Decimal currency was introduced to New Zealand on 10 July 1967 (Australia 14 February 1966), so the last NZ Cup run for a purse in sterling (pounds, shillings and pence) was on Tuesday 8 November 1966.
The 1966 Cup was the most recent to be adversely impacted by the weather gods – in this case a damp day entailed. A sticky track resulted due to several days of showery weather which continued up till a late hour on Cup day. Heavy rain fell until 30 minutes prior to the day’s proceedings commencing with the official track conditions described as soft but rapidly improving. Drivers reported the conditions as “driving on a sticky wicket”. Even so an attendance of 18,250 was recorded (1965 : 17,483). In later years the Cup race itself has been spared although on some occasions Cup Day has ended with moisture of varying intensity. Still almost half a century without major interference from adverse weather conditions in early November is quite remarkable..
The 1966 NZ Cup consisted of a small but select field of 11 starters, six of whom were making their NZ Cup debut (Doctor Barry, Cuddle Doon, Disband, Full Sovereign, Tobias and Oakhampton). The end result saw the older campaigners to the fore. With a 2:10 class limit, the 1966 running proved to be Lordship’s (42yd) second success in the event (previously 1962 also run on a damp track) and third NZ Cup for the Nyhan family (His sire Johnny Globe had also won the Cup in 1954 again for the Nyhan’s). Lordship was the 11th double winner of the NZ Cup. Perennial bridesmaid Robin Dundee (24yd) collected her third second placing (1963 Cardigan Bay, 1965 Gary Dillon) with Waitaki Hanover (12yd) finishing third. Tobias placing fourth was first home of the newcomers.
Lordship began well and was handy after a quarter mile. He moved forward inside the second mile reaching second place before the final half mile when taking the lead with three furlongs to run. Lordship pulled away to win untested after being challenged briefly by Robin Dundee. The place getters Robin Dundee and Waitaki Hanover were followed in by Tobias, Disband, Cuddle Doon, Master Alan, Oakhampton, Full Sovereign, Lochgair with Doctor Barry last of the 11 starters.
Lordship, Robin Dundee and Tobias (wide out finishing fourth). Third place getter Waitaki Hanover finished down on the inside out of picture.
Pertinent stats concerning the 1966 NZ Cup were –
LORDSHIP (8yo entire, Johnny Globe/Ladyship), owned by Mrs DG (Doris) Nyhan, trained by DG (Don) Nyhan, Templeton, driven by DD (Dennis) Nyhan. Won by 2 lengths, 2 lengths, head in overall net time of 4:19.0 (first quarter 35.0, half mile 67.8, 6 furlongs 1:41.8, first mile 2:15.2, 1¼m 2:49.2, 1½m 3:20.0, 1¾m 3:52.0, 2 miles 4:22.6 gross). Lordship started favourite 1/2 in betting paying £3 6s/£1 13s; Robin Dundee £1 12s 6d, Waitaki Hanover £2 3s 6d.
Doris Nyhan receiving NZ Cup from Charles Thomas (C S Thomas), a past-president of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club and the NZ Trotting Conference, and then current treasurer of the Metropolitan Club.
During the remainder of the 1966 NZ Cup carnival Lordship finished second to Waitaki Hanover in the NZFFA on Show Day, was withdrawn from the Allan Matson Hcp due to a heavy cold (won by Robin Dundee) on the first night and finished secondto Robin Dundee in the Ollivier Hcp on the final night. Lordship recorded five wins in the 1966/7 season to be top money winner at seasons end with £9,980.
One of two initial inductees to the horse category of the Addington Harness Hall of Fame (also member of NZ Trotting Hall of Fame) together with his sire Johnny Globe in 2012, Lordship was a champion racehorse, a champion sire and a champion brood-mare sire. His contribution to the Australasian breeding industry has been immense.
