By Garrick Knight
Selling was never part of the plan for Wendy Nordqvist.
But when she was made an offer for “very good money” to buy her classy juvenile filly Tiffany Rose, she relented.
“It was only common sense that made me agree to sell,” the Ashburton owner told HRNZ.
“When the money was in the bank I thought, what did I do this for?
“But it was the right thing to do.”
Tiffany Rose, who ran fourth in the 2YO Diamond at the Harness Jewels at her most recent start, was twice Group 1-placed this season for trainer Robert Dunn and his son, John.
She had been sent for a spell after the Jewels and selling was the furthest thing from Nordqvist’s mind. Then the phone started ringing.
“I had a few offers in the week before the deal was done.
“The first one was very good but I flatly turned it down and said unless they came back a lot higher, I wouldn’t even consider it.”
As is often the case in big-money deals, Perth trainer Mike Reed was behind the purchase.
“He has been very nice and is encouraging me to come over to Perth when she starts racing in the Group 1s over there next year.
“I’m not much of a traveler – just going to Auckland to watch Tiffany Rose on my own was very difficult – so that’s something I will have to get over.”
There is also a contingency in the deal should Tiffany Rose win a Group 1, giving Nordqvist further incentive to travel over.
The only downside, she says, is not having a race photo on her wall of the filly she named after her daughter.
The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere started eight times for seven placings, including two at Group 1 level, but a win eluded her.
“I’ve got some nice photos on my phone of her which I’ll make in to a block; that’s the best I can do.”
Making the decision a little bit easier is the fact that Nordqvist co-owns Tiffany Rose’s rising two-year-old half-sister, Shanika, by Bettor’s Delight.
“She’s really lovely and Johnny tells me she’s showing a lot of potential.
“I’m actually going up there this weekend to watch her run around.
“She’s probably a nicer type at the same stage and having her to go on with was probably the only reason I agreed to sell Tiffany Rose.
“It’s been a tough week, though.
“Yesterday I got a picture on Facebook of her with Mike Reed and the tears started flowing.”
Nordqvist also has bonny pacer Spot On to keep her interest up next season and the three-year-old dipped his toes in the water with a few country cups runs at the back end of this season.
“I don’t think I’ll ever sell him now; it’s going to be a lot of fun having a horse to race on the grass in the country cups next season.
“Going to those meetings is what racing is all about for me.
“It’s certainly a lot less stressful than travelling and racing in Group 1s.
“I also have ‘Spot’s’ younger brother which I bought at the sales, too.”
The sale money won’t side idly for too long in the bank though.
“I think I’ll have to go back to the yearling sales and buy a nice filly to replace Tiffany next year.”
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