Cover image courtesy of Rich Hill Stud
Rich Hill Stud, Cambridge Stud, and Windsor Park Stud have generously offered to support the next generation of industry leaders, helping to create opportunities for young New Zealanders to expand their knowledge and experience within the thoroughbred industry.
As part of this initiative, nominations to three leading stallions, Proisir, Sword Of State, and Circus Maximus (Ire), will be auctioned off at the 2025 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association National Breeding Awards, with all proceeds going to support the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship.
On Saturday 26 July, the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding community will gather at the National Breeding Awards, not only to celebrate excellence but to invest in the future of our people and our industry.
The Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship gives emerging Kiwi leaders a unique nine-month global experience to build the skills, confidence, and connections our industry needs to thrive. Over 20 past recipients have gone on to contribute significantly across the industry, both here and abroad.
A legacy of achievement: Notable names who have excelled
Some of the past recipients have gone on to have successful careers in various areas of the industry. Among them are the late Michael Wallace, Libby Bleakley, Bruce Slade, Dominic Corban, Matt Scown, Jamie Richards, Robert Dennis, Benji King, Bevan Smith, Lance Forbes, and Sam Bergerson, amongst others.
It reads like a who's who of the racing and breeding game across Australasia, emphasising the significance of the scholarship and the foundation it has provided to so many outstanding contributors in the sport.
Nick Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, reflected on the legacy of the scholarship:
Nick Johnson | Image courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
“That’s what it is all about, identifying young talent and helping them enable them to get a base that can set them up for a successful career in the industry.
“These people have ended up in racing administration, breeding or racing jobs, and even though we are a breeding-related scholarship, we are one industry, a well-rounded industry,” he continued.
“We can tailor the scholarship a certain way, for example this year’s recipient Josh Herd has a good breeding background, but his real passion is more in racing, so we have adapted the scholarship so he can spend some time with Chris Waller in Sydney as part of his last leg. We can work with our recipients to make sure they get the best experience they can.”
Three outstanding stallions: A mix of proven and promising
On the night of the awards, service nominations to three of New Zealand’s leading stallions will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship.
From Rich Hill Stud, the Proisir Syndicate has offered a nomination to Proisir, whose rise to prominence has been remarkable. From humble beginnings, he has become New Zealand’s Champion Sire for the 2023–24 season, with a string of elite performers.
Proisir | Standing at Rich Hill Stud, NZ
He is now the sire of 23 stakes winners, including Group 1 stars such as Levante (NZ), Legarto (NZ), Prowess (NZ), Waitak (NZ), Dark Destroyer (NZ), and Pier (NZ). His commercial value continues to climb, with yearlings selling for up to NZ$1.1 million at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Also featured is Circus Maximus (Ire), standing at Windsor Park Stud. A triple Group 1-winning miler in Europe, including two wins at Royal Ascot, he is a son of champion sire Galileo (Ire).
Circus Maximus | Standing at Windsor Park Stud, NZ
His first 2-year-olds in Australasia have already made a strong impression, including stakes winners and metropolitan performers. His stock are showing the same toughness and class that defined his racing career, and they’re poised to progress even further into their 3-year-old seasons.
The third stallion, Sword Of State, stands at Cambridge Stud and was New Zealand’s leading first-season sire at the 2025 yearling sales.
A brilliant juvenile who won the G1 Sistema Stakes by a wide margin, he defeated high-class performers such as Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) during his 2-year-old season. His first yearlings fetched up to NZ$540,000 and have been noted for their quality and precocity. He now carries the mantle of the Snitzel/Redoute’s Choice sireline in New Zealand.
Sword Of State | Standing at Cambridge Stud, NZ
Reflecting on the auction and the stallions offered, Johnson said, “We are forever grateful for the support we receive, not only from the studs that have given stallion nominations, but all of the farms that make themselves accessible throughout the year.
"The quality of stallion nominations is outstanding, and is headed by Proisir, who has been a New Zealand Champion stallion. I’m sure it will be a hotly contested auction, and we look forward to it.”
Belief in the next generation
This year’s auction has received overwhelming support from some of the country’s most respected farms, all of whom are backing the Sunline Scholarship because they believe in its role in developing the next wave of industry leaders.
John Thompson | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
John Thompson, owner of Rich Hill Stud, said “The Sunline Management Scholarship gives young New Zealand horse people the chance to travel abroad, expand their knowledge and skillset and ultimately contribute to the New Zealand industry.
"The achievements of some of our previous Sunline winners reflect how successful this initiative has been. The Proisir Syndicate recognise the opportunity the management scholarship provides for the next generation of thoroughbred industry leaders. We are gifting this nomination to be auctioned with the funds generated helping finance future Sunline recipients to continue this great legacy.”
Scott Calder, Head of Sales and Nominations at Cambridge Stud, shared a similar view, “You only need to look at the list of alumni and the positions they now hold to see the value the Sunline Scholarship provides to our industry. It’s essential we continue to provide opportunities for our best young people, which is why we are committed to helping fund the scholarship’s future.”
Scott Calder | Image courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
Steve Till, General Manager at Windsor Park Stud, added “At Windsor Park, we’ve always prided ourselves not just on investing in thoroughbreds, but in people. Supporting initiatives like the Sunline Scholarship is our way of giving back to an industry that has given us so much, and of helping to inspire and equip the next generation to carry it forward.”
Steve Till | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Johnson, also a trustee of the Sunline Trust, concluded “The Sunline Scholarship has opened doors, broadened minds, and built confidence in the leaders our industry needs. To see the Proisir Syndicate and Rich Hill Stud, Windsor Park Stud, and Cambridge Stud stand behind this cause with their stallions shows the kind of vision and generosity that makes our industry special.
"We hope everyone will get behind the auction and help secure this opportunity for the next generation.”
To discuss supporting the scholarship further, contact nick@nzthoroughbred.co.nz.