The Terms and Conditions for the free service to THE PRES that is won by the individual winner of the NZSBA Facebook Competition for the 2018 Ashburton Trotters Flying Mile!

The Service goes to the individual that successfully picks the winner of the race with the closest winning mile rate being used to determine any tie break, and if deadlock then by ballot. One entry per Facebook UserThe Facebook user must be a real person with the winners name being used as the registered breeder of the service fee won. The service fee cannot be used by any other person then that of the winner. If the winner does not have a suitable mare, the NZSBA will help the winner to obtain/lease a suitable mare with all other costs of breeding being incurred by the winner.This contract is between goStallions and the Winner, it does not involve the Ashburton T.C or the NZSBA.The service is non transferable.The service is for the 2018/19 breeding season, it does have one free return for 2019/20 onlyIt cannot be redeemed for cash.The service is subject to the availability of the stallion, i.e. should the stallion die, become infertile, or be unable to be collected then the service and free return is void.The service is for the semen only, all other breeding costs are excluded.Semen freight costs may apply.

Media Release: NZSBA

The New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association welcomes the arrival of New Zealand Bloodstock into the harness racing community. You read that right. Last Thursday the New Zealand harness racing industry was delivered the news that New Zealand’s leading bloodstock company was entering the Standardbred market. The feedback since has been overwhelmingly positive. Breeders, vendors, purchasers and horsemen and horsewomen have all been quick to rejoice. This comes as no surprise given in recent years, many breeders had voiced concerns surrounding the direction and future of the only platform they had to sell young bloodstock in New Zealand. Marketing of the sales, health & safety concerns, along with a declining buyer bench were some of the pertinent issues at hand for vendors. The future is now a lot clearer, and that future looks to be with NZB Standardbred. “We have plans to take this to a whole new level – it won’t just be business as usual,” said New Zealand Bloodstock’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook this week. “Sir Peter Vela (one of two brothers who established New Zealand Bloodstock in the mid-90s headquartered at the world-class Karaka Sales Centre) is really excited by the challenge and the opportunity to grow the company.” With access to a range of proven bloodstock, finance, airfreight and insurance services, and increased promotion to domestic and international markets, the harness racing community is assured of a company working in their best interests on several fronts. Seabrook says NZB prides itself on its lease-to-own scheme and its in-house finance division. “All I know is our business got a huge shot in the arm in 1997 when, after being purchased by the Vela brothers, we opened up a credit arm and started financing both short and long-term. “We see it as a pretty significant part of our thoroughbred business, giving people an opportunity to secure their future breeding stock, and it has been a very successful endeavor for us. “For young trainers, especially, this will significantly change their approach to the sales,” commented Seabrook. “After the 2017 Sales, breeders asked the NZBSA to advocate for changes with PGW,” said NZSBA Chairman John Mooney. “The primary concerns were around the lack of marketing and the diminishing small buyers bench. We are confident that the NZB ‘machine’ will address these issues aggressively. “They are a company whose sole focus is selling horses. Andrew Seabrook and his team have made it clear to ‘The Breeders’ that they will leave no stone unturned when supporting vendors.” New Zealand Bloodstock has an illustrious track record of success as the source of New Zealand champions to the global thoroughbred market. The New Zealand Standardbred is a world class equine athlete capable of dominating on the world stage. The Australians know it, so too the North American industry. NZB’s Andrew Seabrook is also aware of the dominance of the New Zealand Standardbred. “Obviously, the thoroughbred breeding industry is much more aligned to international markets and the yearling sales rely heavily upon those buyers. “But when one market dries up you have to try and develop other markets and we have people employed to do that. “I think the New Zealand Standardbred has probably been more successful than the thoroughbreds in Australia in recent times and that’s something which should be promoted. “The American market especially, looks to have been neglected in recent years. “But with some good New Zealand-bred horses up there like Lazarus, we plan on making a splash in that market, too. “We are quite excited about the future of this and are not going in to this lightly.”

Highlights

Yearling Sales: Yearlings will sell in their traditional February time slot at both the Karaka and Christchurch venues. The entry fee will slightly increase by $50 (+GST) at each venue, however entries will be invoiced in January and deducted from the yearling sale proceeds.

There is a confirmed commitment to holding a Christchurch Sale. Payments to vendors will be received within 30 days of sale.

Yearling, Weanling & All Age Sale: A big change to the current market will be the ability to sell yearlings at the Christchurch Yearling, Weanling & All Age Sale in late April – with all yearling stock going through each ring to be Sales Series eligible.

Breeders have been wanting this concept for years, and it can only be positive. Yearlings that need time or may suffer an injury close to February now have another opportunity to be sold for their vendors.

Two-Year-Old Sale: September 2019 will see a return of the Ready-to-Run format. This could potentially open a speculative buying market at both the Yearling and Weanling Sales. Particularly with NZB’s finance facilities such as pin hook funding.

Horsemen and horsewomen, and breeders have another platform to chance their arm on stock purchased or retained with a view to get them up and going for a sale at the 2YO Sale.

Finance Facilities: Through NZB’s own finance arm, pin hook funding and lease to purchase facilities on fillies and mares, purchasers will find life much easier to secure bloodstock at the Sales.

Marketing: The NZB marketing machine have already hit the ground running with digital media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram already in use with the Standardbred handle.

Sales Calendar

2019 New Zealand National Standardbred Yearling Sale:

Entries Close: 01 August2019 New Zealand National Standardbred Yearling, Weanling & All Age Sale:Christchurch Sale, 29 April2019 New Zealand National Standardbred Weanling & All Age Sale:Auckland Sale at Karaka, May - date tbc2019 New Zealand National Standardbred 2YO Sale:Christchurch Sale, September - date tbc

In a major move New Zealand Bloodstock, a leading thoroughbred auction sales, airfreight and insurance company, announces plans to expand into the standardbred market offering a full complement of auction sales and ancillary services.

It’s a significant development that will see the New Zealand Standardbred industry benefit from NZB’s existing business capabilities, world renowned brand, and top class service levels. To be run as a division of New Zealand Bloodstock, NZB Standardbred plans to deliver a comprehensive sales calendar, diverse range of complimentary services, and market-leading promotional activity in a welcomed move for the New Zealand Standardbred industry.

“Over the last several months we have had numerous leading industry players suggesting and encouraging us to enter the Standardbred industry,” commented NZB managing director Andrew Seabrook.

“It’s a big challenge and may take a little time, but I truly believe we can help take this industry to another level. The staff and I are really excited about being able to better service this market.”

Standardbred vendors and buyers can expect to see a number of enhancements under the NZB umbrella including access to a range of bloodstock, finance, airfreight and insurance services, along with increased promotion to domestic and international markets.

Harness Racing New Zealand Chairman and Canterbury breeder, Ken Spicer, welcomed the news.

“New players entering the harness racing industry can only be beneficial.”

“New Zealand Bloodstock has a wealth of experience and a worldwide reputation as a leading bloodstock company. Their experience with other arms of their business, such as insurance, airfreight and finance can only be of additional value.

“I applaud their decision to spread their wings and enter the Standardbred industry.”

The first standardbred sales to take place under the NZB Standardbred banner will be the 2019 New Zealand National Standardbred Yearling Sales in February, with sale sessions to be held at both Christchurch and Karaka.

About New Zealand Bloodstock

New Zealand Bloodstock is a leader in bloodstock auctions, private sales and supporting services to the thoroughbred market. Since 1995, New Zealand Bloodstock has provided auction sales, bloodstock, insurance, finance and airfreight services to customers worldwide.

New Zealand Bloodstock is a privately-owned business based at Karaka with representation throughout New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, Europe and North America.

For more information contact us on +64 9 298 0055, reception@nzb.co.nz, or visit us online at www.nzb.co.nz

Contact: Charlotte Porter, Manager Marketing New Zealand Bloodstock Phone: +64 9 393 9803 Mobile: +64 21 880 318 Email: charlotte.porter@nzb.co.nz

Since its inaugural running in 1948 when taken out by Perpetua over 1.5 miles, many a champion filly has had its named etched into the history books of the New Zealand Oaks.

Bonnie Frost, Armalight, Hilarious Guest, Elect To Live, Under Cover Lover, Mainland Banner, Carabella & Adore Me to name but a few.

In 2018, a new name will be etched into the record books, not only as the winner of the great race, but also as the co-sponsor.

“The Breeders welcome FastTrack Insurance with the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club as our partners to co-sponsor The Breeders FastTrack New Zealand Oaks,” said John Mooney, chairman of the NZSBA.

“The FastTrack concept, developed by David Archer, brings tangible benefits to racing throughout this country as seen in their sponsorship contributions.

“We are particularly pleased with FastTrack’s sponsorship of The Breeders organization which has been in place since the start of this racings season. We have developed a close and effective working relationship and long may it continue,” said Mooney.

FastTrack Insurance have been giving back to the New Zealand Racing industry since 2016 and principal David Archer has been a keen participant racing pacers such as Mighty Flying Mac with Cran Dalgety, The Tin Soldier with Barry Purdon and Hawera with Mark Purdon.

“The FastTrack concept brings tangible benefits to racing throughout this country” says FastTrack Insurance Chief Executive David Archer.

“If you sign up with FastTrack Insurance, an agreed portion of your premium goes directly to your local Racing Club - or the national prize money pool, it is as simple as that”.

“We have had terrific support from Harness people over the last 12 months, it really has been wonderful,” said Archer.

“Clubs all over the country have gotten in behind us, as too have its horsemen like Dexter Dunn and Ricky May, administrators such as HRNZ Chairman, Ken Spicer, as well as the general racing public,” he said.

We are here to stay and I think the racing public understands that,” said Archer.

After 25 years of sponsorship from Nevele R Stud and the trust of Wayne Francis, the Canterbury Standardbred Breeders and New Zealand Standardbred Breeders have worked with the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club since 2012 to sponsor the Oaks and thus ensure the stake money of $150,000 is among the highest on offer for fillies in Australasia.

“We are thrilled to welcome FastTrack Insurance to co-sponsor the NZ Oaks with The Breeders” says Addington’s Chief Executive Peter Jensen.

“This prestigious race is the ultimate fillies race that all breeders aspire to win. With nominations now open, the countdown is on to find New Zealand’s 3YO pacing filly for season 2017-18. We are looking forward to Friday 18 May with much anticipation, to see who will win The Breeders FastTrack New Zealand Oaks.”

When 2016/17 Breeder of the Year Brian West was asked upon accepting his award what his lifelong goal in breeding was, it wasn’t the New Zealand Cup that he mentioned.

His answer was that his greatest desire as a breeder was to win an Oaks.

It is after all, the echelon for our fillies and future broodmares of the New Zealand Studbook.

The Breeders FastTrack New Zealand Oaks - $150,000 – Group 1 on 18 May 2018

Initial nomination fee due: Wednesday 21 March 2018 3.00pm (NZ time) $86.25

First late nomination fee due: Wednesday 18 April 2018 3.00pm (NZ time) $862.50

Sustaining fee due: Wednesday 18 April 2018 3.00pm (NZ time) $258.75

Final late nomination fee due: Monday 14 May 2018 1.00pm (NZ time) $4,312.50

Starting fee: $2,415.00

Nominations close on Wednesday 21 March 2018 at 3.00pm.

All fees are including GST.

All fees above are included in the total stakes pay out.

The fixed odds markets will be available shortly after nominations close.

For full details on the breakdown of stakes and conditions please call Addington’s Racing Department on 03 338 9094, or alternatively, please visit http://www.addington.co.nz/racing/promotions-incentives/.

For further details and to enquire about FastTrack Insurance, please visit

https://www.fasttrackinsurance.co.nz/ or contact FastTracks South Island Broker: Todd LynchPh: 03 348 9802 Mob: 021 193 3019 Email: todd.lynch@bwrs.co.nz

In what is a major coup for Australasian breeders, Nevele R Stud is excited to announce that the 2015 Breeders Crown Open Trot champion Creatine will be standing at our Canterbury farm this coming season. Boasting career earnings of over $2.1 million and a lifetime mark of 1:51.4 - achieved when defeating the world champion Sebastian K, Creatine will be the richest and fastest trotter ever to shuttle to the Southern Hemisphere. One of champion stallion Andover Hall's best sons Creatine was a major stakes race winner every season that he raced, and unlike any stallion available in the flesh in Australasia before, in both North America and Europe. Trained for the majority of his career by Bob Stewart (the conditioner of the legendary trio of brothers Andover Hall, Conway Hall and Angus Hall) Creatine won three races at two including a division of the Bluegrass Stakes before being put aside for the season. Bigger and stronger upon his return as a three-year-old in 2013, Creatine was one of the very best of his age group winning the Kentucky Futurity, Carl Erskine Trot, Colonial Invitational, Bluegrass Stakes and a Hambletonian elimination. He was also a hard charging second in the $500,000 Breeders Crown 3YO Final, looking the likely winner with one more stride, as well as runner-up in the American National Stakes. In what is often a difficult transition to make, Creatine more than held his own as a 4-year-old against what was arguably one of the greatest crops of aged trotters ever assembled, with the likes of Sebastian K, Intimidate, Market Share, Bee A Magician, Maven, Modern Family, Wishing Stone, Arch Madness, Archangel and Commander Crowe locking horns in 2014, and was actually the fourth richest older trotter that year behind the first three listed above - a hugely impressive feat for a four-year-old trotter new to the open class ranks. The highlight of his four-year-old season, and one of the best of his career, was his superb performance in the Allerage Farms Open Trot at his favourite hunting ground The Red Mile in Lexington. Starting from post eight Creatine blazed to the lead with a 26.8 opening quarter before finding himself three back on the running rail with first Master Of Law taking the lead and then Sebastian K. With Sebastian K clearing out to a seemingly unassailable lead, Creatine had to first avoid the tiring Master Of Law who galloped approaching the home turn and then make up four lengths on the world's fastest ever trotter who was in devastating form that year - a seemingly impossible task, but one a very brave Creatine managed to do, despite having been used off the gate and again in the closing stages. He then followed up his career best 1:51.4 Allerage Farm performance with a track record 1:51.6 win in the American National Open Stakes at Balmoral Park less than a week later. Creatine also recorded placings that year in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Final, $500,000 TVG FFA Final, $200,000 Charlie Hill Memorial, Centaur Trotting Classic, Dayton Trotting Derby, a Maple Leaf Trot elimination and the Chip Noble Memorial.

Racing predominantly in Europe as a 5-year-old Creatine won at the highest level and defeated some of Europe's best horses, taking out the Group 1 Hugo Abergs Memorial in Sweden and the St Michel Ajo in Finland. He was also second in the prestigious Group 1 UET Trotting Masters. Brought back to North America for the $1,000,000 International Trot, Creatine was a game third to Papagayo E and two-time Elitlopp winner Timoko, being run down late after leading throughout and being taken on for much of the mile and a quarter trip. He was also, according to new trainer Jimmy Takter, "a little tied up" in the Yonkers feature - underscoring his toughness and making his performance that much more impressive. On the strength of his showing in the International Trot connections opted to pay the $62,500 supplement fee into the $531,250 Breeders Crown Open Trot a fortnight later, with the stallion repaying his owners' faith with a dominant, and well deserved victory in the end of the season feature and what was to be his last race. All up Creatine was the winner of 17 races and $2,182,138 in stakes-earnings. Reflecting on Creatine's racing career, Hall of Fame driver Mike Lachance, who piloted him in almost all of his two and three-year-old starts (and many of his 4-year-old races), declared... "He was a perfect horse. He was a big, strong horse....a beautiful horse" High praise indeed from the driver of some Harness Racing's greatest horses - Continentalvictory, Matts Scooter, Bettor's Delight, Camluck, Self Possessed, Goalie Jeff, Magical Mike, Victory Dream etc... A Diamond Creek Farm homebred, Creatine is by the proven sire of sires Andover Hall, and is out of a stakes placed Muscles Yankee mare - making him an attractive proposition for the majority of Australasia's trotting broodmare population. A terrific looking individual Creatine arrives on farm in August. His service fee is $4,500 (+ GST) in New Zealand and $4,950 (incl GST) in Australia. He is included in both Nevele R's multiple mare discount and early bird special.

Jess Smith has put together this incredible fundraiser for the STANDARDBRED RECYCLING AND REHOMING CANTERBURY group, a local group who voluntarily take Standardbreds after racing and break them to saddle, before pairing them with new owners.

A labour of love, the feeding costs of taking on the large number of horses to rehome is growing rapidly and putting increased pressure on the group.

Hosted by Jess & Mark McNamara, the fundraising dinner will include an auction, raffles and live stand-up comedy by award winning Kiwi actor and comedian - Cohen Holloway.

As seen on ‘Boy’, ‘Hunt For The Wilderpeople’, ‘What We Do In The Shadows’ and ‘Eagle Vs Shark’, Holloway is a Billy T Award nominee, who is famous for his impersonations and physical comedy performances.

Funds raised will credit a horse feed account to help with feed costs while rehoming these horses.

Tickets $75 per person, which includes three course buffet meal, comedy show, free drink on arrival, then cash bar in operation.

A wide variety of auction items, and many raffle prizes up for grabs. An entertaining night out to support life after racing for standardbreds.

Bookings contact Jess Smith – standupforstandardbreds@outlook.com or 027 261 4427

Click here to complete survey

The NZERF was established in 1976 and incorporated as a board in 1981 under the provisions of the Charitable Trusts Act 1957.

The aims of the NZERF are;

· To promote and expand public knowledge regarding the welfare, breeding, feeding, management, health and performance of horses of all types

· To encourage the study and understanding of horses

· To promote or assist research and other scientific work in connection with horses

· To make public the results of research and other scientific work regarding horses

· To instigate or assist projects relating to the advancement of horses

The NZERF Board consists of two members appointed by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, one member appointed by Harness Racing New Zealand, one member appointed by the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association, one member appointed by the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association, one member from Massey University, one member from the Equine Branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, one member from the New Zealand Racing Board, one member from Equestrian Sport New Zealand, one member from the New Zealand Pony Club Association, and one member representing New Zealand Equine Researchers.

In terms of determining future priorities, the NZERF is seeking feedback from the horse fraternity as to what projects would be of interest for further research. Attached is a link to an online survey that it would be greatly appreciated if you could complete.

The results of this will be then considered by the NZERF and help determine the direction of future research into areas that are of the greatest interest to people. This survey should take 10-15 minutes and will provide valuable feedback for the Foundation.

All individuals who complete the survey by 30 June will go into a draw to win an Ipad.

Click here to complete survey

If you can spare time to help with this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Alabar is excited to announce that the 2016 US Breeders Crown three-year-old champion Racing Hill will be standing at their Victorian farm this coming season.

A brilliant son of Roll With Joe, Racing Hill not only won the Breeders Crown three-year-old final last season but he rated 1:48 in doing so - smashing the stakes record previously held by the great Somebeachsomewhere.

Trained by Tony Alagna throughout his career, Racing Hill was amongst the best of his age group at two winning the Bluegrass Stakes, International Stallion Stakes and an elimination of the Breeders Crown.

At three he returned an even better horse and put together a stellar season which saw him win the $500,000 Breeders Crown Final, the $500,000 Max Hempt Final, the $500,000 Messenger Stakes and the $400,000 Adios Stakes.

He also finished a strong second in the North American Cup and was a certainty beat in the Meadowlands Pace just a nose away from winning after experiencing a gear problem.

He retired with twelve wins and earnings in excess of $1.7 million.

While the Breeders Crown Final was Racing Hill’s biggest win, arguably his best win came in the Adios Stakes.

Caught in the breeze for most of the first half, which was cut out in a brutal 52.2, Racing Hill had the audacity to kick clear on the home bend and win.

After the race his driver Brett Miller said “When I pulled his earplugs in the last turn, he took back off. That was just amazing. Tony Alagna has done some kind of job with this horse. Horses don’t do that. That was incredible.”

Tony Alagna, who is renowned as one of the leading trainers in North America, recently had this to say about Racing Hill, “He possessed the quick turn of speed that any potential superstar stallion should have. He could go from high gear to low gear and high gear again without fail.”

“Racing Hill had an efficient gait that allowed him to carry his speed very far. His versatility of winning all size tracks and earning his money in strictly open competition, while never taking the easy route in his three-year-old season, made him special.”

“The Adios that Racing Hill won was one of the gamest wins of any three-year-old I have seen. I bred my own mares to him and I look forward to training his offspring.”

Racing Hill is sired by Roll With Joe who has proven a success in his short siring career to date. In 2016, Roll With Joe finished in the top four on both the two-year-old and three-year-old siring premierships in North America. Roll With Joe is of course a full brother to Bettor’s Delight.

Out of an American Ideal mare, Racing Hill possesses a pedigree that is ideally suited for many mares in the Southern Hemisphere.

Racing Hill is currently standing at Hickory Lane Farm serving a full book of mares and will arrive in Australia in August.

His service fee will be $5,000 (incl GST) in Australia and $5,000 (plus GST) in New Zealand.

The highly promising – and popular – young sire, Sir Lincoln is to stand at Alabar’s Auckland Farm.

With Barra Equine stepping back from standing stallions, a new home for Sir Lincoln was needed.

Given Sir Lincoln (or Lincoln Royal as he is known in Australia) has made such an encouraging start to his siring career, Alabar are delighted to have been approached about standing him.

John Street proprietor of Lincoln Farms quoted “We are happy to see Sir Lincoln teaming up with a quality stud such as Alabar. Sir Lincoln was such a great horse for Lincoln Farms, winning the Auckland Cup and at Jewels level from difficult draws. With his first crop of two-year-olds showing ability on both sides of the Tasman we are excited about his future at stud. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity a major stud like Alabar can give him.”

In New Zealand, Sir Lincoln currently has 19 qualifiers to date from his first crop of two-year-olds. Of these 7 have already raced. These are numbers that put Sir Lincoln up amongst the leading sires.

So far to date he has also had four individual second placegetters on race day including Aramis who went down by a nose at Alexandra Park last Friday.

However, it is in Australia that Sir Lincoln (Lincoln Royal) has made the biggest early breakthroughs with two of his two-year-old fillies winning at Globe Derby - both on debut.

Firstly, it was Our Royal Lady winning the SA Sapling Stakes and this was followed shortly after with Tell Me Why winning a prelude of the SA Golden Nursery.

Interestingly, both fillies are out of mares by Live Or Die.

Sir Lincoln is certainly bred to be a sire being by Mach Three out of a Beach Towel mare who is in turn out of a Cam Fella mare. This is the exact same lineage as the great Somebeachsomewhere.

Rounding off his siring pedigree is the fact that he is closely related to the champion sire, Fake Left.

As a racehorse, Sir Lincoln burst into the limelight in winning the NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Open Final on NZ Cup Day at Addington after being three wide then parked. He also won the Jewels that season to secure the title of NZ Three-Year-Old Pacing colt of the Year.

Sir Lincoln went on to set a New Zealand record for 1700 metres and cemented his credentials as a sire in downing Terror To Love to win the Auckland Cup.

In Australia (racing as Lincoln Royal) he won a heat and placed second in the final of the Victoria Derby and was second (by the barest of margins) in the NSW Golden Mile won in 1:51.4.

Sir Lincoln has been extremely well supported by breeders since retiring to stud and – in a sure sign that his first progeny are making the right moves – he served his biggest book to date (over 200 mares) in his fourth year at stud last season.

Sir Lincoln stands poised on the edge of what is looking like a very successful siring career.

Please click to read the latest bulletin from the NZ Equine Research Foundation.

Alabar and Nevele R are thrilled to announce that they have joined forces to secure the lifetime rights to the reigning US Horse of the Year, Always B Miki – the fastest horse in the history of our sport.

He will stand at Alabar’s Victorian farm with his fresh semen available throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Always B Miki is undoubtedly a modern day cult hero in North America.

He won the crowds over with his incredible will to win. The battles in the free-for-all ranks were epic – but Miki proved again and again that he had the heart of a champion.

And he put an exclamation mark on his career when he won in 1:46 at The Red Mile on October the 9th 2016 - the fastest mile ever.

With Miki being such an imposing equine athlete, the world record is something that many harness racing followers felt was an inevitable achievement for him.

At the end of 2016, Miki was rewarded not only with the Pacer of the Year title but also the overall Horse of the Year title. The voting for which he dominated 102-32

He retired at the end of his all-conquering 2016 season to stand at Diamond Creek Farm in Pennsylvania where he commands a fee of US$12,500.

He is currently serving a full book of mares which includes the virtual who’s who of North American broodmares.

The Always B Miki phenomenon is best put into perspective by his Hall of Fame trainer, Jimmy Takter.

After all, Takter has been six times the US Trainer of the Year - including the last three years straight. He’s trained as many great horses as anyone ever has.

Many people would say he’s the greatest trainer in harness racing – and it’s not hard to make that case.

When Jimmy Takter talks horses you tend to listen – and Always B Miki is a horse he knows better than anyone else.

He knows Miki is not only a champion – but maybe, just maybe he’s the best there’s ever been.

The Jimmy Takter quotes on Always B Miki are captivating.

