The Amberley-based Orr has a pair of colts in Book 1 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and four colts and a filly in Book 2, all homebreds from foundation mares purchased in recent years.
Orr has racing and breeding in his blood and said he had now got to the stage where he was financially able to diversify and turn his attention to thoroughbreds.
“My uncle was Jim Otway, who owned Trelawney Stud and we spent a lot of time out there as kids,” Orr said. “My grandfather bred racehorses and the Red Oak name has been going for 98 years.
“We never had enough spare money to put into horses, but we’ve got ourselves set up now so we thought we’d have a crack. We just want to breed good fillies to race, and you get a few colts so you’ve got to sell them and I can do it myself.
“We never had enough spare money to put into horses, but we’ve got ourselves set up now so we thought we’d have a crack.” – Rick Orr
“We’re in northern Amberley and we’ve got 7500 acres of hill country and run 20,000 stock units of sheep and cattle. We’ve built a small complex to house the young horses and graze the mares and foals when they come home.
“What we’re about is trying to breed good fillies that we can race and hopefully end up with black type mares that can improve the broodmare band.”
When Orr made the decision to move into breeding he contacted successful Taranaki breeder Dan Myers, brother of trainer Kevin, and ended up with more than he had bargained for.
Rick Orr
“I acquired a few mares through Dan Myers and decided to have a crack myself and not pay anyone else to do it,” he said.
“Everyone knows Dan has had some good stock and I rang him about a horse he had on gavelhouse.com and he said he was selling all his mares. He suggested I should come up and have a look.
“I went to have a look at one mare and ended up buying six so I lost the plot a bit.”
“I went to have a look at one mare and ended up buying six so I lost the plot a bit.” – Rick Orr
One of the purchases was Enchanteress (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), who is out of a half-sister to G1 Dewhurst S. winner and champion sire Scenic (Ire), who was an NZ$1.3 million Karaka yearling.
“She was dry at the time and had slipped a few, but she’s now got a cracking Vanbrugh colt foal and we’ve got her in foal to Rip Van Winkle,” Orr said. “I’ve gone with the Danehill-Galileo cross.
“We work out the matings and my brother Jon is pretty passionate about it. We look at all the crosses that work and go from there.”
Red Oak will offer a daughter of Showcasing (GB) as Lot 306 and a son of Iffraaj (GB), Lot 491, during the Book 1 sale.
“She’s a really nice filly and you know how good the Showcasings are going and there’s only the three of them in Book 1,” Orr said. “We rate her highly and she’s from a very good family. She’s out of an older mare, but she’s left winners.”
“She’s a really nice filly and you know how good the Showcasings are going and there’s only the three of them in Book 1.” - Rick Orr
The dam is Starbelly (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), a half-sister to the G1 Del Mare John Mabee H. winner Black Mamba (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}), and four of her five foals to race have been successful.
“The last one by Tavistock, named Frankie Blue Eyes hasn’t won yet, but he’s run a couple of placings. He got a bit crook for Trent Busuttin and he rates it highly and it was entered for the Australian Derby,” Orr said.
“With the Stravinsky speed line and Showcasing our filly looks an early type. She’s a really nice sort.”
Showcasing (GB) | Standing at Whitsbury Manor Stud
The Iffraaj colt is out of Catbird Kitty (Catbird) and the pedigree page features the G1 Easter H. winner Pasta Post (NZ) (Postponed {USA}), the G1 English 2000 Guineas winner Mystiko (USA) (Secreto {USA}) and the former champion Irish 2-year-old Basim (USA) (Capote {USA}).
“He’s a real cracker and he’s got a full brother who made NZ$210,000. He was bought by Duncan Ramage and John Sargent’s training him,” Orr said. “He’s called Dominus and had his first race the other day.
“He’s a bit big and raw, but he’s been pretty impressive at the trials. They gelded him and know they rate him highly.”
Iffraaj (GB) | Standing at Haunui Farm
The Tavistock (NZ) filly withdrawn from Book 1 is out of the Encosta de Lago mare Phocis, who is from the family of G1 Golden Slipper S. winner and sire Vancouver, will be retained by Orr to race.
Red Oak will present a draft of five during the Book 2 session with colts by Tarzino (NZ), Lot 711; Burgundy (NZ), Lot 898; Shamexpress (NZ), Lot 971; Charm Spirit (Ire), Lot 1114 and a filly by Pins, Lot 1072.
“We’ve got a few out of older mares, but they’re all well-bred so we’re pretty happy,” Orr said.
