THREE GENERATIONS OF EDWARDS (part two)

This is the continuing story of the Edwards family’s three generation involvement in harness racing that covered a period of over one hundred years (mid 1880’s to 2008) predominantly in the Canterbury region.

We continue our review looking at Manny Edwards, his sons “Dil” and Stan as well as his grandson Murray.

MANNY (ME) EDWARDS

Manvers Burton Edwards (Manny) was a public horse trainer most of his adult life winning his first race at Heathcote as a 17yo in 1887 on his brother Bert’s Madcap, this the start to a brilliant career as a trotting horseman that in later years effectively outshone his older brother Bert.

Manny was married to Edith Ellen (Nell), the youngest daughter of Alfred and Mary-Ann Berry. Among her brothers were Jim** (James Samuel), George and Ern*** (AE) Berry; Manny’s brothers in law.

** rider and driver only;  one of the first stipendiary stewards appointed by NZMTC (other CH Gorton); member of Canterbury Trotting Club, which raced on the A&P Show grounds at Addington; steward of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club

*** public trainer who in 1917 trained and drove Dominion Hcp winner Olive L, winner also of 1915 and 1916 Middleton Hcp, 1917 Sockburn Hcp

Manny and Nell were the parents of two fine harness horsemen in Dil and Stan Edwards, while Stan’s son Murray was a proficient trainer/driver (see later for their records).

Manny Edwards’ registered racing colours were White, Green sleeves and Green coloured Cap. Like his brother Bert, Manny trained and drove a New Zealand Trotting Cup winner, Adelaide Direct in 1917 (see later). Among other prominent horses he won races with were :

Ribbonwood trained at two years of age by Manny Edwards, recorded two wins at New Brighton and Addington for J Thomson. This attracted the attention of Dave Price, owner of Prince Imperial and earlier his dam Princess, who bought Ribbonwood (Wildwood/Dolly), for £250 a record price for a racing proposition in those days. Price’s judgement was confirmed with Ribbonwood establishing himself as the fastest pacer in NZ. However by his 4yo 1902/3 season, he was being handicapped out of many of the big races. Price took over training and driving of Ribbonwood as a three year old, later an outstanding sire.

Revenue, son of Rothschild/Georgina, a Lincoln Yet mare, 12 victories in NZ for JL Jopp with Manny involved in five of them including NZMTC Easter NZ Hcp, Lightning Hcp and Plumpton Park’s Sockburn Hcp. Setting Australasia/NZ trotter’s mile record when racing in saddle of T2:11 4/5TT at Forbury Park on 7 May 1910. It remained an unbeaten record for 22 years when Todd Lanzia, also at Forbury Park trotted T2:11.2TT on 24 November 1932.

Manny Edwards went to Australia on contract to train and drive imported stallions and mares owned by James Zander of Janefield, Bundoora, VIC who stood famous trotters Emulator and Mauritius at stud. During his time in Victoria, among his wins were with Revenue in a Melbourne Show Time Test (Melbourne Showgrounds) and Boldrewood in the Melbourne Trotting Club’s Richmond Hcp (1½m) on Tuesday 11 July 1911 at Richmond. Boldrewood was a strong favourite (2/1) having recently arrived with Edwards from New Zealand. He had little difficulty in accounting for Little Dot the second favourite.

Manny’s contact had ended by September 1913 at which time he established his own stud farm and training business Dillon Park, in what is now Thomastown, 17kms north of Melbourne’s CBD, Victoria. This area attracted many farmers and horse racing until World War II. His leading performer was Dillon Bell, successful in New Zealand, with six wins over two periods including Dunedin Cup. Going onto win several races in Victoria and NSW including a Melbourne Show Time Test.

Australian champion Denver Huon from Sydney was under Manny’s care together with other horses of his that arrived by sea from Melbourne, Hobart and Bluff for the November 1913 NZ Cup meeting at Addington. The trip was rough and Denver Huon lost condition, working poorly before a good final trial on the Sunday before the Cup with his connections deciding to continue with the race as Denver Huon had a reputation for exceptional speed.

Off a handicap of two seconds in the 1913 NZ Cup he ran a well finishing second to Ravenschild, making his way through a big field being timed in 4:33 2/5. In December he won the New Brighton Trotting Cup (only NZ win) by 40 yards from Albert H and Emmeline. At the Auckland Cup meeting on 31 December at Alexandra Park in an exhibition he time trialled over two miles setting a new colonial record of 4:28 1/5, later the same day finished second in the Presidents Hcp to Steel Bell, his final race before returning to Australia.

