Okawa Stud’s Legacy at the National Yearling Sale

TC & TH Lowry at the 1938 National Yearling Sale

The Lowry name is one that is synonymous with New Zealand's thoroughbred breeding industry and features from the very first National Yearling Sale in 1927.

Okawa Stud, not far from its original site in Hastings, is New Zealand’s longest running thoroughbred breeding and racing establishment.  Operating from the 1880’s, it has passed from father to son since and is now in its fourth generation of Lowry ownership.

Okawa’s legacy was built by a man with a passion for horses and a keen eye, who laid the foundation for one of the most influential New Zealand racing families. Founded by TH Lowry, his passion led him to his greatest success in breeding. Most notably with his homebred champion Desert Gold, and imported stallion Psychology, who became a successful broodmare sire.

At the first National Yearling Sale in 1927, Okawa offered and sold a filly by Psychology for 190 guineas. Named Agreeable, she was lightly raced, although went on to be a renowned broodmare producing Amiable, who at one stage who held the Australasian mile record.

In 1928, the second year of selling, Okawa’s draft included the eventual 1934 Wellington Cup winner Grand Jurt, who sold for 100 guineas.

Four editions of the sales later followed Princess Doreen, who cost 70 guineas. She went on to earn more than 40 times her original purchase price, before becoming an even more successful broodmare. In 1932, selling for 100 guineas, Lady Primose went on to emulate Princess Doreen’s career, this time in Australia where her record as a broodmare became first class.

Princess Doreen winning the 1932 Winter Cup

Throughout, Okawa developed a reputation at the sales for always meeting the market, resulting in buyers securing above average performers for sometimes modest purchase prices.

In 1966, Randwick trainer TJ Smith purchased Roman Consul from Okawa for $3,465. He went on to win $68,000 in stake earnings.

After TH Lowry’s passing in 1944, his son Tom (TC) Lowry took over Okawa Stud. A leading New Zealand cricketer in his youth, he went on to become the second president of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association, serving in that role for fourteen years.

TC died in 1976, where his son, the third Tom (TR) Lowry took the reins on Okawa, which became the home to three-time New Zealand Champion sire Three Legs, and sire of Japan Cup winner, Horlicks.

Now in its fourth generation of Lowry ownership, with TR in charge since 1976, Okawa Stud was recently inducted to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

Watch the Lowry Hall of Fame video here.

Karaka 2026, set to take place at NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre from 25 – 29 January, will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand. All are welcome to attend.

To follow along on all of the news, blogs, videos and more, visit 100years.nzb.co.nz. Enthusiasts can also get involved in the Facebook community group to share memories of the Sale here, or follow NZB’s social media platforms for more.