Breeding/Race Record/Siring Successes : LORDSHIP
From the Globe Derby line, Lordship was by an Addington favourite in Johnny Globe, the 1954 Cup winner. Johnny Globe retired as a 9-year-old, the winner of 34 races with 45 places from 99 starts, 15 of them being free-for-alls and four world records.. His stake earnings of £42,887 10/- were a record for a standardbred or thoroughbred raced solely in NZ. Addington was the scene of Johnny Globe’s greatest triumphs, 13 of his wins being gained there. Whilst his greatest performance was undoubtedly his success in the world record-breaking NZ Cup of 1954 (4:07 3/5), his other world records were establishing a mile against time on the grass at Alexandra Park in 1:59 4/5 (November 1953); a mile from astanding start in a race of 2:01 1/5, and a mile and three furlongs in 2:50 1/5. Johnny Globe also held the New Zealand mile and a quarter record for a 3yo of 2:37 3/5. His significant successes included 5 Group 1 races (NZ Derby, GN Derby, NZ Cup, NZFFA (2).
Retired to stud at Globe Lodge, Johnny Globe was leading sire in NZ for four consecutive years from 1969/70 to 1972/73. Siring successes included NZ Cup winners – Lordship (2), Spry, Globe Bay; Bay Johnny, Cee Ar, Johnny Gee, Poupette, Royal Force etc. He was equal leading broodmare sire – winners 1981. Broodmare successes included : Courting Appeal, John Gilbert, Thriller Dee, Tobago etc.
Lordship’s dam, Ladyship, a U Scott mare, traces back to the Australian mare Lightnin’ who reached good company on NZ tracks and was also ancestress of Emulous, a champion pacer of the 1940’s who won the Inter-Dominion Championship at Auckland in 1948..
Lordship was bred by his owner, Mrs D G (Doris) Nyhan, wife of the trainer, D G (Don) Nyhan, who trained three NZ Cup winners – Johnny Globe and Lordship (twice). Son D D (Dennis) Nyhan drove Lordship in both Cup wins.
Lordship won 45 races from 137 starts, including 16 free-for-alls for stake earnings of $113,790 (among first 100 NZ $100k earners) which was a record for a thoroughbred or standardbred. Twenty one of these wins came at Addington, a feat only surpassed byHands Down (23 Addington victories). His first win came in the 2yo Welcome Stakes. Five wins as a 3yo including the NZ Derby saw Lordship take on Cup class horses with a win in the Winter FFA at Addington. Lordship became only the second 4yo (after Lookaway) to win the NZ Cup, one of 8 wins in 1962/63 (including NZFFA). Splint trouble developed during the 1963/64 season, however this and long handicaps didn’t stop a tough and game Lordship from winning his second NZ Cup in 1966, an Auckland Cup, two further NZFFA’s and two Easter Cups. In doing so he beat unsoundness, top horses and lengthy handicaps. This endeared him to the public which considered him an idol just like his dad Johnny Globe. Lordship retired as a 10yo with a record unmatched in NZ. Doris Nyhan turned down all sale offers of which there were many for Lordship to go to Australia and America to race.
His significant successes included 9 Group 1 races (NZ Derby, NZ Cup (2), NZFFA (3), Easter Cup (2), Auckland Cup) together with Welcome/Sapling/Kindergarten Stakes at two, Champion Stakes – 3, Ashburton Flying Stakes and two ID heats.
Lordship was leading Pacing Stake earner of year – 1963, 1965 and 1967 and his 1:58.4 was the fourth sub two minute race mile recorded in NZ.
Lordship with Doris Nyhan
Following in the footsteps of his sire, the black stallion Lordship took up residence at Globe Lodge. With Johnny Globe leading sire in NZ for four consecutive years in the early 70s, Lordship continued his siring success and made the Nyhan’s Globe Lodge at Templeton an influential and successful stud for over three decades. Son Barry managed Globe Lodge for much of Lordship’s years at stud, carrying on the Globe Derby line leaving Lord Module and the ill-fated Inky Lord.. Unfortunately this sire line has gradually faded away.
Lordship was leading sire on stakes won (1980) and winners (1981, 1985). Among his 501 winners were NZ Cup winners Inky Lord, Lord Module; Auckland Cup – Enterprise; Directorship, Noble Lord, Reba Lord, Starship, Tricky Dick, Trio, Victoria Star. He was leading Broodmare Sire on stakes won (1985, 1987, 1996, 1997) and winners (1991, 1993 – 1998) with over 1,000 credits including NZ Cup winners – Master Mood, Yulestar; Auckland Cup winners – Master Mood, Burlington Bertie; Impressionist, Dancingonmoonlight, Laser Lad, Lenin, Race Ruler.
A champion racehorse, leading sire and outstanding broodmare sire, Lordship had it all.
Peter Craig
26 October 2015
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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