Season 2020/2021 saw a continuation of excellence in the trotting broodmare ranks which were acknowledged at the annual NZB Standardbred Harness Racing Awards evening held in the Christian Cullen/Terror To Love Lounges at Addington Raceway on Saturday 5 March 2022 with Stardon named Trotting Broodmare of the Year.
STARDON (1997f Sundon/Chiquita Dee; family of Brown Beard U310) : three race winner, T2:09.3, $11,776; seven foals, three raced, two winners, one in T1:57.0. Stardon was bred by Colin Hair, also breeder of all her progeny.
| DOB | FOAL/WINS BY LOCATION | NZ | G/T | MR | $ |
| 2006 | Latent (g Earl) | 2 | 2 | T2:06.8 | 21,853 |
| 2014 | Sundees Son (g Majestic Son) | 27 | 27 | T1:56.4 | 999,667 |
| 2016 | Tamenund (g Majestic Son) | 0 | 0 | T2:16.1q | 190 |
| Total foals : | 25 | 51 | $1.020m+ |
Stardon’s three wins were at Addington, Waterlea and Richmond Raceways, placing second twice from twenty one starts for Colin Hair, HRNZ Board member/Finance Chair and Chairman of the NZ Standardbred Breeders Association. Stardon was trained by Bevan Heron and driven by David Butt in her placed performances. Her wins were recorded in a two week/five start period in June 2012.
Stardon’s dam Chiquita Dee, bred by the Dickie’s was a non-winning but twice placed trotter from seven starts, qualifying in T2:11.7 at Alexandra Park in September 1991 for Steven Argue. The dam of nine foals, of which Stardon was her fourth foal, Chiquita Dee had seven foals to race for six winners and a placed trotter.
Other winners included her final foal Uncas, bred and raced by Colin Hair, ten NZ wins (four Addington, one Alexandra Park), T2:02.0, $113,102, second Jewels Ruby – 5T, six AUS wins (five Melton), 1:57.9AUS, $63,496AUS, third APG Trotters Cup; Kaimata Echo, five NZ/one VIC wins, T2:06.8, dam of winner Dancing Cossack, two wins, T2:10.9AUS; Top Chief, three wins, T2:06.1; Sunana Asset, twenty two race winner in Australia, T2:01.5, $139,913, VIC Trotters Derby (heat), QLD Darrell Alexander Memorial; Golland, one win, T2:11.3; and Lara Lass, twice placed trotter, dam of four foals including three win trotter (two Addington) Yuri, bred by Colin Hair and raced with his wife Nancy, T2: 05.1, $26,234. Stardon together with Golland and Kaimata Echo are Chiquita Dee’s only filly foals.
Unraced Grand dam Marlene Dee left thirteen live foals, eight raced for seven winners, two qualifiers. Apart from Chiquita Dee these included winning producing fillies :
Classic Dee, six race winner, T2:08.6, $16,177, dam of ten live foals, seven raced, all winners including Kipper Dee, fifteen wIns (fourteen Alexandra Park), T2:04.5, $135,526, Thames Trotting Cup, second Inter – Island Stakes, third Lion Red Challenge Stakes; Cautious Spirit, four NZ wins (three Alexandra Park), T2:06.5, NA winner T1:55.3US, $142,731; Classic Wizzer Dee, eight two/three year old NZ wins (three Alexandra Park), T2:05.7, NA winner T2:02.3US, $51,711, second NZ Trotting Stakes – 3T, third NZ Trotting Stakes – 2T; Taylamade Dee, six wins (three Alexandra Park), T2:05.7, $42,164, third GN Breeders Stakes, dam of winner Ruby Ridge
Crystal Dee, four win mare (three Alexandra Park), T2:07.5, $19,738, dam of eight live foals, seven raced for six winners including Classical Whiz, seven wins (four Alexandra Park), T1:59.0, $61,955, Cambridge Trotters Mile, fourths Rosso Antico Stakes – 3T, Challenge Stakes; Gwens Whiz, five wins, (four Alexandra Park), T2:07.1, $44,290; three race winners Shebar Invasion T2:08.8 and Shebar Spider T2:06.8, minor winner producing fillies Nimble Trotter and Gwens invasion
Philipponnat, three wins (two Alexandra Park), T2:08.9, $16,443
Male progeny Karapiro Lad, three NZ/one VIC wins, T2:07.0, $14,774; JK Dee, seven wins (five Alexandra Park), T2:06.6, $59,062; Springfield Dee, six win gelding in Australia (five SA/three Globe Derby; one VIC), T2:09.5, $14,962 and My Banjo Boy, four wins (three Alexandra Park), T2:07.4, $33,168
Stardon’s third dam was Gay Marlene, the winner of five (two Alexandra Park), T2:13.5, $7,590, dam of five foals, three raced, all winners including :
Chief Dee, seven NZ wins, T2:08.5NZ, NA winner T2:02.0, $144,683, Cambridge Trotting Stakes – 3T