In March 1914 Manny took over the training of Denver Huon and by May 1914 after encountering bad luck in Victoria including his stables being burnt down he determined to return to NZ. With twenty horses including Denver Huon, Dillon Bell and Adelaide Direct he moved them to Windsor 40 miles from Sydney, NSW. Racing the horses at Harold Park (then called Epping 1914) and Victoria Park whilst awaiting shipping to NZ. Denver Huon won the Australian TC Hcp at Victoria Park in June and Adelaide Direct the October version of the same race.

Manny left for Christchurch on 9 October 1914 with several horses, some in partnership with Sydney owner/trainer Ray Geddes and established training facilities at Kaiapoi to continue his outstanding career as an owner/trainer/driver in NZ. Denver Huon led a strong Australian contingent in the 1914 NZ Cup but the third favourite lost his chance with a poor start.

Adelaide Direct was leased by Manny in 1914 and spent five seasons racing for him in NZ. An extensive story concerning her career appeared in hanressbred.com on 16 November 2017

https://baringbloodstock.com.au/one-hundred-years-adelaide-directs-1917-nz-cup/

Her major NZ performances for Manny included :

• broke Country Belle’s Australasian mile record (2:07 1/5) on Saturday 30 December during the Auckland Christmas carnival of 1916 at Alexandra Park for prizemoney of 100 sovereigns. Driven by Manny she time trialled the mile in 2:06 2/5, a record beaten by Our Thorpe on 6 September 1918 at Addington (2:06 1/5). Her time was NZ Pacers/Pacing Mares record
• won 1917 NZ Trotting Cup at Addington in November in a record 4:27 4/5 for two miles. On the same day King William sent out favourite for the Spring Handicap (2m) for unhoppled trotters (saddle), began smartly obtaining a big lead which he held to the finish when well ridden by trainer Manny Edwards

At the time of her 1917 NZ Cup victory, Adelaide Direct held both the one and two mile New Zealand/Australasian records, a unique achievement.

Adelaide Direct was retired early in 1919 due to the lengthy handicaps she incurred after 78 starts, 11 wins, 21 placings. In October 1919 she returned home to owner/breeder Stan Lewis at Baringhup, VIC, stud at Parkers Plains. Lewis also took over Edwards’s former good pacer Dillon Bell who proved a relative failure at stud.

ADELAIDE DIRECT : 2:06.4TT, $6,058 (£3,029) NZ earnings only; 58 NZ starts for six wins, eight seconds and nine thirds. Feature performances for Manny Edwards :

Manny Edwards had thirteen drives in the NZ Trotting Cup between 1904 and 1918. He finished third 1905 Vickery; fourth 1908 Dick Fly; fourth 1909 Revenue; second 1911 Dick Fly; second 1913 Denver Huon; first 1917 Adelaide Direct (also last Cup drive in 1918).

Manny Edwards died in 1921 aged 51 years.

“DIL” (MB) EDWARDS 

Manvers Betham Edwards (Dil) was also a public horse trainer most of his adult life, like his father Manny. Born in 1901 to Manvers Burton and Edith Ellen (Nell) Edwards, Dil was one of the Dominion’s most successful trainers and reinsmen over a long period including heading the trainers’ list in the 1926-7 season with 26½ wins.

When setting up on his own account in the late 1910’s Dil successfully applied for and was granted his father’s racing colours of White, Green sleeves and Cap. Attaining early success with Phil Smith, Homeleigh Dick/trotter in NZ and Vice Admiral (Ashburton/New Brighton Cups) at the end of the First World War. Many of his early winners came from the successful Southland nursery Willowbank Stud, Wendon (proprietors Stevenson and McMath), included among the better ones were Dalmeny, Black Admiral (Oamaru/Dunedin Cups, NZMTC Presidents Hcp), Dalnahine, Harold Thorpe (Dunedin/National Cups, NZMTC Presidents Hcp) and Shine Soon (Ashburton Cup). Mate O’Mine (Gore/NZ Gold Cups) was another Southland pacer with whom he won important races.

