The third in a series of articles reviewing full brothers with 20 or more offspring {worldwide} as shown on the Classic Families (CF) database.
Two brothers who both stood in NZ and produced Australian bred winners with reasonable success were EAGLE ARMBRO (1961) and ARMBRO HURRICANE (1964) – Tar Heel/Dotties Pick. Imported from USA, by top race horse and sire Tar Heel (35 wins from 60 starts), out of multiple world record holder Dotties Pick (8 world records and 42 wins), these two brothers commenced stallion duties in NZ in the 1970’s. They were the result of a classic breeding cross, Tar Heel over an Adios mare. Eagle Armbro (2:03.0US) left 82 winners in NZ while in Australia, Armbro Jodie and Lucky Kiwi winners of the NSW Oaks were among his 38 winners. Broodmare sire of 81 in NZ this included Dick Prendergast’s leading trotter Simon Katz (Dominion Hcp, NZ Trotting FFA) while he had 76 credits in Australia. Armbro Hurricane (2:00.0US), a two minute 2yo, left several speedy young horses among his 223 NZ bred winners including Hurrania (NZ Oaks), Hybrow, Lancia, Rustic Zephyr (NZ Derby); 13 AUS breds and nine in North America giving 245 in all. Dam sire of classy pacer Aqua Caliente (NZFFA, Messenger) trained by Peter Wolfenden, Gay Boyden (WA Derby), Morgan James (multiple WA feature race winner) and The Suleiman (Tas Pacing C/S), his broodmare sire credits totaled 253 in NZ and 104 in Australia.
REGAL YANKEE (1961)/SELECT YANKEE (1965) – Tar Heel/Jean Adios. These brothers were the result of Tar Heel being crossed with an Adios mare. Standing at stud in NZ, Regal Yankee (2:01.0US) produced 121 winners with a further two born in Australia and three in United Kingdom. His standouts included Ladys Rule (NZ Oaks), Nimble Yankee and being dam sire of 144 in NZ and 29 in Australia including So Long Eden (Rowe Cup) and champion Western Australian pacer Village Kid (1:55.5, $2m, 4 WA Cup’s equaling Pure Steel’s record, Hunter Cup, ID Pacing Grand Final, Miracle Mile twice, Truer Memorial, Aust Pacing Championship, Fremantle Cup twice, twice Grand Circuit and Australian Harness Horse of Year). Select Yankee (2:01.4US) was a successful stallion siring 121 Australian winners and 135 worldwide (USA/UK) being dam sire of 132 in Australia including Lady Allora (VIC/TAS Oaks).
TRUE DUANE (1962)/DUKE DUANE (1966) – Duane Hanover/Truella Chief. True Duane (1:56.4US) was a winner of Canadian Prix d’Ete together with numerous other features in a four season campaign. Standing initially in North Australia before coming to Australia, he sired 256 winners (81 Australia) including Trudy Duane (VIC Oaks), True Delight (Truer Memorial) and champion trotter True Roman (AUST Trotting Championship, ID Trotters Grand Final, Dullard Cup twice). As a broodmare sire, he left 73 winners (69 AUS, 4 NZ) plus Final Cheers (USA Pacing Classic), Our Jude (Fan Hanover). Duke Duane (1:59.3US), standing in Australia left 83 winners (1 born in NZ) including The Yank (NSW Sapling) and 101 broodmare sire credits (better class pacers Nikalong Shadow, On Parade).
BRAVADO HANOVER (1963)/BERRY HANOVER (1969) – Tar Heel/Bertilde Hanover. These brothers (51 Tar Heel sons sent Down Under) were another example of Tar Heel over an Adios mare breeding cross. Older brother Bravado Hanover (2:07.0US) purchased by Noel Simpson was leading 2yo sire (stakes basis) in Australia in 1972/3. Riverlea Jack (VIC SS – 3c, VIC Bicentennial Challenge, QLD Winter Cup), was his best performer among 223 winning progeny in Australia along with Flying Heel (NSW Breeders Plate, SA Derby), John Oliver (NSW Breeders Plate), Pride of Hilary (Tatlow Memorial – 2c), dam sire of 385 (371 Australia) worldwide. At the time the highest priced and arguably best performed stallion imported into NZ, Berry Hanover (1:57.4US) stood at Nandina Stud. The sire of 169 pacing winners in NZ and a further 8 Australian bred winners, he is best known as dam sire of champion [Roy/Barry Purdon trained] pacer Christopher Vance (1:54.6, $1.7m, GN Derby, Messenger, AK Cup, Miracle Mile, NZ Cup/FFA), Mark Purdon trained Sharp and Telford (AK Cup, AUS/VIC Derbies), Tony Milina trained Elmer Gantry (Honda Cars 2000), Alert Fella(Messenger) who were among his 217 NZ dam sire credits (further 44 in Australia).
