By Matt Markham
Champion racemare, Adore Me, has become a mother for the first time.
The New Zealand Trotting Cup winning mare foaled a healthy filly by American stallion, Sweet Lou in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Based at Woodlands Stud in Auckland, Adore Me was initially said to be heading to Christian Cullen for her first mating, but issues there meant she was instead sent to Sweet Lou, who carries the moniker – The Great White Blaze, due to his distinctive markings.
Woodlands Sales, Marketing and Racing manager, Charlotte Mooney said there was a real buzz about the place with the arrival of the royally bred filly.
“Everyone is really excited about it,” she said.
“To have a foal on the ground by Sweet Lou out of a mare of the calibre of Adore Me is great.”
Mooney said the most pleasing aspect of the whole experience was that Adore Me had taken to motherhood very well.
“She’s being a great Mum and is more like an old pro than a first time mother.
“The foal is in great health and order too, so it’s a very exciting time for us.”
Adore Me’s owners, Paul and Mary Kenny are currently in Franco holidaying but were told of the news at the first possible opportunity while their co-owner, Woodlands Stud principal and harness racing great, Charlie Roberts was also told early on Tuesday morning and was said to be delighted by the news.
There has been no talk of a name for the filly yet, although social media reports are identifying her stable name as Renee.
It’s the first foal for Adore Me who was the winner of 26 of her 36 career starts with earnings over and above $1,670,000.
She set harness racing down under alight when she won the 2015 Ladyship Mile at Menangle – pacing 1:47.7 an Australasian record for a mile and the fastest time by a mare over the distance on a track of less than one mile.
Her Australasian record stood until earlier this year when her close relation, Have Faith In Me paced 1:47.5 to win the Miracle Mile.
The Kennys’ and Roberts are yet to announce who Adore Me will be mated with, or if she will be bred from at all, in the upcoming breeding season.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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