Breeding Snippets | Early March 2026

The following breeding notes from long-time pedigree analyst Rob Courtney provide a snapshot of some of the families, breeders and emerging performers making headlines across the country. From promising young horses beginning to make their mark on the track to broodmares continuing to enhance their reputations at stud, the early weeks of March have again highlighted the depth of New Zealand’s breeding ranks.

Seven From Seven for Gold Elite Family

Trainer Steven Reid, back in the limelight with ‘superstar’ three-year-old Jumal, looks to have unearthed another promising three-year-old in Sunsoutgunsout.

The son of Always B Miki (two wins from three starts) is from the Bettor’s Delight mare Gold Elite (six wins) and became her seventh individual winner from seven foals to race.

Sunsoutgunsout was passed in at the 2024 Yearling Sales, but a deal was later completed between breeder Derek Moore and the current ownership group, with Moore retaining a share in the horse.

Ironically, a full sister to Sunsoutgunsout was also passed in at the recent 2026 Auckland Sale, though circumstances may well have changed since.

This is the immediate family of Charlie Brown (seven wins, $287,000) and General Jen (seven wins, $146,000 to date). Reid knows the family extremely well, having trained the full brother to Gold Elite in Gold Ace (22 wins, $1.25 million) to multiple Group 1 victories.

It gives the Reid stable a particularly strong hand in the three-year-old features across the season.

Breeder Derek Moore has a full brother weanling to the latest winner on the ground, while Gold Elite was served by Downbytheseaside in the most recent breeding season.

A Grand Weekend for Habibti Sadie

It was a standout weekend for the Pegasus Spur mare Habibti Sadie, leaving winners in both the North and South Islands.

At Auckland, Magic Dash recorded his ninth victory for the Hackett and Wallis training partnership, pushing his earnings to $141,000.

Later at Addington, Blue Collar impressed on debut for trainer Tom Bagrie and driver John Dunn, becoming the fourth foal from Habibti Sadie to race and the fourth winner.

Although Habibti Sadie did not race, the success of her progeny is hardly surprising. Her dam was a six race winner who produced the likes of Habibti (16 wins, $352,000), Habibti Ivy (nine wins, $186,000) and Habibi Inta (11 wins, $387,000).

The fillies in this immediate family have all bred on successfully, making it one of the hottest commercial trotting families currently active.

Habibti Sadie has a two-year-old by Wishing Stone on the ground and was served by Tactical Approach.

Cullens Mercy Producing Tough Performers

The five win Christian Cullen mare Cullens Mercy has done a tremendous job for owner Ray Reekie.

He’s Tough (by He’s Watching) travelled to Winton last week to record his ninth win and lift his earnings beyond $106,000.

Full sister She’s Tough also surpassed the $100,000 mark during her career, winning ten races. Meanwhile Its Tough, by Bettor’s Delight, is arguably the standout of the trio, having won 11 races and banked $185,000.

Three full sisters to Its Tough are still to come through, headed by the eldest Better B Tough.

Cullens Mercy was served by Downbytheseaside in the most recent breeding season.

Princess Lisa Building a Future

Princess Lisa is beginning to build an impressive record that could eventually translate into a valuable broodmare career for Stonewall Stud.

Back to back wins in recent weeks have taken the four-year-old mare’s tally to three victories. The American Ideal mare from Slangevar was placed as a two-year-old and continues to progress.

She is a full sister to the outstanding Triple Eight (21 wins, $743,000) and a half sister to seven other winners.

Among them are First Home (nine wins), Prince Of Pops (10 New Zealand wins) and the promising Ms Collins, who recently scored at Alexandra Park for the same connections.

Breeder Scott Plant, who has a close association with Stonewall Stud, also has a two-year-old full sister waiting in the wings.

Miki’s Deal Returns in Style

Southern filly Miki’s Deal has launched her three-year-old campaign in much the same fashion as her two-year-old season.

The talented filly scored impressively at Winton last week in a time of 1:53.5 for owner breeder Martyn Fairbairn and trainer Brett Gray.

A multiple Group 2 winner at her first two starts last season, the campaign did not fully unfold as hoped thereafter. However, her first run back as a three-year-old suggests a profitable season ahead.

Miki’s Deal represents a family that Fairbairn has carefully developed over many years.

Her dam Delightful Deal (by Bettor’s Delight) won four races for Fairbairn, who also bred the second dam Deal On The Day (by Julius Caesar), a five race winner.

Delightful Deal is also the dam of the promising Australian filly Kiss Me Mini, already a winner with a 1:53.2 mile rate.

Fairbairn currently has a yearling filly by Sweet Lou from the mare, along with a weanling colt by American Ideal. The mare was served by Captaintreacherous.

Lavra Rose Shows Promise

Kypros Kotzikas may no longer command the same industry profile he once held, but his mare Lavra Rose is giving every indication she could provide further success.

From just 12 starts, the four-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare from Neffeli Lavra has recorded three wins and five minor placings.

Her pedigree suggests she could become a valuable broodmare once her racing career concludes.

Her dam Neffeli Lavra won eight races and earned $93,000 in Australia. Lavra Rose is her first foal, with a yearling full sister also on the ground.

Unfortunately Neffeli Lavra (by Falcon Seelster) was lost last winter, increasing the long term broodmare value of Lavra Rose.

Second dam That’s Life Lavra (by Life Sign) won 10 races and $191,000 from only 42 starts. All seven of her live foals reached the races, with Bio Marinus (21 wins, $156,000) arguably the best performer.