After winning the William Haughton Memorial in what was his third straight world record performance, Takter was moved to say

“I think this could be the greatest horse that ever lived.”

And then, through the tears after Miki’s world record performance at Lexington, Takter stated:

“I get very attached to my horses. He’s just a wonderful horse. He’s the greatest horse I’ve ever been around in my life, and I’ve been around the best horses in the world, like Moni Maker and those horses. This horse is my number one horse that I’ve been around … He’s a big horse but you’re not going to see everything inside. He has probably the best lungs ever, the biggest heart ever and the smartest horse ever.”

And later:

“He’s my all-time favourite. He is the greatest. He has such charisma, it’s unbelievable.”

Miki was a talented two-year-old and a tremendous three-year-old finishing an astonishing second in the Meadowlands Pace (where He’s Watching set his world record) after being three wide the entire trip.

Tragically, later as a three-year-old and as the Breeders’ Crown favourite, he suffered a serious injury and raced the rest of his career with multiple screws in his hind pasterns - making what he achieved as a four and five-year-old even more incredible. Jimmy Takter said after his world record at Lexington, had it not been for these problems:

“He would have smacked at least another second off the record”

All told, Miki won 30 races and banked $2,826,176 in a career highlighted by back-to-back Breeders’ Crown victories.

You cannot help but be moved by his final surge to win the 2016 Crown after his fierce battle with Wiggle It Jiggleit.

He’s the only horse in history to win 4 races in 1:47 or faster. Remarkable, given no other horse has done it more than once.

He shares the world record for a five-eighths track and holds the Canadian mile record to sit alongside his fastest-mile-ever title.

Miki is by Always A Virgin - a son of the sire of sires Western Ideal and the sire of the winners of over $22 million with 150 in 1:55.

He’s out of the Artsplace mare, Artstopper. The US Pacing Broodmare of the Year in 2016, Artstopper is also the dam of the tremendous racemare Yagonnakissmeornot (41 wins, $1,458,850). She ranks a half-sister to Cheyenne Rei ($729,933).

Of great significance to the breeders of Australia and New Zealand, Always B Miki has no Cam Fella blood in his pedigree whatsoever so is an ideal option for daughters of Bettor’s Delight.

In a wonderful show of respect for our breeding industry, Always B Miki’s stud fee will be A$7,000 (incl GST) in Australia and NZ$7,000 (plus GST) in New Zealand.

This is a tremendous opportunity. Just listen to Jimmy Takter.

With a New Zealand record next to her name already, after just five race starts - there’s a fair bit of scope around Barry Ward’s latest find, Angel Of Harlem.

Ward is well-known for the exploits of his fillies and mares on the racetrack. A breeder/owner/trainer, and not too far back a member of Canterbury Breeder’s committee, no-one could ever accuse Barry of lacking passion or effort.

The well-bred filly broke through for her first victory at Timaru on Sunday in emphatic fashion, bettering a four-year long record held by Red Hot Toddy for a two-year-old filly in a 2000 metre mobile with a time of 2.26.1.

The result may have come as a surprise to many, with a $19 tote price a fair reflection of that assumption, but Ward has known for a while now that he’s got a good one on his hands.

“I’ve liked her from day one,” he said.

“She’s right up there with any of the fillies I have trained I think, but she’s nowhere near being the full package. There’s still a lot of learning to be done and she can only get better.”

The first foal from Ward’s six-win mare, Paradise City (Mach Three) Angel Of Harlem had raced with distinction in behind Elle Mac, Lady Chatto, Miss Ethel Sunshine and Star Commander in her four starts prior to Sunday, so she was facing a noticeable drop in class when she rocked up at Phar Lap Raceway.

But always the optimist, Ward was confident, without being too over the top.

“I said to Matty that she could run a fair bit and that she had a pretty big future in front of her.

“He felt she needed to be put into the race and he said when he asked her to go she hit the front and then went to pull up so he pulled the plugs and she came away again.

“That’s the learning thing I was talking about, it’s hard because I work her on her own at home. She only gets that real experience about being a racehorse when I take her off the place.”

Sunday’s win elevated Angel Of Harlem into the top 12 for the 2YO Diamond division at the Harness Jewels in Ashburton next month and all going well, provided she stays inside the field, she’ll be there to chase the big money.

“Those races don’t come along very often, so we will be there for sure.

“Hopefully she won’t get overtaken this week and we can have a crack.”

Ward has a full-brother to Angel Of Harlem at home who he is lining up for the Yearling Sales next year and he hopes the deeds of her sister will have a few potential buyers more than interested.

“He’s a really nice type too, so hopefully her success will help him when he goes in the ring.”

The filly is one of four horses Ward is working from his home base with his other racehorse, Bird Of Paradise in good form currently.

“She’s going good. I thought her run at Timaru was a cracker too. She just doesn’t like Addington for some reason.”

Angel Of Harlem wasn’t the only horse to push into a Jewels spot at Sunday’s meeting with Queen Bee Bardon’s second placing seeing her creep into the mix for the 4YO Diamond.

Late in the day McLovin further enhanced his chances for the 4YO Ruby with an impressive win for Amber Lethaby after sitting parked.

Lex and Heather Williams of One Over Lodge know a thing or two about breeding quality Standardbreds.

Therefore, it came as no surprise to seem them in the birdcage on a premiere night at Addington, accepting the silverware for their latest farm-reared star.

“Jill Smolenski said when we went up to Nevele R Stud to see him up after foaling, just look for the most outstanding looking colt in the paddock”, said Heather Williams.

That colt was One Muscle Hill, the first New Zealand stakes winning progeny of the hottest trotting stallion currently in the world.

One Muscle Hill was one of only 21 foals born in 2014 by the son of Muscles Yankee.

He is out of the one win Earl mare Landora’s Pearl (2006).

In 2008 Lex Williams had decided he was going to buy into some quality trotting families.

Heather and Lex’s champion mare One Over Kenny had at the time already amassed over half a million in stakes, and the pair wanted a future in breeding champions of their own.

“We bought Landora’s Pearl at the Auckland sale for $38,000 after Lex had sorted out some families he would like to get into. She was our top pick and we got her”, said Heather.

Landora’s Pearl is out of a very well related family most are familiar with. Her second dam Landora’s Pride won a Northern trotting Derby, Rowe Cup and Dominion Handicap amongst her impressive CV. The family is littered with black type winners with the most recent being Eyre I Come.

She won twice at two out of the Paul Nairn barn, once in New Zealand in a Breeders Crown heat and another in Ballarat as a lead-up to the Breeders Crown final where she was to finish seventh.

Like many a Nairn squaregaiter, she went on a West Coast excursion where she picked up her only other victory when saluting at Reefton.

‘Pearl’ was to race with distinction in the New Zealand Derby in 2010 finishing 6th, before galloping away from the mobile in the Oaks and running down the track.

After another Australian assault where she ran second in the South Australian Oaks at Group One level, she was retired to stud at the farm in Broad Gully.

“We had quite a few problems with her first foal Landora’s Girl (2011 The Pres) and she had quite a few trainers but she managed a win at Methven before we sold her to Australia.”

The next foal is now a three-year-old filly by Muscle Mass and after a stint with Colin De Fillipi at Ladbrooks, now does her acing further south out of the Amber Hoffman stable.

“Lassie was at the workouts in Oamaru yesterday and did everything that Amber was asking of her. She raced at two out of Colin’s stable but he suggested she go to the beach as she would be better suited to racing down south instead of Canterbury.

“One Muscle Hill was the most beautiful thing from the day he was born. He was a standout, absolutely. He was easy to teach things too, he was good when he was weaned and educated. Was willing and a quick learner. He had brains right from when he was a foal, a beautiful animal.”

“He was in and out of the boxes that many times on the day. It was a big thing from leaving our farm and straight to Christchurch. He handled it really well.”

The colt was purchased for $57,500 by the American duo of Gordon Banks and Mark Hanover. He was sent to the Australian stable of Nicole Molander where he won his debut race as a two-year-old, before receiving an ‘Aussie invite’ to the Jewels.

“He was paid up for the Sales and Sires Stakes races here so Mark and Gordon decided to give it a crack”.

The colt appears to be peaking at the right time and his ability to be there at the finish of a toughly run 1950m in the Listed Sires Stakes Two Year Old Trot was testament to the polish of the All Stars Stable.

“He’s not a natural two-year-old really and he lugged in a bit on the corners, but once he straightened up he was much better in his gait and he trotted really well to the line”, said Mark Purdon.

Lex and Heather were on hand to watch the horse they bred do the job and were under instruction from the colts owners to collect any silverware should he deliver on the night. “We keep in contact with Mark and Gordon and they sent us a text to collect the trophy for us and the phone call came in the pocket congratulating us from Australia.” “We really like the Muscle Hill’s, we have a couple more at home and they are beautiful animals.”

The couple aren’t the only ones. Muscle Hill progeny are doing the job on the track in North America, Europe and now Australasia from extremely limited books.

The super sire who won 20 of his 21 races when on the track averaged $167,000 from 17 foals at the 2016 Lexington Sales with one of his yearlings fetching $800,000.

With the least number of foals eligible (145) to race Muscle Hill had over $3 million more in progeny earnings (on the all age trotters list) of any of the top ten stallions in North America and remember that he only has four crops racing at the end of 2016.

He was also the first outside stallion to lead the Swedish three year old sires ladder doing this with frozen semen.

This no doubt helped his sales prices here despite having limited track success with only Gunners Coin racing at the top level (albeit briefly) in New Zealand prior to this season.

“His popularity worldwide means we will never be able to get more semen than we currently are” said Peter O’Rourke who has the rights to the stallion’s semen in Australasia through his semen business Stallions Australasia.

Lex and Heather had a great weekend capped off by their now trotting stallion winning first up for Lance Justice in the Skeggs Memorial Trot Cup at Group Three Level.

“We sent him over there five days after the Rowe Cup as the opportunities are far greater. We received a text from lance Justice thanking us for the opportunity to train such a great horse so we were rapt with the run.”

The Majestic Son entire is out of One Over Kenny and has amassed over $325,000 in stakes with his latest victory being his 22nd.

He served 13 mares this season in his first year advertised at stud, having covered two of the farms own mares in 2015, one being a half-brother to One Muscle Hill.

The two colts went through the ring this year at the New Zealand Premiere Yearling sale fetching nice prices. $20,000 for the Anna Castleton colt. And $31,000 for the colt out of ‘Pearl’.

Pearl foaled a nice Angus Hall colt this season and is back in foal to One Over Da Moon this year. The William’s are confident their little Earl mare will leave another nice type given her current foals have all been of good size and very correct.

“She’s not the biggest mare in the world but she keeps leaving nice big foals. And she’s certainly the bossiest of the bunch in the broodmare paddock. None of the other mares seem to really like her I’ll tell ya!”

‘Pearl’ won’t win any awards for making friends, and that’s fine with the Williams. They don’t count those on her pedigree page anyway!

Should One Muscle Hill win the Jewels at Ashburton, it would be their second two-year-old to win the race at the same venue, and the first Australian-invite winner.

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Art Work made it eight wins from eight foals for Kevin and Sharlaine Marshall-bred standardbreds at Alexandra Park last Friday night.

“I was delighted for the owners and was also quite proud that we have now had eight winners from the eight foals we have bred,” Te Awamutu-based Marshall (Kevin) said.

“For a part-time breeder I think it is no mean feat,” the 66-year-old added.

Art Work notched up his first win in three starts in Friday's $13,000 Jarvis Mobile maiden pace. He is trained by John and Josh Dickie and was driven by Scott Phelan.

The Art Major 3-year-old gelding is the fourth of six foals out of Lislea - Bronze Power one-win mare, Bronze Lady.

“I got into breeding through Jack Robb who ran the Alpha Hotel in Kihikihi (near Te Awamutu) back in 1995. He was moving to Taupo and had a few horses he was trying to sell. I took a couple of rising yearlings – one a pacer (Bronze Power), and the other a galloper. Jack was happy because he knew they were going to a good home.

“I never raced Bronze Power because she had bad feet, but I sold the Oregon thoroughbred to Australia after he won his trial by three-and-a-half lengths,” Marshall said.

Marshall bred three foals out of Bronze Power (Caprock - Bronze Vision). Bronze Rose (2000, by Holmes Hanover) won one of her 13 starts; Bronze Lady (2001, Lislea) won one of her seven starts; and Bronze Laine (by Il Vicolo) won two of her 13 starts.

"I only bred from the later two mares. Bronze Laine won a race when she was trained by John and Josh Dickie.

"Actually the Dickies have trained the best pacer we have bred - Bronze Over, but in saying that Bronze Seeker is a close second,” Marshall said.

Bronze Lady's first foal - 2007 Live Or Die colt Bronze Destiny never won a race in New Zealand but has racked up 15 wins and $74,434 in Australia.

Her second foal - 2008 Mach Three gelding Bronze Seeker won 11 races in New Zealand 12 more across the Tasman for career stakes so far of A$338,022.

Foal three Bronze Over (by Changeover) has so far won eight of her 24 starts and placed in six others for $67,684.

“She’s currently ranked second for the Jewels (4YO Diamond for mares. Bob Butt is training her down south. Josh has a share in her and she is likely to come back north after that,” Marshall said.

Art Work is Bronze Lady’s fourth foal, but the Marshalls sold the mare with him at foot to clients of the Dickies in May 2014.

“We had had gallopers as well and decided it was time to down-size. We couldn’t race them all. In fact the only horse we have now is a steeplechaser named Lucky Tonight, who races in Australia.

“I love watching our progeny go around. One day I would like to go and watch them in Group races. I know the breed is good enough. It has already proved that,” said Marshall who runs the bulk store at Te Awamutu Farm Source.

“Breeding standardbreds was a really enjoyable hobby. I really loved it. It gave me a lot of satisfaction,” he added.

Bronze Lady never left a foal in 2014 but in 2105 she gave birth to an Alta Christiano colt named Alta Boy for her new breeders, Philadelphia Racing Ltd.

She was served by American Ideal last October.

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Article courtesy of Johnny Turner & The ODT

Trotting stallion Love You has his name plastered beside trotting results all over New Zealand, but his path to siring stardom might not be well known to the average punter.

While breeding buffs can rattle off his life story and his pedigree, those who like to have a dollar each way are less likely to have been filled in on how the sire has risen to be New Zealand’s leading trotting stallion.

Racing reporter Jonny Turner found out the full story behind the stallion’s success.

Part of the reason New Zealand racing fans have not got an up-close look at this season’s leading trotting stallion, Love You, is very simple — the horse has never set foot in the country.

The 18yr-old chestnut sire stands at stud in the Nonant-le-Pin region in France, two hours west of Paris.

Despite being on the other side of the globe, the stallion has been able to establish himself as a proven sire of champion racehorses in New Zealand and leads the siring ranks on wins and money won this season.

At his French base, the best local mares, as well as others from all over Europe, are transported to be served by him.

New Zealand breeders also get their chance to cross his sought-after genes with their mares via transported frozen semen.

The results of his genetics being spread over two hemispheres has led Love You to be ranked the world’s leading trotting sire by earnings on three occasions.

His path to achieving that success has been a case of creating success in the most competitive of environments.

That is according to Aucklander Dave Sanders, who is both a diehard fan of international trotting and is the New Zealand representative who handles Love You’s frozen semen bookings, through Australasian breeding operation Haras des Trotteurs.

Sanders rates the French trotting scene so competitive that to succeed a horse must fight to stand out in a sea of talent.

"We have no idea how really down here just how competitive it is."

Love You started poking his head above his French trotting rivals by winning 22 of his 59 French starts.

After retiring to stud, the stallion has competed in the French siring ranks and gone on to produce a multitude of winners, including many who have outdone his own racetrack record.

"In France they have a breeding programme that breeds about 12,000 foals a year.

"I think people sort of have to realise the environment that he excelled in is slightly different to what we have here."

There are more than 520 registered trotting sires in France and they are all restricted to serving 100 mares per breeding season. That is a fair way behind Sundon’s biggest book of 230 mares or pacing sire Bettor’s Delight’s whopping book of 345 mares from 2007.The mares who get served by French stallions have to be registered with the French racing authority and must be of a high standard.

"You can’t just rock up with any mare.

"If they don’t produce a qualifier in their first four foals they are deregistered."

All of these factors add up to making an extremely competitive French breeding and racing scene that produces what Sanders argues is the world’s premium trotting genetics.

Love You’s genes have now been available to New Zealand breeders for 11 seasons.

So good are his results this season, he is even bettering the late great trotting sire, Sundon.

So highly regarded is Sundon, who died in 2015 after revolutionising the trotting breed in New Zealand, that few would dare compare him with any other sire.

However, Love You’s progeny are ahead of that of the champion sire’s on both tallies of money won and race wins, despite having only half the starters of his nearest rivals.

Although rather than making Love You’s success a case of rivalling that of Sundon, it is a case of the two sires working together to create such good results.

Love You’s four best New Zealand earners are Monbet, Enghien, Habibti and Habibti Ivy and Sanders believes there are two main reasons why.

Obviously, crossing two premium sire lines will help get success, but the calm and placid nature of the Love You influence helps tame the fiery and temperamental traits from the talented Sundon breed.

"The French horses are very, very sensible which I think why Love You works so well with Sundon."

"The horses are so well mannered."

Ironically, the factors that make his impact in New Zealand so very impressive, are exactly what will stop him from establishing himself as a truly dominant New Zealand trotting sires.

Because Love You is not in Australia and he sires progeny via frozen semen, his breeding numbers will never reach numbers that could get close to his rival trotting sires.

Success rates for frozen semen are consistently less than for those stallions who are based in Australasia.

Their chilled semen is freighted to breeding farms.

That means while Love You’s statistics stand out now, he is at risk of being overtaken by a sire who can leave similarly classy horses, but more of them, by standing in Australasia.

His limited numbers is evident in the Southern trotting ranks. So few of his progeny have been trained in Otago and Southland stables that fewer than 10% of his 69 winners have been trained in the region.

Of the 34 of Love You’s progeny to scored more than three race wins, only the 10-win Father Christmas and the former Brett Gray-trained Blackguard’s Corner have been trained in Otago or Southland.

So, while the Love You progeny are rare but talented commodities, it is unlikely he will dominate southern trotting, although those that have bred one of the rare southern-based Love You foals will hope they will have a horse as rarely talented as Monbet or Enghien on their hands.

Their owners would be well advised to keep a watchful eye over such horses.

So sought after was Love You’s 13-race-winning daughter and Italian Trotting Derby champion Unicka that she was kidnapped from her stable in Tuscany in March and still has not been found.

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Steve and Steffi Cornwall have bred two Group One winning trotters, but it was last Friday’s low-key cold, old meeting at Alexandra Park that will forever stay in their minds.

For the first time in almost 30 years of producing squaregaiters, the Pukekohe couple bred their first quinella at ‘Northern Headquarters’ in Friday’s eighth race – the $9,000 Balle Brothers Handicap for the Maiden Up to R49 trotters.

Previously, with John Ewen, they had bred the Tuhimata Glass and Steffi Glass quinella at Cambridge Raceway in April 2009.

"We are 'trotting tragics' and Friday was so special for Steffi and me. We started breeding from our first trotting mare - Top Girl (William Tuft - Royal Matron) when we came up from the South Island in 1990.

"And I had the best seat in the house to watch the race. It was a hell of a way to watch a winner," Cornwall (Steve) said after leading then trailing Mass Destruction throughout the journey.

Cornwall almost trained and drove his first winner of the season but he and Anzac couldn't get anywhere near the Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis trained Mass Destruction (Maurice McKendry), who ran away to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

"Maurie told me later he was almost too scared to pull the plugs because I was making too much noise. It was a great feeling all right.

“I wasn't sure if we hung on for second or not, but when I did find out, it was honestly one of my most satisfying moments in harness racing," Cornwall said.

The Cornwalls own and bred Anzac, and also bred and co-own Mass Destruction with Nancy Hackett, Peter and Janet, and Alan & Donna Wapp.

Mass Destruction and Anzac are from different families.

Mass Destruction, who is by Muscle Mass, is the 13th and last foal out of the qualified, unraced Chiola Hanover mare, Tijuana Glass, who, being from the open class mare Kathy Glass, was a full sister to Darz Dream (T1.58.8) and Czech Me Out (1.58.2) and a half to Gypsy Glass (six wins), the dam of Reine Des Gitans (six wins to date and $53,000).

“Graeme Mackie bred the first four foals and then John Ewen with us bought the mare off him in foal to Dr Ronerail and Steffi Glass was the result. We sold her at the yearling sales to Kevin Walker and she won three races for him. She is currently in foal to Dream Vacation.

"Her earlier foals were quite successful as well. Titian Glass (by Pernod Eden) won three races and Titian Sun (by Sundon) won five in New Zealand both for Wayne Thomas.

“Titian Sun won a further five in Australia and over $50k. Susan (by Straphanger) won eight for John Ewen and was ‘Two-Year Old Trotting Filly of her Year." Cornwall said.

The next foal from Tijuana Glass was the 2005 Malabar Maple colt, Kyvalley Alley who won nine races in Australia.

The Cornwalls and Ewen put Tijuana Glass back to Malabar Maple the following year and Tuhimata Glass was the result. He won three of his 17 starts in New Zealand and finished a slightly unlucky third in the first 2-year old Ruby at the Harness Jewels. He then won a further 19 races in Australia.

His greatest success came in the Group One Breeders Crown 2yo Trot Final at Melton in 2009.

Tuhimata Glass raced 101 times and won $274,080 in stakes.

Tijuana Glass’s 2008 Sundon colt Aldebaran Shades sold to Duncan McPherson in Australia for $27,500 at the Karaka Yearling Sale and when trained by Chris Lang went on to win 17 of his 43 starts and $192,610.

His biggest win came in the Group One 2012 New South Wales Trotters Derby.

“She was a wonderful mare and Mass Destruction is the best of her remaining foals. Sadly we had to put her down due to old age in 2014.

“Her progeny have won 74 races and almost $675,000 to date. Mass Destruction has a nice future and Bernie and Michelle have got him going really well. He had a few too many tricks for me as a two year including destroying my race cart and jumping a fence at the Pukekohe training track hence the shift to Waiuku. They have done a great job sorting his head out.

“As for Anzac he is the grandson of our foundation mare, Top Girl. I'd love to win a race with Anzac because he is such a cool dude to have around the stable. He actually went back to the workouts at Pukekohe the next day to be a pacemaker for our unqualified two year old." said Cornwall.

Anzac is the fifth of six foals from the three win Evander’s Gold mare Immortality who won all her races at Alexandra Park, the first of which provided Cornwall with his first winning drive.

Her first foal was a gelding by Falcon’s Icon qualified at both gaits and her second the mare Immortal Beloved (by Pegasus Spur) who won two at Auckland when trained by Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett.

Immortal Beloved’s only foal to date is a two year grey gelding by Monkey Bones also trained by Bernie and Michelle who has had a couple of workouts to date and is showing promise. She may be put to stud again next season, stallion to be decided.

The Cornwalls together with old friends Tony Grayling (studmaster at Woodlands Stud) and his wife Leanne have been fortunate enough to have been lent Kamwood Elsie to breed a foal and she is safely in foal to Bettor’s Delight. The resultant progeny will be a full to four year pacing mare of the year and Harness Jewels winner, Lancewood Lizzie, and the Cornwalls and Graylings are understandably excited about that.

“Next step for Anzac is to be broken to saddle as the future for saddle trots looks very bright with an exhibition Monte programmed for Alexandra Park on May 26 and hopefully tote races to follow in due course.

“All and all the future of straight trotting particularly in north looks very promising. History was made at the Auckland meeting on May 5 with five races of each gait and more trotters than pacers in attendance,” Cornwall said.

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Can’t be at Karaka this Sunday for the record weanling offering. Then watch it live on www.standardbred.co.nz

Lot 1 comes into the ring at 12 noon, leading off the 10 broodmares on offer and then it’s straight into the 118 weanlings - 52 from Alabar and 62 from Woodlands Stud. Nine win trotter Rare Opportunity rounds out the sale.

Leading Sire Bettor’s Delight has 10 weanlings on offer, American Ideal 13, Mach Three 5 and Art Major 3. Auckland Reactor who produced his 5th 2yo winner last weekend has 9 weanlings entered.

First season sires Sweet Lu has 28 weanlings catalogued, He’s Watching and Sunshine Beach both have 8 progeny.

The trotters are well represented too with 8 by Majestic Son, 6 Pegasus Spur’s and a colt by Peak.

Christchurch 69 lots selling on June 2nd will also be webcast, commencing at 1.00pm with 38 broodmares. Two trotting mares from the outstanding family of Sundon, both in foal to Love You will create a lot of interest. The sale also features the final dispersal of the Late George Timperley’s, Motu Lodge and includes a Bettor’s weanling colt from Silksngems.

Withdrawals to date at Auckland are Lots 38, 67, 102, 111, 117 & 129 and Christchurch Lots 134, 153, 159 & 188. A supplementary entry at Auckland, a colt by Art Major from Have A Go Franco will be offered at the end of the weanling section.

