MEDIA RELEASE | Cambridge Stud extend their relationship with Auckland Thoroughbred Racing as the return to Ellerslie beckons

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) and Cambridge Stud have extended their long-time partnership through to the end of the 2024/25 season seeing the iconic New Zealand stud retain naming rights to the Group 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic and the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy. 

The Group 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic, a race run over 2050m for $450,000 under weight-for-age conditions, is named in recognition of Cambridge Stud’s champion stallion Zabeel.  The race is set to see it’s 38^th running at Pukekohe Park on Tuesday, 26 December 2023 with Brendan and Jo Lindsay, principals of Cambridge Stud, own runner Aquacade contesting. 

The Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy is a 1200m race for three-year-olds run under set-weights-and-penalties.  Named for current Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion, Almanzor, the race has a stake of $225,000 and takes place on TAB Karaka Millions night with the raceday acting as the official return to the New Zealand racing stage for Ellerslie Racecourse.

Cambridge Stud has been a partner of the Auckland Racing Club, and now Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, for many years and it’s so pleasing to see Brendan and Jo Lindsay continue their relationship with the Club as we embark on this new era commented ATR CEO, Paul Wilcox.

“Cambridge Stud is one of New Zealand’s most iconic studs and we’re thrilled to continue our relationship with them.

“Brendan and Jo are great supporters of us here at ATR as well as the wider industry and we are all the better for it.

“They’ve been regular attendees at Pukekohe Park and I look forward to welcoming Brendan and Jo back to Ellerslie in 2024.”

Brendan and Jo Lindsay oncourse at Ellerslie for the track opening in December 2023.

Cambridge Stud principal, Brendan Lindsay, echoed those sentiments.

“It’s great to continue our partnership with ATR and continue to celebrate, not only the legacy of Zabeel, but also one of our current stallions in Almanzor especially on the eve of the Karaka Sales.

“The Karaka Millions holds some wonderful memories for us with Probabeel’s success in both the 2YO and 3YO races as well the 2022 running of the Karaka Million 2YO resulting in Almanzor’s first New Zealand winner, Dynastic.

“ATR’s commitment to bettering the New Zealand racing industry, spearheaded by the installation of the StrathAyr track, is hugely exciting and we’re pleased to be a part of it.”

The Group 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic will be run on Tuesday 26^th December 2023, as a part of the Boxing Day Races at Pukekohe Park.  The Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy will take place on Saturday 27^th January as a part of the TAB Karaka Millions at Ellerslie Racecourse.

– Ends –