Plenty of New Zealand’s thoroughbred nurseries were celebrating the elite-level success of their graduates at Randwick on Saturday and Haunui Farm were firmly in the mix.
The South Auckland farm has enjoyed a long association with Jonathan Munz of GSA Bloodstock, with Saturday’s Gr.1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) winner Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel) being a product of the partnership.
“We have got a good relationship with Dean Hawthorne, Johnathan Munz’s bloodstock manager, so we have been fortunate to be the home for most of Johnathan’s bloodstock in New Zealand over the years,” Haunui Farm managing director Mark Chitty said.
“We were very fortunate to have Jonathan’s GSA Bloodstock broodmares here that went to (Waikato Stud stallion) Super Seth, Amerinda (dam) was obviously one of those mares.
“He (Munz) raced Super Seth and we bred 15 to 17 mares in that year to Super Seth.
“Militarize was foaled down here during the spring of 2020.
“He is a very nice horse. He had a bit more strength to him than other Dundeels. We have had a few here. He is a very correct horse and grew out very well out of a Dubawi mare.”
The two-year-old son of Dundeel was raised on the farm before he was sent to Australia to be sold as a yearling.
“I remember when we sent him to Bhima (Thoroughbreds) in October, I think they had two or three Dundeels and I said this horse would match up really well,” Chitty said.
“He subsequently did because he sold for very good money, A$550,000. He is just a lovely horse and has a great attitude and is a great mover.”
Chitty said it was great to celebrate another Group One victory by a farm graduate.
“When you manage the horses until they are well over a year of age when they depart, you have had a small part to play,” he said.
“We are very pleased that we have been able to have another Group One winner come off the farm, especially a two-year-old in Australia.”