In writing this article I thought it would be interesting to look at the four-year-old mares who lined up in the first race ever run at the 2007 Harness Jewels in Ashburton, and what had transpired since.

10 years is one eighth of the average life expectancy in New Zealand, and should have been time enough for some of these mares to leave their hoof print on our breeding and racing industry.

It was a bit of a mixed bag to be honest with none really leaving what you would call a star.

I caught up with Ross Pettitt of Dunedin who along with his wife Averill, was the breeder and owner of the first ever winner of a ‘Jewel’ to find out how it all began and how he has got on since with breeding from the Diamond winner.

“We bought GTH Aveross’ dam All Star Anna (1995 m Soky's Atom - Victoria Star)

at the sales on the recommendation of the vet. She had a club foot which didn’t help much but may have helped us with her sales price.”

What she lacked as a racehorse she made up for on the pedigree page being by Soky’s Atom and out of a mare called Victoria Star (1983 Br m Lordship - Vicki Star).

“She was a half-sister to Yulestar which was the saving grace of the exercise and her dam Victoria Star was very good too which is why we bought her”, said Pettitt.

The Yulestar part of the equation was good fortune more than anything, something you need more often than you get in the breeding game.

Yulestar was only a year older than All Star Anna so his precocious ability, New Zealand Cup, NZ FFA, Interdominion Final (amongst other group successes) and Horse of the Year titles were a long way away.

Victoria Star had a Ladyship Stakes, Great Northern Oaks and 1987 three-year-old filly pacer of the year to her resume.

Her first two foals had shown promise and Yulestar was out their awaiting greatness, and with the fall of the hammer had secured All Star Anna.

“She was a bit of skittery mare who raced ok, but fell over a tad in some races we felt she should have won and a couple of others she could have won so we retired her.”

She finished with 24 starts for two seconds and two thirds before being retired to stud.

She missed twice in her first season at stud but was safely in foal to Badlands Hanover in 2002. Nothing stood out to Pettitt about the resulting foal but he remembers the canny traits of the mare that was to provide him with his greatest thrill in racing. “GTH Aveross was a very tough mare and she wasn’t fast enough to get to the front but she was always running on at the end of her races. She had so many second, thirds and fourths to some very good horses. I think she had been racing on some straights down south that were a lot shorter than Ashburton and that was probably the trick in the end.”

GTH Aveross was to have 28 starts as a four-year-old before taking her place as the 12th qualifier of 12 horses in the inaugural running of the Harness Jewels.

“Do I remember much about 10 years ago? It was a very good day from memory”, joked Pettitt in what would be the understatement of the last decade.

Pettitt’s mare and pilot Blair Orange worked herself into a 3-wide train down the back straight before popping out to grind down the leader and raging favourite Bachelorette to get the Jewels off to a rocking start in 1:54.0.

“I had the whole family there and got a bit back from her but the mistake I made was not backing her with the bookies, who had her at $50 more than the tote did.”

“She was the equal fastest time for the day and while today they obviously go a lot faster, 10 years ago they didn’t go a lot faster than that!”

“She finished third in the Southern Belle (2008) but unfortunately the race wasn’t run to suit and while she could sprint it was hard to make up eight to ten lengths in those sorts of races. She tried hard and had nothing left to prove so we decided to try her as a broodmare.”

The Jewels wasn’t a Group 1 back then but the 1:54.0 mile rate was the third fastest recorded by a race winning mare when Pettitt took a colt by Bettor’s Delight along to the sales out of his now black type broodmare.

Aveross Mac would fetch $25,000 before qualifying and doing his racing in Australia where he picked up 15 wins and $100,000+ largely racing around the Globe Derby circuit in Tasmania.

“He never won anything big but he probably would have been more suited to racing here. Was very much like his mum in that he was tough and could stay, but the short straights and tracks weren’t his go.”

Pettitt took the next foal out of the mare to the sales, this time by Lis Mara and he would sell for $35,000. Aveross Brachole is still racing as of today but hasn’t trouble the scorers box as much as he has the starts column.

“He showed a lot of promise but only won the two races thus far from 90 odd starts. He has had a string of placings (19) but like a lot of the breed, they don’t come on until they were four or onwards.”

The third and fourth foals weren’t much chop or fast enough to make the grade as Pettitt was to find out for himself.

The fifth foal by Mach Three was the foal they thought would have gone on with it but for whatever reason has failed to live up to the promise.

Aveross Ferrari, “sort of has the ability but hasn’t out it together unfortunately but hasn’t quite put it together and has been quite a disappointment compared to what we thought he might be.”

“Majorette Aveross - she injured herself and is just being looked after, she was going very well and we were set to qualify her and she became sore in her leg. It looked like it was a bone chip and had an op but she had to stand through it all so she is still really recovering from that. She might well have been good but it will be quite a while before we see anything of her.”

“It’s quite a shame as they’ve all done a bit of that. But the foals really haven’t come on and done it we thought they would have done. She’s back in foal to A Rocknroll Dance this season so we cross our fingers and live in hope, but she hasn’t really come on much like the rest of the family through the All Star line,” said Pettitt.

Aside from a smattering of winners and of course Yulestar, the family branches of Victoria Star haven’t amounted to much.

This hasn’t stopped Pettitt from persisting with the breeding game he loves and aside from GTH Aveross and a couple of her daughters, he breeds from the ‘Corumba line’ in daughters of Lochaime (1980 Br Lordship - Witchlight). Witchlight (1967 B Local Light - Witcha) wasn’t much chop as a racehorse but the tail lines of her daughters have gone on to produce the likes of Bella Chip who left Winter Rose who in turn left recent NZ Cup Winner Arden Rooney. Awesome Ambro, Flying Sands and Lento also stem from this maternal line.

The first foal the couple bred from Lochaime (6th foal) in 1992 gave the retired accountant and his wife their first group success as breeder/owners winning the Welcome & Kindergarten Stakes at Two and the Southern Supremacy at Three. His name was Corumba and if not for an injury at three we may have seen more of the son of OK Bye. He finished his career winning six races and $97,927 in stakes.

The next foal from Lochaime was Warloch (1993 Holmes Hanover) and he showed a bit of ability also winning a Geraldine and Roxburgh Cup.

A wee bit like GTH Aveross, the daughters of Lochaime haven’t really produced how Pettitt and his wife would have hoped.

Falcon Aveross (1997 Falcon Seelster) has left 8 foals of racing age with two saluting the judge as winners. Raven Aveross (2004 f Christian Cullen) being the best of them with 2 wins and several placings and she now finds herself in the broodmare barn.

That’s not to say other daughters from the Lochaime breed haven’t kicked on.

“On an on day Warloch would get to the front and nothing would get past him and he would fight like a bloody dog. But on the off day he would see a horse get past him and pack it in and run 50 length last and say there’s another day coming. He was a bugger, he held grudges with other horses and other drivers. He had everything. He won the lead up to the NZ Messenger but galloped in the big race when other horses got around him.

“He was a really good horse on his day and that’s why it doesn’t surprise me that Venus Serena and Rona Lorraine have come through the Lochaime line. Because they are out of a family that has got some real talent in it. Lochaime’s second foal Awesome Dream (Soky’s Atom) left a Falcon Seelster mare called Inspiring Dash (& Gail Devers) who proved to be a broodmare gem for the Sanford’s leaving the two Group 1 fillies previously mentioned.

“Unfortunately, the daughters we have bred from haven’t showed the talent and haven’t left the foals we thought she might but as I keep being told, eventually they’ll leave a good one. They have too, the family lines are just too good.”

A line Pettitt and his wife had shared recent success with is a pacer who decided she wanted to trot. OK Aveross (1998 OK Bye - Smart Franco) won once as a pacer before picking up six as a squaregaiter. Her daughter Early Aveross (2007 Earl - OK Aveross) has left the Dunedin couple “four nice foals” and one in called Aveross Don who looks to have a wee bit of ability.

“I retired when I was 48 and am now 69 but have only properly retired this year having finally got rid of the last of my clients. I’m now living off my wits as they say and ready to travel should the next good one come along.” Here’s hoping for Averill and Ross the next one isn’t too far away!

There’s not too much that’s conventional about Roxburgh breeder and former stud master Bill Keeler. But that’s the way he likes it.

He’s a no fuss sort of guy who seldom goes to the higher-end stallions, preferring to choose sires that he feels match his mares, and are within his budget. And this has proved to be a winning formula for the former Southlander.

Keeler, who has been breeding horses for thirty plus years comes from a family which had no interest in horses, but that all changed when he was at high school.

“I got interested at school. We used to sit in alphabetical order. On one side of me was Ross Malcolm and the other side was John Muirhead. John ended up being a stipe and Ross’s father backed horses like Manaroa back in the day. Murray Todd was around too and his father Ian had a horse called Old Salt. We went to the gallops and the trots,” he said.

So it wasn’t long before Keeler got the racing bug. His first winner was a galloper called Royal Caddon which was trained at Gore by Steve Allen.

As he became more interested he gravitated to standardbreds and began to help out at the Hedgehope stable of Maurice and Val Skinner.

“I was dairy farming at the time and used to fit in an hour here and an hour there. I drove Benrodden out there. One thing lead to another. I had horses at the Skinners and around at the Barrons” (Ron and Tony Barron).

Benrodden by Armbro Hurricane won two races for Skinner before winning a further seven for Graeme Hale.

But Keeler’s lucky break came in the mid-1980s.

“One day I picked up two mares and a horse called Skipper Dale. He was three and had been broken in. He used to lie down and my job was to get him to jog around the roads without lying down, which I did after six weeks. Ken Baron got him and he qualified him but it took a long time.”

Skipper Dale went on to win 18 races for owner John Howard and trainer Patrick O’Reilly.

“Anyway, the mares I had were Ngahere and her sister Chatter Box. I sent them both to Vance Hanover. The deal was that I got one of the foals and the syndicate that owned Vance Hanover got the other. I had the choice of foals out of Lumber Dream mare Ngahere which had left Skipper Dale or the one out of Parlez Vous mare Chatter Box. Everyone in the world would have taken the foal out of the Lumber Dream mare. But I chose the other one (Vance Hanover – Chatter Box) which was Cath Hanover.”

Incidentally the Vance Hanover – Ngahere colt named Kiwi Bomber won three races in New Zealand for Graeme Anderson before winning another two in Australia.

So that’s how Bill Keeler started his marvellous association with a mare that gave him plenty of enjoyment and left him a host of winners.

As a racehorse Cath Hanover had one start from Jack Stroud’s stable but broke a pedal bone.

“We served her and got a foal out of her (Cordon Hops) then she came back into work after we weaned the foal. She was one week off going to the workouts at Lindsay Woodward’s place and she went amiss again.”

So it was to the breeding barn that Cath Hanover went and what an amazing record she’s left.

At last count of the 15 named foals she left, 10 had qualified and 8 had won a total of 179 races between them.

Her biggest winner was Mister Dale which was by Knight Rainbow. He won a staggering 80 races – eight in New Zealand and the remaining 72 in America. He started an amazing 328 times for a record of 72-55-48 and $217,909 in stakes. His best mile time was 1-53.0.

Erle Dale is the mare’s other big winner - winning 18 races in Australia before chalking up a further 21 in America. He’s still racing.

Other winners include: Cordon Hops (Devil’s Adversary) 15, Bravo Star (Direct Flight) 9, Rocky Beau (Pacific Rocket) 15, Captain Dale (Julius Caesar) 9 and Marshal Dale (Knight Rainbow) 12.

One of the mare’s progeny that didn’t make it to the races was a horse called Rapid Skipper who was by Totally Ruthless.

“I had three horses in the paddock. Bravo Star, Jester Dale and Rapid Skipper. Rapid Skipper was the best by a long long way. He went to the workouts and won by the length of the straight. We turned him out and he came back in and was going really good. He got a bit of swelling on the knee. He wasn’t lame and there was no mark. The swelling went down and we backed off him for a couple of weeks. He then went to the workouts again and broke down and we had to put him down. He was one that got away. ”

Of all the horses Cath Hanover left Erle Dale was the one Keeler got the biggest return from.

“It’s never enough (laughter). Erle Dale grossed us $210,000. We sold him out of Australia where I owned and raced him.”

Erle Dale was trained by the Fitzpatricks and that’s where Keeler’s racing colour of yellow with green diagonal stripes came from.

“Going around Harold Park they stood out so I thought I’d get something like that. Brad Morris said to me one day ‘are you training for Bart (Bart Cummings)? They’re similar to his colours.”

So as you can see Keeler’s list of winners didn’t come from the top echelon of stallions – quite the opposite.

“Flavour of the day doesn’t do much for me. I bred five by Artsplace and they were all nil. They couldn’t run to save themselves. We’ve bred four or five Klondike Kids that have gone pretty good.”

Cath Hanover’s last visit to a stallion was in 2011 when she was served by American Ideal.

“I thought perhaps I should get a filly because you could breed fillies or colts out of her depending on what you wanted. I thought I’d better have a filly just to finish off her breeding career. Bugger me days it was upside down in her and she died foaling about two weeks early.”

In the early years Keeler ran a dairy farm at Makerewa near Invercargill before selling up and working at the Freezing works.

“There was a butter mountain in Europe. They complain about the prices now – the prices then were zero. They were swapping butter for Lada’s (cars) and everything else. We were paying 30% on our overdraft and the banks were killing us.”

After selling the farm he decided to set up a stud farm - Kaylea Stud also at Makerewa where he initially stood Armbro Raven and Call Back.

Knight Rainbow owned by Trish Dunell was also on the books and he’s still in the care of Keeler at Millers Flat.

“He was at Graeme Lambs and he served a couple of mares. He rang me up one day and said I’ve sold my farm and that that horse is coming to your place so he duly arrived. He does a good job teasing up the mares and once in a blue moon he serves one.”

While in Southland he also served on the Invercargill Harness Racing club’s crash crew with his old mates Lindsay Woodward and Lex Dudfield.

He was also one of the first to do artificial insemination in Southland.

“I was one of the first in New Zealand to serve a full commercial book of mares with a horse called Talk Show Lobell who was a total flop. We served a few with Armbro Invasion and got going from there. I got up to 100 (mares) one year.”

Over the years he ran Kaylea Stud he had a good number of breeding triumphs.

“My claim to fame was around two mares Victoria Foyle and Chipaluck. One was seven the other eight and they hadn’t got in foal. One actually ran with a stallion. All the experts in the world have had a look at these mares for the last few seasons. So I got them served and the first time the vets saw them was at 42 days. They were both positive. My first two positives that year.”

Keeler also seemed to be able to produce foals to order.

“I said in the newsletter that most of the foals next year were going to be colts. Jim Dalgety shook his head and said incredible. He said there was an old fella on the Coast that did that. Anyway the upshot was that only two people (of the 74) told me they had fillies.”

And when pressed to elaborate he said, “If I tell you I’ll have to kill you.” (laughter).

He’s also bred from another daughter of Chatter Box - Nellie Dale. She didn’t leave a lot of foals but did leave the talented Mach Three gelding Loch Nagar which won six of his twenty starts.

“It was just an absolute fluke that we got a Mach Three. He was very unsound. He just had a massive heart.”

Fast forwarding to today and Keeler is still breeding from two of Cath Hanover’s unraced daughters - Gracie Dale (Make A Deal) and Rhonda Dale (Iam A Fool) as well as Makarewa Jill (CR Commando – Sherree’s Pride) and Al Zahra (Mach Three – Red Chinelle). And he’s still getting plenty of success by breeding to the cheaper stallions.

Gracie Dale has left some well performed horses including Grey Steel (Island Fantasy) which won three races for Mark Shirley before winning another 17 in Australia and Justa Dale (Klondike Kid) which won once here but has won a further 6 races in Australia and has run a mile in 1-52.7.

“For pedigree experts he’s (Greysteel) interesting. He’s reversed sex cross to three great stallions including No Nukes. (Abercrombie and Albatross are the other two). So she’s (Gracie Dale) had two really good ones by nondescript stallions.”

Greysteel is 3x3 reverse sex to No Nukes, 3x4 reverse sex to Abercrombie and 4x4 reverse sex to Albatross.

Another one of Gracie Dale’s foals also showed potential.

“Armor Dale (Gotta Go Cullect) looked promising. He had a bit of an empty head but he could run a bit. At his first serious workout he ran past Al Raza one day but he broke his back leg.”

Renee Dale a two year old filly by Sir Lincoln out of Rhonda Dale was recently sold by Keeler to Sydney after she qualified at Wyndham.

He’s also breeding from the Dream Away mare Dreamy Romance.

“Her first foal by Julius Caesar won a race but wasn’t much chop. The second foal was Quatro Knight. He’d been in the cart three or four times. Alex McDonald (who bred lots of very good horses) said to me ‘I’ll trade you anything in my paddock for that horse.’ I said ‘what about your partners?’ “Ah stuff them’ he said. ‘I’ll make my own decisions thanks.’ I held on to him. He was a beautiful mover and he duly qualified as a two year old but he got crook and he was never the same again.”

Dreamy Romance’s third foal was Rainbow Romance. Keeler said “At his third start in America he was a half a head and a half a length away going 1-49. He’s a Knight Rainbow. The next foal was My Rona Gold which is by Klondike Kid which has gone quite good. Then she had an American Ideal and it’s the only one that’s no good.”

Keeler has lived in Roxburgh for five and a half years now and he says he loves the warmer climate.

“It does get hot. When it rains you smile and take your clothes off and dance in it.”

On the recreational front he’s part of the group that runs the swimming pool at Millers Flat and he’s still managing 20 to 30 lengths a day. He also plays a bit of squash after playing for the Makarewa Squash Club for years.

When I spoke to Keeler he was recovering from breaking a hamstring which happened when he was shoeing a yearling. He says at one point he was being transported around the district lying flat on the back seat of a car. Some sight!!

So Bill Keeler’s life has been full of interesting twists and turns and even in the time I spent with him there could easily have been a books worth of tales.

Second withdrawals closed recently for the Group One $150,000 The Breeders NZ Pacing Oaks which will be held at Addington on Friday, 19 May.

14 Fillies remain in contention for this time honoured event, headlined by Partyon, Spanish Armada and the impressive winner of the Southland Oaks Bonnie Joan. The Australian filly Petacular was a notable withdrawal having gone to the spelling paddock.

Their current fixed odds prices (NZ Dollars) are outlined below and can be viewed at https://www.tab.co.nz/racing/#975.

A total of seven Group and Listed Races will be held on this evening with just under $600,000 in stakes on offer.

For more details on The Breeders NZ Pacing Oaks, please visit addington.co.nz/racing/promotions-incentives/. Alternatively, please call the Addington’s Racing Department on 03 338 9094.

Researchers in the New South Wales Hunter Valley have developed a new scientific method they say could boost horse breeding around the world.

The scientists from the University of Newcastle have developed a new nutrient-rich liquid that is added to deposits of horse semen collected after ejaculation, which keeps the sperm alive for longer at an ambient temperature.

Horse sperm have short lifespans, and traditionally to preserve them for longer than a few days, the samples had to be chilled or cryopreserved, which can be damaging to the cells.

With the new liquid, the sperm could remain viable for up to two weeks, as opposed to about three days when chilled.

This means higher-quality samples could be sent overseas for breeding programs in other countries, and they would have a greater chance of success.

The research came about after a linkage grant collaboration between stakeholders in the national and international equine sector, and included a number of universities.

"There's sometimes a bit of a disconnect between what happens in the research world and what's happening out in the real world and in the industry," Aleona Swegen, a scientist working on the project, said.

"There are some hurdles they come up against, especially in regards to fertility and how successful breeding programs can be.

"Horses have, in a way, fallen behind a lot of the other animal industries.

"We're working on a project that is hoping to improve fertility for horses.

"This is a world-first in the scale of the project, but it's also really important that the industry are the ones who are initiating this, and they're coming to us with questions."

"We're developing new media for the storage of horse semen at room temperature, so that we can potentially transport it around the world [without chilling or freezing the cells]," Zamira Gibb, a post-doctoral research fellow working on the project, said.

"Once we collect the semen, we add our new semen extender. In that medium, which is just a liquid, we have components that will support their metabolism.

"While they're actively metabolising, they're going to be producing a lot of reactive oxygen species and waste products, so there are other components in that media that will help to clean them up."

Cryopreservation technology, where sperm is frozen, has been used for years, but the scientists said it increased the risk of damage to the sample.

Storing the sperm at ambient temperature, with appropriate nutrients to support their survival, negated that risk.

"The ability to transport sperm around the world has been around for the last 50 years, but it does require cryopreservation," Dr Gibb said.

"The process of cryopreservation can be very damaging to the cells, and it can cause them to have an extremely reduced lifespan once you thaw them out, so the fertility is generally quite markedly reduced."

Jen Clulow, a veterinarian involved in the project, said the ability to transport sperm at ambient temperatures would help studs wanting to breed their horses with animals overseas.

"If we were able to use our ambient temperature media to transport [sperm] from America to Australia to breed mares, then we would be able to potentially harness the genetic potential from that stallion and put it into an Australian horse population," she said.

The researchers are trying to minimise potential biohazards and eliminate any bacterial contamination by investigating the best device to transport the sperm.

Dr Swegen said it was an exciting development for the Hunter's breeding industry.

"It is a wonderful advantage for the breeders in the area, and I think it's great they'll be able to get their hands on something that's a world-first," she said.

"It's also great for the equine breeding industries around the world."

Any doubts about speedy filly Bonnie Joan handling the longer distance of the Southland Oaks were well and truly kicked for touch today when she lead all the way and held on to win in a new New Zealand, Southland, race and track record time.

“Even when she qualified on the grass at Balfour she seemed to be stronger. She’s got a great cruising speed and looks relaxed. The other feature she’s got is gait speed, and she doesn’t have to grind to get to the front. She seems to be able to do it and then they leave her alone which is great,” said Fr Dan Cummings who shares in the ownership with sister Julie Davie and brother Peter.

“She’s the best filly we've raced in our own name," he added.

In today's Group Two feature she was taken straight to the front by driver Dexter Dunn. Quality Southland filly Seaswift Joy sat parked beside her and her main danger, Delightful Memphis was hot on her tail in the trailing position. But it didn't matter with Bonnie Joan proving too good for those main rivals which ran second (Delightful Memphis) and third (Seaswift Joy).

The winning time of 3-17.1 bettered Nek Time's race record of 3-19.1, surpassed the all-comers record of 3-18.2 held by The Big Boss, broke the track and Southland record for the distance and became a new New Zealand record for three year old fillies. Piccadilly Princess's old record for the 2700 metre mobile for fillies was 3-17.9.

Trained by Cran Dalgety, Bonnie Joan is fast becoming a new stable star for the Canterbury trainer.

“He (Dalgety) said at one stage when Christen Me wasn’t firing that people were starting to ask him about her (Bonnie Joan).”

Bonnie Joan is by Somebeachsomewhere out of the eight win Live Or Die mare Wave Runner and is named after Dan, Julie and Peter's mum Bonnie Joan Cummings.

“Mum was completely responsible for Tuapeka Lodge. It’s a great delight for us that this filly is named after her. It’s been over forty years since mum died and to have her name on it – whether it’s a fluke or what?” The horse that’s putting up the performance has got her name and it's very delightful.”

The win caps off a sensational few days for Tuapeka Lodge. Bonnie Joan’s half sister Break Dance won the North Island Breeders Stakes in Auckland on Friday night and last night at Menangle Tuapeka Glory (Art Major – Lillian) won the Menangle Country Series pacing the 1609 metres in 1-52.1. Galactic Star also won in Perth on Friday night.

“It’s an unbelievable roll that we are on. You get a bit anxious about how long it’s going to last. We’ve been in the game too long to know that it will last forever.”

For driver Dexter Dunn it cemented his domination of some of the feature races in Southland He's now won four of the last six Southland Oaks, winning with Nek Time last season, Safedra in 2013 and Gaylee’s Delight in 2012.

Friday the 5th of May marks the inaugural running of the Northern Trotting Oaks for three-year-old fillies.

The trotters have really put their hand up this season across the grades, and the lack of three-year-old opportunities for fillies in their own sex (particularly the Jewels) means the race definitely has its place on the calendar.

Compared to its southern counterpart (New Zealand Trotting Oaks – 19 nominations, 14 starters) the race has drawn a field of 6 runners for the $25,000 mobile trot over 2200m.

The race was designed to give trotting fillies an opportunity to earn black type against their own sex.

How we get them to line up is another matter when a dominant filly such as Chevron Express has undoubtedly kept a few away after staying in the North Island having been eligible for the Sires Stakes Trot a week before the Derby. Which, among other things, begs the question, did the timing of the Northern Trotting Oaks robbed the Northern Derby of a few more starters? As highlighted by Handicapper Andrew Morris, Chevrons Express would have more than likely lined up in the Group 1 Derby last week had there not been a softer target waiting for her a week later.

Is there an issue with the date?

