By Tayler Strong
The multiple Group One winner Venus Serena is a notable addition to the broodmare band at Arden Lodge after her purchase by the Tapanui (West Otago) stud operators John and Judy Stiven.
Venus Serena is in foal to Art Major. The six-year-old mare was bought from Bob and Jen Sandford, of Christchurch. Venus Serena was recently weaned of her first foal, a colt by Art Major born in November.
Named Laver, he has been retained by the Sandfords who will race him with West Melton trainer Geoff Dunn.
Venus Serena numbered seven Group One races among her 16 wins when raced by the Sandfords and Dunn. She won the Caduceus Club Classic, New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Final and Harness Jewels at two.
The daughter of Mach Three – Inspiring Dash added the Northern Oaks, Nevele R series Final and Harness Jewels at three and a NZ Breeders Stakes at four. She was retired as an early five-year-old with stake earnings of $796,397.
“We met the Sandfords when we raced Rocknroll Arden and had a soft spot for Venus Serena,” said John Stiven.
Rocknroll Arden (Rocknroll Hanover – Winter Rose) was runner up to Venus Serena in the Sires Stakes at two and the Northern Oaks the following season. She won the Group Three Southland Classic as a two-year-old.
The Stiven’s sold her first foal, a colt by Art Major, for $155,000, the second top price, at the PGG Wrightson Premier Yearling sale in February. The colt was bought by trainer Cran Dalgety.
He is familiar with the family as he trained Bettor’s Strike, a half-brother by Bettor’s Delight to Rocknroll Arden. Bettor’s Strike won the Victoria, Tasmania and Cranbourne Cups and ran second to Monkey King in the 2009 NZ Cup.
Arden Lodge had a stellar 2017 Yearling Sale, selling seven lots for $390,500, an average of $55,785.
Rocknroll Arden has a colt at foot by Somebeachsomewhere and she is in foal to Bettor’s Delight.
“Hopefully we will have close to 10 for the Premier Sale next year,” said Stiven.
Arden’s Choice, a half-sister by Panspacificflight to Rocknroll Arden, raced by the Stiven’s with Les and Lynette Roseveare, of West Otago, has won twice this season and finished third in both the Auckland Trotting Cup and Queen Of Hearts from the stable of Barry Purdon. She placed in the NZ and Northern Oaks last season. Arden’s Choice won the Caduceus Club Classic when trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
“We will talk to Barry and make a decision about her stud career after the Harness Jewels,’’ said Stiven.
Arden Lodge has grown in stature and now has 17 broodmares.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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