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RACING HISTORY

PEOPLE

CHARLES KERR

The cheerful, genial Charles Frazer Kerr, a popular trotting identity, took his successes modestly, his reverses in good spirit.

Born in Christchurch in 1860 into the large family of Margaret and Peter Kerr, he grew up on the family's 6000 acre leasehold farm, Sand Hills Run, which reached from the Styx River to the Estuary. Kerr's Reach as we know it today was a drainage for the holding and later named for the prominent New Brighton family. 'Fond of horses and their ways', Charles and his brother, William, bought horses and trained and raced their own and others stack at Wainoni.

Their triumph was the purchase and training of the outstsnding American-foaled dam and sire 'Thelma' and 'Wildwood'. After Wildwood's death, the brothers split. William continued to breed and race his own horses while Charles worked as a public trainer and reinsman. He argued that, as the public provided the stakes, it was the duty of trainers and owners to provide good horses at every major event. His stables were invariably full.

Generous, a clean sport and kind to his horses, Charlie as he was known, was great company. At 46, he married Mabel Grant and two years later, a daughter, Muriel, was born.

In May 1914, William presented Charlie with Admiral Wood 'a handsome upstanding colt' which "Willie" trained. On May 16, Charlie, the leading driver, posted a career highlight driving the unbeaten rising star Admiral Wood to win the first New Zealand Derby at the New Brighton Trotting Club course (later QE2 Park). It would be his last ride. Late that night after celebrating in Woolston, he headed home.

Driving his sulky "at a fast pace", Charles lost control of his horse and gig. The gig hit a tramline pole, the wheels came off and he was thrown on the rod. Kerr, 53, was carried to hospital where he died of his injuries on May 22. Skull fractured, ribs broken, he suffered a brain laceration in the crash, an accident similar to that which claimed the life of his father in 1877.

Charles' sporting friends subscribed to a memorial fund to install a headstone with the figure of an angel. The loving inscription was testament to the measure of the man. The friends of Linwood Cemetery Trust hopes to raise the Kerr angel back onto its plinth. The angel, a casualty of the Canterbury earthquakes will also be pinned in place to current standards.

(Thanks to Richard Greenaway for research).

Credit: Anna Price writing in Ch-Ch Mail 3 Mar 2016

PEOPLE

JEAN & BILL FEISS

When it comes to total winners Jean and Bill Feiss don't match some but when it comes to strike rate they are simply sensational. Their first runner in New Zealand was only in 2009 when Sammy Maguire was sent over from Victoria to the All Stars stable for better racing opportunities here and won at Ashburton and on Cup Day.

Jean and Bill, who race their horses as a partnership but in separate names, moved on to buying horses to be trained at All Stars and what a list it is. It includes two, Two Year Old of the Year Titles, (Chase the Dream and Spanish Armada) the brilliant Messini; top mare and Sires Stakes Final winner Willow; Backup, Benecio, MacKenzie, and now highly rated Derby prospect, Vincent and the brilliant Riccardo.

It is not as if they have been buying big numbers, either. "I do a bit of research on the pedigrees and then we consult with Nat and Mark on type and it seems to work out ok so far," says Jean, who rarely misses a NZ race day when her small team are racing. Ok? A typical Feiss understatement.

Trivia fact: The association with All Stars was largely through Natalie whom the Feiss's have known for a long time and Mark was based at their former property Woodstock during one Australian campaign. Jean was with racehorses from an early age, rode gallopers in work and trained Sammy Maguire among others,

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Jan

PEOPLE

GREG BRODIE

The son of a Sydney hotel owner who swapped punting for Accountancy and Real Estate, Brodie has been based on the Gold Coast for many years and has had sustained success buying and racing Standardbreds that has been rarely matched in his time. He started here in 1990 through Marty Herbert and Bruce Negus, generally horses in the middle range.

The first star was Ginger Man (Chariots of Fire) who won over $500,000 and Bell Byrd who won the Golden Easter Egg then run at Fairfield. He hit the headlines with Courage Under Fire which he bought on trainer Negus' recommendation for six figures as a two-year-old, he won over $1.5m and 41 of his 54 starts only three times being worse than fifth.

24 of his wins were in succession and he won six Derbys so added to his stud career he was a wonderful bargain. Sly Flyin won close to $1m and currently Quick As A Trick is competing in top company from the Bruce Negus stable, while Brodies strong association with Mark Jones continued with Rocker Band being fine-tuned for the major mare's events at the Auckland Cup carnival. there ARE MANY OTHERS.

TRIVIA FACT: Like many Brodie prefers to buy rather than breed and is realistic about the fortunes of the racing game. He recalled that Courage Under Fire was not the most expensive of the six horses he bought that year.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Jan 2017

PEOPLE

MEG & MERV BUTTERWORTH

Few owners have made such a big impression on both sides of the Tasman over the last 20 years than Merv & Meg. Both were involved in trotting stables in younger years, Merv recently recalling he fed and watered Cardigan Bay when he was making his miraculous recovery from a hip injury back in the 1960's.

