Wexford Stables

31/05/2026

We’re looking forward to getting on-course at Te Aroha this afternoon 🐎

CHAPPY (Masa Hashizume, barrier 11) will line up in race 2 at 12.15pm. The blinkers go on for the first time today. He looks incredibly healthy, and while he’ll need fortune from the wide gate, if backs up his fresh up run he will go close.

GRANDE GALLO (Masa Hashizume, barrier 11) will line up in race 5 at 1.59pm. She can’t buy a barrier - she’s another that will need fortune in the run! She’s airborne on the track, is racing particularly well and just needs a touch of luck in the running to be a winner.

TRISTAR (Matt Cartwright, barrier 9) will also line up in race 5. Blazing on the training tracks, she’s a good sprinting mare that will be hitting the line hard. Any rain won’t bother her.

UP THE ANTI (Masa Hashizume, barrier 12) will line up in race 9 at 4.18. Racing very consistently, he enjoyed the extra distance last start when finishing a close 2nd. He always goes a good race and will round off the day strongly for the team albeit from a wide gate.

31/05/2026

“We have got a bit of money to raise for the research team, the cure programmes, so hopefully she will go a long way towards helping us out.” ✨

The CatWalk Trust partnered with Entain to form The CatWalk Collective syndicate, which comprises 25 members who each have a one percent share in CATWALK QUEEN, with the remaining 75 percent of her prizemoney earned being donated straight to the Trust.

This is a neat one. Read more via the link below.

Nicky and Nick White are hoping Catwalk Queen’s debut win at Tauranga on Friday is the first of many, with the Kaha Nui Farm principals raising awareness and funds for the CatWalk Trust through the fi

30/05/2026

This is becoming a habit… GENERAL MENARI does it again, bringing up back-to-back wins at Te Rapa Racing in fine style today 🔥

Ridden by Masa Hashizume, strapped by Pratap Singh and proudly owned by Mark and Tania Stratford - congratulations team!

30/05/2026

Now that’s how you make your debut! LUMBRIDGE CASTLE storms home to win at Te Rapa Racing, in the hands of Masa Hashizume.

A $100,000 yearling purchase by Wexford, congratulations to his syndicate on the perfect start! The way he did it, something tells us this won’t be your last trip to the winner’s circle… 🥂 🔥

29/05/2026

It's a busy one team! Lining up today at Te Rapa Racing...

THE DARZI (Erin Leighton, barrier 14) will line up in race 1 at 12.17pm. He went an improvers race on debut and getting out to the mile today will suit him better. He's got an awkward draw to contend with, but if he gets favours in the run, he’ll be running on.

LUMBRIDGE CASTLE (Masa Hashizume, barrier 7) will line up in race 2 at 12.52pm. On debut, he comes into today with good levels of education and trial form. He’s been patiently handled, has shown ability and is a big strong gelding that can make a good account of himself.

GENERAL MENARI (pictured) (Masa Hashizume, barrier 7) will line up in race 3 at 1.27pm. Shooting for back-to-back wins, he’s continued to train on well. He always races well at Te Rapa and we’re hoping he can repeat the dose from a tricky draw.

RUBY RUSH (Craig Grylls, barrier 2) is another wexford-trained last start winner to line up in the third on the card. She races well at Te Rapa and has enjoyed a nice freshen between races. While there is a touch of improvement in her, she’ll sprint well fresh and give the Racing Queens Syndicate a fair bit to shout about.

LITTLE BIT OF LOVE (Masa Hashizume, barrier 7) will line up in race 5 at 2.39pm. He returned to the races and was straight into the winner's enclosure last start. He’s always a terrific track worker, comes in well weighted and gives 110% in his races.

UDERZO (Warren Kennedy, barrier 1) will give Wexford twice the chance in the open 1400m event. Back in trip today, Te Rapa is one of his more favoured tracks. He races well on the back up and with the right kind of run, can bounce into form.

EVER CHARM (Craig Grylls, barrier 14) will line up in race 6 at 3.14pm. He doesn’t have to improve much to get a well deserved win. He loves variety in his work and has enjoyed some dressage and jumping between races. He’s capable of winning a couple over the winter and hopefully today is the start of that winning sequence!