Navi Dee, two wins, T2:12.0, $3,605, dam of eleven foals, five winners including Game Dee, one NZ/seven AUS wins (five NSW/two SA), T2:06.3, $27,513, SA Bernie McCue Memorial; (Our) Navys Pride, three NZ/five VIC wins, T2:07.7AUS, $36,088, Warragul/Wedderburn Trotters Cups; Yankee Dee, three wins, T2:10.6, $13,475; Rebel Dee, three NZ/two VIC wins, T2:09.6, $19,485; Naviho, four NZ wins, T2:01.4US, $21,453
Thriller Dee, outstanding trotting mare of late nineteen seventies/early eighties. The winner of twenty four races (fourteen Alexandra Park; two Addington), T1:57.8TT (NZ mile record mares/overall), $120,310; winner at three of NZ Trotting/Rosso Antico Stakes (now GN/NZ Trotters Derbies), Cambridge Trotting Stakes, Scan Carrier Stakes, NZ 3yo Trotter/Filly Trotter of year; Rhodes/Cambridge Trotters Miles, Morrinsville Trotters Cup twice, NZ Trotting FFA, ID Trotters heat; seconds Dominion Hcp, National Trot twice, Cambridge Trotters Mile, Lyell Creek Stakes; thirds NZ Trotting FFA, Rowe Cup. Thriller Dee was the dam of eight foals, four raced, three winners including :
Disco Dee, two NZ/VIC wins, T2:08.6, $19,690
Jid Boy Dee, four wins, T2:09.3, $25,372
five win mare Star Of Dee, T2:06.8, $23,936; and unraced fillies
Jaynie Dee, dam of three winners including Sunshield, five wins T2:02.1
Pride Of Dee, dam of twelve foals all but final foal bred by Carl Middleton’s Millburn Farm Ltd, eight raced for seven winners including :
Aces Noble, ten AUS wins (eight VIC/two WA), T2:05.3, $41,855
Purple Passion, five wins, T2:05.3, $21,840
Who Indeed, winner T2:10.6, $7,338, dam of Cutie Patoosie, four NZ/two Albion Park wins, T2:03.5AUS, $28,943; Millburn Madonna, two NZ wins, T2:06.7, $11,438, dam of Express Yourself, eight AUS wins, T2:04.4, $58,644
Millburn Thriller, unraced dam of four winners including five win mare Bergen, T2:07.3, $17,989, dam of Miss Adelade, nineteen AUS wins (fifteen QLD, two VIC, two NSW), T2:00.0, $113,838, third NSW/VIC Trotters Oaks, dam of Empire Bay, twenty four AUS wins (eighteen Menangle/seven QLD/six Albion Park, T1:55.7, $269,401, NSW – 2T, Foundation Series – 3T, Redcliffe/Bulli Trotters Cups; Two Moons, five wins, T2:03.1, $26,165; Millsun, four NZ wins, T2:00.4US, $23,435
Lady Odette, three wins, T2:08.2, $13,305, dam of five winners including Charlemagne, sixteen wins (six Alexandra Park), T1:55.9, $278,678, Jewels Rubies at four and five, third Lyell Creek Stakes; Continental Pride, three NZ/five Menangle wins, T1:59.7AUS, $68,889; Ode To Success, three NZ/three Albion Park wins, T1:59.1AUS, $30,689; Earls Lady, seven wins, T2:05.1, $50,824
(Oh) Yes Indeed, one NZ/seven AUS (six VIC/one SA) wins, T2:05.2AUS, $57,750, VIC Lightfoot Laurels; dam of seven winners including Anywhere Hugo, eleven VIC/seven Melton wins T1:57.8, $184,000, Holmfield/VICSS – 3T; The Boss Man, twenty VIC wins/seven Melton, T1:58.6, $265,714, Bendigo Classic – 3T, Yarra Valle/Horsham/ Charlton/Cobram Trotters Cups, Coulter Crown, Central VIC Trotting Championship; Whos The Man, nine VIC wins, T1:59.9, $60,620, second APG – 3T
and unraced winner producing filly Tough Dee, dam of two winners Princess Dee and Otis.
Stardon’s female tail line continues back to North American foundation mare Brown Beard who was thought to be a pacer, however this a strong family of trotting descendants. The family line descends through Gay Tune (descendants include Gay Marlene and Top Tune, Timaru Challenge Stakes); Gay Song (extensive family including trotter Carmen Suva grand dam of Suvarno Hanover, Southland Oaks; Gay Hunting dam of ID pacing heat winner Ao Marama; grand dam of Scots Wha Hae, Helium AUST Trotters Championship; third dam of Easter Cup winner Blue Chip Rock; fourth dam of VIC Trotters Derby winner Sunset Invasion, Rosies Ideal Westbred Classic), Lady Ashton, Annie Bells McKinney (fifth dam of Slane Cambridge Trotters Mile, Ruling River), Beautiful Bells (dam of trotter Nighborn), Picnic Palm (third dam of Dominion Hcp winner Olive Nelson; Bingen Palm), Puela (dam of NZ Cup winner Belmont M; Aust pacing record holder Almont and extensive family of winners and winning producers) and Woodburn Maid (grand dam of Aust champion trotter Fritz). Stardon is twelve removes from foundation mare Brown Beard.
