Marsh Racing in the News

Love Poem stamps Guineas credentials

Love Poem propelled herself up the fixed-odds market for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) with a dominant first-up performance at Te Rapa on Friday.

The highly talented Snitzel filly was a stakes placegetter in all of her three starts as a two-year-old. She was runner-up to Captured By Love on debut in the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), then finished third behind Captured By Love and Alabama Lass in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). In her only other start, she ran second to Domain Ace in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m).

Nest Egg on target for New Zealand Cup

The 2023 Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) runner-up Nest Egg showed he was right on track to head south later in the spring to try and go one better in the race a year later after he scored a stylish victory at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The six-year-old gelding didn’t really kick on over the rest of the summer last year after his Riccarton heroics, which included winning the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) in his lead-up to the New Zealand Cup, with trainer Stephen Marsh putting him aside for a decent spell after he finished near last in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) in March.

Marsh remains upbeat despite loss of crack 2YO

Stephen Marsh may have temporarily lost the services of his star youngster Velocious, but he still has enough firepower to be a major force to be reckoned with in upcoming age group features.

The Cambridge trainer was forced to call a halt to her three-year-old program following below par efforts when resuming at Taupo and again in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m).

“She’s gone for a wind operation, she’ll be back into the New Year and we certainly hope she will come back to top form,” Marsh said.

The Written Tycoon filly was overwhelmingly voted Champion Two-Year-Old after claiming the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m), the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m).

Super Photon shines in Te Rapa feature

Super Photon’s growing reputation was put to the test in Saturday’s Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa, and the exciting colt rose to the challenge in style.

The black-type feature was the second win in an unblemished two-start career for the Super Seth colt, who had kicked off with a commanding three-length victory at Rotorua last month.

Velocious shines for Marsh in Sistema Stakes

9th March 2024

Superstar filly Velocious cemented herself atop the country’s two-year-old ranks with a tenacious victory in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Velocious burst onto the juvenile scene on debut at Te Rapa in November, the daughter of Written Tycoon swiftly collecting black-type honours in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at the following start.

Her sole defeat in a dazzling five-start career came on heavy track conditions in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), a performance rectified in spades when she delivered trainer Stephen Marsh with a triumphant Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) victory.

Cambridge-based Marsh, alongside syndication group Go Racing entered Saturday’s two-year-old feature hoping to repeat a slice of personal history, after the partnership claimed the Karaka Million-Sistema Stakes double with Ruud Awakening in 2013.

El Vencedor causes massive upset in Bonecrusher Stakes

9th March 2024

An inch perfect front running ride by Irishman Joe Doyle paved the way for outsider El Vencedor to upset the applecart in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. 

Despite a consistent form-line with a win and three placings along with a last-start fourth in the Gr.1 Otaki-Māori Weight For Age Classic (1600m), the five-year-old son of Shocking was overlooked by punters as he closed at $21 on the Fixed Odds market. 

VELOCIOUS WINS THE KARAKA MILLIONS 2YO!

29th January 2024

Go Racing’s highly regarded Velocious justified her favouritism with a dominant win in the $1 Million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO on Saturday.

Ridden by expat Kiwi Jockey James McDonald, Velocious jumped away well out of the barriers and McDonald was able to secure the coveted one-one position with Velocious, where she was able to settle beautifully. Entering the straight, McDonald guided his charge three-wide and Velocious was able to reel in the leaders and hit the front with 250m to go. She held out the late challenge of Damask Rose to win by 2-1/2 lengths.

Go Racing hoping lightning strikes twice with Velocious

25th January 2024

A return to a proven buying formula may once again deliver the ultimate reward for Albert Bosma’s Go Racing syndication company.

He will bid to roll back the years with trainer Stephen Marsh with Velocious in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday after they combined to win the juvenile feature with Ruud Awakening in 2013.

Written Tycoon filly Velocious is the current $3 favourite after her debut victory at Te Rapa followed by success in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Counties, and she finished a last-start third in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1200m).

The precocious youngster will also have premier rider James McDonald to guide her fortunes from gate seven.

Mercurial prevails in Telegraph

13th January 2024

“This is a massive thrill,” Marsh said. “If you’d asked me even six months ago whether this horse could win a Telegraph or a Railway, I wouldn’t have said he could.

“But he’s just so tough. A couple of people even said to me before the race that he’s so laid-back and such a good doer, it almost looks like he needs another run. He’ll go home tonight, he’ll eat up, and he’ll probably end up going around again on Karaka Millions night. He really is the man.

“He’s just one of those horses that works, eats, sleeps and performs. Every run this time in has been unbelievable.

Marsh Celebrates Major Milestone

3rd July 2023

The champagne was flowing in Cambridge on Saturday night as local trainer Stephen Marsh celebrated bringing up his 1000th New Zealand win at Ruakaka earlier in the day.

The milestone had been a major goal for Marsh this season, and he was delighted to achieve it on Saturday, courtesy of Arrowette in the Happy Big 50th Kylee Harrison (1600m).

Whelan to continue his flying thoroughbred start

April 28th 2023

Mitch Whelan is a face you're probably familiar with, regularly attending the races and trials over the last couple of years and we are thrilled to congratulate him on being selected for the Godolphin Flying Start Programme.

The highly competitive and prestigious course recruits' participants from all over the world with only one person being selected from New Zealand. Over the course of two years Mitch will travel to Ireland, England, Dubai, America and Australia learning from the best in the racing and breeding industry.

South Island Lease Opportunity

We have an opportunity for clients to race a fully educated 2yo filly in the South Island by emerging sire War Decree!

This is a racing share only with a right of purchase and the only up front cost is the Pearl Bonus Series Nomination fee.
Small or large shares available.
Contact us now for more details on how to be involved.
 
