Cover image courtesy of Riverrock Farm
Since opening the doors in 2013, Chad Ormsby and Aliesha Moroney-Ormsby have never wavered from their mission of making Riverrock Farm a leading boutique operation that delivers exceptional results. The business prides itself on recognising the unique characteristics of every horse and the goals of each owner.
Even the recent acquisition of 125 acres won’t tempt Ormsby and Moroney to stray too far.
“It’s good to have a bit more space and a few more options there that we’re looking at developing. We want to give the horses a bit of variety, especially in the way we prepare them,” Ormsby told TDN AusNZ.
“We don’t intend to get too big, we want to keep the quality there, that’s really important for us.”
“We don’t intend to get too big, we want to keep the quality there, that’s really important for us.” - Chad Ormsby
Ormsby and Moroney now oversee two bases at Karapiro Farm. The initial property, which was first used for the education of the youngster horses, is now used for spelling and agistment, while the new 125-acre block on Maungatautari Road is now ‘Riverrock HQ’ and has two barns and around 30 paddocks.
“The new place ticks a lot of boxes. It provides plenty of scope to develop an array of tracks including forest walks, hill gallops, and a stream to refresh any horse’s tired legs, in addition to the normal arena work,” Ormsby explained.
“It allows us to educate young horses and keep the older ones fresh, mentally.”
Like most people in racing, Ormsby and Moroney are both incredibly busy. Ormsby, a Group-1 winning jockey before teaming with Moroney’s father Michael in a training partnership at Matamata in 2012, is in charge of the racing barn, education and Ready to Run Sales, while, Aliesha helps oversee the business and marketing side of things, in between managing her own business.
Chad Ormsby and Aliesha Moroney-Ormsby | Image courtesy of Riverrock Farm
Riverrock Farm has enjoyed good results at New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale.
In 2019, a Pride Of Dubai colt from Emira (Commands) fetched NZ$300,000, while a year later, their Savabeel-Sister Celeste (Galileo {Ire}) colt made NZ$120,000. In 2021, their top lot was another colt by Savabeel, this time from Fast Company (Fastnet Rock), which was knocked down to David Ellis of Te Akau for NZ$340,000. They also had two other 2-year-olds make in excess of NZ$200,000 in 2021.
They head to Karaka armed with a quality draft of eight – six colts and two fillies.
“It’s been busy enough; there’s a good number of agents and local and international buyers,” said Ormsby.
“I’m really happy with the draft and they’ve been very well-received.”
“I’m really happy with the draft and they’ve been very well-received.” - Chad Ormsby
A chip off the old block
Ormsby was quick to highlight Riverrock Farm's No Nay Never (USA) colt (Lot 142) when asked which of their 2-year-olds are the standouts.
He is by the sire of recent Group 1 winner Madame Pommery, from the two-time winner La Cicciolina (Bernardini {USA}), who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Crack Me Up (NZ) (Mossman), Listed victor Hoofit (NZ) (Mossman) and six-time winner and Group 3 placegetter Leading Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}).
Lot 142 - No Nay Never (USA) x La Cicciolina (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The colt’s grandam, Chuckle (Danehill {USA}), won at Listed level and was Group 2 placed, while his third dam, Clowning (Rory’s Jester), is a three-quarter sister to Group 2 winner Catnipped (Rory’s Jester) and Listed victress Miss Prospect (Rory’s Jester). The latter is the dam of Group 1 winner turned sire Reward For Effort, as well as Listed winner Consular.
“No Nay Never is a horse I have always liked and I’ve bought a few horses by him and had a bit of success, so I’m happy to have another one; there’s not a lot of them around,” he said.
“He is a nice type and I think everyone that has seen him would attest to that. He’s a typical No Nay Never, strong and with that dark colour, while athletic at the same time.
“He (Lot 142) is a nice type and I think everyone that has seen him would attest to that. He’s a typical No Nay Never, strong and with that dark colour, while athletic at the same time.” - Chad Ormsby
“He ticks a lot of boxes and should do well.”
The colt impressed in his 200-metre breeze-up, clocking 10.24s, which was the fastest time recorded by the Riverrock Farm draft.
The No Nay Never colt breezed alongside draftmate, Lot 198 – a colt by the late, great Tavistock (NZ) out of Orphea (Fastnet Rock).
The pinhook from the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale stopped the clock at a slick 10.28s.
Lot 198 - Tavistock (NZ) x Orphea (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“They’re both really nice and colts and did it in good style,” Ormsby said.
“They weren’t pushed too hard and there’s more in store for them and they’ll both improve.”
History maker
Lot 198 will go down in history as being the last progeny of Tavistock to go through a sales ring. He did that at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), when offered by Cambridge Stud as Lot 468.
“We managed to buy him at a pretty reasonable price and he’s gone the right way since,” said Ormsby.
“They don’t make them anymore, so he should be popular.
“They don’t make them (Tavistocks) anymore, so he (Lot 198) should be popular.” - Chad Ormsby
“Tavistock has produced a host of Derby winners, including Pinarello, Asterix, Tavago and Tarzino and we believe this colt could well be a Derby prospect, too.
“We own him ourselves and we put them up to sell, so hopefully he does well. He’s shown potential all the way along and it won’t matter which jurisdiction he’s in, he’ll do well.”
The colt is bred on the same cross as Group 1 performer Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and his dam is a sister to G1 Australian Guineas hero Rock Classic, whose dam Midnight Ballet (Peintre Celebre {USA}), was an unraced half-sister to Campbell Fever (Bluebird {USA}), the dam of Listed victress Woppitt (Danzero).
Lot 198 will be the last juvenile progeny of Tavistock (NZ) (pictured) to be offered at a live auction
The colt’s third dam, Midnight Fever (Luskin Star), won the G1 Blue Diamond S. in 1987 and was named Top Filly on the 1986/87 Australasian 2-Year-Old Classification. Her sister, Startling Lass, was a Group 2 winner and produced stakes winners Shovhog (Danehill {USA}) and Shovoff (Danehill {USA}).
Pedigree power
Riverrock Farm will offer two fillies, one by Wrote (Ire), the other by Dundeel (NZ).
Ormsby said the Dundeel filly – Lot 320 – was a real eye-catcher with a deep pedigree.
She is bred on the same cross as the promising Group 2-winning 3-year-old Let’srollthedice (Dundeel {NZ}).
Remarkably, every dam on her page is stakes performed.
Gallery: Riverrock Farm's fillies to be offered at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, images courtesy of NZB
She is from the More Than Ready (USA) mare Vivi Veloce, who won at Group 3 level in South Australia, and is a half-sister to Group 2 victress Sabatini (Street Cry {Ire}). The filly’s grandam, Royal Sash (Royal Academy {USA}), took out the G3 Mannerism S. in 2004.
“Plenty of people that come and have a look at her (Lot 320) box are taken by her pedigree,” Ormsby explained.
“She’s a very nice filly and has great residual value.”
The filly breezed in 10.35s.
