It was a special night for Westbury Stud on Sunday, with our principal, Gerry Harvey, recognised as the 2025–26 New Zealand Owners’ Premiership winner at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards.
Represented at the awards by Westbury Stud’s General Manager Russell Warwick, Harvey was recognised after his racing interests recorded 64 wins throughout the past season, securing the National Owners’ Premiership.
The achievement is a significant milestone in Harvey’s long association with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding. His commitment to the industry extends well beyond the racetrack, with Westbury Stud having become an important part of his involvement in New Zealand since he took ownership of the operation in 2009.
For Harvey, success as an owner has always gone hand in hand with his passion for breeding and developing thoroughbreds, with Westbury home to an extensive broodmare band and a commercial breeding operation, providing a platform for horses to be bred, raised and prepared for racing both in New Zealand and internationally where they can make their mark at the highest level.
Among the notable Westbury graduates is Willydoit (Tarzino), bred by Harvey and sold through Westbury’s draft at Karaka before going on to win the 2025 Group 1 New Zealand Derby. The precocious filly Dream Roca (El Roca) reigned in the lucrative TAB Karaka Millions 2YO under Queensland trainer Liam Birchley a year after being purchased by Bloodstock Solutions at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 2 Sale, bred, reared and sold through Westbury. Harvey was also a part-owner of Sharp ’N’ Smart (Redwood), the 2022–23 New Zealand Champion Three-Year-Old and New Zealand Derby winner, who was bred by Harvey and sold through Westbury’s 2021 Karaka draft.
The Owners’ Premiership adds another accolade to Harvey’s long list of achievements within thoroughbred racing and is a reflection of the scale, consistency and longevity of his involvement in the sport.
While the award recognises the results achieved on the track, it also represents the work of the many people behind Westbury’s operations — from the Westbury team and their commitment and dedication to the Stud, trainers, jockeys, transport services, feed suppliers, clients, breeders, buyers, and everyone in between that has supported Westbury Stud.
Westbury appreciates everyone’s contribution and thanks them for their support which leads to the success Westbury are celebrating today.