http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.lethamstud.co.nz en-us Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:19:45 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/165320/the-champ-is-back/ West Coast showed his champion qualities at Te Rapa on Sunday when he chased down runaway leader Whiskey Tango to score his first win in 20 months in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m).The Mark Oulaghan-trained 10-year-old has an unblemished record at the Hamilton track, winning both of his previous starts at the venue, including the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m), but he has been winless since his 2024 triumph.Following a seven-run campaign last year, Oulaghan gave ... Sun, 24 May 2026 15:05:36 +1200 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post165320 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/165302/west-coast-to-kick-off-jumping-season-at-te-rapa/ Jumps fans will rejoice this weekend when they get to see Champion Jumper West Coast return over fences in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) at Te Rapa on Sunday.The Hamilton track has been a happy stomping ground for the 10-year-old gelding, who has won both of his starts at the venue – the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m).He hasn’t won since his 2024 Great Northern triumph, and trainer Mark Oulaghan is hoping he can bounce back to winning form with his return to... Fri, 22 May 2026 15:51:26 +1200 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post165302 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/159307/anemacore-strikes-in-sunshine-coast-cup/ Letham Stud stallion Unusual Suspect was credited with his second stakes winner when Anemacore lived up to his long-held potential and pre-race favouritism with victory in Saturday’s A$160,000 Listed Coastline BMW Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m).Ridden by Michael Rodd for trainer Shaun Dwyer, Anemacore had only three horses behind him with 300m to run but produced a powerful finishing burst to get up and win by a length and a quarter.Anemacore has now had 20 start... Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:13:10 +1300 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post159307 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/153315/good-times-keep-rolling-for-family-operation/ Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.They own and operate Letham Stud on the outskirts of Wanganui, with son and Group One-winning trainer Fraser close by at Marton.The family celebrated a winning trans-Tasman double at the weekend with homebred She’s Unusual scoring at Rosehill on Saturday and a day later enjoyed further success at Waverleywith Un... Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:26:06 +1300 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post153315 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/153215/stakes-target-for-smart-stayer-shes-unusual/ Six-year-old mare She’s Unusual was a well-supported winner of the Irresistible Pools & Spas Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The daughter of Unusual Suspect was perfectly ridden by Zac Lloyd, tracking the leader Nkosi before unleashing a devastating sprint to score by just over three lengths. Sporting the colours of OTI Racing for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, the Randwick conditioners believe the mare is best-suited by a space between runs. &n... Sat, 27 Sep 2025 20:48:09 +1200 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post153215 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/147648/shes-unusual-cruises-to-front-running-success/ Five-year-old mare She’s Unusual made the most of some cheap sectionals to lead her rivals a merry dance when winning the Elite Sand & Soil Handicap (1800m) on Saturday under an astute front-running ride by Tommy Berry. Prepared by John O'Shea and Tom Charlton, She’s Unusual was off and gone rounding the home bend and had just under two lengths to spare at the post from runner-up Gentileschi. A maiden winner in New Zealand for Fraser Auret, She’s... Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:12:42 +1200 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post147648 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/139598/sounds-unusual-shows-promise-at-canterbury/ New Zealand-bred gelding Sounds Unusual hinted at a bright future over staying distances with a maiden victory in the A$100,000 Ranvet Plate (1900m) at Canterbury on New Year’s Day.The four-year-old began his career only a month ago, finishing strongly from last to run second over 1500m at Newcastle on December 1. He produced another late run for third over 1900m at Canterbury on December 13, earning $1.45 favouritism for his third career start on Wednesday.Sounds Unusual was ridden ... Thu, 02 Jan 2025 08:49:12 +1300 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post139598 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/134766/legendary-jumper-west-coast-defends-great-northern-crown/ Richard Edmunds, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)Letham Stud-bred West Coast further cemented his status as one of New Zealand’s greatest ever steeplechasers with a stirring defence of his title in the $150,000 Ben & Ryan Foote Racing Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) at Te Rapa on Sunday.Both of West Coast’s Great Northern triumphs have come under gruelling 73kg topweights, and they sit proudly on his mantelpiece alongside his unprecedented three straight wi... Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:51:50 +1200 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post134766 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/134743/unusual-legacy-takes-big-step-towards-metropolitan/ Next month’s Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) is looming large on the horizon for Unusual Legacy, who enhanced his growing reputation with an outstanding last-to-first performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Chandon Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill.The Benchmark 88 handicap was the fifth win from only an eight-start career for Unusual Legacy, who has earned A$252,945. Trainer Chris Waller shares ownership with his wife Stephanie, along with long-term stable clients the Muollo family.Unusual Legacy... Sat, 14 Sep 2024 17:39:41 +1200 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post134743 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/post/134652/high-flying-pair-on-great-northern-pursuit/ By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News DeskMark Oulaghan’s star jumpers West Coast and Berry The Cash were unstoppable in last month’s Grand National contests, and on Sunday, they are heavily-favoured to add the Great Northern equivalents to their formidable records.Letham Stud bred West Coast has largely been the benchmark for steeplechasers in New Zealand for the past two seasons, winning a multitude of prestige crowns, including three-straight editions of the Grand Nat... Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:14:31 +1200 http://www.lethamstud.co.nz/blog/#post134652