For more than four decades Wai Eyre Farm in North Canterbury has been providing the very best in equine care and breeding services to the harness racing community. A farm built on family values, Farm Manager Darryl Brown has been determined to continue to build on the legacy his late father, Mike Brown, started all those years ago. After a record breeding season in 2025, Wai Eyre Farm has committed to carry on the momentum as they prepare for the season ahead. Darryl led the

For a breeder who is on top of the world right now, you wouldn’t find more down-to-earth people than Bob Higgins. The Westport based breeder had an afternoon to remember on Sunday when two horses he bred won feature races in both hemispheres within hours, and to boot they are half-sisters. It started with Francent winning against the best mares in North America at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Canada. The $50,000 Fillies and Mares Open consisted of top mares Twin B Joe Fresh and Ro

It was another weekend to remember for Lazarus, as he produced two winners in New Zealand from just three starters. Lazarus Two-year-old We Will Rise Again impressed at Alexandra Park on Friday night, leading throughout to pick up his first win in just three starts. The son of Lazarus started as a warm $2.40 favourite off the back of two third placings earlier in the season, including one at Group One level in the Cardigan Bay Stakes. After burning the late with exceptional g

For North Canterbury breeders Kevin and Gwen Gilmore, breeding standardbreds is a team effort. Gwen with weanling Letz Go and Kevin with weanling El Cid A passion that began in Geraldine in 1980, when the couple worked and raced their own horses. “We raced and trained our own horses for about 17 years when we were in Geraldine,” explained Kevin. “We never went a year without a win, which was great for us, but we only ever had two in work at a time.” “We had success with horse

US Captain two-year-old gelding Hawaiian Warfare has given his connections plenty to smile about lately. Improving every time he starts, Hawaiian Warfare stepped up yet again at Harrington Raceway at Delaware on Tuesday New Zealand time, when he was a winner against field of mainly three-year-olds. Starting from barrier six, Hawaiian Warfare was sent forward in search of the lead by driver Allan Davis and soon found it inside the first quarter. With the favourite stalking him

Carlton continues to kick goals at stud, this week delivering an impressive quinella result at Rangiora on Sunday. Carlton Three-year old filly, Just For Today, was fresh up after her maiden win at Addington in June and was facing her stablemate and fellow last start winner by Carlton, Brooks Spirit, also a three-year-old. The duo both are trained by Greg and Ben Hope at Woodend Beach. In a much anticipated match up, Brooks Spirit started the favourite over the 2000m 1-win st

It was a wonderful night for Lazarus at stud on Friday, as his two New Zealand Cup nominees stepped out in their first part of their Cup journey. Lazarus It started with an impressive front running display by The Lazarus Effect at Addington, who secured his place in this year’s great race with a win in the Group Three Maurice Holmes Vase. And trainer-driver Bob Butt believes the best is yet to come. The Lazarus Effect made full use of his excellent standing-start manner

Yabby Dam Farms are thrilled to announce plans to run a $75,000 2YO Trotters Race in Canterbury during the Spring of 2030 – and have also announced an early booking discount for their New Zealand based stallions. Following suit of similar races on offer in Australia, The Yabby Dam Farms 2YO Trotters Classic will be open to fillies, colts and geldings by Yabby Dam Farm stallions produced from this season’s 2026 coverings. This will include Yabby Dam Farm stallions currently st

Two-year-old Lazarus filly, Sterl The Pearl, ended a bad run of racing luck to win an emphatic edition of the $25,000 New Jersey Home Grown series at The Meadowlands in New Jersey on Sunday. Previously competing in the New Jersey Sires Stakes series, she finished third in her final last weekend after sitting parked. Looking for redemption this week, Sterl The Pearl was sent to the front in the first quarter for driver Brett Beckwith running through the first half in 56.2. She

Three-year-old Carlton gelding, Brooks Spirit, caught the eye and made a statement with a bold debut win at Oamaru on Sunday. Starting as favourite in the Ben Scott Contracting/Valley Motors Kurow Maiden Trot, Brooks Spirit had not been seen in public since winning a trial at Rangiora by 12 lengths in early April. Despite a lack of recent trials, the three-year-old sat parked over the 2600m distance and wore his rivals down as he cleared out to win by a length and a half