The alternatives appear to be the Derby carnival at Auckland which this year was run 3 weeks before (March 10th) the New Zealand Trotting Oaks (March 31st ) with the NZ Derby run a week later at Addington (7th April).

This potentially makes more sense with the opportunity to run a fillies and mares mobile over 1700m as a lead up race to the Oaks, giving connections of fillies two bites at the cherry up north so to speak.

Gavin Smith said he would have definitely taken Di’z Luck up if she had a second race to target outside of the Derby but felt it was a bridge too far for a single race. “I really wanted to support the race and had discussed it with the owners but felt she wasn’t going well enough to spend the money getting up there to risk galloping and receiving also ran money. Would definitely have gone if there was a lead up race”, said Smith.

On the back of a successful Rowe Cup Carnival where trotters reigned supreme, Auckland Racing Club manager Regan Cotter agreed that “while it was disappointing to only get six nominations, we had to start somewhere and the Racing Committee definitely wouldn’t be opposed to looking at the dates for next year. Fillies and mares racing is high on the agenda and the Racing Committee would definitely consider the lead up race, particularly if it meant more South Island fillies would travel.”

Michelle Hackett said that while her charge was likely to be outclassed, she understood the importance of supporting the race.

“My owners are just thrilled to have a horse running in the field and given my association with the trotters and lack of opportunities for the fillies up North, just wanted to support the race. We would have had a second runner had she not suffered a setback.”

Three 3YO trotting fillies will race earlier in the night in the up to R56 trot for an $8000 stake. This suggests what we are seeing in this year’s three-year-old pacing crop is ringing true in trotting that some connections are just unwilling to tackle superior opposition, even when the money is up.

The only group race for trotting mares (Northern Breeders Stakes) is also held in Auckland despite having the smallest pool of mares.

The race attracted eight mares and one must wonder whether the $25,000 stake is not enough to the travel when not a single South Island mare made the trip. Would a stake of $40,000 be enough to entice a Canterbury trainer for the trotting Oaks and Northern Breeders?

“Absolutely”, said Kevin Townley.

“Trotting fillies have had one race for the entire season in New Zealand and there should have at the very least been a lead up race for the New Zealand Oaks, if not another race for them after!”

The Northern Trotting Oaks was never going to get $40,000 in year one but an increased stake would obviously ease the burden of a trek north.

“It was going to cost me $3000 at least to take two fillies north to run third behind Chevron Express and Regal Love. At $25,000 for the stake, I’m not covering any costs”, said Townley.

In recent times programming hasn’t been the issue.

Addington have this week given connections of trotting fillies and mares the opportunity to race in their own sex, and have been let down slightly with only nine nominating up to R62 trot over 1950m.

On the 21st April, the Addington lower grade trot was split between fillies and mares, colts and geldings leaving a field of 10 fillies and mares. A good start.

Brian Rabbitt of the NZ Metropolitan Club said he was disappointed by the support of this week’s race after listening to feedback suggesting Addington need to programme more races for the trotting girls. A field of nine starts this Friday’s programme.

The two-year-old trotters have been a revelation this year, with full fields of baby square-gaiters who are by in large defying their age and maturity by doing what they are bred to do. That being trot!

Aoraki and Renezmae have been flying the flag for the fillies and measuring up to the boys and beating them, but outside of the pair the girls have been outpointed by the colts and geldings.

As the breed continues to improve, so too will the opportunities.

But the races programmed need the support of trainers and their owners to ensure they aren’t a flash in the pan at a time when clubs and administrators are sitting up and taking notice of the trotting gait and their role in the industry!

After the introduction of safe, effective, easy-to-administer chemical dewormers in the 1960s, the equine industry enjoyed the luxury of being able to control equine internal parasites with a simple push of a plunger.

Parasite-related conditions such as colic, diarrhea, poor hair coat, ill-thrift, poor performance, etc. were essentially eradicated. Rotational deworming programs—involving the frequent administration of chemical dewormers with various products—rapidly became the mainstay. Almost hand-in-hand with the use of those dewormers, however, came the age of resistance: Populations of internal parasites that could not be killed by those coveted chemical dewormers.

“Populations of roundworms and small strongyles resistant to chemical dewormers, also called anthelmintics, have been identified in all parts of the world,” explained Martin Nielsen, DVM, PhD, Dipl. EVPC, ACVM, assistant professor at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. “This once again puts horses at risk for the development of parasite-related diseases.”

There are only three classes of chemical dewormers (benzimidazoles, tetrahydropyrimidines, and macrocyclic lactones), and parasites have developed either established or developing resistance to all three. Combined with the fact that there are no new chemical dewormers in the pipeline for horses (a process that usually takes a minimum of five years), horses with once-treatable parasite-related health issues are now in the pre-1960s position of having no (or very few at the least) treatment options.

“New, nonchemical deworming options are necessary to continue to control equine internal parasites and optimize horse health, welfare, and quality of life,” said Nielsen.

Dedicated to this endeavor, Nielsen and colleagues have devised several unique approaches for controlling equine parasites, including one nonpharmaceutical strategy to kill small strongyles.

Combination Deworming

This involves the co-administration of two chemical deworming products from different drug classes at the same time.

“This concept is based on research conducted in sheep,” Nielsen explained. “The theory is that if a horse has parasites that are already resistant to pyrantel and benzimidazoles, for example, using the two drugs together would result in improved efficacy of the dewormers.”

Nielsen and colleagues are currently putting this theory to the test. They are a few months into the one-year study and will be prepared to make clinical recommendations only once all the data have been gathered and analyzed, he said.

Fecal Egg Counts

As described by the American Association of Equine Practitioner’s Parasite Control Guidelines, surveillance-based deworming is strongly advocated.

“This involves using fecal egg counts to identify the type of internal parasite that is shedding eggs into the horse’s gastrointestinal tract, counting the number of roundworm and small strongyle eggs in one gram of feces, and recommending the appropriate timing and type of dewormer application,” Nielsen said.

Traditionally, fecal egg counts (FECs) have been performed at veterinary clinics or via mail-in services. But technology in this field is advancing. Nielsen and colleagues recently developed the Parasight System—a smartphone-based fecal egg diagnostic and intestinal parasite management tool.

“The Parasight System, which will be available next year, (is designed to allow) veterinarians to perform rapid, quantitative, on-site, and in-house FECs … in five minutes,” Nielsen said. He also noted that the system is designed to minimize the chances of misidentifying the parasite eggs.

Let the Germs Get the Worms

“This is one of our most exciting projects,” Nielsen said. “The premise is that we can use a crystal protein, Cry5B, produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. Cry5B kills strongyle larvae in a laboratory setting, and we now need to determine the safety and efficacy of Cry5B to deworm live horses.”

Stacey Oke, MSc, DVM, is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. She is interested in both large and small animals, as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Since 2005, she's worked as a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assisted physicians and veterinarians in publishing research articles and textbooks, and written for a number of educational magazines and websites.

Bev and Phil Williamson are currently breeding from nine top quality trotting mares. And because they’ve either trained and/or raced most of them or their close relatives, they know their pedigrees very well.

Phil recently chalked up 500 trotting winners; a remarkable feat in itself. And he and Bev are continuing to invest in, not only trotting’s bright future but their own, by breeding a good supply of young stock that they’re prepared to race.

The Williamsons have been great fans of Sundon, and their record with stock of that sire is excellent. Five of their mares are by this champion sire and they’re continuing to use his frozen semen.

Although Phil doesn’t come from a family that had an interest in racing Bev does.

Her parents Ron and Muriel Mills bred and raced standardbreds successfully – Wee Willow and Gemini Jo were two of their better horses.

Bev and Phil got their breeding adventure underway with Jasmyn’s Gift (Sundon – IIona Del) the winner of 17 races from their barn.

Her wins included to 2006 New Zealand Trotting FFA, Ordeal Trotting Cup and the Group One New Zealand Trotting Championship when she beat stablemate Allegro Agitato. She also ran third in the 2005 Dominion Handicap.

As a broodmare she’s left The Pres filly Le Lievre’s Gift which has won four races, the qualified but unraced Monarchy mare Jasmyn Rules, and promising Muscle Yankee filly Zoey’s Gift. She’s recently been bought by Emilio Rosati.

“To begin with she was just being a bit naughty like her mum used to be and was missing away at the start. She’s got a big motor so hopefully she does a good job for Emilio,” said Bev.

Her next foal, a colt by Angus Hall, was sold by the Williamsons at the 2016 Sale of the Stars for $105,000 to Rosati. Sold as Hands Are A Gift, he’s had a name change and is now Cavalier Stride.

One Under Kenny (Sundon) which won eleven races and was good enough to run fourth in the 2003 Rowe Cup, is another mare the Williamsons are breeding from. This one is in partnership with Erin Bradley and George Emond.

As a broodmare she’s left King Kenny which won nine races and talented Brads Kenny the winner of five races.

“He’s (Brad’s Kenny) just had soreness issues. Nice wee horse but just not sound.”

One Under Kenny has also left a two year old filly by Dream Vacation.

“Phil likes her but she’ll just need a bit of time.”

Here Comes Pat (Dream Vacation – Got Pat) which won eight races for good stable clients Dennis Stumbles and Jim Hunter is a recent addition to the Williamson broodmare band.

“They said to Phil that he could have her to breed out of because they weren’t wanting to breed now. She’s got a positive test to Sundon.”

Another mare in the Williamson name is Nice One Kenny. She’s also a Sundon mare who’s out of Frances Jay Bee.

As a broodmare she’s left Majestic Son filly Majestic Kenny which is owned by Trevor Casey. Casey is breeding from Majestic Kenny and sold a Revenue two year old out of the mare called Jake The Mus (Muscle Hall) for $55,000 at this year’s yearling sales.

Nice One Kenny is also the dam of nine win mare Queen Kenny. She won last season’s Group Three Greenlane Cup at Alexandra Park.

“She (Nice One Kenny) missed to Love You last year but is in foal to Muscle Mass this year.”

Dwindle Mist another by Sundon out of Iris Pointer won two races for Phil before son Nathan took her over her training, winning another four races.

“She’s in foal to Muscle Mass as well and hopefully she’ll have a nice colt.”

Sundon mare Castleton’s Jewel is another in the breeding barn. She won three races when trained by Phil and is a full sister to Castleton’s Mission which won the Two Year Old Trotters Championship and Hamiltonian. He ended up winning fifteen races.

“Matthew’s got a really nice colt by CR Commando out of her. It’s the only colt she’s had, the rest have been fillies.”

They’re also breeding from Yukon Quest which is out of Little Contessa. She qualified but was unraced.

“She had an injury on the jogger. It was quite a bad injury so we decided to put her in the broodmare paddock. She actually qualified after the injury and Phil thought she was never the same horse.”

She has left two colt foals by Monkey Bones and CR Commando.

Last but not least in the Williamson broodmare band is Little Contessa (Britewell – Game Princess) which won four races.

“The original owner had finished with her so we bought her and she won another couple of races after that. We then started to breed out of her and she’s been a really good broodmare.”

Little Contessa is a sister to Prince Whiz the winner of seven races, Lord’s Invasion six wins and Duchess Of Whiz and Duke Of Whiz which both won five races.

She has left Maori Invasion (3 wins), Irish Invasion (11 NZ wins) and Heard The Whisper (6). Her most recent foal of racing age is Davey Mac.

“Unfortunately he got injured up in Central Otago and he had to have some stitches at the top of his leg. He must have been kicked or got caught in the fence. Phil likes him.”

Her latest foal Tessa’s Pride qualified at Oamaru recently.

The foals born this season out of Bev and Phil’s mares have all been fillies. Jasmyn’s Gift has a Muscle Hill foal, Little Contessa a Sundon filly, Castleton’s Jewel one by Angus Hall, and Yukon Quest has a Monkey Bones filly.

This breeding season Jasmyn’s Gift is visiting Father Patrick, One Under Kenny is off to Love You, Here Comes Pat will go to Sundon, Nice One Kenny, Jasmyn Rules and Dwindle Mist will all be served by Muscle Mass.

“If we can afford to, we like to go to the better sires. We’ve learned over the years that it’s better not to breed but when you do, go to the best rather than the cheaper sires,” said Phil.

So as you can see there’s a fair bit of hope pinned on Muscle Mass and it’s looking to be a good move.

He’s currently standing at Nevele R Stud in Canterbury and at the time of writing was the leading sire of two year old trotters in both New Zealand and Australia.

Muscle Mass had a sensational season - 2015-2016. His first crop included the first two runners home (Custodian and Heavyweight Hero) in the Group One Harness Jewels Two Year Old Ruby in June.

And Muscle Mass is off to a flyer this season with the first three horses home in the Group Three Hambletonian; Chevron Express, Muscles Galore and Needle all being by that sire. Chevron Express and Muscles Galore are both out of Sundon mares and as you can see the Williamsons have plenty of those.

Heavyweight Hero has also continued on his winning way this season breaking two national records.

At the time of writing of the 50 named foals by Muscle Mass in this country 35 have qualified and/or have won races - a remarkable statistic.

“He’s put his hand up really and we’ve had a couple of his nice ones,” Phil said.

The two Phil is referring to are Zhenya which won five races for him and a further five in Australia and the promising Winnie McGoogan which won one of his two starts as a two year old and was second in the other.

The Williamson stable recently qualified three two year old geldings all by Majestic Son. They’re all out of good mares in Love Hate Revenge, Kylie Ree and Sunny Connie.

So after identifying that trotting was a way of getting into breeding at the bottom end of the market Bev and Phil Williamson have made a very good living out of that gait in what was once the poor relation of the Standardbred scene.

That perception is changing as trotting is fast becoming one of the saviours of the industry.

At the recent sales more top end trainers were purchasing better quality squaregaiters - something the Williamsons have advocated and have been doing for a long time.

The ALL STARS buy race and sell a lot of horses and one of the most important aspects of Natalie and Mark's operation is ensuring the horses no longer able to race go to good homes.

Springfield Guitar-known as Leni at the stables in his training days is one example -and a fairly outstanding one.

Handed over to Rolleston horsewoman and Standardbred enthusiast Eddie Collins as a likely show ring competitor he is currently the unbeaten -sound familiar.

"He's been to four shows and won each time" an excited Eddie said, "He is already qualified for his section at the Horse of the Year show next year in Hastings and that is our long-term goal now".

"He has just taken to it so well. At this early stage of his career he is only being led but he is so easy to handle and so consistent. The judges have remarked more than once on how consistent he is in his action and how he carries himself. So far, he is quite exciting. I have has tried a few horses at this before but none have shown the aptitude he has."

"The next stage in the new season will be riding and we will see how w go from there. The season is nearly over now and won't resume until the spring and I am looking forward to that already".

Purchased in Australia by Mark and Natalie along with John Gregg, Springfield Guitar was not precocious as a youngster and then had a setback that ended his prospects. Natalie takes disposing of her horses to good homes most seriously and was pleased with this outcome.

"I just had a call from Eddie looking for a horse for the Standardbred area and it seemed a great option for Leni-a good home. When you are involved with race horses people can sometimes get the impression it is just a case of sending them away without a second thought but there is a lot more to it for us. I am just so pleased this has worked out so well for both Leni and Eddie."

Eddie Collins certainly had the credentials to match up with Leni.

"I have always been with horses one way or the other" she said "My Dad helped out in stables in his spare time and I had ponies and helped out with the bigger horses when I could."

"I have been with the Dean Taylor stable for over four years now and horses are my hobby as well as my work."

"As you probably know some horses adapt to this sort of showing better than others. I have had a few challenges with them, some just don't want to co-operate, but Leni has been a dream really."

"He just has that natural, relaxed take on it and that helps him. We don't know how far he can go in the next stages but getting the chance to go to the Horse of the Year show is a really big thrill for me."

Eddie's most recent good performer was Baileys On Ice but Leni has won her heart a lot quicker.

Standardbred competition is a rapid growth sport following the founding of the Standardbred Riding Association in 1992. Gaining a division in the Horse of The Year show has been a major step forward.

Leni competes in the Youngstock Division restricted to three year olds but Eddie is confident he will be just as competitive as he moves through to other divisions.

His success has produced another bonus for Eddie too.

"Grand Rainbow suffered a hock injury which has ended his career and he has gone to Eddie too" Natalie said.

Natalie Rasmussen and Eddie Collins have in common- that they are dedicated to their horses. And it seems to work inside and outside a racing stable.

Tash Bol had her wildest dreams come true when the duo of Bol and her 12-year-old Standardbred Alshain (Earl) took out the ridden section at Horse of the Year 2017.

Earl was retired from being a race horse as a two-year-old from Dean Taylor’s stables and Bol received the gelding roughly five years ago. Bol has been showing for 15 years and has owned a Standardbred since she was just 12-years-old. Travelling from Christchurch made the journey to HOY a long one but Earl had proven that he was good enough to be there prior to HOY.

“He's won a lot of showing events, my friend had him out showing about eight years ago and I was given him roughly five years ago. I did a few shows with quite a few champions and also did quite a bit of dressage with him, unfortunately I left him in the paddock about two years before I realised I needed to do something with him.”

“He had a great season before HOY, champion at Ellesmere and Amberely A&P show and runner up at the Premier show held in Christchurch, out of the five shows he went to he was champion at four”, said Bol.

“It was kind of a last minute decision to take him to HOY, he was doing so well and going so well in the ring I thought stuff it I'm going to make the trip!”

Bol kept things simple leading up to HOY and didn’t change Earl’s routine a whole lot.

“There wasn’t a lot of work, well nothing out of place with his normal routine, I don't really do a lot of schooling in the paddock as he knows what to do and I find he becomes bored (and a bit naughty) so he gets hacked out down to the river and through the forest. About a week away from leaving he had body work done by Joy White and I was lucky enough to be sponsored by Pure Equine who came and gave Earl a lovely body treatment.”

When Bol was announced as the winner at HOY her emotions took over.

“I honestly can't remember what went through my mind, I know I cried, it was pretty awesome, the win meant heaps to me, I'm really proud of all my horses but this was something I probably won't achieve again,” she said.

“The HOY atmosphere is great, I recommend anyone to go and experience it even if just to have a look (and shop), I found the Standardbred ring great and the spectators were supportive and were clapping for everyone. Earl even had a lady come up after the inhand and ask to have a picture with him saying he was her favourite.”

Bol has always had Standardbred’s and doesn’t see them as any different to other horses. She enjoys working with them and developing them to compete over all disciplines. “I think support for Standardbred’s is good (thanks Standardbred Breeders). I personally think the biggest support needs to come from the competitors themselves though, there is a lot of inhand horses but I think people need to get these horses up and going correctly and get them out under saddle. Unfortunately we will lose the ring in some cases if the support is not there.”

Bol says Standardbred’s are very easy to work with and good to train up in all areas.

“I was probably a bit lucky because a couple of mine were already trained but the one's I've done myself and the ongoing training I've done has been easy. I'm currently competing one at level two dressage and I'd like to take Earl up to level two as well. I actually find them no different to any other breed, I also have x-breds and find my Standardbred’s go just as well as they do, they have a willing nature and want to work.”

“I'd like to thank Pure Equine for Earl's massage, my mother who loves hearing about my successes and my husband who supports me (I had no sponsorship and worked for the funds myself) and has to put up with the horses - he's not a fan and all my friends and all the people who messaged me afterwards and wished me luck beforehand.”

Bol now looks forward to doing some dressage with Earl and also getting him and others qualified for HOY 18, - just in case they go back to defend their title.

Racing stakes are set for a $12million annual boost with the promise of much more to come.

The New Zealand Racing Board shocked the chiefs of all three racing codes last night by informing them $24million more dollars will be returned to the industry over the next two years to be used exclusively for stakes.

Starting August 1, thoroughbred racing will receive at extra $6.5million annually than it did for this season, harness racing $3.55million and the greyhound industry will have an extra $1.95million to pay out.

NZRB chief executive John Allen is confident the much-needed boost is only the start.

“Our return to the codes will go from $136.2million last year to $148.2million this year,” said Allen.

“But I would like to think in the next three to five years that figure could go as high as $200million.

“The next two years are guaranteed at $12million extra per year though, and not only is that number sustainable, it is a just a starting point.”

Some of the extra money will come from the expected passing of race fields legislation, which will see corporate bookmakers overseas pay a percentage for betting on New Zealand racing product. That legislation is expected to become law before the general election.

Mr Allen says other key strategies being implemented by the NZRB will also have a huge role in increasing their bottom line and therefore their return to the industry.

He signals a new fixed odds betting platform, improved performance of the channels through which people can bet --- particularly the internet --- and an optimized racing calendar as ways New Zealand racing will profit.

“With the fixed odds platform improvements we have seen overseas agencies increase their turnovers through them and they will also give us the chance to win back large New Zealand-based customers we may have lost.

“And the optimization of the racing calendar, putting meetings and even specific races where they will best drive turnover is also crucial.

“We have done a lot of work and still have a lot more to do but I think a figure somewhere around $200million being returned to the industry in five years is a realistic goal.”

Mr Allen says the first $24million is being targeted at stakes exclusively to raise confidence industry wide that racing is sustainable.

“This reflects on recent steps taken by all three codes to lift stakes --- there is clear alignment across the industry on where we need to be focused,” says Mr Allen.

“This additional funding will enable all industry participants to have greater confidence in the future of the industry.

Last night’s dramatic boost comes on top of the $4.77million announced in January to support stakes, infrastructure and youth development.

Exactly how the three racing codes will choose to allocate their extra earnings to stakes will be a major talking point.

All three have already moved maiden stakes in anticipation of extra funds, with the thoroughbred industry now having a $10,000 minimum maiden stake.

That increase and the loss of a huge number of meetings this season due to weather and track problems is believed to have cost NZTR an extra $3.2million, but we can now absorb that and still have an extra $3.3million more to put exclusively into stakes from next season.

Harness Racing New Zealand has introduced a $1500 maiden bonus until the end of the season and they could now be setting their sights on $10,000 minimum maiden stakes in a few years to keep them in line with the thoroughbred industry.

“But we have yet to discuss that, obviously with the news being so fresh,” said HRNZ boss Edward Rennell.

“But because we have amateur races and some conditioned maidens which seem to work better at lower stakes, we may not decide to go with a minimum stake policy.

“But that is to be decided. What we do know is that stakes are going up 10 percent and that is wonderful news for our industry.”

With the code bosses not finding out their good news until last tonight, the debates on how the money should be spent is only just beginning.

Prime Power powers overs the top of them at Alexandra Park, Friday week.

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Waikato breeder, owner and former trainer Bryan Macey says at 83 he’s virtually pulled stumps on his breeding career, but don’t expect to see him vacating the winner’s circle any day soon.

In fact while Prime Power is still going around expect many more winners from the Macey breed. That above average son of Monarchy is just the third of six foals left by his dam – the two-win Sundon – Mega Belle.

He’s also the second best standardbred that the retired veterinarian and his wife Marilyn have bred after 1999 New Zealand Cup champion, Homin Hosed.

That Group One event was one of four New Zealand Cups won by Tauwhare reinsman Todd Mitchell.

Prime Power, the best horse Mitchell has trained, won his 16th race from 51 starts in the hands of ‘Mitchell The Wizard’ in the feature trot at Alexandra Park last Friday.

The 7-year-old gelding was the $6.90 third favourite and had one-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over The Almighty Johnson and junior driver, Tony Cameron. He started from 40m behind.

The Group One 2013 Jewels 3yo Ruby Trot winner has now amassed $260,046 in stakes.

Macey said Prime Power’s life only came about because of a chance meeting with Cambridge Aotearoa freezing worker Doug Bruce who was trying to off-load a 1977 Game Pride mare named Game Mega.

“I was a supervising vet at the freezing works and Doug was trying to sell the mare, but couldn’t get anything for her. I did a bit of homework and found out she was closely related to Easton Light.

“I gave him $2,000 for the horse and then when I went and picked her up he told me she had a bad heart. I thought I’m committed now I’ll have to take her,” said Macey.

Game Mega is the grand-dam of Prime Power. That mare’s grand-dam in turn was the 1953 Light Brigade mare Beverley Light, who left the 1964 Great Evander gelding, Easton Light.

Easton Light was the 1972 & 1974 Dominion Handicap winner and 1976 Rowe Cup champion. He was also a three-time New Zealand Trotter-of-the-Year.

Breeding has always been important to the astute Matangi resident.

He said Prime Power’s breeding only came about because of the late multiple Group One winning trotter, Sovereignty.

“I saw how good Sovereignty was going at the time so I had Prime Power’s dam put to Monarchy as well.

“Prime Power is such a lovely, wee horse to drive. I really enjoyed training him early on in his career. It was great to feel some power under me. You don’t often get ability like that in a trotter,” Macey said.

Macey won four races with Prime Power before handing him over to Mitchell in April 2015.

"I never raced his grand-dam. She was eight when I got her and because of her attractive bloodlines I decided to concentrate on the breeding side.

"She left seven foals - some of which I have bred from. Megaman (1988 - by Chiola Hanover) was the best of them. He won five races here,” Macey said.

