Well Written crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year

Unbeaten star Well Written has been crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year for the 2025-26 season after completing a remarkable campaign featuring six victories from as many starts.

The Cambridge-based mare also collected the Champion Three-Year-Old title following a season in which she emerged as one of New Zealand racing’s brightest talents.

Among her six victories was a dominant six-length success in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).

Trainer Stephen Marsh and bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson purchased Well Written for $80,000 from Brighthill Farm’s draft at the 2024 NZB National Online Yearling Sale.

Her unbeaten three-year-old campaign subsequently took her career stakes earnings beyond $2.6 million.

Well Written was pinhooked by Benji and Harry King from the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale before being offered as a yearling.

She became the only New Zealand Champion Three-Year-Old this century to complete an unbeaten season at three and the first winner of the category in a decade to record six victories during their three-year-old campaign.

Well Written further enhanced her credentials just one day before receiving the Horse of the Year honour, defeating older opposition in Saturday’s $400,000 Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie.

Other major awards saw Lara Antipova crowned Champion Two-Year-Old, First Five named Champion Sprinter-Miler, Legarto recognised as Champion Middle Distance Horse, Ohope Wins named Champion Stayer and Jesko crowned Champion Jumper.

Craig Grylls collected the Jockey of the Year award, while Hamish McNeill was named Jumps Jockey of the Year.

Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were crowned Trainer of the Year after producing 20 black-type victories from 787 domestic starters during the season.

Yulong Investments received the Owner of the Year award, while the Williams family was recognised with the NZTR Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing.

The late champion stallion Savabeel was also honoured as the 2026 recipient of the NZTR Award for Outstanding Global Achievement.