Rhys Mildon:
0212300943

Marsh eyes trans-Tasman Group One double

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is preparing for an attack on a Group One double on both sides of the Tasman this weekend.

Marsh is hoping Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up Andalus (NZ) (Almanzor) can go one better in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick, while at home he hopes to start exciting juvenile Sako (NZ) (Ardrossan) in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni.

Marsh pondering Group One target for mare

Stephen Marsh will work through his future options with the in-form Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) after she runs at Pukekohe on Saturday with handicap and weight-for-age avenues to consider.

Ulanova dominates in New Plymouth juvenile feature

4th February 2023

Speedy filly Ulanova (NZ) (Santos) gave her rivals a good old-fashioned beating as she led all the way to take out the Gr.3 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) in effortless fashion.

Zee Falls finds winning groove in Karaka Cup

22/01/23

After coming so close in countless feature races, talented staying mare Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) had a deserved moment in the spotlight when scoring a convincing victory in the Collinson Forex Karaka Cup (2200m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Codigo heads early Marsh treble

14/01/23

Trainer Stephen Marsh made the early stages of the 2023 Trentham summer carnival all his own as he capped an opening treble with exciting two-year-old Codigo taking out the Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes (1100m).

Marsh commenced with wins by Mercurial and Laneway Flirting and believed he had a great chance to make it three in a row with the son of Ardrossan, after the showy bay had won narrowly but impressively on debut at Matamata earlier in the month.

Ex-Marsh horses showcased at Anna Rehab

30/12/22

Seize the Moment, Rocanto, Global Currency and Sexabeel are among equine therapists helping children overcome struggles with the help of Anna and Maria at Anna Rehab.

Marsh Racing lay out the plan for Karaka Million joint favourite Ulanova.

13th December 2022

“Ulanova is the most naturally talented we’ve had since Ruud Awakening, but I don’t like comparing them.”

Meet The Team

2nd December 2022

Some of you may remember Ashley Tomkinson who was a valuable part of the Marsh Racing Team a couple of years ago before returning to his hometown in Wales. With senior foreperson Paige on maternity leave we are we couldn’t think of anyone better to fill her large shoes and are thrilled to welcome Ash back to Marsh Racing as foreman at the new barn! When last at Marsh Racing Ash rode trackwork, often strapped at the races travelled to Sydney with Mark Two and Campari. We sat down with Ash to find out a bit about what brought him back to us and which horse has already caught his eye!

Marsh trio face significant Soliloque challange

20th October 2022

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh said he couldn’t be any happier with his trio going into Saturday’s Gr.3 Super Seth Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa but knows they have a colossal job ahead of them to knock off the race’s leading lights.

Marsh will saddle Mazzolino, Academy Award and Miss Nico Belle for the three-year-old fillies feature, which has become a reliable lead-up to the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, with each of the last four winners coming through the Soliloquy.

Promising filly heads home Marsh quinella

30th July 2022

Race favourite Windspeed (NZ) (Tavistock) headed home a stable quinella in the Property Brokers Taumarunui-sponsored 1400m contest, with barn mate Bugatti (NZ) (Charm Spirit) charging into second ahead of Musigny Lass (NZ) (Iffraaj) who just shaded the third Marsh runner, Superette (NZ) (Vadamos), for third.

Italian Derby winner lands Oamaru Cup for Marsh

22nd July 2022

Trainer Stephen Marsh had three major goals for the 2021/22 racing season and he claimed the third of them at Oamaru when the well-travelled Summer Festival took out Sunday’s Crombie And Price Ltd Oamaru Cup (1600m).

Marsh brings up second personal milestone in a week

17th July 2022

Fresh off training 100 winners in a season for the first time, Cambridge-based Stephen Marsh added a second personal milestone seven days later when smart four-year-old mare Oseleta took out the final of the ITM/GIB Sprinters’ Winter Championship (1400m) at Ruakaka on Saturday.

The victory represented win number 900 for Marsh as a trainer and he was delighted to reach the new mark.

Marsh brings up Century at Te Rapa

10 July 2022

Victory by promising three-year-old filly Windspeed brought up a special milestone for trainer Stephen Marsh on Saturday as he claimed 100 wins in a season for the first time in his career.

Hoard The Bourbon on Queensland Derby path

8th April 2022

Trainer Stephen Marsh was delighted with the performance of promising three-year-old Hoard The Bourbon, who took out The Oaks Stud 3YO 1600 at Awapuni on Friday.

Marsh Racing to add select stock to the stable at Inglis Easter 2022

4th April 2022

The prestigious Inglis Easter Yearling Sale will take centre stage at Riverside Stables, Warwick Farm on April 5 and 6 and Marsh Racing will be in attendance, with Stephen and bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson on the ground and looking to add further firepower to the stable from this stunning catalogue.

Inaugural ‘Heels and Hooves’ Syndicate!

31st March 2022

We’re excited to share with you the forming of our first-ever all ladies syndicate, Heels and Hooves. Inspired by the extraordinary success of women in racing through initiatives aimed at promoting racehorse ownership amongst females, now’s your chance to get involved in our all women syndicate we’re forming with a yearling purchase at the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Marsh looking for repeat delight in Auckland Cup

11th March 2022

Trainer Stephen Marsh is hoping lightning can strike twice when he lines up Lincoln King and Starrybeel in Sunday’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie.

Stephen talks the first two days of Karaka 2022

8th March 2022

Stephen reviews the first two days of Karaka 2022 and looks ahead to day three and into Book 2.

NZ Herald asks Karaka 2022 Key Questions

6th March 2022

The New Zealand Herald’s Michael Guerin sat down with Stephen to ask him what he’s looking for, and what he’s hoping to achieve, at the Karaka yearling sales starting on Monday.