Mega Belle, the dam of Prime Power, was the sixth of seven foals left by Game Mega. Mega Belle in turn has turn left six foals – the last of them a Dream Vacation yearling filly called Dream Belle.

"I've also got a Monarchy 2-year-old filly (Mega Queen) and a 5-year-old Angus Hall 5-year-old (maiden) mare out of her.

"But I think that's it. I've left the mare dry. I probably would have taken her to Muscles Yankee if I was a bit younger, but I'm just getting a bit old for this breeding game now and I can't get around like I used to," Macey said.

However, Prime Power aside, still expect to see the Macey couple in the winner’s circle in years to come.

Macey likes a 2-year-old Majestic Son - Commanding (by Crumpet) gelding named Macarthur.

“I’ve got a few young ones coming through and I like him a lot. He goes okay and isn’t far away from racing,” Macey said.

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This article is from the Breeders Weekly online publication distributed directly to your inbox.Click here to read:https://goo.gl/xFdhs8Click here to Subscribe:http://goo.gl/ChhTSo

Invercargill plumber Trevor Ryder is having a ball, especially at present, racing his quality gelding Swamp Major with some good mates as well as breeding from a select group of well-bred mares.

His interest in harness racing began in the 1990s when Diamond Field was racing out of the Alan Beck Winton stables.

“A friend of mine, Geoff Mollett was in the syndicate that raced him. He worked at Mico Wakefield and my company dealt with them. I started going to the races. From there Geoff and I with some other friends raced a filly called Black Rain,” said Ryder.

Black Rain was well-bred, being by Vance Hanover out of Cassel’s Dream. Cassel’s Dream’s second dam, Vandette was by Great Evander which left handy horses in Van Forbes (6 wins), Van Garrison (6), Cassel (8) and Heidette (9).

“She (Black Rain) didn’t fulfil her promise. Went out raging favourite in both of her starts and was quickly named blocked drain.”

The lack of success didn’t put the group off and they commissioned Beck to go to the yearling sales where he purchased Franco Cuisine which was by Andrel out of the Overtrick mare Chateaubriand.

“He had a lot of potential but was involved in a smash at Invercargill where Beckie was catapulted up in the air. He never came back quite the same after that.”

Franco Cuisine ultimately won three races from thirty six starts.

Ryder said at that point he really got the racing bug and was keen to go up another notch. Star Of The Ball was identified as a yearling that Ryder and trainer Gareth Dixon were keen on buying at the Auckland sale.

“I wanted to get up into that premier racing – two and three year olds racing. I thought I’d have a crack myself at buying at the sales. I got a lot of help from Peter Lagan and Sandy Yardley. Peter gave me a list of five or six yearlings and at that particular time I met up with Gareth (Gareth Dixon). We weren’t sure whether we would get her as we thought she might be above my limit.”

Gareth Dixon was a Southland boy. His father Ken ‘Fast Track’ Dixon was also a plumber.

Star Of The Ball by Presidential Ball out of the OK Bye mare Star Fleet was duly purchased. Ryder particularly liked the fact that Black Watch was on the pedigree page.

After racing three times at two, Star Of The Ball won her first race at her second start as a three year old at the Franklin meeting at Alexandra Park.

“At that point I can remember Gareth saying that she could be one of the top three year old fillies in the country that year. Unfortunately along came Molly Darling, Foreal and Mainland Banner,” he said laughing.

Star Of The Ball won four of her eighteen starts as a three year old including a heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series at Ashburton running the 1609 metres in 1-56.1.

“We also qualified for the Breeders Crown and that’s a trip I’ll never forget. We met John Caldow, Gavin Lang and Chris Alford (Aussie harness legends). We had a night out with a meal and few drinks and a few more drinks. She ran third in her heat and was a very unlucky sixth in the final.”

Star Of The Ball ended her racing career having won eight races and was sent to Christian Cullen. The resulting foal was named Mervynstar after Ryder’s father who had passed away that same year. He was prepared for the sale by Top Notch Lodge and offered at the 2007 yearling sale in Auckland.

“There was a bit of a rumour around that we might be surprised by the opening bid. It opened up at $150,000 and I just about fell off my perch. He ended up at $220,000 which was a pretty special start to the breeding game for us. It was the top lot of the sale.”

The horse was bought by Clive and Rona McKay and raced out of Michael House’s stable. He was renamed Two Twenty.

“He had potential but had breathing issues and he had a couple of operations.”

Two Twenty won once in sixteen starts.

The mare’s second foal by Bettor’s Delight was named Merv. He recorded four wins here before heading to Australia.

“Because of the handicap system there was nothing really left for him in Auckland after that. He was racing against C6 and C7 horses and it got too hard. I raced him with good mates Alan and Joy Lindsay and Scott and Sue McCrea.”

He was trained for the partnership (Tad Syndicate) in Australia by David Thorn and only started six times, but won four races.

Ryder says members of the syndicate were lucky enough to be in Australia when he was in career best form.

“The races just happened to be on the same night as the All Blacks were playing Australia. He won at Menangle in 1-53 flat which was quite good five or six years ago and the All Blacks beat Australia. That was a good trip.”

Star Of The Ball’s third foal was Macha (Mach Three). He was sold to clients of Ken Barron’s stable for $40,000 and qualified as a three year old when running second behind Arden Rooney at Rangiora. He was then on-sold to Australia and won eight races fairly quickly including a heat of the Victoria Derby beating Bit Of A Legend and Ohoka Punter.

Ohoka Punter went on to win the final. Macha also ran second to Alta Christiano in the 2013 West Australian Derby.

Hokuri Railrida (Mach Three) was the next foal. He won two races and is also now in Australia.

“He started with Gareth and the Hokuri Syndicate who are a group of mates who go white baiting with me on the West Coast and we raced him. We bought him south to Murray Brown’s and on the way down he got travel sickness. Not many horses survive that but we got him racing but he didn’t show the promise he had in Auckland.”

McArdle Star (McArdle) was the next colt out of Star Of The Ball. He was bought for $30,000 by Steve Thompson of Dunedin. He won his first three starts and ran fifth in Have Faith In Me’s 2015 New Zealand Derby. He won five races here before heading to Victoria where he’s won another two.

The next foal was Swamp Major (Art Major).He’s raced by Trevor and his wife Linda, Alan Lindsay, Scott and Sue McCrea, Cleland Murdoch and John Duff.

“Potentially he’s the best horse I’ve owned. He’s hopefully going to be back in work in May and back racing in early spring. He had an accident on the training track leading into Cup week and broke his pedal bone. In the Vero Stakes he was the only one making ground on Lazarus and Classie Brigade. Ken always said he’d like to be sitting in the back of those two horses over a short distance and see what happened.”

Last season as a three year old Swamp Major won three races and was placed six times in only ten starts.

“You can’t keep them all but I like to keep say, every second one and have some fun with my mates.”

The mare’s last foal of racing age is Rocknroll Star. He was bought by Michael House for $27,500 at the sales last year and sold recently in House’s two year old running sale for $75,000. He was bought by Emilio Rosati and has had a name change. He’s now called Times Stride.

Star Of The Ball now resides at Kevin and Bonnie Williams Tall Tree Lodge, is in foal to Art Major and is likely to return to Bettor’s Delight.

“She’s had eight colts in a row and I’m just praying for a filly.”

Ryder is also breeding from Grinfromeartoear mare Selucam. She’s out of Tuapeka Pocket. She’s qualified but is unraced.

“The feedback on her was always positive but she had fetlock problems. Normally I prefer to breed from mares that have had three wins or more but I decided to keep her based on the feedback I was getting from the stable.”

She’s in foal to Auckland Reactor and lives locally at Macca Lodge.

Another mare on the Ryder Bloodstock books is Christian Cullen mare Perfect Sensation. She won three races for Ryder when racing from the Dixon stable in Auckland. Her third dam is champion mare Hilarious Guest.

“I decided I wanted a Cullen filly. She too had quite a lot of potential but she had some back and leg issues. Her first foal died and we had issues with the mare as a result of that.”

Since then she’s produced a Better’s Delight colt called Bettor Sensation which was bought by Colin De Filippi and is owned by Trevor Casey.

Trevor and Linda Ryder also owned a share in Falcon Seelster mare Falcon Flybye. She’s a sister to a host of winners including Flying Pocketlands, Mighty Flying Major and Mighty Flying Mac.

Although they’ve opted out of the mare their names are still on four of her foals, all of whom have been winners. The best is Alotbettor (10) and Fleeting Grin (6).

He also still has a share in Cher’s Magic as a part of The Watch Your Step Syndicate.

Star Of The Ball’s latest yearling Ball Of Art - a full brother to Swamp Major, sold to Barry Purdon for $50,000.

“Depending on our own sale we’ll be looking at getting a Bettor’s Delight filly. I’d also like to get an Art Major filly on board at some stage as well. I’m always looking at the top end. I think the odds are not in your favour if you’re at the other end of the scale.”

Ryder says he likes to look after his mares and not over race them because long term he believes they will produce better foals.

“Gareth did a great job in looking after Star. She only had thirty odd starts and that’s where I like it to be with breeding in mind. I don’t like the mare to be burnt out.

He says he enjoys his involvement in harness racing as an owner, breeder and sponsor.

“I’ve had a ball since I jumped onboard in 1990. I’ve raced a couple of nice mares in Highview Jude (9 wins) and Star of The Ball and now we’ve got Swamp (Swamp Major) and that’s in the space of just twenty five years. I probably enjoy it more (ownership) if it’s in a syndicate.”

So like many southern breeders Ryder is seeing an opportunity to buy into some of the best New Zealand families, gathering around him a small group of well-bred mares. It keeps his passion alive, and combined with racing some of his horses with his mates, it’s the perfect scenario.

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Dontstopbelievin edges out close relative Excellent in the 2nd heat of the Sires Stakes 2YO Fillies heat at Alexandra Park.

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The combination of Stephen Hooper & David & Catherine Butt as breeders delivered in a big way at Auckland last Friday night when they bred the quinella of the Sires Stakes Heat for two year old fillies.

Making the feat more remarkable was how closely related the pair of fillies are.

Both are by Somebeachsomewhere with Dontstopbeleivin’s dam Bedtime being a daughter of the second placegetter Excellent’s dam, Regret.

They both stem from a 1988 Yearling Sales purchase and an El Patron mare by the name of Going Royce (1987 El Patron - Good Going).

“I paid for her and Davie took a half share and started training her until we worked out the terms. She won a heat of the DB Fillies Series in 1991 and ran sixth in the final behind Smooth Performer”, said Hooper, known to all as ‘Hoops.’

“She came back a fortnight later and ran second in the Sires Stakes Fillies’ Championship before going in the wind. We operated on her but in the end decided not to bring her back and just started breeding from her.”

While Going Royce may have left a bit of untapped ability on the track before her demise, she certainly left nothing in the tank when she hit the broodmare barn. Twelve foals for 12 winners!

Hooper’s first venture into breeding was to be a good one. The partnership with David & Catherine has produced some extremely smart types from the family.

Never Going Holme (1993 Holmes Hanover) was the first foal who won four before being exported.

The second foal Pentium(1994 Soky’s Atom) won a Kindergarten Stakes on debut as a two year old in 1997 before running into another handy type called Christian Cullen.

“He ran third in his last New Zealand start behind Another Party and Christian Cullen in a Sires Stakes heat but unfortunately broke down that night. He won a few races over in Brisbane but he was never the same which was a shame as he looked like an Open Class type of horse.”

Going Royce was to miss her next two years in a row before foaling a daughter of Holmes Hanover by the name of Coolmore (1997). She showed ability also winning twice from 13 starts and was unfortunately to pass away giving birth to her first foal. Luckily for the breed she foaled a filly who has in turn bred on a bit for her owners.

Going Royce’s next foal died as a yearling before leaving a full sister to Pentium in Birchbrook who won a race from six starts for Brendan McLellan.

Her next foal by In The Pocket was to fulfill the promise that Pentium unfortunately never did. He picked up where his brother left off after winning a Kindergarten Stakes in 2004.

The war horse open class performer was Tribute.

“Tribute’s time that day (1:54.9) at Wyndham was a New Zealand record for five years until Smiling Shard broke it at the Jewels.

“It’s funny how he worked out because Peter Cocks was a friend of mine. Pete had a friend at West Melton who was looking for another foal to keep company with his. I told him I had an In The Pocket colt and he told me he would graze him for free if he could keep his foal company.

“Peter told his wife Joan a year later he was going to go to the yearling sales. “What for Joan asked him? There’s that beautiful In the Pocket Colt in the paddock, you should buy that!”

“The rest is history and Peter pretty much brought every colt out of the mare after that I think!”

It’s well known that Tribute bought the late Peter and Joan Cocks, two of the loveliest people in racing, massive pleasure with his achievements.

Tribute would go on to accumulate $610,993 in stakes winning 16 times and placing on 13 occasions. In his trophy cabinet were the three-year-old sires stakes final (G1), Tas Pacing Championship (G1), Ashburton Flying Stakes & Franklin Cup (G2) and a couple of Interdom pacing heats amongst others.

With the colts all being sold, the daughters of Going Royce were all bred from by the partnership, with mixed success. Birchbrook left a couple of nice types in Willowbrook and Lillybrook.

But it was Tribute’s full sister in Regret (2003) that had the most ability out of the girls winning five before retiring to stud duties.

Her first mating with Artsplace left the very talented filly in Bedtime (2008) who ran 5th in the Sires Stakes Fillies Championship at G1 Level.

Being a nine-win daughter of Artsplace set the partnership up with a beautifully bred broodmare who has now left three foals, including Friday nights Sires Stakes winner in Dontstopbelievin (first foal).

Regret’s next foal was a colt by Bettor’s called Mundaka who five in New Zealand before going to Australia where he won a Popular Alm Free For All (G3) at Melton and 12 of his first 14 starts.

One of the more interesting matings of Regret was the McArdle mare Natural who right from the get-go was her name sake in the opposite gait.

“We had a lot of fun with Natural and she was a great wee mare. Davey had her out with the galloping pacemaker one day and said she was useless to be fair. One day she was out and came down trotting and went a quarter in about 34 and was just one out of the blue.”

She won four races for her owners and has recently picked up two further wins in Australia including a Group Three.

Regret’s most recent foal of racing age brought up the quinella last Friday night when racing out of the Nathan Williamson barn. In her first look at ‘The Park’, Excellent produced a gallant second placing and showed she has certainly inherited the family ability also.

Unlike Dontstopbelievin, the breeding partnership of David & Catherine Butt and Hooper (along with 3 mates) don’t share in the ownership of Excellent.

“We sold her at the sales as it’s a case of getting a bit of cash flow. We’re breeding from three mares now out of the family in Regret, Bedtime & Corbell (2007 Christian Cullen – Going Royce) who is the mother of Micky Gee (2013 Bettor’s Delight | 9 starts – 3 wins).

The breeding syndicate haven’t stopped believing in the progeny of Somebeachsomewhere either with the foals from the family forcing their hand.

“The first foal was Dontstopbelievin and she was such a nice type that we kept going back. We’ve got three by him now and another on the way” said Hoops.

The sales purchase of Going Royce nearly 30 years ago has now produced in excess of 70 wins from the family branches and the way the latest two-year-old fillies are shaping up, the century won’t be far away.

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Jaccka Josh picks up his first win on Wariro mile day in smart time

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Southland husband & wife Charlie & Ailsa Smaill have had a big influence on New Zealand harness racing over the years.

The couple ran “Jaccka Lodge” (now Macca Lodge) before selling to Brent & Sheree Macintyre in 2008 having started the operation in 1996.

More recently Ailsa has been involved in administration having served on the HRNZ Board for 12 years.

Recently however it has been one of their broodmares leaving a significant mark with Janine Jaccka (2002 14 B m Sundon - Spiritual Powers) notching her 40th win as a broodmare.

The feat is quite incredible given she has only had 6 foals of racing age. All have raced, and all have won with her most recent to reach the track, Jaccka Josh picking up his first and win number 40 for his mum on Saturday at Wairiro mile day.

“We’ve struck a nice family with a bit of luck. I look out their sometimes and wonder why it’s happened. Janine has got some sisters around that have won a couple but nothing really of note outside of Gimli and another couple of quite nice trotters, but they never really reached the level ours have gotten too and I shake my head and wonder why?!” said Charlie.

The purchase of the now 14 year old broodmare was a credit to the eye of the talented horseman, Charlie.

“In those days I use to take a truck load of weanlings through to the Christchurch sales and I always had in the back of my mind to keep an eye out for a trotter and this one walked in.

“If you looked at her family she had Our Super Force (1990 Pernod Eden - Super Brenda| 2YO Trotter of Year) & Real Force (1985 Florida Pro - Super Brenda | Interdom Trotting Final & 4YO Trotter of Year) who were very nice trotters not far away in the pedigree.

“I think I paid about $7000 for her from memory, which wasn’t cheap back for a weanling back then.

“I took her to Alex (Milne) to be broken in and he worked her up and told me she was a bit slow, and then she kept growing and growing and I thought well I can’t race a big thing like that. She’s a gigantic mare.”

To put that in perspective, while Charlie isn’t sure just how big she is, he tells me the vet needs to stand on a crate when he palpates her in the breeding season!

“Fortunately, none of her progeny have become as big as her! But they’re all a bit like her in that they don’t show a great deal early until they have a few miles under the belt. No one was more surprised to see Jaccka Jack (first foal, by Continentalman) qualify as a two-year-old than Alex Milne.”

Jaccka Jack would get Janine off to a great start as broodmare winning 14 races and placing on a further 20 occasions for $138,746 in stakes. His crowning achievement being a second in the Group 1 NZ Trotting Championship behind the freak I Can Doosit as the near outsider in the field back in 2012.

His full-brother showed a similar amount of ability but took a little while longer to come too it. Jaccka Justy added a further 13 wins to the tally of Janine Jaccka and eight placings none the less. His $235,467 in stakes was aided with a win in the Group 3 DG Jones Memorial at Motukarara in 2013. However, it was significantly boosted with an unexpected win on Show Day in 2014.

“That was a huge surprise and an even bigger thrill to win the Dominion Handicap. To go to the races and win a race like that which was completely unexpected!” said Ailsa. (Ailsa can be seen post-race clasping her hand over her mouth in disbelief with Justy at least 200m past the winning post!)

“One of the bigger thrills was getting Justy back to the races and winning first up. We persevered for five months almost giving up a couple of times.

“He was an expert at reversing at the start but once we got past that we won a couple of workouts and trials and several races.

“I will always remember asking Jonny Cox in the birdcage after winning first up for us “What have we got here“ and Jonny replying “ I don’t know but it is bloody good”.

“It wasn’t until he had a wind operation and we sent him to Jonny Cox and Amber Hoffman to be trained on the beach that he really started to show his real ability”, said Charlie.

The next two foals were fillies who are in turn now broodmares for the Smaills.

“We’ve just started breeding from her daughters Jess & Jocy Jaccka. We’ve got two Muscle Hill fillies off them this year and I like what I see.”

The first two daughters of Janine Jaccka were no slouches themselves with the eldest Jess Jackka (2009) a full to her older brothers being by Continentalman again.

The cross with a Sundon mare produced well over half of Continentalman’s winners (131) and the two Jaccka boys were easily the best of his NZ progeny when it was all said and done.

Jess won five races and placed 11 times for $35,853 in stakes to bring the mare’s tally to a tidy 32 wins from her first three foals.

Given her 100% strike rate as a broodmare, the figure may well have been larger by now if not for one of Charlie’s breeding philosophies that appears to be paying dividends.

“I saw some stats several years ago that showed once a mare has had three or four foals, it’s better if she doesn’t have them year about. I picked up some data in the USA when I visited there and it suggested the same thing. So it’s just one of the breeding philosophies that I like to follow.

Jocy (Jaccka) was a result of that principle and was born in 2009 being sired by Majestic Son. One thing you notice about her is that with three wins and two placings from only 11 starts, there may have been a bit of untapped ability and disappointment along the way?

“You’ve got it dead right actually. She had a problem in the pastern area which could also curtail her breeding career as well. She had a lot of potential and beat Queen Kenny early in her career.

“There were two other Williamson horses out in front with Queen Kenny and she came out wide and ran past the lot of them that day and they were some pretty good horses. We thought she would just go through the grades and when she didn’t we knew something was amiss, and it’s fair to say she’s been one of our biggest disappointments in racing.”

Of her current racing crop, her next foal Jen Jackka (2011 CR Commando) showed enough early at three to warrant a trip north to the big smoke to compete in the 2015 Trotting Oaks.

She drew 14 and was luckless spending more time closer to the outside fence than the running rail in a race that included Habibti Ivy (winner), Sunny Ruby, Arya, Wanna Play, Yagunnakissmeornot and Petite One.

She went on to win four races before going amiss early in 2016.

“Jen is back again and not far off going to the workouts. She had a minor problem with her knee that we had to operate on and we’re just getting her back.

Her injury layoff left Janine Jackka stranded on 39 wins since 29th December 2015. A long time between drinks for a mare that must be putting her hand up for some broodmare awards in the near future.

Second youngest to the rescue. Josh Jackka was beaten only once in five preps at the workouts and trials suggesting he had some of the family ability.

He’s carried that form onto the race track, placing in his first three starts and going some pretty smart times in the process before Saturday’s win at Wairiro.

“We’ve actually nominated him for the Derby at this stage as he has the speed to mix it, but probably just lacks the stamina to foot it with the best at this stage. I had him at home up until a couple of months before he went to the races and you could tell he had the speed”, said Charlie.

Looking at some of the stallions the Smaill’s have bred the family too recently, Southland racetracks could be in for some more of the Jaccka treatment for a while yet.

“I was just delivering Janine’s latest Andover Hall colt off to Alex Milne when you called!

It’s amazing what’s available and the fact the family we have got has done a marvelous job and been better than average, I feel like if I can go to the best I can, with a bit of luck I’ll get a result.

Muscle Hill, Father Patrick and Andover Hall for the trotting mares this season. All frozen semen stallions and something the ex-farmer isn’t afraid of when it comes to getting his mares in foal.

“I certainly don’t have any hang up with frozen at all as it gives us access to some of the world’s best sires. When we used to operate the stud, we did an analysis of a couple of seasons and the number of palpates we were doing with frozen vs fresh and it was so similar you couldn’t say it was any worse. The success rates were relatively the same. Some mares just don’t catch with certain stallions and for whatever reason that is? It happens with fresh/chilled semen too and as soon as you change they catch.”

For the Smaill’s it sounds as though if it will be a lot easier to catch a mare to frozen then it will be to their 40-win broodmare, Janine Jaccka!

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Kaiapoi breeder Colin Hair is rapt he never took his vet’s advice and had his broodmare – Stardon – put down when she was a yearling back in 1998.

And because of that life-saving decision, Hair, who is the Treasurer of the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association and also Harness Racing New Zealand, may get to fulfill a lifetime ambition later this year.

“It has always been a dream of mine to line up a young trotter at Redwood Day in Maryborough. It might not happen but I have already touched base with Matty Craven in Australia.

“I think I have a trotter who would go all right there,” said Hair, who is also the breeder’s rep on Harness Racing New Zealand.

The Hair owned and bred Sundees Son won his second race from two starts when convincingly winning the $8,000 Woodlands Racing Syndicates Mobile for 2-year-old trotters at Addington Raceway back in late February (23).

The Robert Dunn trained and Ross Houghton driven bay gelding bolted in by 4-1/4 lengths. He was the $3.40 favourite.

That victory came 13 days after the son of Majestic Son and Stardon won by 1-1/4 lengths on debut, also at Addington. That night he was the $4.40 second favourite.

"I've waited a long time to get a nice 2-year-old and I think I've got finally got one. I'd love to start him in the Jewels, but redwood Day would be a dream. That race-day has always been a bit special to me," said 65-year-old Hair.

Hair started breeding in 1996 from the late Pernod Eden squaregaiter, Chiquita Dee.

“I bought her at the All Age Sales for $1,500. She had left three foals before I purchased her. Stardon was my first foal and she was born in late 1997.

“But when she was one she rolled under a fence and ripped her leg to the bone. My vet said it would be best to put her down but I thought the breed was worth persevering with so I boxed her for six month and she got around on three legs for several months.

“When she was about three-and-a-half I put her on the jogger and then when she was four-and-half she won her first race at Nelson (June 2002),” Hair said.

“I rang the vet and told him soon after,” he joked.

The Bevan Heron (Rangiora) trained Stardon went on to win two more races at Blenheim and Addington in 2002 but two further injuries to her leg and shoulder ensured her retirement in February 2004. She won three of her 21 starts and ran second in two others.

“I bred another five foals from Chiquita Dee, and the last one - Uncas (by Sundon) was the best horse Ihave owned and raced.

"He won 10 races and more than $100,000 races for me in New Zealand before we exported him to Australia in December 2015. He's won another six for Matt Craven, and lined up on Miracle Mile night," Hair said.

"I would so much loved to win the double that weekend. That would have made my day but it was not to be with Uncas running a good third," he added.

