Batting the perfect 100% record (2/2) over the Christmas/New Year period for recently appointed NZ Standardbred Breeders Association (NZSBA) Executive Manager Brad Reid is DARK HORSE.
Brad is a member of the Seafield Trotting Syndicate (20 shares) which together with the Griffins Syndicate lease the 3yo Barcadi Lindy filly out of Juliana (sixth foal) from Grice brothers Bevan and Keith, racing her from the Ryal Bush stable of talented young trainer/driver Nathan Williamson. Undefeated and impressive in two starts to date (total winning margins of six lengths) plus two winning trials, Dark Horse might indeed have the potential needed to be an Oaks filly around Easter time. She most definitely has the breeding to be very competitive and is being set for the Oaks..
Dark Horse’s dam Juliana (Sundon/Janettas Pride), owned by Grice brothers, was a non winner although placed in four of her five starts. She has to date left seven live foals [missed to Bacardi Lindy in 2015) which include five winners from five to the races :
- Carla Bruni, 1 NZ win, T2:14.4, 6 Aus wins, T2:03.6 (8f Continentialman)
- Sarah Palin, 6 wins, T2:07.9 (7f Pegasus Spur)
- Monty Python, 8 wins, T2:00.3 (6g Pegasus Spur)
- Father Christmas, 5 wins, T2:02.6 (5g Love You)
- Dark Horse, 2 starts, 2 wins (Wairio – 29 December 2015; Cromwell 6 Jan 2016), T2:07.5T, $7,500 (3f Barcadi Lindy)
Her grand dam Janettas Pride (Gee Whiz/Zola) won three for Patrick O’Reilly Snr. This is the family of Mavis Wood, through her daughter Agent. Janettas Pride immediate progeny include Dependable (T1:59.2, Rosso Antico Stakes, NZ Trotting Stakes – 2T and 3T, CPTC Cup, $154k) Ima Gold Digger (T1:56.7, GN/NZ Trotters Derbies, NZ Trotting FFA, NZSS – 3T, $354k) Shirley Temple (T2:02.9, NZ Trotters Derby, $63k) and Jo Anne (T2, T1:58.5, NZ Trotting Stakes – 2T, $81K). Janettas Pride was NZ Broodmare of Year in 2009. Her full sister Zizette has left The Upper Crust ($100k+, T2:01.3, FFA Trot wins at Globe Derby, Harold Park, Cobram Trotters Cup and Gp3 Hunter Cup Day Plate at Moonee Valley). An earlier Canterbury Park Trotting Cup winner from the family was Dingle Bay.
Mavis Wood has left through daughters Smartly – Perfect du Jour, Valmagne, Gluteus Maximus; Lizzie Woods – Vance Glen; Laurene Wood – Trojan, Tough Going, Ronas Pride); Lady Dimp – Coo Doo (Palestine, Barbara Del, Life Of Luxury, Pulp Fiction, Captain Peacock, Anzus, English Elegance, Derby), Bettor Dream, The Flyin Doctor, just to mention a few.
The Seafield and Griffins syndicates (30 shares – Sarah Palin, Bet Pray Love, Monty Python) are both managed by Neil Bennett. The Seafield syndicate have a 25% share in Juliana’s seventh foal Pollyana (The Pres filly). Juliana is not yet in foal this season but has been re served by Quaker Jet. The Seafield syndicate also race Father Christmas with DR Beckingsale from the stable of Phil Williamson ( 5 wins) and Cuddly Jess (Sundon/Janettas Pride) with Neil Bennett from Michael House’s barn (placed at two/four, unraced at three and winner this season as 5yo).
Brad took over as Executive Manager of NZSBA from Kiely Buttell following last years NZ Cup carnival (early/mid November 2015). His background is in marketing and communications, something he intends to utilise within an industry he is passionate about. Upon leaving school, he took up a carpentry apprenticeship for two years and following a short period in Dubai, Brad studied for a Bachelor of Communications at Massey University. His varied career since has included working for Ministry of Paintball in Sydney and Max Contracts Ltd, both marketing roles. Brad has already stamped his mark on the Breeders Association with to date four issues of the “Breeders Weekly“, an informative read e mailed to Association members.
His involvement in harness racing to date includes breeding th
is season for the first time from Britewell mare Too Much Too Do (11 wins, $153k) leased from Tracey Healy. She has been served and has a 42 day positive test to Muscle Hill. Together with his Seafield Trotting Syndicate, his other ventures include Cuddly Jess, Father Christmas, Dark Horse and Pollyana as mentioned above.
All in all, an impressive beginning for the young 27 year old harness racing enthusiast.
Peter Craig
14 January 2016.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
