Well-known Australian owner Ozzie Kheir has had plenty of success buying thoroughbreds out of New Zealand, and now he is looking to boost his investment across the Tasman.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s announcement last month on the summer racing calendar revamp, prizemoney increases and introduction of the $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) slot race piqued the interest of many in the industry, and Kheir was not exception.
Kheir has been a long-time fan of the New Zealand thoroughbred, and he is excited about the prospect of competing here with his Kiwi purchases.
“There is a lot of substance to a New Zealand horse,” Kheir said. “They breed milers and staying types. I love racing horses that have that scope to improve from three onwards. That is probably why I love Europe and New Zealand racing.”
Kheir is particularly keen to get his hands on a slot in The NZB Kiwi, set to be the southern hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, with slots set to be auctioned at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Sales Centre on February 27.
“I am looking at the options available there. I would like to be involved if we can and support it,” he said.
“I think it is fantastic because it gets to a point in New Zealand where if they (horses) are good enough, they have to leave New Zealand and chase the prizemoney in Australia. I think increasing prizemoney and putting these slot races on attracts the owners to stay and race in New Zealand, or in cases like us, come back and race in New Zealand.
“We might be buying horses for Australia but when those races are available there is no reason why we wouldn’t come back and race in them ourselves, and that is how it all starts.”
New Zealand has been a great source of thoroughbred talent for Kheir, who has experienced the high of Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) success and multiple Group One victories with Verry Elleegant, while his own colours have been to the fore through the likes of multiple Group One winner Sierra Sue.
He is currently experiencing plenty of fun with Kiwi-bred Jimmysstar, who has secured a wildcard for the A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) following his three undefeated starts in Australia.
“Jimmy has definitely been one out of the box,” he said. “He has been a nice surprise, we didn’t purchase him thinking that he would give us this ride. We were always hopeful that he would be a nice stakes horse but to be giving us the ride he is giving us at the moment is fantastic.
“He is proving to be a good acquisition and it has been great partnering up with the owners who have stayed in because I think they would have had a lot of regrets if they had sold him completely. It is good to have those guys involved. We see each other regularly and wish each other the best of luck. It has been a good journey so far.”
Earlier this week, Kheir also secured a majority share in Group One-winning filly Molly Bloom and is looking to gain immediate success when she lines-up in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday for Wexford Stables.
“It has been a long time coming,” Kheir said. “We have liked her from her first run, where she ran third, and we have been following her ever since. We have stayed in contact with Lance O’Sullivan to try and cut a deal, we were always a bit apart, but the gap bridged a lot closer when she won her Group One and we were able to cut a deal after the Karaka race (TAB Karaka Millions 3YO, where she ran seventh).
“She will run this week for the partnership. Hopefully she runs well and from there we will talk with Lance and the team and work out a plan. Most likely we will freshen her up post this run and target a Queensland Oaks (Gr.1, 2200m) path. A lot will depend on how she runs on Saturday.”
While her future lies in Australia, Kheir said she will remain with current trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott this preparation.
“We have got a few trainers that we work closely with (in Australia), but at this stage the decision is that we don’t need to do that as yet. We have got time, and we will make that decision later after we know what path she will take,” he said.
Kheir is excited about the future of racing in New Zealand and said his presence could one day be extended to having a team of horses competing in the burgeoning racing jurisdiction.
“We have always been active at the sales in New Zealand, both the ready-to-runs and the yearling market,” he said.
“We are building some nice relationships with some trainers in New Zealand. Hopefully in the future we will have some horses in New Zealand to race ourselves, and that is only a matter of time. As that prizemoney does become more attractive, why wouldn’t we?”
