Brendon Laidlaw Makes Breeding Debut at NZB Weanling Sale

- By HRNZ

Amid a catalogue brimming with big-name vendors and proven commercial studs, a Waikato-based hobbyist is stepping into the ring for the very first time at the 2025 NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale in Karaka on Thursday, June 26.

While familiar names like Alabar, Macca Lodge, and Woodlands Stud will once again feature prominently with large consignments, Brendon Laidlaw will be quietly flying the flag for the smaller players—offering up his first-ever weanling under his own name.

“I just want to give it a go and hopefully it will be the start of something,” says Laidlaw, who will present Lot 1086, a well-put-together bay filly by Ultimate Machete out of the Christian Cullen mare Asuka.

“She has good conformation and seems to have a bit of attitude about her,” he adds. “She’s a weanling so I’m not expecting a fortune, but I won’t be giving her away.”

While new to breeding, Laidlaw isn’t new to the game. He has worked with standardbreds most of his adult life, following in the footsteps of his brother Kendall Laidlaw, a former trainer-driver now based in Western Australia. Brendon has kept his own involvement in the industry ticking over alongside his day job as a fencing contractor, training a small team at Cambridge Raceway and enjoying modest success with horses he’s owned and developed.

The filly’s dam Asuka brings a strong maternal pedigree to the table. Raced by Barry Purdon, she won four races before retiring to the broodmare paddock. More significantly, she’s a daughter of Lizzie Maguire—the 2008 Northern Oaks and 2007 2YO Diamond (Harness Jewels) winner—who earned black type and respect as one of her generation’s standouts.

Asuka herself was bred by Rosslands Stud at Clevedon, and it’s there that her early breeding career began, producing five foals for Rosslands before one final foal from Woodlands Stud. Her progeny includes Jack The Builder (American Ideal – Asuka), who won four of his five career starts before injury cut his career short, and Bazooka (Bettor’s Delight – Asuka), who has now won five of 14 for trainer Steven Reid.

“She’s a half to Bazooka and the fact that he’s going so well is great for us,” says Laidlaw. “Hopefully that will create a bit of interest.”

The opportunity to acquire Asuka came through a personal connection. Laidlaw knew long-time owner Marilyn Hoggard from his earlier years working for Gareth Dixon at Rosslands Farm.

“She was keen for her to go to a good home,” he explains. “And I had the mare for a year and then put her to foal.”

That filly—his first foray into breeding—now stands prepped for the sales ring, representing both a leap of faith and a potential launchpad into future ventures in the breeding game.

Outside of his breeding debut, Laidlaw continues to work with a small team. One of his current racehorses, Mr Miki—a four-year-old Always B Miki gelding he co-owns—is close to making his first start and has shown promise in early work.

But for now, the focus is firmly on the sale. After months of planning, preparation, and patient hands-on work, Laidlaw is hoping to make a positive first impression.

“You’ve got to be making money to press on,” he admits, “but it [racing] is something we love—it’s a bug, isn’t it?”