News - ALMANZOR (FR)
Promising juvenile filly Pounce did just that at Ellerslie on Saturday when running over the top of her rivals to take out the MyRacehorse 1100 for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
Cambridge Stud has announced its stallion roster for 2026, with the outstanding Charyn (IRE) to stand at the farm in partnership with Nurlan Bizakov’s French operation Sumbe.
Simon and Katrina Alexander have plenty of time for Cambridge Stud filly Rioja, and she vindicated their early assessment with an eye-catching maiden victory at Matamata on Sunday.
Most trainers dream of competing in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Palmerston North horsewoman Lisa Latta may have found her horse to get her to Flemington on the first Tuesday in November.
Bulls trainer Raymond Connors has a sense of déjà vu with his quality stayer Trav ahead of Saturday’s Gr.2 Trackside Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie.
Te Rapa trainer David Greene is riding the crest of a wave after he doubled his Group One tally when First Five took out the BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at his home track on Saturday.
Palmerton North mare Manzor Blue caused a major upset when taking out the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham on Saturday.
The highest priced yearling by Cambridge Stud's in form sire Almanzor (Fr) sold in 2025, Stromlinien made a winning debut on Sunday and has a half-brother to be offered at Karaka Book 1.
Very few stallions can get you a Group I winner at 1200m or 3200m, but this one can.
Te Rapa visitor First Five delivered on his enormous potential when he gave trainer David Greene his first Group One success when taking out the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham.
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are hoping a return to the right-handed way of going will help Qali Al Farrasha bounce back to winning form at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Cambridge Stud's Almanzor (Fr) is a sire on fire on Saturday with five winners across Australia and New Zealand including a new stakes-winning mare in Lux Libertas that traces back to an iconic Australian female family.
Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor (Fr) was credited with a winning double at Caulfield Heath on Saturday when Roadcone held on for an all-the-way victory in the A$130,000 Magic Millions Digital Handicap (1500m) bringing a pedigree update for his half-sister by Ghaiyyath (IRE) that heads to Karaka Book 1 for Curraghmore.
Caulfield Heath has been a happy hunting ground for promising Kiwi bred four-year-old Touchdown in recent weeks, and the New Zealand-bred son of Almanzor recorded his third consecutive win at the venue in Saturday’s A$80,000 MRC Membership Feel The Thrill Handicap (1800m).
Underrated sprinter First Five produced a barnstorming finish to capture his first stakes victory when he took out the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.
Black-type success has always seemed to be a matter of when and not if for highly talented Almanzor (Fr) mare Mary Shan, but few would have expected it to come at the expense of a $1.50 favourite and reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year.
The histories of Cambridge Stud and New Zealand Bloodstock are intrinsically linked and with 100 years of trade being celebrated at Karaka in 2026 it’s an occasion to be marked with something special.
Perennial black-type bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha shed that unwanted tag in outstanding fashion when she downed a quality line-up of mares in Saturday’s Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe.
Classy mare Mary Shan has black-type targets on her agenda after bouncing back to winning form in Saturday’s Happy Hire Cup (1400m) at Tauranga.
A relentlessly wet spring has provided a frustrating start to the season for David Greene, but things might be turning the corner as the Te Rapa trainer prepares to unleash his emerging star First Five in Saturday’s Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Pukekohe.