Happy Star

West Coast proves a class above in Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase

Posted on July 1, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Race favourite West Coast displayed all of his undoubted class over the fences when he made the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase (4800m) a one-horse affair in the final stages, winning under a hold by more than 16 lengths. Rider Shaun Fannin bided his time in mid-field throughout as local runner Shackleton's Edge set up the pace[...]

Posted on June 26, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Awapuni jumps jockey and trainer Shaun Fannin enjoyed a successful outing in the saddle at Woodville on Sunday, a hot run of form he hopes can continue heading into Hastings this Saturday. Fannin continued his long and successful association with Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers when combining with Happy Star and Prince Turbo respectively. A seven-year-old[...]

Posted on May 26, 2023
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

There aren't too many jumps jockeys as chill as Shaun Fannin but even he can't hide his excitement for the first feature jumps meeting of the year. The three-time jumps jockey of the year heads to Trentham on Saturday with five leading chances in the jumps races, headed by Grand National Hurdles (4200m) winner Happy[...]

Posted on August 11, 2022
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Happy Star cemented Kevin Myers at the top of the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) ladder when winning the Wanganui trainer's fifth title in the race at Riccarton, New Zealand on Wednesday. With Myers training the four fancied runners in the seven-horse field, he was odds on to take victory in the race, but nothing is[...]

Posted on September 3, 2021
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Otaki trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard are preparing to launch a new wave of gallopers, with two Gary Harding-owned debutants the source of plenty of anticipation this weekend. Benner and Wynyard have six runners in action between Hawera on Friday and Wanganui on Saturday, when capable filly Hillaby tackles the Listed The O'Learys Fillies[...]

Posted on July 31, 2021
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Talented three-year-old Invisible Spirit recorded his third career victory when digging deep late to land the Courtesy Ford 3YO (1400m) at Awapuni on Thursday for New Zealand trainers Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard. Sent out a favourite, the son of Charm Spirit looked in trouble at the top of the straight but burst between runners[...]

Posted on July 9, 2021
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

New Zealand three-year-old Invisible Spirit looks well placed heading into Saturday's J&J Walter Ltd 3YO (1550m) at Awapuni on Saturday, with trainers Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard confident the gelding has taken good improvement from his fresh-up performance at the Palmerston North track last month. The son of Charm Spirit, who was fifth in the[...]

Posted on May 10, 2021
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

A change of environment worked the oracle for talented New Zealand mare Miss Ricky Bobby as she produced a strong front-running performance to take out the opening event at Woodville on Sunday. The five-year-old daughter of High Chaparral was making her debut for the Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard stable and never gave her rivals[...]

Posted on August 14, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Happy Star will be vying to keep his undefeated record intact this preparation when he contests the Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday. The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained five-year-old has won both of his starts this time in and they are hoping he can continue his picket[...]

Posted on August 13, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Taranaki owner-trainer Marilyn Paewai would love nothing more than to see her star winter performer Rosewood claim a deserved stakes win at Riccarton this weekend. Rosewood will tackle Saturday's Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m), a race she was only narrowly beaten in last year. That was one of four stakes placings the[...]

Posted on July 20, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

TAB bookmakers have put up the white flag and are paying out on Lisa Allpress winning the National Jockeys' premiership. A double aboard Happy Star and Penelope Cruise at Awapuni on Saturday put her twelve wins clear of nearest rival Kozzi Asano with just two weeks and seven meetings left in a season tipped upside[...]

Posted on July 19, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

A tilt at the Group 3 Winter Cup (1400m) at Riccarton next month is the likely assignment for impressive Awapuni winner Happy Star. The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained four-year-old made it two wins from two starts in his current campaign with a gritty performance on a testing Heavy11 surface to take out a rating[...]

Posted on July 3, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

Johno Benner has a bit of time for promising galloper Happy Star and the Otaki horseman, who trains in partnership with Hollie Wynyard, is excited to kick-off his preparation at Awapuni on Saturday. The four-year-old son of Fabulous will contest the Norwood 1400 and takes two solid trial wins into his weekend assignment. “He has[...]

Posted on June 8, 2020
in New Zealand Horse Racing News

A pair of impressive trial winners at Foxton during the week has Otaki trainer Johno Benner looking forward to the return of racing in the Central Districts next month. Benner and partner Hollie Wynyard produced progressive winter galloper Happy Star to win an open class 1000m heat on Thursday while a well-bred Tavistock colt also[...]

West Coast proves a class above in Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase

Fannin enjoys successful day at Woodville

Fannin “pumped” for first big jumps day of the year

Happy Star wins Grand National

Benner-Wynyard weekend debutants attract interest

Three-year-old shows plenty of spirit at Awapuni

Invisible Spirit to further enhance Otaki trainers’ impressive season

Kiwi mare Miss Ricky Bobby back to winning form at Woodville

Happy Star primed for Winter Cup

Rosewood chases elusive stakes win

Bookmakers concede NZ Jockeys’ premiership to Allpress

South Island mission on the cards for impressive Awapuni winner

Benner happy with promising duo

Benner keen to get back into action

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