Tributes flow for Hall of Famer Laurie Laxon
22 Jul 2021
Tributes from around the world have flowed in the wake of the death late last week of New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Laurie Laxon.
Tributes from around the world have flowed in the wake of the death late last week of New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Laurie Laxon.
Promising Pencarrow-bred two-year-old Burgundy Dancer (NZ) (Burgundy) recorded the first win of his career with a determined front-running performance in Wednesday’s $10,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) at Pukekohe.
The Pencarrow colours have played a prominent part in arguably the most significant week in world racing, with Tasman Bay (FR) (Le Havre) finishing second in Friday’s £170,000 Group Two King Edward VII Stakes (2400m) at Royal Ascot.
Up-and-coming Pencarrow mare Palm Springs (NZ) made an impressive return to action with a smart win in Saturday’s $27,500 SVS Starting Gates 1100 at Te Rapa.
Pencarrow principal Sir Peter Vela joined forces with Hall of Fame trainer Laurie Laxon to win Thursday’s $10,000 John White Bloodstock Supporting Life Education Trust 3YO (1400m) at Pukekura Raceway with promising filly Palatinate (NZ) (Per Incanto).
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Pencarrow Stud for a motivated and experienced individual to join their team in the position of Stud Groom.
Exciting two-year-old Cape Breton (Vancouver) extended his perfect record to two-from-two with another strong performance in Saturday’s A$125,000 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.
Carrying the colours of Pencarrow Stud, high-priced yearling purchase Cape Breton (Vancouver) made a perfect start to his racing career in the A$50,000 Blue Point @ Darley Handicap (1250m) at Canterbury on Wednesday 26 April.
It is with great sadness that Pencarrow Stud announces the loss of one of their great broodmares, 30-year-old Kirin Belle (NZ). From the great Belle family, Kirin Belle was bred by Sir Peter Vela and raced in the famous blue and white hoops.
The pedigree page of promising Pencarrow filly Marsden Cross (IRE) (Camelot) received a major boost over the weekend when close relative Mother Earth (IRE) (Zoffany) triumphed in the prestigious Group One 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Newmarket.
An enormously influential career spanning more than 40 years in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry was recognised and celebrated in Hamilton on Sunday night with Sir Peter Vela’s induction into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
Three-year-old Pencarrow filly Calliope (NZ) (Charm Spirit) – a half-sister to this season’s stakes winner in the same colours, Siracusa (NZ) (Sebring) – collected the first win of her career with an impressive performance in Wednesday’s $10,000 Rydges Rotorua (1230m) at Arawa Park.
Well-related filly Miss Tainui (NZ) (Vancouver), who was bred and sold by Pencarrow Stud, began her racing career on the perfect note in Wednesday’s A$35,000 Drake International Maiden Plate (1400m) at Bendigo.
Part-owned by Pencarrow principal Sir Peter Vela, highly promising filly I Say Hello (NZ) (Iffraaj) added another stylish victory to her resume in Wednesday’s A$50,000 Brad Widdup Racing Handicap (1300m) at Hawkesbury.
Pencarrow part-owned Soyounique (Siyouni) has put together back-to-back victories in England within the space of less than two weeks. Trained by legendary New Zealand Olympian Sir Mark Todd, the talented four-year-old cleared maiden grade with a bold performance at Wolverhampton on March 27, and he followed that up with an even more impressive victory in Wednesday’s attheraces.com Handicap (1400m) at Lingfield Park.
After showing bright promise in her first three starts, up-and-coming Pencarrow mare Thalassa (NZ) (Ocean Park) took the next step in style at Pukekohe on Sunday.
The step up from a midweek Matamata win to a Group One raceday at Te Aroha provided a tougher test for Side By Side (NZ) (Star Witness) on Saturday, but the highly talented Pencarrow filly took it in her stride and struck again in the $25,000 Pyramid Trucking 3YO (1400m).
Pencarrow racing has enjoyed a week to remember, celebrating a series of successes across both hemispheres. From seven starters between Friday 26 March and Tuesday 30 March, Pencarrow collected five wins in three different countries, along with two placings.
Les Crayeres (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) added another victory to her increasingly impressive record in Saturday’s $27,500 Triton Pacific Owens Plate (1400m) at Tauranga.
Up-and-coming Pencarrow three-year-old Granados (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) collected the first win of his short career with a dominant performance in the $10,000 Betavet 2100 at Pukekohe on Wednesday.
Promising Pencarrow filly Side By Side (NZ) (Star Witness) picked up the second win of her five-start career with a bold performance in Wednesday’s $10,000 Fertco 1200 at Matamata.
With much uncertainty heading into Karaka 2021, it was relief and elation all round that New Zealand's annual yearling showcase was received by such a buoyant market, with vendors such as Pencarrow enjoying a hugely successful Sales week.
As the traditional busy period approaches for gavelhouse.com, one of the high-profile farms set to use the site as part of their regular strategic stock reviews is Pencarrow Stud.
Many of New Zealand’s finest gallopers gathered at Te Rapa on Saturday for the prestigious Legends Day meeting, and Pencarrow mare Les Crayeres (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) rose to the occasion with a highly impressive performance in the final race on the card.