the club.
“After what was an encouraging recruitment process for the board, we are delighted to have secured Paul,” Kenny said.
“He brings with him both strong commercial expertise and industry
Meanwhile, Australian interests have also snapped up the Savabeel mare Savaria.
Raced by Des and Kay Fleming and trained by Roydon Bergerson, she won five races, including the 2015 New Zealand Oaks and the 2017 Well- knowledge, and is coming into the organisation at a time of exciting growth. On behalf of the board and staff, we look forward to welcoming Paul to the club.”
Speaking on his appointment, Wilcox said: “I am extremely delighted to be given the opportunity to work as the CEO of a world class racing club and looking forward to working with the team to create a better future.”
Wilcox will commence duties on August 1. ington Cup. Bergerson said the mare’s record could have been that much better, but for persistently striking rain-affected ground. “It was a standing joke with other trainers to put Savaria in the race if they wanted a wet track.”