[For the record the Craven trained and driven Uncas finished third behind another former Kiwi, the Nicole Molander trained Dead Cat Bounce in the $54,000 Group One Australian Pacing Gold Trotters Cup at Menangle.]

Stardon has left six foals for Hair. Sundees Son is the fifth while an unregistered full brother (by Majestic Son) was born late last year.

"I could race him or I might take him to next year's yearling sales. I've got high hopes for him after what his older brother has achieved in his two races so far," Hair said.

"I've always believed in the breed. I'm just so glad I never took the vets advice," he insisted.

Stardon's first foal, a 2006 Earl filly name Malbec was given away, while the next one - Latent (also by Earl) won two of his 61 starts and placed 15 times.

Foal three, Marianne (by Monkey Bones) was a lovely, beautiful grey filly, but according to Dunn just couldn't keep up.

Then came a 2012 filly who was appropriately named, Malia. She was by The Pres and was named after Barack Obama's eldest daughter.

"She was a dark bay but never made it as a racehorse. "

“I’m really enjoying breeding at the moment especially after Sundees Son’s consecutive wins. I’ve often wondered on frosty old winter mornings when I was feeding out whether it was all worth it, but on hindsight it sure has been.

For his troubles Hair won two NZMTC Met Breeder’s Bonuses of $500 each available to financial members of NZSBA as at 31 August. Last season the Met paid out over $90,000 in bonuses and has recently advised The Breeders that the scheme will be in place next season.

Sundee's Son has been nominated for this Sunday's two-year-old trot at Methven where he will look to improve upon his unbeaten sequence.

Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson recently notched up 500 trotting winners in New Zealand when Astral Ruler won at the Wyndham HRC meeting at Cromwell on 7th January.

He can proudly be known as the first New Zealand trainer to achieve such a feat and his winning record with the square gaiters is expected to last for a long time.

His affinity with the trotting breed is legendary. Bruce Stewart caught up with Phil at a recently held Invercargill Cup meeting at Ascot Park and had a chat with him about his involvement in harness racing.

Bruce: You became keen on horses while at Port Molyneux School. The trainer of the great Stella Frost Len Tilson had a stable next to the school?

Phil: Yes. That’s where my interest started. I used to see them in the paddock next door as they jogged past. It looked pretty exciting. Then I started to listen to the commentaries on the radio and that sounded exciting too.

I understand that when you left school you had a short stint as a jockey before weight caught up with you.

It all started for me on a Saturday when I was supposed to have been going back to school on the Monday for my third year at High School. Bob Beck just happened to be visiting and said he was looking for an apprentice jockey and would I be interested. I thought to myself, that would be better than going back to school for another year. I looked at my mum and asked her if I could. Bob said he’d come back the next morning and pick me up.

Note: Phil’s mother aged 90 is still living at Kaka Point.

You rode one winner, Frosty Light?

Yes. I’ll never forget that. It was here at Ascot Park and it was the first leg of the double. In those days you could claim a 7 pound allowance as an apprentice jockey. The first ride I had I rode 3 pound over so I had a weight problem from day dot.

Alistair Kerslake got you interested in harness horses. How did that come about?

Yes. My first involvement was with Alistair and Betty. I learned a lot there for sure. He was quite a tough man but I learned a lot.

When did you start work at the local Tannery in Oamaru?

When I finished with Alister I came back to Oamaru and started working for Dick Prendergast. I was there for quite a while but ended up going to the Tannery and working nights.

Around that time you married Bev?

When I got to Oamaru I was staying with neighbours of her mother and father and I was working a couple of horses on their track so I got to know her.

Did her father have any good horses?

Yes. We won the Roxburgh Cup with Willow Way. Their best horse though, was Wee Willow. Henry Skinner was their main driver in those days. Then I came on the scene.

Note: Willow Way was by Jack Chance out of Wee Willow. He won the 1991 Roxburgh Cup by half a length with Phil driving him to victory. Wee Willow also left Gemini Jo which won seven races. Phil drove her in all her victories. Bev Williamson’s maiden name was Mills and her father Ron was a hobby trainer.

At this time you were training Role Model.

The owners called in one day and I was doing the night shift. I was just pottering around with a few horses and helping the father in-law at home. These two gentlemen came in and said, would I be interested in training a horse for them. I told them I hadn’t trained any horses before. I asked them what the horse was and one of the guys said I wouldn’t have far to look to see him. Unbeknown to us it was at a neighbours place. It was on rough hilly country and the horse was just at the bottom of one of the gullies.

Role Model was a very plain looking horse but I couldn’t see a lot wrong with him. I went back to Bev and said they seem like really nice guys and if ever we were going to train it’d be now. That’s how I got started.

He won races pacing, but you decided to switch him to trotting?

We used to take him from where we lived to the race course in the cart. I was taking him back one day and he took off trotting and I couldn’t believe it. He was quite neat at it. I asked the owners if they would mind if I worked him up on the next prep trotting. They weren’t that keen. They didn’t want a bar of him being a trotter because he’d already won five races as a pacer. Once we starting trotting him and I took him to the workouts they could see how good he was so we switched him. He won his first start at Addington as a trotter.

He won eight races trotting, including your first group race, the New Zealand Trotting Free For All. How did that feel?

Yeah it was a big thrill that night.

So at what stage did you decide to concentrate on training trotters?

The next horse I got to train was Frances Jay Bee. We’ve won some good races from the progeny of her. At that point I also realised you could get into the higher end of the trotting game because the better stallions were less of an outlay. Sundon was probably standing for around $3,000 but if you were trying to go to the leading pacing sire you’d probably need $12,000. So that made sense to us because we didn’t have a lot of money.

They were also cheaper to buy as trotters were looked at as being second rate at the sales. So I was able to buy into the better end of them for a lot cheaper.

What influence did Sundon have on the trotting game?

To me he’s just been a super sire. He’s the Bettor’s Delight of the trotters I’m sure. He stamped his progeny. They were great looking athletic horses which were a lot different to the older Standardbreds who were big tough horses with roman noses.

When the Sundons came on-line, you had two very good ones early, in One Under Kenny and Allegro Agitato.

You weren’t working with them long before you knew you had something special. They had what the average horses don’t have.

Sundons can be a bit hot headed though?

It’s probably a fair enough comment but you know if you’ve got a V8 motor in there somethings going to happen if you have an altercation in the early days. They may pull back and break a rope because they have the power to do it. But they can do things other horses can’t do because of their motor. You’d give up a bit of the hot headedness for the motor every time.

One of your first speedy Sundon trotters was Lets Get Serious – he had a fair bit of talent?

He was a very good horse. He didn’t show it in the very early days. When you take a good horse off the place they normally step up. That’s the difference between a good one and an average one. A lot of horses can work well at home but can’t take the next level. Every good horse I’ve had has always stepped up. He was like that.

With trotters you have to be patient?

You’ve got to have common sense. Some horses take time and you just have to understand that.

As a trainer who’s been an influence on your career?

Dick Prendergast was a big influence in those early days. He was a great horseman and had a lot of success and a bit of it has rubbed off on me. When I first went to Auckland I stayed with Barry Purdon and learned a lot there particularly getting the young horses going. Tony Herlihy is another that’s had an influence on me. We’ve stayed with him a lot on our recent trips.

Jasmyn’s Gift was a special trotter as well?

She was, because we bred her and it was good for us just starting out. When you have a horse that can race in the Dominion Handicap it’s special.

Note: Jasmyn’s Gift ran third in two Dominion Handicaps in 2005 and 2006. She also provided Nathan Williamson with his first Group One winner as a driver when she won the 2006 New Zealand Trotting Free For All at Addington.

As you’ve mentioned, The Dominion Handicap is a very special race for trainers of trotters.

It’s such a difficult race to win and everything has to go right on that special day. Springbank Richard was able to do it for us. I’ve had numerus placings with other horses.

Do you have a horse that has the potential of winning a Dominion?

No. My son has. (Dark Horse)

Springbank Richard was another great horse you trained?

He came along and was a super good horse. He had a big V8 motor and a lovely gait and was just an all-round great great horse.

Note: Springbank Richard has been Phil Williamson’s biggest stake earner to date (see details below) and only Dominion Handicap winner. He provided Nathan Williamson with his first Group One winner in Australia when he won the Victoria Trotter Derby in May 2007.He also won back to back Harness Jewel titles winning at three in 2007 and as a four year old in 2008. He was driven on both occasions by Nathan.

How important is shoeing? Do you do your own?

Malcolm Oakes has shod my team in later years and before that Bruce Wallace did a lot of the shoeing in the early days with Role Model especially. Ken Kinzett before that. It’s very important to have their feet right. It’s more important to have a good horse though. Brendon Franks looked after the shoeing while we were in Central.

Most of the trotting races are from a standing start. Are trotters more difficult to get away?

The thing about the good ones Bruce, is that they can miss away and still win because they’re just better. All the time they’re getting that practice in and by the time they’ve had a start or two it’ll come to them. Springbank Richard was a slow learner when Tony Barron had him. It’s just the manners and time brings that right. I was just lucky to get him at the right time. Manners with trotters just come with experience.

Of the horses you have trained there must have been few that haven’t reached their potential. Do any come to mind?

Leighton Hest. He was a bit of an underachiever. He won a Jewels. He was troubled with soreness. He was a very very good horse.

Note: Leighton Hest provided Matty Williamson with his first Group One winner when he won the 2009 Four Year Old Ruby at Ashburton in May 2009. He won seven of his nine starts at four and ended his career with a record of 43-12-6-6 and $205,242.

Are there any other horses you’d like to mention?

Springbank Sam won twenty races for us and was placed second five times in Group One races. He’s now in America.

Note: Springbank Sam was sold at the sales as Jack Galleon for $26,000. He went on to win $319,756 for Alister and Denise Smith. He won in every season that he started from a two year old to an eight year old. He ran second to Paramount Geegee at two and three in four Group One races. At four he was beaten only by Charlemagne in the Four Year Old Ruby at Cambridge. His last Group placing was in the 2013 Rowe Cup when he was beaten by Stig. He’s a national record holder, the only one on the Omakau track, recording 3-12.8 for the 2600 metre mobile.

What’s the fastest trotter you’ve trained?

It’s between Allegro Agitato and Springbank Richard.

And trotter with the all round game?

One Over Kenny. You don’t win a million dollars unless you’re a very good horse.

Are you excited about where trotting is going? Some meetings have up to three trotting races on their card now.

I think people are starting to see that’s there’s good money in trotting now. Back in the day people had the perception that trotters all galloped and who would want to have a trotter. Trotters can race consistently and earn well if they’ve got a bit of ability. A lot of people have woken up to the fact they can be good earners and in some cases earn better money than pacers.

Your three boys all drive. Do you notice any differences in their driving styles?

Matty’s probably the most aggressive of the three. Nathan and Brad are very similar. Nathan was always very talented from the get go. Brad’s probably had to work at it but he’s made a good fist of it of late. It’s pretty hard to come out of the shadow of two pretty successful brothers. Now I think he drives as good as his brothers do with the right opportunities.

How important was it to get to 500 trotting winners for you?

We’re proud of the fact that we were the first to do it. But I’ve always got my feet on the ground.

Have you ever ventured to America or Scandinavia to see trotters race?

I never have. It would be nice to do it someday. Tony Herlihy who goes to America and Canada a bit tried to get me to go but I haven’t got there yet. There’s been no break in the workload to do it Bruce.

You have good staff with your boys, Steve Allen and Charlotte Purvis. And your wife Bev plays a major part in the operation?

She does all the business side of the operation, like accounts. I don’t even turn the computer on. That’s Bev’s department. I learnt not to get involved there. In the early days Bev use to drive. She’s a capable driver around the workouts and trials. She used to beat me plenty of times. She’s got a great work ethic.

Note: In these later years Phil and Bev have taken a working holiday in Central Otago and their trotters have dominated the New Year circuit. At Omakau, Springbank Eden, Royal Kenny, Springbank Sam, Brad’s Kenny and Jasmyn’s Gift all hold track records. At Roxburgh, Davey’s Gift and Pyramid Monarch are in the record book.

An enjoyable interview with Phil Williamson. It’s easy to see that he identified trotters as his speciality fairly early on and has crafted out a career that’s rewarded him with 500 winners - a remarkable feat. As trotting ranks start to increase markedly we can be rest assured there are a few more winners to be added yet.

Phil Williamson’s fact sheet on 500 winners:

First trotting winner: Role Model - New Zealand Metropolitan June 1995

500th winner: Astral Ruler - Wyndham HRC at Cromwell January 2017

Leaving drivers of the 500 trotting winners: Matty Williamson drove 151, Phil 100, Nathan 94 and Brad 94.

Winning tracks: Addington 98, Forbury Park 84, Ascot Park 80 and Oamaru 41.

Biggest winners 10 wins or more: Allegro Agitato (21), Springbank Sam (20), One Over Kenny (19), Jasmyn's Gift (17), Springbank Richard (17), Lets Get Serious (10), Monnay (10), Monty Python (10) and Role Model (10).

Note: One Over Kenny won 32 races in her career including the Australasian Trotters Championship in 2007. She was trained by Tony Herlihy in the latter part of her career. She won a total of $1,098,007 in stakes.

Biggest winners by stakes: Springbank Richard ($403,567.50), One Over Kenny ($372,936.25), Allegro Agitato ($353,476.25), Jasmyn's Gift ($164,651.21) and Springbank Sam ($150,935.00).

Biggest stake won in one race by any horse: $138,220.00 (Springbank Richard 2009 Dominion Handicap).

First Group win: Role Model 1996 New Zealand Trotting Championship (Group Two).

Group One wins: 10

Group Two wins: 9

Group Three wins: 5

Multiple wins - Group races:

Four Year Trotter Championship (Group Three): Lets Get Serious (2006), Springbank Richard (2008) and Leighton Hest (2009)

Ashburton Trotter Flying Mile (Group Three): Allegro Agitato (2004 and 2005) and Springbank Richard (2009).

Cambridge Trotter Flying Mile (Group Two): Allegro Agitato (2005 and 2006) and One Over Kenny (2007).

Lyall Creek Stakes (Group Two): Allegro Agitato (2006) and One Over Kenny (2007).

National Trot (Group One): Allegro Agitato (2006) and One Over Kenny (2007)

New Zealand Trotting Championship (Group One): Role Model (1996), Allegro Agitato (2004 and 2006) and Jasmyn's Gift (2005).

Important overseas wins: 2007 Victoria Trotting Derby (Group One) Springbank Richard, Interdominion Trotting Championship Heat winner - Shepperton (Group Three) Springbank Richard and 2005 VHRC The Holmfield One Over Kenny.

Harness Jewels winners: Springbank Richard – Three Year old Ruby and Four Year Old Ruby and Leighton Hest Four Year Old Ruby.

DG Jones Memorial/Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup (Group Three): Springbank Richard (2009 and 2010)

New Zealand Trotting Free For All (Group One): Allegro Agitato (2005) and Jasmyn’s Gift (2006).

Ordeal Cup: Jasmyn’s Gift (2006) and Springbank Richard (2009).

Other Group Wins: New Zealand Trotting Oaks (Group Two) One Over Kenny (2005), Northern Trotting Derby (Group One) One Over Kenny (2005), New Zealand Sires Stakes Trotting Championship One Over Kenny (2005), Dominion Handicap (Group One) Springbank Richard (2009), Rowe Cup (Group One) One Over Kenny (2007) and Southern Lights Trot (Group Three) Springbank Sam.

Best season (wins): 2015 and 2016 (58 winners)

Best season (stakes): (2007) $693,861

Total trotting stakes won (500 winners): $3,486,646.91

The Standardbred section at Horse of the Year was a huge credit to present owners, past owners, trainers and Harness Racing in general. For a breed that has struggled for years to go noticed in the show ring they are certainly making everyone who has worked hard for Standardbred recognition proud.

Change of Pace, the in-hand Standardbred of the Year and runner-up Ridden Standardbred of the Year, for his owner Amanda Burton is lucky to be alive and also lucky to be at this year’s Horse of the Year Show.

The horse, nicknamed ‘Crash’, only just survived a serious bout of colic a little over three weeks ago. Getting through the colic made the win all the more special for Burton. “The vet thought we may have to make that awful call but I spent from 11.30pm until 4.30am walking circles with him until he decided he did want to go to HOY after all.” Burton said he recovered quickly after the ordeal and it clearly didn’t have and effect on him when he won Inhand Standardbred Horse of the Year.

“He is one-in-a-million, and we have had a fantastic season,” she says. The pair won the in-hand title last year too.

Natasha Bol and Alshain took out the much sought after Ridden Standardbred of the Year. It was worth the long trip up from Christchurch for the team associated with the 13-year-old gelding also known as Earl. By Badlands Hanover, Earl came from Dean Taylor’s stables, along with his travel-mate Meads Quaff, who is by the same sire. He was originally owned by Katrina Gosney and was shown extensively from the age of four. Bol took over the ownership around 6 years ago and the duo have formed quite the partnership.

Earl was known as Monkey when he was young as he is the most incredibly cheeky horse. “I left him in the paddock for a few years and then I realised what I had been missing out on,” says Natasha, who has competed with him in dressage classes as well.

This isn’t Natasha’s first trip to Hastings - she came up last year with another horse and has been up here one other time for a shopping expedition. “I aimed for the top three but thought Meads Quaff would win but you never know what will happen.”

There was a tear or two – of joy – for Bol when she was announced the winner.

Meads Quaff, ridden by Cantabrian Katrina Gosney was definitely the favourite going into the final competition, having won the Paced class (both ridden and in-hand) and the Open Class. Unfortunately for Gosney, he decided in the final that he didn’t want to go nicely past some of the spectators (who had been there for the entire competition) and put on a fancy turn or two. “That’s horses,” Katrina said. “He’s lovely and he can be really good but he’s a spunky horse and that is what makes him special.”

The judges, Maree Milliken and Jacqui Wadham, while disappointed they couldn’t award Meads Quaff the champion after that final performance but they were very impressed with their winner and all the horses in the classes. “We’ve got beautiful, quality horses here,” they both agreed. “Alshain had lovely conformation and Natasha rode him beautifully. He had evenly balanced paces,” said Maree.

Nigel Heron won the Best Rider, on Final Mission.

Claire Madden won the best handler with her horse Zanskar. The pair also won the ridden mannered class. Stacey Markham and J D Fortune won the ridden turnout and Nigel Heron with Final Mission won the Best Rider. Cate Thomas’s Beautiful Dangerous won the in-hand mare four years and over and Elaine van den Berg won the Novice class with Albertina Adios.

Markham was there representing her Race Track to Show Hack initiative and was stoked to receive 1st place in Best Presented. “Horse of the Year is a very prestigious show, so everyone works hard to ensure the overall picture of themselves, their horses and their gear is immaculate so to be able to win the best turnout meant a lot to me. I always take pride in presentation and it was such a great feeling to see that pay off.”

New Zealand Standardbred Rising Association chair Katrina Gosney was thrilled to see competitors from all around the country competing.

“I think it was a good turnout and great that we had three south island competitors up there! Our title classes had as many and sometimes more entries than other breeds so I think the standardbreds did well,” said Gosney.

NZSBA Life After Racing ambassador Julie DeFillipi was also on hand to take in the occasion and echoed the sentiments.

“It was great to see a good turnout and the presentation of the horses competing was the best yet. We still have a ways to go but things are definitely heading in the right direction,” De Fillipi said.

With Horse of the Year over for another year our Standardbred showers can hold their heads high for the effort that they put into giving out horses a life after racing.

It is that time of the year. The sales results trigger reflection and analysis.

Breeding numbers

The Breeders with HRNZ released the early stud returns for the number of mares bred: 2555 more than in the two previous seasons. The trotting mares at 603 are 12% up on last season while the pacing mares are 4% down. While it is good to see numbers stablise the question remains will it result in an increase of foals on the ground?

With increased use of frozen semen this seems unlikely. A big worry for breeders should be the fact that the fertility rate dropped last season to the lowest in years. In part this has to be due to the increased use of frozen semen. Trotting breeders has had access in recent times to three or four chilled semen stallions and over 20 via frozen semen.

As in all thing numbers and seasons it best to look at trends. While holding the total mares bred to just above last year is encouraging the challenge is to sustain it.

The Breeder’s Psyche

We are a funny mob us horse breeders. The underlying psyche is massive optimism, coupled with a strong dose of competitive selfishness and self-belief in our mares (often in the face of the bleeding obvious they some of them are not commercial) supported by what often borders on an addiction.

To use an analogy from my international development background we are like upland farmers near the Equator growing rice. The rice is not grown in irrigated paddy fields on the flat, but in semi-arid conditions on the side of a mountain hoping that the seasonal rains come in the narrow window after planting and that the new variety of seed supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture is massively more productive as promised. Failure of either of these two means for these farmers no income and often famine!

Not that the later affects us, and I mean no disrespect with the analogy, but farmers are like my East Timor farmers. For breeders there is massive hope that in three-years’ time that the market will like what is being made available and that the horses being presented are the right type with the stallion well liked. For the buyers the job is a lot easier they can come to the market and pick the eyes out of what is there. Or they can import it as in the case of NZers buying at the APG sales.

And so when the sales do not meet our expectations there is disappointment. High doses of rationally kick in after then event with some breeders withdrawing from the sport.

The challenge to industry leaders is to create and nurture the conditions that will keep people in our sports, despite the disappointments. For NZSBA our challenge is to promote ideas and initiatives to build breeders’ confidence that it is worth investing and staying in the family.

Negativity

The future is also about confidence in our sport. Perception becomes reality and sadly there is a lot of negativity about at the moment.

Racing seems to have the most amazing ability to shoot itself in the foot. Look at the last six months or so: poor sales are the headlines; negative social media from keyboard warriors unconcerned about fact or evidence; continual internal wrangling and sniping about handicapping and ratings, with personal abuse, the O’Brien pokies case and a lack of visible industry leadership on the big stuff.

Folks, we just got to have a plan and blast through all of these negatives.

Get behind the big NZRB projects

In previous columns I have made little secret of the fact that I strongly support Glenda Hughes the NZ Racing Board chair and John Allen the CEO with their current major plans to increase industry revenue through four or five big projects. John is a man of integrity and proven success, as his previous leadership roles at NZ Post and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attest.

John works with a strong team. Unlike a decade of his predecessors he has a plan with these signature projects that could produce multi-million dollar benefits to the sport of harness racing. This is not nickel and dime stuff. Some may be a big stretch, but at least the team is trying. John is frank about the risks and one of the projects may not happen or may fail.

The HRNZ board has got behind John and his team. We the participants on the round should do so also. We do not have the resources, money and people, to waste on the negatives let alone litigation. The government needs to be told to pass the race fields legislation before the Elections. It is worth around 15% stake increase to harness racing.

Similarly we need to support the outsourcing of the management of the fixed odds markets which will come with expanded betting options and increased booker maker profitability which will be returned to the codes.

Where is our future?

While the Racing Board is getting on doing its job to increase revenue we in harness need to start thinking sensibly about how any increased income will be used.

I hear people saying as a mantra it must be applied to the ‘bottom end’. Well if than means just proportionally increasing club budgets under the current formulae in my view people need an injection of reality.

As a sport Harness turns 89% of the funding given to clubs into stakes. This is significantly better than thoroughbreds at 75% and the greyhounds at 74%. However the industry average hides some poor performers.

We should not continue to fund inefficiency or failure. We cannot continue to fund race meetings where the cost of providing services is not transparent. I have no problem with supporting iconic days at picturesque venues but we should know that the returns justify the costs and the holding on to a key date.

Fund new initiatives for the ‘missing middle’

The breeders will be looking to their representative at HRNZ to work with the Executive to bring together a number of initiatives that address to new affirmative action outcomes streams with measurable performance targets.

It seems to me that we need to be actively supporting, promoting, developing and every other positive verb you can think of get in behind the “the missing middle” - middled sized owners, middle sized breeders, middle sized trainers, middle sized clubs and retaining the middle quality horses.

The big owners, breeders, trainers, clubs are fine doing well and operate like commercial businesses. The little ones operate as a hobby and aren't too concerned about making money although they are very cost sensitive and would like to see some stakes in their bank. It is those in the middle who are struggling & in the case of owners & breeders have exited.

We need ownership efforts seeking out those in our sport and newbies with disposable income to whom we can sell the dream of racing a horse and offer a reasonable prospect that a good horse can pay a good part of its costs.

As far as stakes go my view is that we need better targeting & coordination of programming, so that we program races & pay stakes to achieve specific ends - more fillies & mares, especially trotters, more races for the "middle" quality race horses so that they are not sold/sent to Australia. If there were 30 or 40 more of these middle horses in the upper North Island we would not be having arguments about the ratings system as there would be the horses to fill appropriate races.

Breeding trotters

I believe that we need positive industry support with HRNZ, the breeders and clubs working together. Let me illustrate with what has happened to trotting breeding numbers here and in Victoria.

In the last 15 years we have exported 2,200 fillies and mares permanently. Trotting mares were less than 20% of the total. Of these 41 were pacing mares with three or more wins.