In the 1930’s Dil enjoyed considerable success in the juvenile pacing classics as trainer/driver of NZ Sapling Stakes winners (1933 War Buoy, 1935 Frisco Lady, 1937 Two’s Loose), Timaru Nursery Stakes (1937 Frisco Lady), NZ Derby (1933 War Buoy, 1934 Gamble, 1937 Two’s Loose) and Champion Stakes (1935 Frisco Lady). As older horses War Buoy** (1935) and Gamble (1937) ran second in the NZ Cup.

** brother Stan drove War Buoy into second place in 1935 Cup for Dil who was unwell.

A closer look at these four prominent horses for Dil Edwards reveals :

• War Buoy – 2yo Sapling Stakes record 3:21 3/5 for 1½m; 3yo NZ Derby record 3:16 1/5 for 1½m; 19 wins; record winning sequence of ten equalled by Cardigan Bay in 1963, Young Quinn 1975 and beaten by Noodlum with 15 in 1975; won 15 of his first 17 starts; second 1935 and third 1936 NZ Cup

Dil tr/dr in 16 of 19 wins including Sapling Stakes, NZ Derby, 1935 Louisson Hcp; trainer only for other three. Trained/driven for Mrs EE Mauger whose husband Jim Mauger of Methven breeder

• Gamble – tr/dr for nine of 12 wins including NZ Derby, 1938 Canterbury Hcp; brother Stan drove for two wins including Ollivier Hcp, Max Stewart Easter Hcp

• Frisco Lady – tr/dr for three of ten wins including Sapling Stakes; tr only for seven wins including Champion Stakes (dr brother Stan Edwards), 1936 Sprinters Hcp; Stan drove for five wins, James Bryce Junior two

• Two’s Loose – tr/dr for two of three wins including Sapling/Timaru Nursery Stakes; tr only NZ Derby (dr James Bryce Junior)

Dil Edwards had nine drives in the NZ Trotting Cup between 1921 and 1945. He finished third with Vice Admiral 1921 and third on War Buoy in 1936.

Derek Jones rode work for Dil Edwards and Allan Holmes when aged only 11yo. Alister Kerslake who was born in Rakaia started off riding track work for the local butcher Bill Black, later for Dil Edwards and also for Wally Tatterson.

Like Bill Tomkinson (for his son Jim), Ces Donald and Jimmy Bryce (for his daughter Rona), Dil Edwards was among prominent trainers of the 1930s to have thoroughbreds. Dil won the best races at Addington and major races at Riccarton from his Yaldhurst stable.

Commentator David Clarkson stated that in trotting you got to know the crouch of various drivers in their sulkies. They had little peculiarities in their style that stood out e.g. the crouch of Dil Edwards, the way F J Smith held his hands and Allan Holmes leaning forward behind Gold Bar.

Manvers (MB known as “Dil”) Edwards died in late April/early May 1948 aged 46 years.

STAN (SA) EDWARDS

Stan Edwards, born in 1908 was the youngest son of Manny and Edith Ellen (Nell) Edwards and younger brother of Dil. As a prominent public trainer/driver for many years he experienced a good degree of success even though he never had a large team of horses. Licenced until the 1963/4 season, his registered racing colours were Brown, Green Braces and Cap.

As a son of outstanding horseman Manny Edward and brother of Dil, “Young Stan” as he was known throughout his career was destined to make trotting his life. At an early age he was recognised as an expert saddle horseman when this type of racing was a regular feature of all meetings and the standard of horsemanship was required to be of the highest level. He was regarded as having few equals and no superiors in this field as well as a trainer.

More than an exceptionally good horseman and trainer, Stan was a philosopher ever ready to give a helping hand, by deed or word, whenever his advice or assistance was required. He had a keen and delightful sense of quiet, kindly humour, winning himself a wide circle of friends in all walks of life.

Stan was associated with numerous horses of the highest quality. Among them were :

• Blair Athol – tr/dr, third to Pot Luck and Parisienne in 1938 Interdominion Pacing Grand Final (two seconds in heats)

• War Buoy – drove to second placing in 1935 NZ Cup for brother Dil who was unwell. He went clear until Indianapolis unleashed a withering late burst for victory, second of his three consecutive NZ Cups, the first to do so. He was to drive War Buoy in a number of his races

• Loyal Peter – driven into third placing for WB Somerville in 1947 NZ Cup behind favourite Highland Fling and Knave Of Diamonds

• Thunder – final NZ Cup drive in 1958 finishing seventh as bracket mate of winner False Step, first of three consecutive wins, second horse to do so. Drove to win National Hcp for trainer Cecil Devine

In all Stan had 13 drives in NZ Trotting Cup finishing second in 1935 War Buoy and 1937 Gamble while third in 1947 Loyal Peter.