TUDOR HANOVER (1964)/TYROS HANOVER (1965) – Tar Heel/Time Wave. A successful son of Tar Heel, Tudor Hanover (2:00.4US) was purchased on the recommendation of leading US horseman Billy Haughton, having been bred by world renowned Hanover Shoe Farms. A leading North Island sire for many years, he topped the NZ sires list in 1980/81. His 167 NZ winners (4 Australia, 4 United Kingdom) included the “Queen of the North” Delightful Lady (2 AK Cups, NZ Breeders Stakes, 5 NI Breeders Stakes), Gymea Gold/Precious Sally (GN Oaks), John Tudor (Messenger). Tudor Hanover was dam sire of 218 in NZ and 61 in Australia including Big Bucks (NSW Oaks), Hammer (NZSS -2c), Silk Brocade (Ladyship Mile), Slugger (NZ 2yo Championship), Smooth Falcon (Vic Derby). Full brother Tyros Hanover (2:01.2US), won 20 races and was a successful sire in Australia (predominantly Tasmania) of 147 winners. The best of these were Melfield Tyros (TAS Derby), Star Of Broadway (TAS Pacing Championship). As a dam sire he produced 107 winners including Joesashyguy (TAS Derby), Kanungra Koala (NSW Oaks).
CARD SHARK (1967)/RAJAH LOBELL (1971) – Overtrick/Reba Frisco. Card Shark (2:13.0US) was a very modest performer in North America before arriving in New Zealand. He sired 81 winners (55 NZ, 25 AUS, 1 UK) which included Captain Clive and Johnny Balbao with 62 dam sire credits (55 NZ, 7 AUS), Calvary Man (Westport Cup) and Armani (Nyah/Kapunda/Murray Bridge Cups). Rajah Lobell (unraced), was imported to Australia after first serving mares in Wales when in quarantine. His early success from limited opportunities in Victoria led to a leading UK farm purchasing him and taking him back to Wales where he was leading sire of winners in UK for nine seasons (1987 – 1994, 1996 equal). His 139 winners worldwide (46 Australia, balance UK) included UK Group One winners Southlands Albatross (UK SS – 2c/3c/4yo, National Pacing Futurity – 2, European Pacing Classic – 3), Arfer Lobell/Friscoll Lobell/Stoneriggs In Time (UK SS – 2c), McGuigan (UK SS – 3c), Harriett Lobell (UK SS – 3f), Flag Forever/Noble Hill (UK National Pacing Derby), Stoneriggs Flyer (National Pacing Futurity – 2) and European mile pacing record holder Stoneriggs JR (1:55.7, held 1994 – 2010). He had 35 broodmare siring credits in Australia plus numerous in United Kingdom.
KNOWING BRET (1969)/KNOWING FAME (1970) – Bret Hanover/Worth Knowing. A son of sensational racehorse (winner 62 of 68 starts, 35 consecutive)/sire Bret Hanover (Adios), Knowing Bret (1:57.4USTT) scored eleven victories at two and raced successfully until six. Standing in Southland, he produced 247 winners in NZ with a further 8 winners foaled in Australia. Offspring included Josephine Bret (NZ/Southland Oaks), Night Allowance (ID Trotters Grand Final), Tuapeka Star (Tatlow Memorial – 2f, Ladyship Mile). Dam sire credits of 309 in NZ and a further 46 in Australia included Iraklis (1:54.2, $1m, NZ Cup/FFA, Miracle Mile), Ermis, Matthew Lee (Easter Cup). Knowing Fame, a two minute miler at three, stood successfully at stud in Australia producing 111 winners including Quite Famous (1:55.9TT, TAS Pacing C/S), with 140 broodmare sire credits.
