Former Kiwi pacer Mossdale Conner tragically was lost in the United States on Friday, after a battle with cancer.
The eight-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight had been enjoying a successful career in the states with trainer Peter Tritton, but things started to go wrong health wise just recently.
“It all started with his last race,” said Sandy Tritton, wife of trainer, Peter. “He bled really badly and Pete treated him for it. He gave him time off but he just kept bleeding, so he decided to put him in an oxygen chamber. Pete did that a couple of times and he just seemed to get worse. He took him to the equine hospital where they drained the blood from around his lungs. The next thing we knew it was cancer.”
Despite all of the tests, cancer had never shown up in any of the results until it was too late. The cancer known as hemangiosarcoma could have been in his system for quite some time according to Sandy Tritton, which makes his racing performances this year even more exceptional.
“Pete is heartbroken for the horse. He feels as if he should’ve seen it,” said Sandy.
In New Zealand, Mossdale Conner’s former connections are feeling the loss also.
“He was Monbet’s best mate, they just loved each other”, former trainer Nina Hope recalled. “We got big offers for him as a two-year-old when he won at Nelson. But Greg (Hope) had always said how good he was so I talked him into keeping him and backing his own judgement. He was our first open class horse but unfortunately with the majority of open class races here being over two miles, and being such a speed horse, he was sold to America.”
He had a really neat personality too.
“One of his quirks was to drink molasses and then poke out his tongue. He looked ridiculous, but of course he didn’t know that,” Nina laughs. “He was a special horse and did a lot for us as trainers. Winning the Taylor Mile was a race I will never forget, I’ve never screamed so much in my life!”
The winner of 13 races in New Zealand, Mossdale Conner won the Taylor Mile in 2015, along with the Northern Southland Cup in 2016 and the Green Mile at Methven in 2014. He was also placed third in the 2015 New Zealand Trotting Cup despite being more of a speed horse.
In the United States Mossdale Conner went a life time best at Harrah’s Philadelphia in May of this year when he won the $150,000 Ben Stafford Jr Invitational in 1.49 – a race in which Christen Me finished third.
Following the race, which completed a winning streak of four for the gelding, trainer Peter Tritton declared Mossdale Conner to be the best horse he had ever had.
A big call given he also trains fellow expat, Bit Of A Legend, who has this year won the $260,000 Gerrity at Saratoga, the $150,000 Molson in Canada, and the Quillen Memorial at Harrington. Bit Of A Legend also won the $609,000 Levy Final at Yonkers in 2016.
“Mossdale Conner has been racing two miles over there (New Zealand) and I think he appreciates the shorter distance,” Peter Tritton was quoted as saying after the Stafford win. “He’s got no bottom to him, he’s got speed, but he’s strong. He just keeps going. I think if a horse had headed him near the wire he would have gone 1.48.”
Mossdale Conner was bred and owned in New Zealand by Archie Affleck, who resides in Gore. The Taylor Mile was a thrill for him, but it was a different race that stands out in his memory.
“The Taylor Mile was great, but I loved him winning the Northern Southland Cup for us. To win the local Cup meant a lot,” said Affleck. “It was a great shame to hear of his passing as he was such a nice horse too. I know young Ben (Hope) really liked him, he was one of his favourites around the stable.”
Unfortunately for Affleck breeding from Mossdale Conner’s dam, Mossdale Kara, has proven not to be straight forward over recent years.
After slipping or missing the last four seasons to Bettor’s Delight, there will be one more attempt this season to breed via embryo transfer.
Hopefully this last roll of the dice can bring a result and some solace to connections.
As a foot note, Christen Me has been continuing the fly the flag for the Kiwi bred in the USA.
Last week he recorded a stunning win at the Meadowlands in winter conditions, winning with Tim Tetrick in the sulky in 1.50 over one mile. That following just two weeks after posting a career best of 1.49.2 at Dover Downs in Delaware, that time with Ross Wolfenden driving.
He impressed Meadowlands commentator Ken Warkentin, who reported Christen Me to be an easy and strong winner, stating he ‘looked impressive’ hitting the line.
Trainer Joanne Looney-King says she would love to take on former Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit next year with Christen Me, and will be aiming at the major older pacing races and the Breeders Crown with him.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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