Classic families co-founder, author and all-time great harness racing man, Mr Ron Groves developed the concept of the maternal numbering system as we know it today.
Ron selected the outstanding Medio line as his top NA family and award it the exclusive honour of U1. For those needing a little update on the strength of this incredibly successful family, below is the list of $1,000,000 plus winners from Ron’s Classic Families site
Although all but one (Sushi Sushi) of these elite horses were born in NA, the extremely powerful blood has successfully made its way into ANZ through the veins of Artiscape and the hugely under rated star Western Terror. He just seems to fly under the radar year in year out. However, for those in the know, he has been a river of gold to his loyal supporters.
Also of interest is that Western Terror has only 10 offspring from Artiscape mares 4yo’s and older in NA of which 5 (50%) already have race earnings of $60,000 or more with the highest being the 2011 mare Also Encouraging the winner of $455,703 so far.
It’s results like this that the industry has been crying out for. It just may be the key to keep our breeders investing time money and engery in our great sport.
I couldn’t possibly make mention of Classic Families without mentioning one of Ron’s and Harnessbred.com’s very valuable team member and friend, Mr Peter Craig.
A retired public servant, accountant, born in Auckland with his career taking in 23½ years in Wellington followed by the last 19 years living in Christchurch with his wife Catharine.
A harness racing enthusiast with keen interest in historical matters.
His current industry involvement is listed below:
- Member of Classic Families team (www.calssicfamilies.net) responsible for updating and maintaining the New Zealand data. This included researching old newspapers and books for the speed and earnings records of New Zealand trotters and pacers from the early years of racing. The result is one of the most accurate electronic collections of elite New Zealand standardbreds ever compiled. In addition, involved in ensuring Classic Families has the most comprehensive details available on current and historical race tracks worldwide
• Contributor to NZ magazine HARNESSED
• Member of following clubs : NZMTC (Addington), Forbury Park TC (Dunedin), Banks Peninsula TC (Motukarara) and dual gaited with membership of Canterbury JC (Riccarton)
• Member of Addington Harness Hall of Fame Committee
Former involvement included –
• Owner (Scottish Hostess)
• Breeder under auspices of Capital Standardbreds Ltd (bred 24, 18 qualifiers with 17 winners) with the best being (Mister) Skye Rocket and (Mister) Veejays Fella
• Contributor to The Right Track (NZ Breeders publication early/mid-nineties; Harness Racing International John Peck’s Melbourne based publication; Harness Racing Weekly in NZ
• Wellington area representative for NI Branch of Standardbred Breeders Association
A keen follower of harness racing particularly overseas e.g. having been to twenty Interdominion Championships starting with Christchurch in 1979 & the last thirteen consecutively touring with Melbourne based Harness Racing Travelworld. Have attended the last three World Drivers Championships in USA (New York including Hambletonian), France (Paris) and Australia (Sydney) and in 2014 Little Brown Jug. Further trips planned hopefully in years to come.
Peter’s drive, spirit and passion for harness racing is second to none and without his involvement harnessbred.com could not have grown to what it has today.
Dean Baring
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