ENTREPRENEUR (1969)/TARPORT LOW (1971) – Bye Bye Byrd – Tarport Rose. These two full siring brothers are grandsons of Betty Adios, first of her sex to pace under two minutes. They were among a number of Bye Bye Byrd stallions to grace the Australian breeding scene (Nardins Byrd, Bye And Large, Bye Bye Sam as examples). Entrepreneur recorded a then phenomenal time of 1:56 4/5 as a two year old in USA, winning seven races. He stood at Lemon Tree Stud producing 271 winners in Australia (419 worldwide), many successful at the trotting gait. His winners included Dark Edge (AUST Trotters Championship), Hyperstat (VIC SS – 3f/4m), Imprimatar (NSW Derby, Fremantle Cup), La Bay (VIC SS – 3c), Dusty Preneur (NSW Breeders Plate – 2), Maori Princess (VIC SS – 3T), Miss Excellence (NSW Trotters Derby), Preuz Amara (VIC SS – 4h). Entrepreneur was leading broodmare sire of trotters in Australia in 2004 and 2005, his 295 credits include Fionas Flairs progeny A Touch Of Flair (T1:52.3US, VIC Trotters Derby, Dullard Cup twice, AUST Trotting Grand Prix), Mighty Maori (VIC SS – 4T), Son Of Flair (VIC SS – 3T, VIC Trotters Derby), Sumthingaboutmaori (AUST Trotting Grand Prix, SA Trotters Cup, ID Trotters Grand Final), as well as Twebby Twotter (VIC/NSW Trotters Oaks). Tarport Low (1:56.3USTT) won the Batavia Downs 3yo colt Stakes before arriving in Australia where he sired 179 winners including Carome Julie (VIC Oaks) and Jasmarilla (VIC SS 2f/3f, Aust 2yo record of 1:57.7TT). Broodmare sire of 291 winners including Nicholas Branch (VIC SS – 2c, Kilmore Cup) and Vought (TAS Pacing Championship).
SMOOTH FELLA (1973)/MOST CHANCE (1974)/HAPPY TALK (1975) – Most Happy Fella/Smooth Talk. The brothers sire Most Happy Fella, was by boom sire Meadow Skipper, one of the breeds greatest sons. Meadow Skipper sons (led by Cam Fella) and daughters were to dominate the track and the breeding barns throughout North America and Australasia. The brother’s maternal grandsire Adios Butler completed the coveted Triple Crown (Cane Pace, Little Brown Jug, Messenger Stakes). Smooth Talk, their dam was a full sister to Honest Story (1:55.2TTUS).
Smooth Fella (1:58.3US) was a top Grand Circuit performer in USA, winning five of his sixteen starts including Lawrence Sheppard – 2c and Reynolds Memorial – 3c. He proved an exceptional stallion in NZ with ‘a high winners to foals’ percentage. Often leading sire at yearling sales (top sale and averages), Smooth Fella holds the record for the highest priced yearling at a NZ standardbred sale, $340,000 – Roydon Reign (Smooth Fella/Roydon Dream filly) offered at 1987 Premier Sale by Roydon Lodge. Roydon Dream was a future Broodmare of the Year and dam of Roydon Glen (sire of Lyell Creek), brother of Roydon Reign and Roydon Scott.
Leading sire once on stakes (1984/5, from only five crops) and winners (1986/7) and leading broodmare sire twice (stakes and winners), Smooth Fella maintained a high overall position on the siring charts throughout his career. He had 809 winners in NZ, 62 when standing in Australia for Alabar (Windshield Wiper stood in NZ by way of a swap) and all told 881 winners worldwide. Smooth Fella was the first NZ based sire at age fifteen with eight crops racing to leave 100 two minute performers (Marsa Star number 100). Other star performers included Fellas Pride (NSW Derby), Morano Magic (WA Golden Nugget), Rainbow Fella (GN Derby(, Roydon Glen (GN Derby, Messenger, AK Cup), Smooth Dave (WA Derby), Smooth Falcon (VIC Derby), Smooth Gretna (GN Oaks), Tuapeka Knight (NZSS – 2c).
Damsire credits tallied 1,029 NZ and 433 Australian bred including Alta Serena (Nevele R Fillies, Easter Cup), Anvil Vance/Baileys Dream (Easter Cup), Divisive (VIC/NSW/AUS/TAS Derbies, Taylor Mile, Miracle Mile), Ginger Man (NZ/GN/QLD Derbies, Chariots of Fire), Jack Cade (NZSS – 3c, NZ Derby, NZFFA), Just An Excuse (Taylor Mile, Messenger, 2 NZ Cups, NZFFA), Monkey King ($3m+, 1:50.8, GN Derby, Messenger, 2 Easter Cups/NZ Cups/NZFFA, AK Cup, Miracle Mile), Smooth Satin (NSW SS – 3, Ben Hur, Chariots of Fire, Miracle Mile, ID Pacing Grand Final). Most Chance (1:57.0US), stood at stud in Australia siring 165 winners (170 worldwide), 143 as broodmare sire including Las Vegas (NSW/SA Oaks, VIC SS – 3f/4m). Happy Talk (1:57.3US), standing at stud in South Australia left 182 winners,, Profile (SA Trotters Derby, Dullard Cup) as well as being dam sire of 113 including Hunter Cup winner Mont Denver Gold and No Frolicking (SA Oaks/Derby).