Trainer Bob Butt presented The Lazarus Effect for his first public appearance at the Addington trials on Tuesday, as they prepare for this year’s New Zealand Trotting Cup. The five-year-old son of Lazarus last raced in May when he finished a brave second to Got The Chocolates in the Group One Messenger at Alexandra Park. That run completed a stellar campaign in the north, where The Lazarus Effect won the Group One Taylor Mile, Group Two City of Auckland FFA, Group Three Fou

Lazarus marked a unique moment in his career at stud, as his two-year-old filly Queenstown claimed Group One success in the Vincent Delaney Memorial in Wales this weekend. Queenstown The pinnacle of harness racing in the United Kingdom, fans flock from all over the world to attend the meeting which was held at Tir Prince Raceway in North Wales. The best horses from across the United Kingdom and Ireland travel long distances in order to compete against the best horses on t

Hawaiian Warfare once again made a big impression over the weekend with a dominant front running win at Harrah's Philadelphia. The two-year-old gelding by US Captain collected his second straight victory, taking his career record to three starts two wins and one third to date. After previously defeating older and more experienced opposition, this week Hawaiian Warfare was able to race against his own age group and with his previously strong form was sent out as favourit

Harness racing fans worldwide are spoiled for choice this weekend, with feature racing in North America and the United Kingdom set to launch this season’s stars. From a Wai Eyre Farm perspective we eagerly anticipate Hambletonian Day, to be held at The Meadowlands, New Jersey, on Sunday morning New Zealand time. Our partners at Yabby Dam Farms will be represented in the $1million Hambletonian by Big Ranger, a hot favourite after his elimination win last weekend. A winner of f

Sometimes your passion in life comes and finds you when you’re not even looking for it. And that was certainly the case for Canterbury breeder, Marie Alcock. Marie and Phoebe K After the passing of her husband Geoff Alcock five years ago, Marie found herself in harness racing syndicates after taking over responsibility his shares. It turned out to be the best passage through grief for her. “As a woman finding herself on her own, harness racing has made me feel really

Living legend Lazarus enjoyed another weekend of success, winning in both hemispheres. As juvenile racing hits its peak in the summer months in North America, Lazarus was represented in the New Jersey Sires Stakes Silver division heats once again. Two-year-old Jerzy George was super impressive in his heat, a non wagering event at The Meadowlands on Saturday New Zealand time. After settling last in the field of five, Jerzy George was driving patiently by Andy McCarthy biding t

For breeder David Beckingsale, his journey into the sport has been one built around friendship and enjoying the experience with others. His passion started through introductions via his family interest in racing. “I picked up the racing bug from my father,” David explained. “He sort of pottered around with horses and he also helped Alec Purdon way back in the 70’s. Then he absolutely subsequently helped Murray Edwards too, so I guess my interest came through his involvement i

The Kiwis may be covering themselves in gold in Scotland currently in the Commonwealth Games, but there’s another New Zealand connection claiming glory in that part of the world that you may not have heard of. Lazarus two-year-old filly, Queenstown, was a Group One winner of the Blossom Kelly at York Raceway in England last week, and has become a bit of a star in the juvenile ranks. Trained by Gordon Gilvear of Stirling in Scotland, Queenstown has had just two race day s

US Captain continues to deliver at stud in North America, from very limited numbers, as he records his second individual winner. U S Captain Hawaiian Warfare is one of only four two-year-olds sired by US Captain in North America and delivered an impressive win at just his second start when successful at Harrah's Philadelphia this weekend. Trained by Erin Neilson, Hawaiian Warfare had been impressive at the trials and transitioned to race day form with maturity and ease.

Wai Eyre Farm is proud to work once again in partnership with Yabby Dam Farms to present new and exciting breeding options in the 2026/27 season. Standing three outstanding Yabby Dam Farms stallions on farm this season, Wai Eyre Farm welcomes Classic Connection and Enchauffour, who join leading first season sire, On A Streak. Passionate about helping breeders achieve their goals, the two farms are working together to offer the best pedigrees available down under. Classic Conn