PUROSANGUE (Sam McNab, barrier 10) will line up in race 7 at 3.49pm. Looking to put two together, we see no reason why he can’t. The better track shouldn’t worry him and if he races up to his good looks, he’ll be hard to beat.

WHISTLER (Masa Hashizume, barrier 6) will also line up in race 7. Another last start winner, he's taken good confidence from that win. He steps up in class today, but he's a gelding we've always believed would get through to a good level of racing. The hood goes on for the first time today.

REPTAK (Sam McNab, barrier 3) will line up in race 8 at 4.24pm. Kicking off his winter campaign, he’s trialed in well and always puts in high levels of energy into his work. He might need the ground a touch softer but always goes a very honest race.

SHE’S ALL THAT (Craig Grylls, barrier 13) will also line up in race 8. She’ll need some luck from the barrier but is a course and distance winner. New Zealand’s leading jockey is on to navigate the barrier and not many will parade looking better than her.

RIBKRAKA (Erin Leighton, barrier 11) will also line up in race 8. Another that’s probably looking for a shower of rain. He may need this one, but is a strong winter galloper and is one to keep an eye out for when the rain arrives.

PRUDENTIA (Masa Hashizume, barrier 1) will be one of four Wexford-trained runners in race 8. She put in a top run on this track last start. She enjoys Te Rapa, starts from the ace gate and is a mare that is only improving with time and racing.

29/05/2026

The Queen reigns supreme heading into King’s Birthday Weekend! Catwalk Queen storming home for a special win at Tauranga - with OSIPOVA flashing late for 2nd to hand Wexford the quinella 🥂

We get a thrill out of every winner… but this one is extra special . CATWALK QUEEN was donated to The CatWalk Trust by Trustee Nicky White and husband Nick. She is raced by Entain alongside 25 loyal CatWalk Trust supporters. The best part: the majority of her prizemoney goes straight back into supporting the incredible work The CatWalk Trust does for spinal cord injury research.

A true Queen in every sense she is - congratulations to her connections on the perfect start 👑

28/05/2026

The team heads to Racing Tauranga today, with five ladies on the truck 💥

OSIPOVA (Jasmine Fawcett, barrier 5) will line up in race 5 at 2.25pm. A filly that has taken a little longer for the penny to drop, she’s talented when she gets things right. If she puts her best foot forward, she’ll be hitting the line strong.

CATWALK QUEEN (Matt Cartwright, barrier 6) will also line up in race 5. On debut, she been well pleasing at the trials. She’s well educated, has been patiently handled and a bold debut is expected.

SISTER CYNANE (pictured) (Masa Hashizume, barrier 2) will line up in race 6 at 3.08pm. She’s finally drawn a good barrier today. She loves going right-handed and should appreciate the better footing. She’s talented on her day and wouldn’t surprise us if she ran a big race in the event sponsored by The Flying Mullet - and there’d be no better place for the winning celebrations afterwards!

FOXGLOVE (Hayley Hassman, barrier 10) will line up in race 8 at 4.15pm. She put in a much-improved effort last start. She’s continued to improve since that outing and will be booming home again, aided by Hayley’s claim.

AL AZHAR (Masa Hashizume, barrier 3) will also line up in race 8. Back on better footing and going right-handed today is key. She’s worked the house down and can atone for her form quickly.

27/05/2026

After four and a half years as an integral part of Team Wexford, Assistant Trainer Nathan Trumper is set to farewell the stable and begin his next chapter.

Having joined the team at the beginning of 2022, Nathan has played a key role in the continued growth and success of Wexford. From the early mornings in the depths of winter, managing large teams of horses at the trials with anticipation for the season ahead, to leading in Group 1 winners on some of the biggest racedays in the country, Nathan has been a backbone of the stable throughout his tenure.

In that time, Wexford has celebrated 10 Group 1 victories and more than 240 winners.

When asked about his favourite memory at Wexford, Nathan didn’t hesitate to reflect on Asterix’s New Zealand Derby victory.

“We believed in the horse and knew he’d run well, but we didn’t expect him to win,” Nathan recalled.

“His campaign was plagued with foot issues, so a lot of work and management went into getting his feet right. It was during COVID, but there was still plenty of noise from the grandstands. That was special.”