Arden Rooney was their first major buy at All Stars, stayed in the stable won the New Zealand Cup after being transferred to Kerryn Manning ("better than winning a Melbourne Cup," Merv said, who also races a few gallopers). However there has been a stream of smart ones including Golden Godess, Mr Mojito, Supersonic Miss, Motu Premier, Itz Bettor To Win, Motu Meteor, Didjamalem Bolt and Blackguard's Corner to name a few. And a lot, lot more in Australia where the Butterworths hold the record for most winners in a season (nearly 150). Merv and Meg have won Harness Jewels events.

Virtually non-breeders, they have also invested significantly at yearling sales of the Tasman. They have horses in many stables including several in New Zealand and a pre-training arrangement in Southland. Unlike a number of Aussie owners here they are partial to a good trotter and have bought several - and with great success in Harness Jewels.

Trivia Fact: Merv and Meg Butterworth were Owners of the Year at the 2016 Horse of the Year Awards thereby being the first Australian-domiciled winners since John Buckland 112 years before. Their Decron Hoof Care Company sponsors the Cranbourne Cup.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Jan 2017

MESCELLANY

MATCH RACING

In the earliest days of trotting in NZ, match races proved popular tests of speed and stamina as well as the avenue for gambling. Most tests were run over the distance of three miles although several were often of greater length - journeys of ten to twelve miles with a minimum weight limit of eleven stone. An example of this was a race run from Dunstan to Cromwell approximately 12 miles over hill and down dale on a rough road.

As early as 1864 match races were being held in South Canterbury where local champion cob Tommy(H Waldon) had won six races by mid 1865. Match races were popular in the area with distance events being run from Makikihi to Waimate(approx. 19kms) and Washdyke to Temuka(approx. 15kms). Wagers of amounts as large as £100 were placed. In 1868 a match for £200 a side was held on the Silverstream course near Dunedin between Flora Temple(E Pritchard) and Tommy(Horace Basting). Both owners rode their steeds in a race won by Flora Temple in a time of 9 minutes 39 seconds.

In the 1870s in the Wanganui area, a 16 mile race from Oroua Bridge to the Club Hotel Palmerston North and back was contested by Millie trained and ridden by Tom Hammond from York Farm near Marton. Hammond had predicted that Millie could run the journey in under one hour. Millie, of unknown pedigree, ran the 16 miles in 55½ minutes with Ron Bisman remarking in Salute To Trotting that 'Hammond...made good time. Arriving in Marton, he quaffed a shandy and pressed on'.

In Christchurch in the mid 1870s, a 12 mile race on Yaldhurst Road for £200 a side, took place between Black Boy(rider J Hamilton, breeder Mr Deans of Homebush) who trotted the distance in 36 minutes easily accounting for Hammond's Millie(now owned/trained by Frank Evans of Bulls and hotelkeeper of Rutland Hotel, Wanganui). It was stated that the straps on a breastplate cutting into her shoulder was the cause of Millie's defeat. She later raced in wagon with Marmion and also served in the Marton coach.

Another match race took place between W Kirkwood's Our Pony and Jenny(B Hale) between the Heathcote Bridge to the Caversham Hotel(later King George) on the corner of Madras Street and Ferry Road, Christchurch. Our Pony won by 200 yards earning an unknown but large stake. Subsequently taken to Dunedin, Our Pony(rider W Thompson) competed at Tahuna Park over three miles on the second day of 1881 Dunedin Jockey Club's Cup meeting for a £200 a side purse against Native Cat. Our Pony, won easily by 5 seconds(rider W Thompson, stockman for mercantile firm) from Native Cat(scr) ridden by Harry Goodman in 8 minutes 30 seconds. Match races remained popular with another taking place between Mr Harry Murfitt's Drain Road and Mr Core's Polly at Rangiora for £75 a side. On Lincoln Road, Christchurch(close to current Addington Raceway site), a match between Mr Archie Muir's Dick and champion mare Doctor's Maid was won by Dick by two chains.

A good example of a match race was held at Forbury Park on Monday 30 November 1885, the second day of Dunedin Jockey Club's spring meeting. This was also believed to be the South Island's first trotting race in harness(as opposed to saddle). The race over 3 miles for £50 a side was between Mr A Drake's Dot off scratch and Mr G Smith's Constance receiving 300 yards start. The Otago Daily Times of 1 December 1885 reported:
"Mr Drake's pony - a pretty little thing with splendid action - settled down to trot in earnest after about half a mile had been gone, and had made up 100 yards of the concession at the end of the first mile. Constance was trotting steadily, but continued to lose ground at a great rate in the second mile, and in coming round to the stand again Dot passed her, this virtually finished the race. Mr Drake pulled in his little mare during the third mile, but trotted away again in the straight a very comfortable winner."

