By Tayler Strong
A friendship formed 16 years ago led to the breeding of Lazarus, who won the New Zealand Trotting Cup by 10 lengths in a record 3.53.1 for the 3200m at Addington on Tuesday.
Lazarus was bred by Gavin Chin a Mosgiel pharmacist and Brian West, of Studholme Bloodstock, Coes Ford.
“Brian and I have been friends for about 16 years since I bought my first mare Box Office Hit from him,’’ said Chin.
Chin had added to his broodmares with the purchase of unraced 3-year-old Bethany from Kerry Hoggard, of Auckland when West made a chance contact.
“He (Brian) mentioned he had a free service to Art Major as one of his mares had died and we went into partnership to breed from Bethany,’’ said Chin.
Bethany left Champagne Dreams to Art Major, She was sold for $19,000 as a yearling. Champagne Dreams won a race from the Mark Jones stable at Burnham and nine more in Australia.
The next foal from Bethany was Lazarus (by Bettor’s Delight) who was sold for $75,000 at the premier yearling sale. With his name changed from Bettor Than The Best, he is now owned by Phil and Glenys Kennard, Trevor Casey and Kevin Riseley and has achieved greatness from the stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
West then dropped out of the partnership and Chin continued in a sole capacity. He has entered a colt by Art Major from Bethany for the premier yearling sale in February.
“Bethany was way over my budget when I bought her but I discussed it with my wife and did my research,” said Chin.
Bethany, an $82,000 yearling, is by Christian Cullen, winner of the Trotting Cup in 1998, She is a sister to Crusader Spirit (1.54.4) and half sister to United We Stand (18 wins in Australia), Victory Spirit and Captain Webber.
Chin watched the race on television. He had intended to make the trip to Christchurch but had a sleepless night on Monday and did not feel up to it. “I was just stunned by the performance,” he said. “I just can’t describe the feeling.”
Simply Susational another horse bred by Chin, won the main race at Gloucester Park on Friday night. Simply Susational (Elsu – Simply Scrumlicious) ran a 1.53.8 mile rate for the 2130m (mobile) when posting his 15th win in Australia. He won twice for Chin and trainer David Mitchell before he was sold in 2014.
Better To Be Bad, a half sister by Badlands Hanover to Simply Susational, has commenced breeding for Chin with a mating to Somebeachsomewhere. She won 11 races when trained by Steve Ashton and raced in partnership with Chin and Miles Notman.
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