But, and a very big but, we exported 37 trotting mares with three or more wins. Yes, almost the same as the pacing mares in total: 41 v 37.

Why, it is very simple. Australia, and in particular Victorian breeders, wanted our trotting mares. For the last five years Harness Racing Victoria has had a stakes and race programming policy to support trotting. Mares bred gone from around 500 to over 700. Positive discrimination policy backed by funding and programming to promote breeding and racing trotters.

We have a situation here with only one group race for trotting mares. We have only two group races for 3YO trotting fillies compared to 13 (group and rich listed races) for pacing fillies.

IF we get new funding it has to be targeted at specific segments of breeding and racing with targets and results that can be measured over three to five years, i.e. an increase in trotting fillies and mares Group and other racing opportunities to drive a target of 700 mares breed by 2021.

Other options

Similarly as a sport when to get in behind ATC and NZMTC to have at least one premier day a month equivalent with $30,000 minimum stakes.

The work started three years ago to consolidate the big races into carnivals needs to be reinvigorated with concepts tested and debated such as a “Redwood” type day for trotting, a Sires Stakes Finals Day, A Sales Series Day etc. All the ales Series Finals could be at Queen’s Birthday weekend with the Jewels in late April/early May, just a thought

We need to continue to work closely with the Sires Stakes board and the clubs to ensure that the series are sustainable, programmed where needed and structure for the market.

The five horse $150,000 3YO Sales Series fillies’ final held recently was an embarrassment, especially if the reports are correct that 23 owners made the final sustaining payment. Someone wasted thousands of owners and breeders money paying up for a series they did not front for. While HRNZ funding does not go into sales series races, someone in the industry funded that race i.e. breeders and owners with a small NZMTC contribution.

I strongly believe that any new funding needs to reward clubs that turn HRNZ/industry funding into stakes efficiently. We should be thinking of industry incentive-based funding for innovation and target industry racing priorities.

There is time to have debates, tussles and struggles on these matters. If they do not happen and we repeat what we have been doing for the last decade we have only ourselves to blame when our sport declines further.

The NZSBA is pleased to confirm that Addington CEO, Dean McKenzie and his Board of Directors have agreed to continue with the fantastic Met Breeders Bonus initiative.

Last year close to $100,000 was paid out to breeders who were members of the NZSBA prior to the 31st of August whose progeny had won a totalizator race at a New ZealandMetropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) meeting held at Addington Raceway.

Terms and conditions stipulate the breeder will be recognized for the bonus if the breeding entity/partnership has a 50% or greater NZSBA financial membership.

“This initiative has been fantastic for Breeders and having worked in the Breckon’s Winners Bar on race nights at Addington, many times I have had the pleasure of seeing winning owners, who were also the breeder get excited when realizing they were eligible for the bonus. In same cases, and this may seem strange, they were more excited about the $500 bonus then the race stake itself!” said NZSBA Chairman, John Mooney.

Addington Raceway recently surveyed trainers and breeders around the bonus, however awareness for the scheme seemed to be lacking, despite 214 individualsresponding to the survey, claiming they had won a bonus.

“We would like to see the number of those aware of the bonus climb to 100% obviously and the NZSBA has a role to play in raising awareness of the scheme. It has really helped us with our membership and we have built a tremendous relationship with Addington Raceway through our sponsorship of the New Zealand Oaks and hosting of CSBA events”, said Mooney.

The benefits flowed both ways with results indicating that some trainers and owners were targeting races specifically with the bonus in mind.

Dean McKenzie commented “The scheme is in place to show our Clubs commitment to doing its bit to help address one of the most critical issues facing our sport, that being the sharp decline in recent years of mares being bred. Although the scheme alone won’t solve this problem, we recognise that as the premier Club in the Country, we need to acknowledge this issue and it needs to remain at the forefront of any discussions aimed at reviving and strengthening our industry. We simply need breeding to be a more viable venture for our sport to grow”

The Met Breeder Bonus in brief;

Any member* of the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association (NZSBA) who breeds the winner of a totalisator race at a New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) meeting held at Addington Raceway will be eligible for a $500 bonus payment.

· The NZSBA member or entity must be a fully paid up current member as at 31 August 2016, to be eligible to receive the bonus payment.

· The breeding entity/partnership must have a 50% or greater NZSBA financial membership.

· There is no limit to the number of Bonus payments a horse can earn

· A race is defined as any totalisator race conducted by the NZMTC at Addington Raceway (only) from 1 August 2016 excluding any Tuesday Graduation races, premier dates and excludes all Group and Listed Races

· The breeder must submit an invoice to NZMTC or the NZBSA within 30 days of the win for the bonus to be paid out.

· The $500 (plus GST, if applicable) bonus will be payable on the 20th of the month following invoice, providing swabs have cleared.

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“I know our family is better than it looks on paper.”

My conversation with Dunedin breeder Tom Richardson ended with that quote, but I felt it was fitting to start there, as we trace our way through the timeline of some of his colourful breeding endeavours.

Breeders are well aware of how a pedigree page can be misleading to the reader’s eye. They don’t take into account the heart breaks associated with livestock and the great misfortunes that are so often attributed with being a breeder.

When tracing back through the family of last Sunday’s Leonard Memorial winner, I found myself impressed with the fact that Tom had persevered with the tail lines of the same family since the late 1970’s.

When success wasn’t so obvious and others may have lost the faith, the fifth generation of his foundation mare put black type on the page that nobody can ignore.

“When I first got involved it wasn’t a family thing. I had a few mates interested and we bought a wee mare called Bonny Saga (1971 m Tempest Hanover - Raven's Whisper) from the clearance sales at Edendale. I think she cost 450 pounds back then and we formed the Fleetfoot Syndicate which raced her”, said Richardson.

She went on to win three races and place on a further eight occasions for the syndicate and with that the man originally from Gore had been bitten with the harness bug.

“I have bred stud sheep and stud cattle and various other livestock through the course of my life and I wanted to breed horses. I felt that was the ultimate challenge to not just breed something with speed or the physical specimen, but something that had the brains and the attitude. The whole gambit. That’s what attracted me to it in the first place really, and it still does.”

The partnership would go on to breed from the initial purchase but without much success. She left two winners from nine foals.

The first foal Tom was to breed after initially missing from Bonny Saga in 1975 was the Smooth Hanover mare, Cheerleader (1972 Smooth Hanover - Granny). “I bought her and she had a damaged foot and hadn’t raced. She had part of her foot cut away and she was a full sister to a horse called Smooth One who was a very good filly bought by a businessman from Australia called Jack Honan.

“He wanted to buy up as many of that Regina family as he could”, said Richardson when speaking of his mare’s paternal family, that close up had the 1965 New Zealand Cup winner in Garry Dillon (1958 Garrison Hanover). He was the half-brother of Cheer Leader’s grand dam in Regina Lady (1959 My Chief - Regina Dillon) amongst other great horses in the family.

A more recent top horse was Honkin Vision, top two and three year old. He was from Frosty Vision, a half-sister to Cheer Leader, she was by the Dale Frost horse Frosty Dream, and Honkin Vision was by the Albatross Horse, Honkin Andy

“I had initially borrowed the mare off Roland and Mavora Watson from Southland and I got her in foal to Sir Dalrae. He was looking at selling the mare.

“When I heard that, I thought well, if you are going to sell her, I’ll buy her!

“She cost me about half the price of my house at the time, which was about $2500 at the time”, joked Richardson. But he wasn’t joking, she cost exactly half the price of his Gore property so she hadn’t come cheap.

Her third foal Cruising (1979 Sir Dalrae) was to put the breed on the map when being good enough to run 5th in the New Zealand Derby in 1983 after locking wheels at the top of the straight with 3rd place getter and 1985 New Zealand Cup Winner, Borana.

“We got an offer of $50,000 to send him to America and we decided to take that, as it was a lot of money in those days”, he said.

“Graham Cooney bred one from the mare (7th foal) prior to me who was a full sister to Cruising but she unfortunately died from pneumonia when showing a lot of promise. We bred the mare to some pretty ordinary horses but I bred her back to Sir Dalrae and I got Cademic (1984) who got badly injured as a foal. She was a little small mare and was very tough.

With the Sir Dalrae cross obviously working, Tom was to continue breeding through the tail lines of his original breeding and got prospect Cademic.

“I did most of the work myself with her first foal called Cadeliah (1988 m Cadillac) where I bought her up to Addington to race in the first heat of the Sires Stakes. She had some ability but had tied up on the trip up, and subsequently ran an unlucky 4th.

“I sold her to Bruce Negus and he finished up winning three with her including the Southland Futurity for mares.

“She was a very courageous mare who was small, but had lots of guts and I think she unfortunately died foaling.

The next three foals never won a race but two showed enough ability to make it to the races.

“My brother bred the fifth foal from Cademic and I don’t know if I should be telling you this but he was going through a divorce at the time and named the horse ‘Be Reasonable’.

One can make their own assumptions as to why!

“When I sent him Cademic, I had a deal with him that if he ever wanted to sell the foal I would get first option as to the purchase, whatever she left and I exercised that sometime after. That foal was Be Reasonable. I leased Be Reasonable to some clients of Murray Gray for whom she won her first start but had an accident or a fall when in the wash and was never the same after.

“She had another four starts but was essentially on three legs. So, then I lent her to Murray to breed some foals out of her and they bred three.

“I don’t really know what happened to them, but I got the mare back. She was initially booked in to Jenna’s Beach Boy.” What happened next may have been a kind twist of fate through the cruel misfortune of a plane crash.

The plane carrying the Jenna’s Beach Boy semen from Orange in Australia had crashed killing both pilots and the shipment of semen was lost also.

“I got the call from Michael House bearing the bad news and he asked me if I would take a serve from the new stallion Mach Three. I had sworn that I wouldn’t breed to unproven stallions again, but under the circumstances I agreed I would give it a go.

“I bumped into him a year later at Omakau and reminded Michael he hadn’t sent me a bill for the service! I had a cheque on me, and I paid him on the spot.

“Lady Lozza was the result of the service to Mach Three, and she was an outstanding foal who could have made it as a two-year-old, but we didn’t end up starting her until she was four. She had a terrible habit of rearing and she should have won a lot of races and often trained with a horse called Storm Light (good enough to be G2 placed) who won about 9 races before going to Australia. She had the measure of her on the training track, but we just couldn’t seem to get her right”, Tom said with a tinge of disappointment.

Tom was to lose his appetite for a lot of things with the passing of his late wife and ended up leasing Lady Lozza out for the first three seasons of her breeding career

“I was working up on Saddle Hill at the time and Kim had just sold Mah Sish and he wanted to borrow my mares and so he did.”

After three years of sitting on the sidelines his appetite for breeding returned when he meet his current wife, Loretta. His mares were returned around the same time, and together they decided to send Lady Lozza to American Ideal, to begin the fifth generation in which Richardson was to breed from his foundation mare Cheer Leader.

We arranged through a friend of ours for Simon Roughan to spend a few hours working with this foal, and that turned into a few weeks work at his place. She was such a stubborn little thing at the start, and so determined displaying a tough resolve, even at the age of nine months.

That stubborn wee thing would go on to show some real promise having never been out of the placings in her six outings off Tim Butts property, either in workouts, trials and her first race. Her name is Lady Chatto, and she took her place as a maiden in Sunday’s Leonard Memorial at Group 3 level. After being sent to the front by pilot Blair Orange, Lady Chatto left the field of quality 2-year-old fillies in her dust to record an easy 2 and ¾ length victory for Tom and Loretta.

In another cruel twist it was to be the first and last foal they were to get out of Lady Lozza, as she was recently put down after a paddock accident carrying nine-month-old full sibling to last Sunday’s Leonard Memorial Stakes winner.

“She won that race pretty comfortably and Tim said she has just bounced round the paddock since. He thinks the race has if anything, brought her forward even more. She is just an extraordinarily well-mannered horse, with a great constitution and very strong for her age. Whilst on paper, she would appear the best horse Tom has bred, he has raced some nice types in his time, including the purchase and syndication of the first ever No Nukes mare in New Zealand via NZ Bloodstock. Her name was Nukes Emerald (1985 m No Nukes – Emerald Breeze).

“She arrived in utero, and I bought her for $90,000 and we syndicated her for $120,000 at the time amongst 22 other owners in what was the ‘Neither Confirm Or Deny Syndicate’.

“She won her first start at 22 months old under the guidance of Jack Smolenski and went on to race for several seasons in America. I wouldn’t do that again though, it was far too expensive. You pay for the guy who sweeps the floors over there. The whole lot!

The good thing is that the Richardson’s will not have to go further afar then the warm shores of Australia, for an unplanned holiday, to tie in with the plans of their Group winning filly, Lady Chatto.

“She’s flying to Australia to race in the Gold Tiara heat at Bathurst next Wednesday night, which if she wins she will be in the final on the 25th March which is worth $100,000.”

She won that heat even more impressively then her first start given she is still only a two-year-old and had traveled crossed the ditch. Lady Chatto rated a 1:57.5 mile rate for the 1730m journey, the second fastest of the 6 heats on the night. That honour belonged to the ultra-impressive Sweetchillyphilly who won in a mile rate of 1.55.3 and is also unbeaten in two starts. Barrier draws for the final are yet to be released.

The plan after returning from Bathurst will be the Caduceus in Auckland, she will then return to Christchurch, and hopefully line up in the Jewels in June. If all goes well after that, she will fly back to Australia in August where she is eligible for the Melbourne Breeders Crown.

Having owned businesses in several industries including farming, machinery, real estate & land development, the end goal is in sight where retirement and a lot more breeding of standardbreds is on the horizon.

“That’s our main focus now, to enjoy the horses wherever that takes us, and to try and breed as well as we can really”, he said.

Five generations on, looks like Tom and Loretta Richardson has the perfect filly in which to fulfill those future endeavours.

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Imagine if the first horse you bred won a Derby?

That was the case for the Elsie’s Empire Syndicate who bred the 2017 Northern Derby winner Raukapuka Ruler.

While the studbook might not say they did, the tale around how they came to breed and race their current star is nothing short of special.

One of the breeders is Giles Patrick, manager of the Colt 45 Syndicate who race Raukapuka Ruler and he remembers the tale well.

“About 10 years ago there was seven of us from Geraldine who wanted to get into the racing game and one of the guys in our syndicate was involved with Colin De Fillipi. Colin looked for a horse for us to lease that might be suitable,” said Giles.

That horse was a Live Or Die gelding by the name of B Grudge whose mother was Soky’s Rose (1994 Soky’s Atom).

Soky’s Rose’s mother had left a half million dollar earner in City Rogue. Winner of the Kindergarten Stakes in New Zealand as a 2YO in 1999. He ran a number of placings at Group level including a third in the NZ Derby, eventually winning the Australian Derby in the same season. Before being sold to America he lined up in a New Zealand Cup and was good enough to pace a 1:49 mile at a time when our mile record was still only 1:53.5!

The breeding was there and the syndicate had a racehorse good enough to win an Invercargill Cup (2002-G3), line up in a New Zealand Cup (Changeover’s Cup) and win over $135,000 in stakes. Not a bad nag to sink your teeth into all things being equal.

“He went pretty good (understatement) and at the end of his racing career the Brosnans came to us and said we have a mare out here and would you guys be interested in leasing her?”

She was from the same dam as B Grudge and was a striking filly by Elsu. Her name? Miss Elsie.

“We leased her off the Brosnans son Alistair and Colin recommended that we write into the contract that we would get rights to breed the first foal off her once she stopped racing.”

That would prove to be a master-stroke for the syndicate which had changed slightly in it’s original make up, but still retained the ‘core four’ as you could call them in Patrick, Gavin & Dean Oliver & Mark Weaver.

“Colin said to us when she turned up on the property she was the best gaited horse he had ever seen and he’s been around for a while, we were still pinching ourselves after having rid the wave of B Grudge.”

The crescendo of the wave was however not in sight, so they made like Kelly Slater and the folks from South Canterbury continued to ride the wave of success.

Miss Elsie won her first start as a 2YO at Invercargill accounting for some serious opposition in a $30,000 Young Guns Heat. None other than a future three-time NZ Cup Champ in Terror To Love & Hannon Memorial winner Franco Ledger.

While she was to have a brilliant career, Miss Elsie was born into a crop in which always found one better.

She ran second to Collectable in the Delightful Lady Classic in 2010 before running second behind the champ Bettor Cover Lover at the Harness Jewels Two-Year-Old Diamond at Cambridge.

Throw Carabella into Miss Elsie’s three-year-old career and it’s a credit to De Fillipi and the mare’s ability that she could get within a head and a nose of the champion pair (Carabella & Bettor Cover Lover) in the Great Northern Oaks.

“She was never the same after that race, she got a virus and didn’t really come back from it.”

Miss Elsie pushed on until she was five and was able to outdo her older brother B Grudge in earning $143,633 in stakes.

The syndicate had enjoyed all the thrills of Group 1 Racing without nailing that elusive big one, however they still had the breeding rights to consider.

“There were seven of us in that syndicate but three of them didn’t want anything to do with it (breeding) so we paid them out and decided to go to Bettor’s Delight.”

The resulting colt was named ‘Raukapuka Ruler’ after some tossing about of ideas and the first opportunity to name a horse they raced. Bettor’s Elsie wasn’t doing it for them and in the end, the ‘core four’ found some inspiration closer to home with Raukapuka being a suburb in Geraldine.

“We waited and waited and he was going good at the trials when we were offered some good coin for him and we thought bugger it, we’ve waited this long to get this thing on the track, we’re not gunna sell it!”

The stars aligned once more last Friday night when the horse they call Harvey drew the ace, led off the gate and simply ran them ragged while the rest of his more favoured opposition struggled to sort themselves out.

“The best thing about last Friday night was that it was just totally unexpected, we went up there with no expectations whatsoever. We just went up to have a couple of beers and a good night out. The country boys getting to town you know.”

While the syndicate has no designs to breed again in the near future, they do have some decisions to make about whether they will in fact head back to the sales in search of that elusive champion. Who knows, they might just have enough to buy the 2017 foal out of Miss Elsie in a few years.

After leaving a Christian Cullen colt which sold for $41,000 in 2016, Miss Elsie left a full brother to the Derby winner who was bought at what now must almost be a bargain price of $90,000.

One things for certain, the next one from the mare won’t come cheap.

Should Raukapuka Ruler keep on his winning ways, the coin shouldn’t be an issue for the Colt 45 Syndicate!

Nominations have recently closed for the 2017 Breeders NZ Pacing Oaks to be held at Addington Raceway.

35 pacing fillies have been nominated, including Petacular from Australia who was runner up to the unbeaten Partyon in the NSW Oaks.

Their current fixed odds prices (NZ Dollars) will be released by the TAB early this week!

Click for a full list of nominations.

Looks set to be a cracking race!

The individual number of mares served has for the first time since 2009/10 gone in the right direction. While only marginal, the increase of 14 individual mares served is a move in the right direction given the recent global trends. The final figure was 2555 individual mares served.

Leading the way was Bettor's Delight with 299 mares served. Sportswriter will surprise a few in the fact he served the second most mares in New Zealand. The trotting ranks was very even with Love You serving 88 mares closely followed by his fresh semen counterpart Majestic Son with 81.

Click on the link below for a detailed list by sire of mares served in New Zealand for the 2017 breeding season.

The 2017 PGGW Yearling Sales results by Sire can be found below by clicking on the appropriate link below:

In summary:

Total Sales Revenue: $11,170,000

NZ Premiere (Christchurch) $ 7,061,000 (2016: $7,861,000)

Australasian Classic (Karaka) $4,109,000 (2016: $5,551,500)

Clearance Rates;

NZ Premiere: 77.42%

Australasian Classic: 75.35%

Top Lots

Australasian Classic

Pacer: Lot 115 | Jesse Duke | Bettor's Delight Colt out of Daisy Dundee Vendor: Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd: $220,000

Trotter: Lot 13 | Legendary Lover | Muscle Hill Colt out of Love Ya Doosie Vendor: Breckon Farms Ltd: $125,000

NZ Premiere Pacer: Lot 277 | Franco Stallone | Bettor's Delight Colt out of San Rafaella Vendor: Spreydon Lodge Ltd: $190,000

Trotter: Lot 296 | Aldebaran Rosa | Muscle Hill Filly out of Solar Powered Vendor: Aldebaran Lodge Pty Ltd: $60,000

Who could forget the incredible race that was bestowed upon us in 2016 when Dream About Me showed her class and the rest of the country what was to come in the following 12 months. Now an open class champion in her own right, the race continues to throw up champion fillies who in turn become champion mares.

The nominations for the 2017 The Breeders NZ Pacing Oaks are now open.

The countdown is on to find the best 3YO pacing filly. All eyes will be watching Addington’s Race Meeting on Friday, 19 May to see which filly will cross the finish line first. Be sure to nominate your filly for this Group 1 prestigious race.

Nominations close on Wednesday, 1 March 2017 at 3.00pm.

The fixed odds markets will be available shortly afterwards.

The Breeders NZ Pacing Oaks - $150,000 – Group 1 on 19 May 2017

Initial nomination fee due: Wednesday 1 March 2017 3.00pm (NZ time) $86.25

First late nomination fee due: Wednesday 29 March 2017 3.00pm (NZ time) $862.50

First withdrawal fee due: Wednesday 29 March 2017 3.00pm (NZ time) $172.50

Second withdrawal fee due: Wednesday 26 April 2017 3.00pm (NZ time) $345.00

Final late nomination fee due: Monday 15 May 2017 1.00pm (NZ time) $4,312.50

Starting fee: $2,156.25

All fees are including GST.

All fees above are included in the total stakes pay out. For full details on the breakdown of stakes, conditions, and the nomination form, please visit here. Alternatively, please call Addington’s Racing Department on 03 338 9094.

Looking for the next Lazarus? Look no further! The Canterbury Yearling Inspection tour is the place to be and kicks off Tuesday this week. With 164 Yearlings across the two days, you're spoilt for choice with these fine youngsters

Lazarus as a Yearling

(Yearling numbers in brackets)

Day 1

Day 2

If Thames detective Rachel Holmes was superstitious before her home-track meeting last Saturday, then those beliefs have now been thrown right out the window.

The 42-year-old mother-of-two won her first race at her fifth attempt when $2.20 favourite, Prime Silver nailed the $6,055 Coromandel More FM Maiden for the up to R49 pacers.

The 4-year-old P-Forty-Seven mare and Scott Phelan won by one-and-a-half lengths, pacing the 1700m stand in 2:12.8 (mile rate 2:05.7) and home in 62.1 and 32.3.

“Ironically it was her 13th start and when Club President Derek (Player) gave us stall 13, he said it's okay Rachel, most horses in that stall win.

“I thought oh no and then I thought the same again when she bobbled at the start, but Scotty did a fantastic job keeping her down.

“She’s not an easy horse to drive and he did a great job considering it was his first drive behind her after Arna Donnelly and Peter Young had driven her previously,” Holmes said.

In fact Holmes also paid a tribute to her good friends, Donnelly and Young.

“Arna had to drive her own horse in the race and that’s why I asked Scott. Arna has been wonderful with her knowledge and transporting the horse to Manawatu.

“As for Peter, well he did all the ground work with the horse. Peter gave me his colours which was an absolute honour. Those colours have so much history. It's neat to think I can continue contributing to that,” Holmes said.

Holmes, who is married to Brent, and has two sons Lewis (8) and Oliver (5) has been an a detective for almost 17 years.

The Thames-based couple also owned and bred Prime Silver out of their two-win 13-year-old Live Or Die - Joy's Girl mare Jupiter Franco. She is the only foal out of the mare. Jupiter Franco was trained by Thames conditioner, Paul Springall.

Holmes made her training debut on December 1 last year when Prime Silver and Donnelly were a creditable one-and-a-half length second behind start Artanne at Cambridge Raceway.

“I don’t think Scott will realise the effect he has played on my life now. For me to get that first win is so special. It means so much.

“I watched the race on-course on TV and was so overwhelmed and excited. It’s only really just starting to sink in. I had leave the course not long after though,” Holmes said.

“It was poor organisation on my part,” she added.

By that she meant she had to rush off to her mother’s (Alma Butland) 65th birthday that she had organised at the Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel – some 108km away.

Prime Silver is the only horse that Holmes has in work, but despite her busy policing schedule, she said she was always open to taking in more.

“I just love the game and my two boys are starting to come down to the stables now, and I’d like to get them into Kidz Kartz. It’s such a wonderful sport. The people are all so friendly and not afraid to give advice and lend a hand.

“There’s so many people I want to thank for my first win. I think they know who they are. I’m just so grateful to them all,” she said.

Holmes said she only came about training Prime Silver ‘by default’.

“I only took out my trainers’ licence when Peter (Young) retired. He was very good to me and the horse. It’s not easy juggling my work and being a parent as well. I’m also on the Parawai School Board of Trustees, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” a busy Holmes said.

Holmes was born in Auckland and got into harness racing when she studied at Otago University in Dunedin.