• Ripcord – was a leading trotter with whom Stan teamed to drive in ten of 11 wins including 1950 Christchurch/Spreydon Hcps; 1950 Ashburton Trotters Cup; heat of 1951 Interdominions at Addington (third two heats, contested final, finishing seventh) all for owner/trainer Heber Hewson

• Great Venture – tr/dr of 1948 Dominion Handicap winner for JT Taylor, one of five of nine wins by Great Venture, also Ashburton Trotters Cup, CPTC and NZMTC Stewards Hcps

• Silver De Oro – 14 hands filly pony pacer, 1931 Sapling Stakes

• Sir Julian – 1939 Sapling Stakes

• Concord – three win trotter, dam sire of Hill Crest, dam of 1978/9 2yo Pacer of Year Hybrow

• Trixie Milne, dam of Ar Miss/grand dam of Armalight, won seven races, three for owner Howie Smith and four for Stan Edwards, including establishing 2m track record of T4:14.0 at Forbury Park on 18 April 1953

Other top-class horses Stan was associated with included Star Rosa (Champion Stakes, NZ Pacing Stakes, Easter Hcp), Hilda Scott (Greymouth Cup), Gamble, Nell Grattan, Our Kentucky (CPTC Winter Hcp), Lady Belmer (Easter Cup), Black Douglas (for CE “Jack” Hoy) and Maori Queen among them.

Jack Smolenski worked for Stan Edwards when starting out in the harness racing industry.

Stan was President of the Horsemen’s Association for a number of years. He died at the comparatively young age of 56 years in mid-May 1965.

MURRAY (ML) EDWARDS

Murray Edwards, son of Stan Edwards and grandson of Dil Edwards, was born on 11 September 1939. Licensed to train and drive from the 1965/66 season, Murray compiled a good record over the next fifteen seasons (1965/6 – 79/80). During this period as a public trainer at Halswell, he trained 29 winners (all pacers) while he again took out a training licence utilised during the period 1992/3 – 2007/8 (all but 1992/3 licence to train only), remarkably he never took a horse to the races during this latter period. His colours were Brown, with Green braces and Cap, those of his father Stan. Edwards drove the winners of 64 races (five trotters; twenty as a junior driver) from his junior driver days of 1955/6 through until 1979/80 (1992/3 renewed licence, no drives; trials driving licence only 1993/4 and 1994/5).ин

His greatest success came with Local Light gelding Intrepid, raced in partnership with long time Christchurch administrator CE (Jack) Hoy (breeder). Hoy was a steward of NZMTC from 1939, President 1952 -56 and spent ten years on the executive of NZ Trotting Conference, Treasurer 1966 – 71.

Intrepid was the great grandson of one of the best staying mares of her era and proven successful broodmare Renowns Best, winner of nine including Hawera and Taranaki Cups. Earlier Hoy had raced smart pacer Black Douglas (seven wins, six for Stan Edwards as tr/dr; Metropolitan Stakes, Oamaru Presidents Hcp) from the stable of Murray’s father Stan. Hoy had purchased Intrepid’s unraced dam Idris (Intrepid first foal) on Stan’s advice from Yaldhurst breeder Bill Denton.

Among Intrepid’s 16 NZ victories were Cross Stakes, GJ Barton Memorial, Hannon Memorial, New Brighton/Kaikoura Cups, NZ National Flying Mile (final NZ win) while after his sale to North America, his major win was the Adios Festival at Yonkers. He briefly held the world record for pacing geldings with his best time of 1:57.0US. Intrepid provided Murray Edwards with his two NZ Cup drives including a third in 1971 to True Averil (7th 1970).

Murray continued this success with Bronze Queen, Intrepid’s smart half-sister recorded eight victories, five at Addington. Other successes came with Dauntless (3) as tr/dr and driving victories with horses trained by his father Stan in Florita (7 of 8 wins) and Mulgrove (4/8) including Wildwood Hcp as well as Superway (3).

Peter Craig

13 July 2022

Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com

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