27 Jan 2026

The people behind the thoroughbreds

From Nine To Noon, 11:30 am on 27 January 2026
The Horsemakers by Brian de Lore (right).

Photo: Supplied by publicist

The stories of New Zealand's most well-known race horses often go hand in hand with those of the trainers and the jockeys.

But the story of the breeders behind the thoroughbreds is much less known.

From business magnates like the founders of Fisher & Paykel, to early settler farmers, and major wartime philanthropists, many of these breeders have played key roles in New Zealand's wider history. 

Author Brian de Lore tells their stories, in a book out next Monday. 

He fundraised from many in the industry to get it printed and all proceeds will go to spinal cord injury research charity CatWalk.