The journey had been covered in 12 minutes 33½ seconds, a full 4 minutes 25 seconds slower than Tommy had recorded to win the handicap trotting race on the first day of the meeting on Saturday 28 November. This possibly says as much about the carts used, heavy. high wheeled, bone shaking contraptions with steel wheels, as it does about the superiority of Mr Drake's pony(with acknowledgement to the unpublished history of trotting at Forbury Park).

A New Zealand record for trotters was established during a match race between Wildwood and Prince Imperial at New Brighton on 24 September 1896. Wildwood recorded a time of T2:24.2/5TT. In his time he had been known to trot a half mile in 1:06.2/5 on Henry Mace's track at New Brighton(eventually purchased by New Brighton Trotting Club).

FRITZ v RIBBONWOOD:
Fritz, the great Australian trotter was by Vancleve from Fraulein, dam also of very good performers Freda, Franz, Frederick, The Heir and Prinz. Fritz is best remembered in NZ for a series of match races against Ribbonwood(Wildwood/Dolly) conducted on the first day of the NZMTC's three-day Easter carnival on Saturday 11 April 1903. It was one of the biggest attractions for trotting attracting interest both locally and throughout Australia. Dave Price, Ribbonwood's owner/trainer/driver issued a challenge to race any horse Australasia-wide for £500 a side, best three of five heats over a mile with each side putting up £500 or 1000 sovereigns in total for the match race. The NZMTC put up a £100 gold cup or the cash if Ribbonwood's 2:11.2/5 Australasian record was bettered. A full copy of the match race conditions agreed between Dave Price(Ribbonwood) and John Arthur Buckland through his agent Claude Piper(Fritz) can be found in Karl Scott's "Pillars of Harness Horsedom".

The crowds flocked in from all over the country - by steamer from Wellington and special excursion trains from throughout the South Island. There were many attendees also from Australia. The crowd included the country's Premier, the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, numerous public figures and representatives of the Canterbury Jockey Club.

Matching a 4yo black NZ pacing stallion against a then 12yo bay Australian trotting gelding was likely to lead to only one result especially as Buckland had little time to ready Fritz for the match race. So it proved, before a crowd of 11,000, age won out as Ribbonwood comfortably outshone Fritz over 3 heats in mile times of 2:14.1/5, 2:13.0 and 2:10.0(new NZ record). The NZMTC then put up £100 if Ribbonwood could beat 2:10. A week later on day three of the Easter meeting, Ribbonwood lowered his NZ record to 2:09.0TT, a time which stood until beaten by his son King Cole(2:08.3/5TT) in August 1911. It is worth noting that the Addington track in those days was just under five furlongs in circumference without the banking or surface it had in latter years.

It must be acknowledged that both Fritz and Ribbonwood were great horses, superior to others of their day. Fritz was undisputed champion of Australia up until the time of the match race while Ribbonwood was the up and coming dominant horse in the Dominion. Fritz was past his best at the time of the challenge but Buckland, a true sportsman, took up the challenge although knowing the advantage lay with the younger horse. Fritz was reported by Buckland to have been working private trial miles in 2:06.0 at home but that was not to be the case when it mattered.

NATIVE CHIEF v GREAT BINGEN:
This flying one-mile exhibition match race was held at NZMTC's summer meeting on 11th February 1928 at Addington. Following five false starts, Native Chief(Logan Pointer/Regina De Or)driven by Jack Kennerley led throughout to defeat Great Bingen(Drum Withers) by three lengths in a time of 2:04.1/5 with thew first half in a minute(NZ record was Acron's 2:03.3/5 set in 1924).

KORO PETER v FIRST WRACK:
A match race between 2yo trotters was unheard of until Wednesday 27 June 1928 when the Auckland Trotting Club scheduled the 2yo Trotters' Challenge Stakes(175 sovs of which 25 sovs went to the loser), a race between the gelding Koro Peter(Peter Moko/Koro Ena) and filly First Wrack(Wracker/Pearlchild) over 1¼m. They were the first 2yo trotters to show any sort of form for many years. Koro Peter(owner/trainer/driver T Cooper) had won the Introductory Hcp(1½m) over a large all age field(23 starters) by 1½ lengths(T3:54.2/5) at Cambridge's annual meeting on 5 May 1928.

He was immediately sold for £500 to Mrs I E Sweetapple, who became one of Jack Shaw's major Auckland owners. First Wrack, bred and owned by Harry Nicoll had finished third in open company(as a 2yo against 22 other starters) in the Allenton Hcp(1½m) at Asnburton on 21 April 1928(winner Author Thorpe in T3:43.2/5). The totalisator fielded on the event with Koro Peter favourite for the North/South battle.