PLAT DU JOUR (1976)/FRENCH CHEF (1978) – Meadow Skipper/La Pomme Souffle. Further Meadow Skipper influence came from these brothers out of La Pomme Souffle, a maternal family full of trotting blood. Plat du Jour (1:59.0US) was the winner of 6 races including American National and Goshen (Historic) Cup at two. Initially standing at Sam Ballantyne’s Eastwood Lodge, Prebbleton, he had some fertility issues during his career but coped well with limited books before relocating to Australia. The sire of both good class pacers and trotters, among his 251 winners were Rosso Antico Stakes/now GN Trotters Derby winners (Bellam, French Accent, French Dynamite), Gee du Jour (Rowe Cup), Gina Rosa (GN Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, Breeders Stakes), Rostriever Hanover (Messenger, Nobilio Mile), The Suleiman (TAS Pacing Championship). As a broodmare sire his 214 NZ bred and 38 Australian bred winners included Gees Pride (Trotting Stakes -2T, NZSS -3T), Mac de Destroyer (1:49.4US, Taylor Mile). French Chef (1:54.0US) was USA 2yo C&G Pacer of Year winning the Kentucky Pacing Derby – 2c in the process. He was one of the best credentialed Meadow Skipper stallions exported to Southern Hemisphere (63 in total). He stood at stud in both NA and Australia (Lemon Tree Stud), died of twisted bowel after four years Down Under, sired 183 winners) siring 472 winners in total which included standouts in millionaire horses Beach Towel (covered in next article), Amity Chief (Messenger, Terrapin, USA/Canadian 3yo C&G of Year) and Frugal Gourmet (millionaire, Meadowlands Pace, Canadian Prix d’Ete, Provincial Cup) that stood a period in NZ as did Dancing Master (Cane Pace). Broodmare credits of 271 in Australia and 5 in NZ include About To Rock (Hunter Cup, Tas Pacing Championship), Arizona Jack (NA Cup, Oliver Wendell Holmes), La Mosca (SA Trotters Derby), Montana Anna (Vic Oaks), Our First Jewel (VIC SS 2/3T, NSW Trotters Derby, Dullard Cup), Sassy Sarah (SA Oaks, VIC SS – 4m, Ladyship Mile), Viva La Fever (Dullard Cup, VIC SS – 4T).
ARNDON (1979)/ROYDON BOY (1981) – Arnie Almahurst – Roydon Gal. From a regal trotting bred mare with which Sir Roy McKenzie/Roydon Lodge Stud had success, she left as well as Arndon and Roydon Boy, Aspiring Lass
All Action Girl, Simon Roydon, Roydon Lass and numerous superb descendants. Arndon (T1:54.0USTT) set his world record time as a three year old. He was trained by Delvin Miller and part owned by Sir Roy McKenzie. He won the Dickerson Cup, was a sire in North America before being sold to Europe Winners included Alfresco (Nat Ray), Pine Chip (T1:51.0USTT, $1.7m, World Trotting Derby, Dickerson Cup, Kentucky Futurity – 3T, Stanley Dancer, Colonial, Nat Ray, Breeders Crown – 3c/OT, sire NA/Europe, Australia (3) including Sumthingaboutmaori), Australasia’s leading trotting sire Sundon (Dominion Hcp, leading sire NZ [16 consecutive seasons/Australia 13], leading broodmare sire NZ [(7seasons/Australia 6], twice champion overall NZ sire); dam sire of Hellava Hush (Nat Roy, Allerage Open). Roydon Boy (T1:57.3US) produced 50 NZ bred winners with a further 17 in Australia including Interdominion Trotting champion Call Me Now (T1:56.7TT, Dominion Hcp, sire), As a broodmare sire he has 63 NZ credits with a further 17 in Australia including Citra Jati (NZ Trotting Stakes – 2), Conon Bridge (Breeders Crown – 2T), Ginas Brightest (NZ Trotters Oaks), Solar Fire (VIC/NSW Trotters Derbies, VIC Trotters Oaks).
Part IV of the Brothers In Arms series will review the modern era 1985 to present day.
Peter Craig
23 August 2017
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
