Breeders set to celebrate National Awards

After a two year COVID-19 enforced hiatus, the New Zealand National Breeding Awards are back on the calendar.

Sponsored by AGrowQuip John Deere, the dinner and awards will be held on Saturday 30th July and will be the first ‘live’ event combining the celebration of the New Zealand Breeding Awards as well as the breeders of Group One winners during the racing season.

“It is really exciting to be able to actually get together to have the awards,” Waikato Branch President Dave Duley said.

“It is the first time we have been able to have a live event to present both the National Breeding Awards, which were previously part of the NZTR Horse of the Year function, and the Group One Awards.

“It’s a function that brings breeders from all around the country together to celebrate our success.”

Starting at 5.30pm, the AGrowQuip John Deere National Breeding Awards will be held at the Don Rowlands Centre on Lake Karapiro and tickets are $200pp.

Hosted by the NZTBA Waikato Branch, the evening will honour the Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan Breeder of the Year, the Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year, the Small Breeder of the Year, the three Champion stallion Awards, Personality of the Year and Mary Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award.

“It is great that AGrowQuip John Deere has come on board and taken naming rights to the awards,” Duley said. “We are really grateful to them and think it is a great fit for our Association.

“It will be glitz and glam event with live auctions as well as the awards with Steve Davis and Emily Bosson as our MCs. They’re pretty excited to be able to host a live event too.

“We have 28 Group One Awards as well, which is testament to how successful our New Zealand-bred horses are.

“We have a really enthusiastic committee and everyone is really getting behind the awards and taking part to create an event that honours the success of New Zealand breeders.”

To purchase tickets click HERE Those who purchased tickets to the 2021 event can transfer them to this year’s awards.