“My partner back then was Stewart Campbell and we worked horses out of Ocean Beach. I got my junior licence in 2002 and drove two winners and placed about eight times.

“I’ve been hooked on horses since my Dunedin days. One day I would like to do more with the horses and less policing. Who knows maybe even a racecourse inspector’s job one day?” Holmes said.

Meanwhile the feature event at Thames – the 2017 $9,000 Parawai Cup was won by the Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick trained Sir Richie.

The 5-year-old Christian Cullen gelding proved too strong for the Donnelly trained duo of Imajollywally (Donnelly) and Hudy Haxwell (Phelan).

Driven by Maurice McKendry Sir Richie paced the 2600m stand in 3:28.2 (mile rate 2:08.8) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 64.3 and 33.6.

He won by a neck and five lengths and was the $8.40 fifth favourite. It was his sixth win in 31 starts and he has now banked just under $50,000.

With the new year comes Yearling Sales anticipation and the good folk at PGGW are busy gearing up for another dose of the Australasian Classic and New Zealand Premiere Yearling Sales.

Riding the high of last year’s strong sales results, Bruce Barlass of PGGW said he was looking forward to “another strong sale as the with smaller crop of horses being bred, there is an almost greater demand now for quality bloodstock”.

That being said, the numbers don’t lie.

Last year’s sales turnover totalled $13.6 million. Up a full $4 million dollars on the same total in 2012. Auckland had its highest turnover EVER at $5.6 million.

Christchurch reached the magical $8 million-dollar mark! A feat that had only been achieved in 2008 and 2009, when the Premiere sale was spread over 3 days with catalogues of 500+, not the 374 seen last year.

Other areas indicative of a good sales included the 85% clearance rate in both islands, something that had never before been achieved.

There were also 17 $100,000 sales and 53 purchasers who spent $100,000 or more!

Not wanting to rest on their laurels, Bruce and the rest of the PGGW team met with vendors and breeders around the country for an open discussion on what was working, what wasn’t and what could be done better.

“The consensus of breeders in the South Island was to reduce the Christchurch catalogue from the 375 offered in February 2016”, said Barlass.

“It was felt that a small reduction just made stabling, selling and transporting in and out a little more comfortable for all concerned.”

From an initial nomination of 560 (159 for Auckland and 401 for Christchurch) this has been selected down to 150 in the North Island and 360 in the Southern sale. (There have been six withdrawals since the sales catalogue went to print.)

Other areas of improvement were largely based around the venue in Christchurch. While it isn’t the purpose built sales ring vendors in the North enjoy, PGGW have worked hard in the ‘off season’ to bring the mix of sound and visual displays up to the standard enjoyed at Karaka.

“We’ve been working closely with Ken Hume of New Zealand Bloodstock who have made available for the first time the display software used in the North Island. They recently held their sale at our venue for the first time ever and experienced one of their best South Island results ever.

One of the benefits of the new display software is the ability to have an indicator board for outside on the front of the Riding for the Disabled arena.

“It will be able to be seen from the grass stabling area and provide preparers (and everyone in attendance) with a better opportunity to establish what lot is in the ring at any given time”, said Barlass.

The sale will once again be web casted live via the PGGW website with the costs of televising the sale live on Trackside proving to be once again prohibitive.

No surprises which sire has the largest draft. Leading North American and just crowned five times Australasian Leading Sire, Bettor’s Delight, has a grand total of 110 yearlings (70 colts and 40 fillies) with 46 to be offered in Auckland and 64 in Christchurch.

Art Major, whose yearlings met with huge demand this year has his largest draft ever with 77, 58 of them to be catalogued in Christchurch. Mach Three who recently topped the Australian Percentage Sires List alongside Bettor’s has 47 on offer, followed by the first season crop of A Rocknroll Dance with 40 yearlings. American Ideal, Auckland Reactor and Sportswriter each have 21 yearlings a piece. Somebeachsomewhere who is well on the way to his third 3yo Sires Premiership in the USA has 13 yearlings and five time NZ Leading Sire Christian Cullen has 12 yearlings (10 colts).

The trotters total 73 nationally (18 in Auckland and 55 in Christchurch), which is marginally down on previous years. Majestic Son dominates the trotting draft with 23 yearlings, followed by Andover Hall with 10, and Angus Hall 7. After that though there is a massive selection with the progeny of 19 individual trotting sires to be catalogued.

We hope to see some of you over from across the ditch for what should be another incredible three days.

John Mooney presents Ben Smith with the Broodmare of Excellence Award for 2016.

Announced at the NRM Breeders annual Cup Eve cocktail function, KAHU DEL was this year’s recipient of the coveted Broodmare of Excellence Award.

KAHU DEL was the 1981 foal of Armbro Del/Tee Kahu from the NZ family of Mavis Logan (N145). whose major credit is champion square gaiter Lyell Creek. Kahu Del was bred by Victor (VL) Smith and owned/raced by Peter (PH) Smith from Kaikoura with leading trainer Jack Litten of Caduceus, Vedette, False Step (trained for 18 wins), Fallacy fame. Peter Smith was responsible for the breeding of all of Kahu Del’s progeny.

Kahu Del was the winner of five races (two for Brian Kerr, three for Derek Jones) and placed on a further six occasions, $17,395, 2:05.6. Her breeding record shows she was the dam of seventeen foals for thirteen to race with eight winners plus a further two qualifiers. Her winning progeny were a mix of both pacers and trotters, the true dual gaited matron of Mavis Logan breed.

The male progeny of Kahu Del included Swan Creek, 2”01.1, $75,335, 8 wins (Geraldine Cup); Harnetts Creek, 1:57.7/T2:10.1, $295,373, 12 pacing/1 trotting wins (Kaikoura/Invercargill/Avon City Ford New Brighton Cups, Ashburton Flying Stakes); Cullens Creek, 1:56.9AUS, $141,761, 9 NZ/5 AUS wins (Central Otago Cup, Hannon Memorial).

Her daughters bred on and included Kahlum, dam of Lyell Creek, “Creek the Freak” proved to be the greatest trotter seen on Australasia tracks. He raced in seven different countries over eight seasons (1998 - 2005). His 113 starts resulted in a 50% wins to starts ratio with stake earnings touching $3m. In NZ, 28 wins T1:55.7, Australia (nine, T1:58.0), Sweden (one, T1:56.3), Canada (seven, T1:53.2), USA (11, T1:52.2 at Meadowlands in 2002, second fastest Kiwi trotter ever), overall 56 wins.

Lyell Creek recorded 15 Group One, 10 Group Two and one Group Three victories. These included three wins in Dominion Trot/Rowe Cup, two Dullard Cups and an Interdominion Trotting Grand Final. Awards won Included ANZ Grand Circuit Trotting Champion (three); NZ Trotter of Year (twice); NZ Aged (5yo+) H&G Trotter of Year (three); NZ Harness Horse of Year; Australian Trotter of Year (twice); NZ and Australian stake earning Trotter of Year (twice); NZ and Addington Harness Hall of Fame inductee with a lounge at Alexandra Park named after him. Apart from his first two starts when trained initially by owner/breeder Peter Smith and at his second start and first win by Mark Smith, all of Lyell’s remaining Australasian starts trained by Tim Butt. In the driving stakes, Anthony Butt drove him in almost every Australasian start (51 of 54) and for 36 of 37 Australian victories.

Kahlum and her descendants were also responsible for Arabess, dam of Marcoola, T1:59.8, $170,464, nine wins in 16 starts (NZ/GN Trotters Derbies, NZ SS - 3T, 3yo C&G Trotter of Year); Amaretto Sun, T2:01.2, $68,657, 9 wins (Ordeal Trotting Cup); Jacquimo T2:02.9, $53,441, 8 wins; Little Mo, T2:04.9/T2:04.2, $44,650, 1 pacing/3 trotting wins.

Other daughters and descendants of Kahu Del have left Kahdon, T1:59.3, $177,234, six wins from 14 3yo starts (NZSS - 3T, GN Trotters Derby, VIC Trotters Oaks, NZ Trotter of Year as three year old); Kincaslough, T2:01.2, $133,286, 10 wins (Summer Trotting FFA, NZ mares record 2600m stand, 4yo+ Aged Trotting Mare of Year); Blackguards Corner, T2:01.5, $53,789, 6 wins; Stoney Creek, 1:55.1US, $143,146, 10 NZ/7 NA wins (Te Awamutu Cup); Arboe, T1:55.5AUS, $72,818, seven AUS wins in 12 starts, (NSW La Coocaracha, VIC Bacardi Lindy Championship - 4/5); Le Reveur, T1:58,3, $93,415 (NZSS - Aged Trotters Classic); Lough Beg, T2:06.2, $51,070 (4yo mare Trotter of Year) amongst many others.

Kahu Del’s unraced dam Tee Kahu was by leading trotting stallion Tuft from Kahu by Fallacy. Tee Kahu left 11 foals for five to race, four winners and a qualifier. She left By The Way, dual gaited, t2:07.1/P2:11.2, $23,410, 5 trotting, 1 pacing wins (4yo mare Trotter of Year) and was grand dam of Lord Vance, 2:04.9, $40,195, 5 wins (Waimate Cup).

Kahu Del’s grand dam, Kahu, from whom the majority of the families better progeny descended left Black Miller, T2:11.6, $3,590 (NZ Trotting Stakes- 3); Del Miller, T2:11.6, $10,055 (2yo Trotter of Year) while her daughters/grand-daughters produced Le Duc, t2:03.5, $86,350 (NZ Hambletonian); Sunset Tour, T1:55.7, $110,604; Rockin Wilma, t2:02.9, $59,390 (Stawell Trotters Cup); All Most, 1:54.2US, $105,925 (Timaru Winter Cup); Millwood Jet, 2:00.5, $31,406 (VIC Derby heat); King Charlie, t2:01.5, $239,337 (GN Trotters Derby); Shezoneoftheboyz, T2:02.2, $91,849 (Hambletonian, NZ Trotters Derby); Here Lies A Dream, 1:50.3US, $89,182; Liberaiitus, 1:52.4, $152,121; Jim Beam, 2:00.9, $73,346 (WA Pearl) amongst others.

The trotting side of the family surrounding Kahu Del has exerted considerable influence over the past few decades on the NZ harness racing scene. The broodmare of Excellence Award is fitting recognition of her impact.

NB : All stats to 11 November 2016.

The emergence of talented Bettor’s Delight three year old pacer Crime Scene has once again thrown the spotlight on a breed that’s produced a host of winners in the last 40 plus years for retired Invercargill vet Peter Williams and his wife Jan.

Trained by Clark Barron, Crime Scene is out of Gross Misconduct whose pedigree traces back to Just Lucky, the first mare Williams bred from in 1971.

However there are two sides to this story as Williams also has a trotting family that’s produced just as many winners and the breed continues to be prominent through the deeds of open class trotter Alley Way.

As a young man Peter Williams trained as a vet as part of the first ever Veterinary class at Massey University in Palmerston North.

“We were the first vets to graduate from Massey in 1967. Before that you had to go to Sydney or Brisbane to train. There were thirty two of us and only two girls. The ratio has changed a bit now,” he said.

Well known and respective Canterbury veterinarian Corin Murfitt was in the same class.

After graduation Williams headed to Southland, expecting to work for Cliff Irvine. The job didn’t eventuate so in November 1967 he started working for Paddy Dunne and Hugh Horner.

“I worked for Paddy for a year and then two other veterinarians came down - Gary Chisholm and Stewart Cameron. In 1969 on holiday, Paddy broke his neck while swimming at Nelson so he leased the practice to the three of us for four years. At the end of the four years the other guys wanted to go, so I took over at Waikiwi.”

Williams says that in those days whilst there was some work on dairy farms, it was nothing like it is now. There were a lot of horse studs in Southland though, including Chelandry Stud, Hampton Lodge (run by Bert Lawton) and Ascot Stud.

And it was through his work at stud farms that Williams acquired his first mare Just Lucky (Hal Tryax – Billarock).

“I got her because they couldn’t get her in foal. They said they were going to shoot her.”

Williams sent her to Majestic Chance and her first foal Lucky Chance arrived in 1971.

Lucky Chance was trained by Henry Skinner and included in her seven wins was the 1978 Greymouth Cup with driver Derek Jones.

“Jan and I had a six month old son at that stage and we took Lucky Chance all the way up to Greymouth through the Haast. Not many people go that way. We couldn’t stay at the Haast Hotel because there was nowhere to put the horse. But there were some whitebait camps down the way and we found a place to stay that had a paddock for the horse. If Henry Skinner could have seen the paddock he would have shot me. We drove on up to Greymouth the next day.”

After running fifth on the first day of the two day meeting Williams heard firsthand what driver Derek Jones thought of her chances in the $5,000 cup carded on the second day.

“I was driving her round the birdcage and Jan was beside some old dears who were good friends of Derek’s and he was telling them that the mare he was driving would go alright. She ended up winning in a track record time. She held the record for about seven years. She was a pretty good start for us in the industry.”

The progeny of Just Lucky continued to provide the Williams with a list of moderate performers all by Majestic Chance including Robstar (2 wins), Vendetta (4 wins), Spuytin Duyril (1 win) and Beretta (2 wins).

She also left Jan’s Chance which was sold as a raffle prize and won twenty three races for Australian trainer Keith Addison including the Group One Queensland Oaks.

One of Just Lucky’s last foals was Lucky Boy (Armbro Del). Trained by Alan Devery he first showed potential when as a three year old be beat handy types in Rameses, Speedy Knight and King Farouk at Invercargill in December 1982. But it was as a four year old that he stamped himself as a quality pacer winning the 1983 DB Superstar Series final. He won a total of five races before being exported to America.

“He was the nicest one we bred. He wintered up at a place owned by Colin King at Lake Hauroko where the horse lived on the hill; feeding at the top and drinking at the bottom all winter without a cover. He came off the place looking like a seal and fit as a trout and that year he won the DB Superstars.”

As well as being William’s first winner in the big time, he also provided the family with a financial windfall.

“McArdle (Bob McArdle) just walked in here for lunch one day - pulled a cheque out of his pocket and said that’s for Lucky Boy. That was it. I’ve never seen a cheque as big - not for a horse. It was big money back then and it got us two thirds of a house in Queenstown.”

The house or crib is appropriately named Lucky Boy Lodge.

So once Lucky Chance finished her career she was sent to stud. And it was through her daughters Luckyship and Luckyship Two that this breed continued to flourish producing horses likes of Rocket Ship which won seven races here before he was exported to America.

“He won a race on Cup Day when most of the field had fallen over or had been brought down. There were only five left standing. Henry always had a guilty conscience about it but as I said it could have been us on the deck.”

Another noted winner from the family was Mr Williams. The talented but unsound gelding (Live Or Die – Lucky Chip) won eleven races in a restricted career.

“The late Murray Gray borrowed the mare and bred Mr Williams. I would never have named it that.”

So the pacing side of the breed continues on, and Crime Scene looks like the next smart one from this side of the Williams breeding story.

Switching gaits, the trotting part of the story also began in the 1970’s.

Foundation mare Princess Way (Keystone Way – Princess Wrack) was bred by Williams in 1974. She left handy trotters Arbitrator (Count Bay) 3 wins, Gregory Peter (Mister Hillis) 6 wins, Arlington (Yankee Jolter) 3 wins and Sundon’s Way (Sundon) 15 wins.

“We were the branding agents for the Southern area. I was branding mares and foals for Vic Bradley. We got talking so that’s how I got Princess Wrack. We got Princess Way out of her.”

Princess Way’s best racetrack performer was one of the early smart types by Canterbury stallion Sundon in Sundon’s Way.

His wins included the 1998 Interdominion Consolation in Sydney, 1998 Ashburton Flying Stakes in New Zealand Record time of 1.57.4, 1999 Bill Collins Mile in Melbourne, two Interdominion Heats in Auckland in 1999 and the 1999 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup at Addington.

But it was one of Princess Way’s daughters that Williams had the most success with.

Whizz Way (Gee Whiz II) won four races for Southland trainer Maurice Skinner and it was her match with Sundon in 2005 that produced William’s best trotter Idid It Myway.

He had high speed and started his career with Invercargill trainer Jeff Williams, winning six races before Colin and Julie De Filippi won a further six with the gelding. He finished his career with Paul Nairn winning his last races from that stable.

Other good winners out of the mare include Any Old Way (7 wins) and Appian Way (6 wins).

Over the years as a vet Peter Williams has operated on thousands on horses in both codes. But one story stands out.

“We did a tie back wind operation on one horse and a split pastern on its close relation and they dead-heated in a race at Wyndham one day.”

The horses were Forest Eagle (Pass With Care – Charlotte’s Sister) trained by George Bennett and Miss Priscilla (Admiral Halsey – Young Charlotte) trained by Peter Davis. Charlotte’s Sister and Young Charlotte were full sisters, both being by Young Charles out of Glenmuick.

In 2017 Peter Williams will have clocked up 50 years as a vet; a record he’s proud of. He still attends galloping meetings as the race course vet but that will end next year once the half century ticks over.

Regardless of being retired he still gets the call ups in times of need.

“I was out this morning sewing up a horse that had been in a fence. I have one or two mares that people want to get served at home, so I do some work like that.”

The number of broodmares he’s breeding from is small these days and the number of race horses with the PFB Williams and Mrs JT Williams name on the ownership line has also reduced, but there’s still a few around. Enough to keep him glued to Trackside.

And there’s a nice Angus Hall yearling heading to the Christchurch sales next year that’s got Peter enthused.

“He’s the prettiest horse I’ve ever bred.”

On the racing front he has a Pegasus Spur three year old out of Whizz Way (Right Way) and a two year old by the same sire called Helluva Way.

I’ll Do It My Way (Sundon) is on the comeback trail for Ryal Bush trainer Nathan Williamson. She won a race last year in her first season racing.

He still owns a share in Any Old Way which is trained by Paul Nairn and was a buy back at the yearling sales.

“Paul said if you don’t get a certain amount for him buy him back and I’ll go you halves. Since then we’ve sold half of our share so we have a quarter share in him.”

On the bigger stage Alley Way still holds an interest. He’s out of No Way, a daughter of Whizz Way and was bred by Neville Skinner.

“We went turn about with the foals out of Whizz Way for a while.”

The only pacing mare he still has an interest in is Falcon Avenue.

The Williams breeding story is definitely not finished, but there’s a bit less to do, and more time to enjoy the grand-kids at Lucky Boy Lodge for Peter and Jan.

This article is an excerpt from the Breeders Weekly;Click here to view:https://goo.gl/S63uWuClick here to Subscribe:http://goo.gl/ChhTSoClick here to view all issues:http://goo.gl/hS2ETy

Monbet and Adore Me have represented their respective mothers on the grandest of stages

To lose one was unfortunate but to lose two grand mares so close together was a tragedy. One a pacing mare of outstanding all round ability, the other a trotting mare whose one hundred percent record could have been the start of something just as special: SCUSE ME and DIEDRE DARLING are major losses to our breeding industry.

Scuse Me

Whilst the 23yo Scuse Me’s breeding career was drawing to a close, her loss was still unexpected. Her impact on the breeding scene has been immense. She over recent years been the mare of the moment—the hottest breeding proposition in NZ. Over the past couple of decades, the immediate family includes horses of the calibre of Christen Me, Adore Me, Have Faith In Me, Dream About Me, Imagine Me, Hands Christian to name but a few.

While Mark Purdon bred her, Woodlands Stud supremo Charles Roberts is prominent as breeder of all her foals as well as being involved in the breeding/ownership of a number of the family offspring. Scuse Me by BGs Bunny/Super Smooth by Smooth Fella, from USA family of Nora by Glencoe, was the first foal of her dam. Winning eight of her 25 starts (1:53.5, $126,841) including Great Northern Oaks, two Hydroflow 3yo Fillies heats, Elliott Futurity Stakes heat and Taylor Mile in which she established a New Zealand record 1:53.5 for a mile, remains the Alexandra Park mile record and equal fastest MR at Auckland ((Besotted, 1:53.5, 1700m). Major placings included thirds in Ladyship Stakes, Elliott Futurity final, GN Breeders 4YO Stakes; fourths in NZYSS - 3f, NZ Messenger; fifth in NZ Oaks

Producing sixteen foals, 12 to race for 12 consecutive winners, she achieved breeding glory with awards including being named 2012/13 and 2014/15 NZ Broodmare of Year, NZSBA Broodmare of Excellence Award in 2013 and North Island Broodmare of Year in 2016. Her second foal Splendid Dreams was named 2015/6 NZ Broodmare of Year while in 2015 she was North Island Broodmare of Year.

Scuse Me’s male progeny included;

Have Faith In Me, 1:47.5, Australasian all comers record set in 2016 Miracle Mile, millionaire, winner of 14 of 26 starts, NZSS - 3, GN/NZ Derbies, Jewels Emerald [first horse to achieve four Group One’s at three], Auckland Cup, Chariots Of Fire, Miracle Mile, Pacer of YearMegabucks, 1:49.3US at Colonial DownsToledo, NZYSS Aged Pace

It is however Scuse Me’s fillies that have taken prominence including:

Adore Me, 1:47.7, fastest mare in Southern Hemisphere, winning Ladyship Mile at Menangle on Interdominion Grand Final day; millionaire, 12 Group Ones, five Group Two’s, three Group Threes; winner 11 of 12 three year old starts; won 28 of 36 starts; GN/NZ Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, NZSS - 3f, Jewels Diamond (twice), Queen Of Hearts (twice), NZ Breeders Stakes, NZ/Easter Cups, Ladyship Mile, NZ 3yo filly Pacer of Year/twice NZ 4yo+ Pacing mare of Year, Australian 4yo+ Pacing mare of Year, Australasian Grand Circuit Pacing Runner Up (to Christen Me)Imagine Me, NI Breeders StakesSplendid Dreams, sub two minute winner, dam of;

Christen Me, 1:49.1, double millionaire, winner of 32 races, Chariots Of Fire, Taylor Mile, Messenger, Jewels Emerald, Hunter/Victoria/Auckland/Easter Cups, NZFFA, Miracle Mile, twice Grand Circuit champion. Pacer/Harness Horse of YearHands Christian, 1:52.5, Easter CupAliante, $103,000 from 30 starts including 8 wins

Dream About Me, 1:53.3, three quarters million in stakes, won first 12 successive races, currently winner of 16 of 19 starts, 2yo filly - NZSS, Jewels - Diamond, Breeders Crown, NZ/Australian filly of year; 3yo filly - NZ/NSW Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, NZ 3yo filly of yearSplendid Deal, dam of;

Maxim, NZSS - 2c, VIC DerbySplendour, Gold Coast Oaks

Minor winners from Scuse Me –Le Filou (winner, dam of three winners); Coca

Vicola (winner); Pardin Me (NZ winner, 10 WA/1 Gloucester Park); Abide With Me (4 wins); Idolise Me (3 NZ wins, 1 Australia); Ohoka Jett (winner).

Diedre Darling

In contrast to Scuse Me, Diedre Darling’s breeding career was in its relatively early stages. The one race winning daughter of Sundon/Diedres Pride by Game Pride, had left four foals, all of them boys, so tragically no filly to carry on the bloodlines that were brought to New Zealand by Sir Roy McKenzie.

Bred by Sir Roy McKenzie, Diedre Darling (USA family of Lizzie Witherspoon) was a winner for Sir Roy from Fred Fletcher’s stable with grandson Sam Smolenski being her successful driver. Acquired to breed from by Greg and Nina Hope, Deidre Darling struck the double in our most recently completed season (2015/6) taking out both the New Zealand Breeders award for Trotting Broodmare of Year and the Canterbury Standardbred Breeders Association award for Trotting Broodmare of the Year. Both these awards were primarily due to the deeds of her third foal and 4yo Trotting Entire or Gelding of Year, Trotter of Year and New Zealand Harness Horse of Year at the 2016 NZ Harness Racing Awards in Monbet.

Monbet, Love You’s Australasian standout trotter, has been a sterling performer for owners Greg/Nina Hope and Morrie Molloy, last season being the winner of seven Group 1 races, one Group 2, one Group 3 and other feature races in his thirteen wins from 15 Australasian starts.. Already this season, his three starts have yielded a win in Ashburton Trotters Mile (T1:55.2), NZ Trotting FFA in a NZ record time of T2:21.7/T1:56.9 and Dominion Hcp in NZ record time of T4:00.7/t2:01.0 (last eight wins consecutively) taking his career stats to 34 starts, 23 wins, 5 placings for stakes over $760,000 (T1:55.2NZ/T1:59.6AUS). His major wins have included Jewels - 2T/4T, NZ Trotting FFA (twice), National Trot, NZ and AUST Trotting Championships, Rowe/Anzac Cups, Dominion Hcp, Trotter and Harness Horse of Year.

Diedre Darling’s other three foals include two winners in [Sir] Donaldson (7NZ/3 Menangle wins, T2:00.0AUS, $122,194), Conway (2 wins, T2:08.6, $14,685) and an as yet unregistered Muscle Hill half brother to Monbet.

Peter Craig