On Friday at Riccarton Racecourse, Windsor Park Stud will bring together some of the biggest names in the business for its Rugby, Racing and Beer Luncheon and Yearling Auction. The event is the brainchild of studmaster Rodney Schick, who has a habit of thinking outside the square, and it will feature a long lunch and catalogue of nine yearlings for auctioneer Steve Davis, plus All Blacks assistant coach Brad Mooar on the eve of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Final.

View the catalogue

“This is the first year we’ve done it, but we’ve been thinking about hosting something like this for a while,” Schick said. “If nothing else, it will be a bit of fun, and we’ll be raising money for young Ellie Stokes.”

Eighteen-year-old Stokes was just 16 when she was rendered a paraplegic after a trackwork accident in 2019. While individuals across New Zealand racing have already donated heavily to the cause, Windsor Park will be giving a percentage of Friday’s auction proceeds to Stokes.

“Anyone can come along to this event,” Schick said. “It will be at Riccarton Park Racecourse, and we’re selling tables. We’re looking forward to it, and hopefully we can raise some money for Ellie and sell some horses.”

Rodney Schick

A select, diverse lot

The nine-yearling catalogue features five fillies and four colts, representing Windsor Park stallions Shamexpress (NZ), Charm Spirit (Ire), Rageese, Turn Me Loose (NZ) and Mongolian Khan. The highlight is Lot 5, a brown filly from stakes-placed Black Beauty (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}), which is the family of Prince Mambo (NZ) (Thewayyouare {USA}), who was the second-top colt in the 2013/14 NZ 2-Year-Old Free H.

“She would have made the K1 Sale this year, and she would have made plenty of money,” Schick said. "With this event, we thought we’d bring some nice horses along, and they are a really nice line of horses. There’s something there for everyone, with a bit of variety of stallion and pedigree.”

"With this event, we thought we’d bring some nice horses along, and they are a really nice line of horses. There’s something there for everyone, with a bit of variety of stallion and pedigree." - Rodney Schick

Lot 1, by Shamexpress, features Te Akau Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park) on her page, along with Alberton Princess (NZ) (Golan {Ire}), the dam of Brutal (NZ). Lot 6, from Smart Missile mare Don’t Worry, has the same family that got G1 Australia S. winner Stella Cadente (Centaine). Lot 9 boasts the family of the brilliantly consistent Maluckyday (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

“Obviously the motivation to sell any horse is to make money,” Schick said. “But the motivation for this was engaging with new owners by creating a new experience, and it may grow into something bigger. We’re not trying to compete with any sales companies, or anything like that, it’s just about creating something different.”

What’s in a name?

Friday’s luncheon will kick off at Riccarton Park at midday, with live bidding under Davis beginning at 2pm local time. Brad Mooar will guest-speak about the All Blacks, along with a few players in attendance. Schick said the event has coined the old saying that ‘New Zealand is all about rugby, racing and beer’.

“And hopefully there’ll be plenty of beer,” he added.

Officially, the auction is above board, checked and balanced as if it were any bloodstock sale.

“We’ve embedded all the x-rays and scopes into our online catalogue so that people can get their vets to check,” Schick said. “It’s all very transparent. And Steve (Davis) will make it a lot of fun. In my opinion, he’s one of the premier auctioneers in the world.”

“It’s all very transparent. And Steve (Davis) will make it a lot of fun. In my opinion, he’s one of the premier auctioneers in the world.” - Rodney Schick

Windsor Park hosted an inspection day recently to a good attendance, and Schick is proud that many of those who came along will fly south for Friday’s event. Some of the names include Te Akau, Go Racing, the major Cambridge trainers, as well as many of the country’s large syndicators.

“We’ve got really good support coming down, and hopefully it goes well for everyone,” he said.

Steve Davis will auction nine yearlings

As an added bonus, Windsor Park will add to Friday’s luncheon with a launch for its exciting new stallion, Northern Hemisphere performer Circus Maximus (Ire). Announced only last week, the horse will shuttle to Windsor Park for the upcoming breeding season.

He’s a perfect fit for Schick’s operation, which has enjoyed a long association with Coolmore shuttlers, including Montjeu (Ire), High Chaparral (Ire) and Rip Van Winkle (Ire).

Circus Maximus will join Windsor Park’s six resident stallions, which also includes the G1 Spring Champion S. winner Vanburgh.