The horse to leave the biggest impression on Nathan was triple Group 1 winner Waitak.

“So much work went into him and it took a couple of years to really work him out as a horse. It’s been satisfying to see him realise his ability in recent years,” he said.

“He’s a proper weight-for-age horse and over all distances as well, winning a Railway and then winning weight-for-age races over 1600m and 2000m. I’ll continue to follow the old boy.”

Looking back on his time with the stable, Nathan says he is most proud of the growth and evolution of Team Wexford in recent seasons.

“When I first started, a lot of good horses were heading up to Hong Kong. Now they are staying at Wexford and we’re winning those big races that everyone wants to win.

“Being entrusted with a top-quality barn of horses and being mentored by Lance and Andrew has undoubtedly been a highlight for me.

“I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to develop both as a person, entrusted with leadership, and gain experience in many aspects of the industry.”

Reflecting on Nathan’s time with Wexford, Lance said:

“It’s been a pleasure to witness Nathan’s growth over the past four and a half years, both as a horseman and in the leadership role he has taken on within our stable. We’re incredibly proud of the contribution he has made to Wexford.

“Nathan is exactly the type of young person we need to retain in racing. He rarely had a sick day, was always early to work, and his passion for the horses and the stable has always shone through.

“What I am most proud of personally is the person Nathan is. He has grown into an extremely competent horseman and someone we’ve trusted with a top quality team of horses at leadership level. Nathan leaves a lasting impression on everyone at Wexford and while he’ll be sadly missed, there’s no doubt he’s a man going places.

“I certinly know this is only the beginning of Nathan's story and he has a very bright future ahead of him. We’ll always be proud to have been part of his journey.”

Nathan, thank you for everything you have contributed to Wexford over the past four and a half years. We wish you all the very best for what comes next and know you will always be part of Team Wexford.

25/05/2026

Lucky for us, our horses are a lot more reliable than us writing a Wexford Weekly Wrap… but it’s been a big seven days, so an update felt necessary!

POUNCE - where do we start with this exciting filly? Fresh-up at Ellerslie, she dominated a quality 2YO field and gave her large syndicate a huge thrill. The way she put them away suggests there’s plenty more to come. She’ll now head out for a short break which will only aid her development before returning for spring targets. Purchased by Team Wexford as a yearling for $110,000, she’s one we're very happy to have in the barn.

Speaking of 2YOs, we’ve never been a stable to push big numbers of juveniles to the races. We only race the types that are naturally precocious and ready to do the job, and we’re proud of the results. Four two-year-olds to the races this season for three Saturday winners and one very encouraging fourth - even better, all four were purchased as yearlings by Team Wexford.

TE ENCUENTRO - won on debut on Boxing Day and runner-up in the Gr.2 Breeders’ Stakes.
DASHING DIXIE - won on debut on Waikato Cup Day.
POUNCE - dominant winner at Ellerslie on Saturday.
FIAMMA - flashing home for fourth on debut at Ellerslie after recording the fastest last 600m, 400m and 200m of the race before heading to the paddock for spring.

THE RITZ gave us plenty to cheer about at Te Rapa yesterday, breaking through for a very deserved win. Congratulations to owner Jasmine Casey - it was great to see those very famous colours once again in the winner's circle.

Taupo Racing Club put on a brilliant day of trials on Tuesday and we left with big smiles on our faces. We were particularly pleased with AUTUMN MIST, ARDROBELLE and LE FLEUR - three lovely staying 3YO fillies in the making.

And finally… WAITAK is back. Somehow bigger and stronger than ever (and no, we’re not just saying that - we actually measured him!). After winning two Group 1s last season and going down narrowly in two more, it was a campaign that probably lacked the luck it deserved. We’ve got no doubt he’ll return a force again this season, and the old boy looked very happy to be back in his box this week.

Busy week ahead with racing Friday, Saturday and Monday. Stay tuned for the runner's previews on raceday morning. Go well!

24/05/2026

THE RITZ shouting the team a trip to the winner’s circle today at Te Rapa Racing! 🥂

A big congratulations to owner Jasmine Casey on the deserved win from your filly. THE RITZ was ridden by Sam McNab and strapped by Pratap Singh.