New Zealand racing is entering an important period, with fresh developments across the bloodstock industry, sales preparation and the emerging two-year-old division. The appointment of Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill as North American representatives, a productive run for Riverrock Farm trainer Chad Ormsby, and encouraging juvenile performances have provided plenty of interest ahead of the upcoming sales and racing fixtures.
NZB Appoints Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill as North American Representatives
New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) has appointed Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill as its American-based Sale Representatives, strengthening its international presence and further developing its connections with the North American thoroughbred industry.
The duo are already well established in the bloodstock business through their involvement with Bourbon Lane, an American-owned thoroughbred racing partnership founded in 2010 alongside major investor Dennis Foster.
NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones welcomed the appointments while also acknowledging the contribution of outgoing representative Joe Miller, who will be taking on additional local commitments.
Jones thanked Miller for his work over recent years and extended his best wishes to him and his family as he moves into the next chapter of his career.
McMahon and Hill have maintained strong connections with New Zealand since their first visit to Karaka in January 2019. Through Bourbon Lane, they have purchased several successful graduates, including Bourbonaire, Bourbon Empress, Glamour Tycoon, Super Photon, Kiwi Skyhawk and Tale of the Gypsy. Their purchases have collectively produced more than 55 New Zealand winners up to the end of 2025.
Jones believes their existing relationships with the country’s breeders, vendors and racing participants will help strengthen NZB’s representation across North America.
The newly appointed representatives are equally enthusiastic about their expanded responsibilities and will begin their work ahead of another visit to New Zealand in January 2027.
McMahon highlighted the quality of New Zealand thoroughbreds, the expertise of local horsemen and the strength of the country’s breeding operations as key reasons behind their continued involvement.
The pair said they were honoured to represent NZB in the United States and looked forward to building on the relationships developed since their first Karaka visit.
Chad Ormsby Carries Strong Stable Form into NZB Ready to Run Sale
Riverrock Farm’s Chad Ormsby will head to the upcoming NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka with four colts, encouraged by an excellent run of results from his training operation.
Ormsby has recorded six winners from just 15 starters since the beginning of the current New Zealand racing season on August 1. His recent success included a double at Tauherenikau last Sunday, with O’Sweet Darling (Zousain) and Spiritus (NZ) (Ancient Spirit) both finding the winner’s enclosure.
O’Sweet Darling has been particularly impressive. Withdrawn from Riverrock Farm’s draft for the 2024 Ready to Run Sale, the filly has since won three of her four starts, underlining the progress made through Ormsby’s training programme.
The trainer believes the stable’s recent performances have provided valuable momentum ahead of an important week at Karaka.
Riverrock Farm has maintained a presence in the two-year-old sales preparation business for more than a decade, with Ormsby’s training operation complementing its work with young horses.
This year’s draft has been deliberately kept small, with quality taking priority over numbers. Ormsby is pleased with the preparation, including the breeze-up performances and the subsequent development of the four colts.
Among the group is an Alabama Express colt with a particularly appealing pedigree. The colt is out of a prominent New Zealand family developed over several years by Vern Trillo.
Although sourced in Australia, Ormsby considers the colt very much a New Zealand type and believes the individual possesses the qualities that could eventually make him a stallion prospect.
He is looking forward to presenting the draft to prospective buyers at Karaka.
Karaka Millions 2YO Picture Takes Shape After Debut Successes
The race towards the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) has gathered momentum following impressive first-start victories by two juvenile fillies at Te Rapa and Tauherenikau last weekend.
Helena Bel (Hellbent) immediately moved into fifth position on the order of entry after winning the $40,000 Sword Of State 2YO (1100m) at Te Rapa.
Meanwhile, Le Zain Bolt (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) secured ninth position following victory in the $18,500 Waibuild 2YO (1000m) at Tauherenikau.
Le Zain Bolt was purchased for just $15,000 by Game Lodge Ltd, the operation of Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos, from Cambridge Stud’s Book 2 draft at Karaka 2026.
Both fillies have given their connections an early opportunity to pursue one of New Zealand’s most sought-after juvenile targets.
The next significant opportunity for two-year-olds to strengthen their positions will come at Pukekohe on November 21, when the $140,000 Group Three Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) takes place.
The result could have an important bearing on the developing order of entry as the countdown to the Karaka Millions continues.
Myakkabelle Offered to Breeders Following Successful Racing Career
Breeders will have an opportunity to secure a proven racetrack performer with the upcoming online auction of Myakkabelle, a multiple black-type placegetter who has retired following a productive career.
The daughter of War Decree recorded two victories and seven placings from 19 starts, accumulating more than $210,000 in stakes.
Her strongest performances came during an outstanding campaign as a three-year-old, when she established herself among the leading fillies of her generation.
After opening the season with consecutive victories over 1400m and 1600m, Myakkabelle went on to record several notable Group performances.
She finished fifth in the Group Two Eight Carat Classic (1600m), fourth in the Group Two Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m), and third in the Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m).
Her campaign continued with a second-place finish in the Group Two Lowland Stakes (2100m), before she secured third in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
Myakkabelle was trained by Ben and Ryan Foote for an ownership group that included Jim Bruford, who originally purchased her for $55,000 from Inglewood Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2023.
Her racing record and performances at Group level provide an attractive foundation for her next chapter as a broodmare.
The auction is currently underway, with bidding scheduled to close from 7pm on Monday, November 16.
The developments surrounding NZB’s international appointments, Riverrock Farm’s sales preparations, the emerging Karaka Millions contenders and Myakkabelle’s transition to breeding underline the continued activity across New Zealand’s thoroughbred industry.
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