March 2022 -   " The Chairman of HRNZ, John Coulam and his Board of Directors were happy to see the Breeding numbers had stabilized this season, the Board is encouraged by the glimmer of hope reflected in these Breeding figures..........."  referring to the 1.6% rise in Breeding numbers ( 32 ) March 2025-  " We can stabilize and eventually rebuild "  on the drop of 12% for the 2024/25 Breeding season. 24/25         1552        individual mares bred,  a drop of 200 Pacing Mares  1151 compared to 1351 last season.( These figures are from the 7 March HRNZ & the figures don't actually add up) 23/24         1758  22/23         1966 21/22         2037 20/21         2005 From  2026 to 2028 there is going to be a hugely significant drop off in racing numbers!

Trump has no time for environmental extremists Trump said “environmental extremists” allowed China to gain an economic advantage over the U.S. by allowing the country to open up hundreds of coal-fired power plants. President Donald Trump says his administration will open new coal-fired power plants in the U.S.  to help the U.S. compete economically with other countries. “After years of being held captive by Environmental Extremists, Lunatics, Radicals, and Thugs, allowing other Countries, in particular China, to gain tremendous Economic advantage over us by opening up hundreds of all Coal Fire Power Plants, I am authorizing my Administration to immediately begin producing Energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday.

TAB NZ   "BETCHA is a direct response to the increasing threat to NZ sports and racing caused by offshore betting operators. In the three months to the end of June 2024, NZer's spending with offshore betting operators grew 30%, continuing a trend over the last three or more years. Offshore spending, as of June 2024, was estimated at $180m per annum, led by growth in the 18-29-year old age band in the previous five years."

A year after Dornoch, retired MLB All-Star and World Series champion Jayson Werth could have another chance at the Kentucky Derby (G1) experience with Flying Mohawk set to run in the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 22.View the full article

Fresh off the heels of a stirring late-running victory in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T), Spirit of St Louis is back for more in the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) March 22 at Fair Grounds Race Course.View the full article

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2104905696616365 Exposing the COVID shots

What did you think of VAUBANS performance last week Stodge ? Hell of a training masterclass from Waterhouse/Bott to get a previous Melbourne Cup /hurdler to win a race that short. Splits were interesting - 600-400 11.09, 400-200 11.01, last 200 11.20, LAST 600 33.3 ! Doubt even Willie Mullins could believe that ! Next start clash with Dubai Honour or Desert Hero ( maybe Tancred or QE ) will be very interesting.      

Forever Young and Romantic Warrior, the first two finishers in the Saudi Cup (G1) go their separate ways to star in different races on a Dubai World Cup program packed with international intrigue.View the full article

In this week's edition of Porter on Pedigrees: Virginia Derby winner American Promise, a son of Justify out of a Tapit mare, looks well suited for classic distance.View the full article

Three Heating Up for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1): American Promise, Owen Almighty, and Lion of JusticeView the full article

With the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) a little less than a month and a half away, stables have been mulling their plans for the final two weekends of major preps March 29 and April 5. View the full article

Trainer Brian Lynch confirmed that Donald Dizney's Jimmy's Dailys will make his next start in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park March 29.View the full article

A quiet week up here and just a couple of snippets of news. The dry late winter and early spring has meant Aintree has begun watering in advance of the Grand National meeting in a fortnight. The aim is to ensure Good to Soft ground for the meeting. Speaking of the National, quite a few scratching at yesterday’s forfeit stage including, not surprisingly, Gold Cup winner INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN but JP McManus retains a strong hand as does Gavin Cromwell. New favourite is INTENSE RAFFLES at 7/1 who won last year’s Irish National and ran a decent second last time over 5200m at Fairyhouse. Quicker ground is a concern with all his Irish form on soft or heavy turf. Last year’s winner I AM MAXIMUS has to carry 6 lbs more and was beaten about the same distance by GALOPIN DES CHAMPS in the 2025 Irish Gold Cup as in the 2024 renewal. IROKO looks the best of the British at 8s and he was only four lengths behind INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN in the 2024 Mildmay Chase at Aintree. The ground should be fine but his jumping has been a concern though the Aintree fences aren’t perhaps the factor they once were. Others well fancied are Cheltenham winner STUMPTOWN and the winner of the big handicap at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting PERCIVAL LEGALLOIS.

The Michael McCarthy trainee heads east after two on-the-board finishes at Santa Anita Park. This will be just his third start out of 13 away from California. Lord Bullingdon has improved his finishing position in each of his last three races.View the full article