Stardon’s male progeny include :
Latent, second foal, two win Earl gelding, at Cambridge for Foxton trainer Peter Scaife and driver Zachary Butcher
Sundees Son, fifth foal, six year old gelded son of Majestic Son, is already twice NZ Trotter of Year (2018/19 and 2020/21) and 2019 Australasian Trotting Masters champion, his career record stands at sixty one starts, twenty seven victories, five seconds and six thirds, T1:56.4 (2200mM), $999,667 and about to become Australasia’s tenth trotting millionaire.
At two Sundees Son won his first two career starts at Addington but proceeded to blow all his three group juvenile races by breaking ; 7 : 2 – 0 – 1, $13,550, T2:01.5 (1950mM).
Continuing in a similar vein at three with a further two victories, winning his first three year start on NZ Cup Day over 2600m stand and later in the season in June at Alexandra Park. In between he finished third in GN Trotters Derby with fifth placings in Hambletonian Classic, NZ Trotters Derby and Harness Ruby; 15: 2 – 1 – 3, $47,058, T2:04.8 (2600m stand).
Sundees Son really hit his straps as a four year old, a season which he achieved Trotter Of Year and Australasian Trotting Masters Champion as a result of three Group One victories in ANZAC/Rowe Cups and four year old Harness Ruby at Addington. Again beginning this season with wins at Ashburton and Addington; duplicated in mid-season with further wins at both Ashburton and Addington (twice); second in NZ Trotting Championship before his northern assault taking out the ANZAC/Rowe Cup double in consecutive weeks. This really heralded the arrival of Sundees Son in the trotting big league. Rounding out his 4yo season with his Harness Ruby victory at Addington at Queens Birthday weekend. 13 : 8 – 1 – 0. $245,664, T1:58.0 (1980mM).
A shortened five year old season of only six starts netted two victories, maintaining his record of success in his first seasonal start, again with another Addington win which was followed up with the first of three consecutive Ordeal Trotting Cup victories (2019, 2020, and 2021). Following these two wins were unplaced runs in the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup, Ashburton Flying Mile (disqualified from fourth for breaking inside final 200m) and NZ Trotting FFA which led to a lengthy break before a fourth placing on the final night of the 2019/20 season at Addington; 6 : 2 – 0 – 0, $27,340, T1:59.7 (2600mM).
As a six year old during the 2020/21 season, Sundees Son proved to be NZ trotting’s standout performer with multiple group one victories and leading trotting stake earner, $415,792, T1:56.4 (2200mM, his best mile rate to date). The winner of seven races and placed twice from eleven starts including four group ones – premier double of Dominion Hcp/Rowe Cup plus National Trot and ANZAC Cup. Other major group race victories were Lyell Creek Stakes, Ordeal (first seasonal start)/Canterbury Park Trotting Cups with seconds in NZ Trotting Championship and Waikato Mile.
Sundees Son set three NZ records during the 2020/21 season : overall trotter’s records for 2200m mobile T2:39.1 Alexandra Park, 3200m stand T4:00.5 Addington and 4yo and older horses and geldings record for 2700m mobile T3:20.3 Alexandra Park. He claimed his second Australasian Pacing Gold Trotting Masters race series in 2021 with 300 points (Majestic Man 241, Bolt For Brilliance points, Tornado Valley 103, Maori Law 100). Awarded five year old and older Trotting Entire or Gelding of Year, Trotter of Year and Harness Horse of Year at 2021 HRNZ Awards ceremony.
The 2021 transitional season from August to December saw Sundees Son salute the judge on four occasions – Dominion Hcp in NZ record time of 3:56.6 for 3200m, Ordeal/Canterbury Park Trotting Cups; thirds in Basil Dean FFA (first seasonal start and first non-win in opening seasonal start) and South Bay Cup.
At seven in 2022, to date he has raced on three occasions for victories in Central Otago FFA and Southern Lights Trot; second in Lyell Creek Stakes.
Trained throughout his career by Robert Dunn and driven by eldest son John for owners Colin and Nancy Hair with training effectively taking place at the Woodend property of John and Jenna Dunn (joint official partnership of Robert and Jenna Dunn from 1 August 2021).
Tamenund, sixth foal, T2:16.1Q, $190 unplaced in one 3yo career start at Alexandra Park
Stardon’s fillies include :
Malbec, Stardon’s first foal, unraced dam of one foal, Valley Star, seven win The Pres gelding, three at Addington, T2:02.7NZ, $68,048, one AUS win
Sunnys Sister, Majestic Son yearling filly, latest progeny of Stardon
Peter Craig
8 March 2022
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