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Mare out of Classic reckoning;Excuse for Lady Royale ;Black Caviar to Sebring;International breeding scholarships available;Mortimer passes away.

Mare out of Classic reckoning

Injury has forced Nigelissima’s withdrawal from the Gr.1 Livamol Spring Classic at Hastings on October 4.

The mare would have been guaranteed a start, courtesy of her Listed Championship Stakes Prelude victory last season.

“We’ve had to back off her and wait for something a little later on,” said co-trainer Emma-Lee Browne, who prepares the daughter of Pentire with her father Jeff McVean at Cambridge.

“She’s pulled a muscle over her back end – it’s nothing major, just unfortunate timing.”

Excuse for Lady Royale

Stakes winning filly Lady Royale can be forgiven for her first-up failure in the Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders’ Gold Trail Stakes.

Trainer Richard Collett had been happy with the daughter of Captain Rio going into her resuming run at Hastings, but she folded quickly under pressure to tail the field home.

Last season’s Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner has subsequently being diagnosed with heart strain.

Black Caviar to Sebring

Sebring has been chosen as the next sire to cover the champion mare Black Caviar this spring.

The Widden Stud stallion has two crops racing and was Australia’s leading second season sire by winners and stakes winners in 2013-14. He is the sire of 20 stakes performers, including the multiple Group One winners Dissident and Criterion.

Retired after an unbeaten 25-start career, Black Caviar delivered her first foal, a bay filly by Exceed And Excel, earlier this month.

“We paid particular attention to the advice of Peter Moody who has had great success with the progeny of Sebring through Dissident and Bring Me The Maid, who was placed in this year’s Golden Slipper,” part-owner Gary Wilkie said.

International breeding scholarships available

The Sunline Trust in association with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association are taking applications for two international scholarships.

The Irish National Stud Scholarship covers the five-month Diploma Course at the Irish National Stud commencing January, 2015 and is open to applicants 25 years of age or under.

The International Management Scholarship covers a bonded trip of 30 weeks experiencing the operational infrastructure, systems and management of Cheverly Park Stud in Newmarket England, Coolmore, Ireland and Taylor Made in Kentucky, USA.

Applications for both scholarships close on Monday October 13. For further information please visit www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz.

Mortimer passes away

Tauranga owner-trainer Nigel Mortimer has died, succumbing to a brain tumour.

Mortimer sent out 21 winners from 229 starters including talented hurdler Calgacus, a winner of four races over jumps. He also raced horses with trainer Del Roberts, including handy stayer Aeropraise, a winner of seven races.

Mortimer's funeral will take place in Tauranga on Saturday.