Cambridge Stud was crowned the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan New Zealand Breeder of the Year sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds on Saturday night at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro, earning New Zealand’s highest breeding honour for the sixth time following another outstanding season on both sides of the Tasman.

The prestigious title is the first since Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay assumed ownership of the renowned Waikato nursery in 2018, recognising a season headlined by dual Australian Group One winner Ceolwulf and New Zealand Group One winner Jaarffi.

Cambridge Stud bred more than 105 individual winners during the season, including five stakes winners and a further nine stakes performers. The operation also capped a memorable year by finishing as the leading vendor at New Zealand Bloodstock's landmark 100th National Yearling Sale, underlining its standing among the world's premier thoroughbred nurseries.

Accepting the award, Sir Brendan Lindsay reflected on the significance of receiving an honour bearing the names of Cambridge Stud's former custodians.

“It's quite surreal, buying Cambridge Stud and this award being named after Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan,” Lindsay said.

“It's a long way away from buying my first horse, which I raced with Trevor McKee. I remember excitedly telling my father and there wasn't a huge amount of support.

“I think Ceolwulf was a real highlight as a breeder this season. John Foote bought the dam for €55,000 and she has gone on to leave an elite-level miler, and we sold a foal out of her for $1.1 million this year, which is just incredible.

“We love our racing and we love our breeding. It is important to thank the team, headed by Henry and Michele Plumptre, and the whole team who work on the farm.

“I am very privileged and very happy to have an opportunity to be involved in this industry. I put a lot into it in terms of effort and passion, like everyone else in the room tonight.”

Sir Brendan also spoke warmly about the camaraderie within the thoroughbred industry, referencing a function held the previous day for respected racing administrator Butch Castles, who is facing health challenges.

“This industry is a great industry and when you are down, there are a lot of people who will help, and when you're up at the top, it gives everyone an opportunity to strive and get up there with you.”

While acknowledging the industry was going through a period of transition, Sir Brendan remained bullish about the future of New Zealand breeding.

“You can't ignore the fact that over the last five years, 21 percent of the Group One winners in Australia have been bred in New Zealand,” he said.

“The opportunities for this country are just enormous. Unfortunately, there has been a drop in foal numbers, but that creates an opportunity because the industry needs stock, and for us at Cambridge Stud to be able to bring in stallions of international appeal like Chaldean and Charyn is just amazing.

“I get up every morning and look forward to the day. I try to make the day a new challenge, and I think this industry just has so much upside.”

Cambridge Stud headed a stellar list of award winners recognised at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Awards following another exceptional season for New Zealand breeders on the world stage.

The Property Brokers Seton Otway Horse of the Year title went to Ka Ying Rising, whose extraordinary campaign established the son of Shamexpress as one of the world's elite racehorses.

Bred by Grandmoral Lodge, the champion sprinter remained unbeaten in eight starts during the season, winning five Group One races across Hong Kong and Australia, including becoming the first overseas-trained horse to capture The Everest. He also successfully defended the Hong Kong Sprint, completed a second consecutive Hong Kong Speed Series and finished the season with a Hong Kong record 20 consecutive victories while earning a rating as the joint-best racehorse in the world.

Ka Ying Rising's dam, Missy Moo, was named the Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year. A winning daughter of Per Incanto who was previously trained by Fraser Auret, Missy Moo produced only two foals, headed by the champion son of Shamexpress. Fraser and Erin Auret's Grandmoral Lodge was also recognised as the New Zealand Small Breeder of the Year.

Per Incanto enjoyed the finest season of his career, claiming both the Centaine Award, presented to the leading sire by worldwide progeny earnings, and the Dewar Award, recognising the leading sire by progeny earnings across New Zealand and Australia. His success in the Dewar Award ended the late Savabeel's remarkable run in the category.

Proisir claimed the Grosvenor Award, presented to New Zealand's leading sire by domestic progeny earnings, after another outstanding season led by dual Group One winners Legarto and Waitak.

Other major honours saw Ohope Wins recognised as NZB Filly of the Year, Jess Greenfield receive the Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award, while much-loved breeder Rodney Schick was named NZTBA Personality of the Year. The award recognised a lifetime of service to New Zealand's thoroughbred breeding industry, honouring not only his success as a breeder and stud master, but also his leadership, generosity and unwavering passion for helping the industry and its people flourish.

Major Award Winners

New Zealand-bred & New Zealand-conceived Group One Winners (2025/26)