Sir Peter Vela Wins NZ Owner Premiership

The newly formed Owner Premiership was awarded to Sir Peter Vela at last night’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards.

The Owner Premiership was awarded to the owner who had the greatest number of winners in New Zealand in the 2013/14 racing season. If an owner has a 50% share in a horse that is counted as half a win but if a horse is owned 100% by one owner that owner gets credited with one full win.

Pencarrow Stud’s colours were carried to victory 45 times in the 2013/14 season in New Zealand, the most of any owner with Pencarrow Stud’s resident trainers Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie leading the way.

“We had 21 winners ourselves last season so it was a good season,” commented Ramsay. “That is about what we have been averaging each year. Sir Peter puts a lot of time and effort into New Zealand racing so it is nice to see him recognised.

“It will be nice to get some black-type this season which is the aim. We have a few nice horses that have strengthened up like Dark and Stormy, Biddable and Duquesa - they have all done well. We also have some nice three-year-olds coming along too, we don’t put much pressure on our horses as two-year-olds and we have a few promising three-year-olds to look forward to.”

Other trainers to have success with Pencarrow Racing gallopers this season include Frank Ritchie, Jason Bridgman, Donna & Dean Logan, Jan Hay, Peter & Dawn Williams, Ken & Bev Kelso, Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott, Kevin Myers, Shaun Ritchie, Tony Pike, Raylene Whiteside and Graham Richardson.

The famous Blue and White hooped silks won races in the North and South Islands and even tasted success in the prestigious Grand National Hurdles.

Off the track, Pencarrow Stud appointed Australian Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman as the Director of Racing in an exciting move that occurred in May of this year.

With a building team of horses and expert staff, Pencarrow Racing will be looking to continue to produce winners and strive to achieve greater results in stakes company.