In Ron Bisman's Harness Heroes, Jack Shaw recalls, "It was a terrible day. The going was fetlock deep in slush, and the two horses had to frighten thousands of seagulls off the track as they went along. These birds frightened First Wrack more than they did Koro Peter, and Koro Peter managed to win after a great struggle all the way up the straight."

Koro Peter, driven by Jack Shaw beat First Wrack(Dan Warren) by 2½ lengths in T3:34.2/5. Koro Peter was sold after the match race to G McMillan for £1,000 and subsequently performed well from Roy Berry's Yaldhurst stable(leading stake earning trotter 1930). First Wrack also became a top class trotter(Sockburn/Middleton Hcp Trots).

INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROTTERS MATCH:
This match race was held at a NZMTC meeting at Addington on 4 February 1933 for a stake of 200 sovereigns to the winner. The 1½ flying start event was won by Durbar Lodge's Wrackler(tr: Jack Behrns, dr: Maurace Holmes) by 1½ lengths in a time of 3:18.0. The placegetters were Olive Nelson(2nd), Todd Lanzia(3rd), Stanley T(4th) with Peterwah the other starter.

WALLA WALLA v REST
Without doubt the most star-studded match race series ever undertaken in NZ was held in the autumn of 1934. The NZMTC made arrangements for Australian champion and glamour pacer Walla Walla(1922 Globe Derby/Princess Winona) to contest a series of seven match races held throughout the country involving Harold Logan(1922 Logan Pointer/Ivy Cole), Red Shadow(1927 Travis Axworthy/Our Aggie), Roi L'Or(1923 Rey De Oro/Gold Queen), Jewel Pointer(1921 Logan Pointer/Jewel Chimes), Lindberg(1925 Author Dillon/Taruna Mary), Impromptu(1926 Pedro Promptu/Petrova) and Auburn Lad(1924 Globe Derby/Velocity) among others. These contests were enthusiastically received by the racing public with even track work of invited horses creating great interest weeks before the clashes.

Red Shadow was installed as favourite for these races with the first invitation race run over a mile(£500) on opening day of Addington's Easter carnival(Saturday 31 March 1934). Walla Walla (dr: Billy McKay, Owner: L S Martin) before a crowd of 22,000 began very fast setting a new world's best time from a standing start of 2:04.1/5 narrowly beating Harold Logan by a neck with Red Shadow in third place three lengths away. Walla Walla did not acclimatise well and was not seen at his best during the remainder of the match race series. Harold Logan was to the fore in the remaining six races beginning with Addington's second day of the Easter carnival(Wednesday, 4 April). Walla Walla put his foot through Jewel Pointer's cart and sidelined his chances with a mile to run, leaving Harold Logan(driven throughout the series by Maurice Holmes for owner E F C Hinds) to pace a slow 3:16.2/5 for 1½m(£500) winning by ¾ length from Red Shadow, Lindbergh and Jewel Pointer.

At Auckland's Autumn meeting (Saturday 28 April), Harold Logan led throughout to win again over 1¼m(£300) by 1¼ lengths on a soft track from Walla Walla, his stablemate Auburn Lad, Red Shadow and Jewel Pointer in 2:45.2/5. At the Northland club's annual meeting held at Alexandra Park(Monday, 30 April), C Moran's Impromptu(dr: Jack Shaw) defeated Red Shadow by a short neck with Harold Logan third after drifting off the rails at a vital stage. They were followed in by Auburn Lad, Lindbergh and Worthy Light in the 1¼m(£200) journey on a muddy track in 2:42.2/5. Walla Walla did not start.

Next it was Forbury Park's turn(Wednesday 9 May) where the muddy Track was so bad horses were required to race in the middle of the track. Harold Logan beat Walla Walla(the only starters) who had set a strong early pace by half a length over 1 mile(£250) in 2:13.1/5. Moving onto Oamaru three days later(Saturday 12 May) Harold Logan prevailed over 1¼m(£300 plus trophy) from Red Shadow, Walla Walla and Roi L'Or in a time of 2:43.1/5. The final match race in the series was held a week later at Wellington's Hutt Park(Saturday 19 May) where Harold Logan recorded his fifth win in the seven race series, this time over 1¼m(£250) in 2:42.0 by a short neck from Impromptu, Red Shadow, Walla Walla, Auburn Lad, Lindbergh and Glenrossie. It was later revealed that Walla Walla had been suffering from a severe cold.

VAN DERBY v LAWN DERBY:
A match race between descendants of Ribbonwood(grandsire of their dam Roselawn) in half brothers Van Derby(Globe Derby/Roselawn) and Lawn Derby(Robert Derby/Roselawn) for £200 appearance money took place on Alexandra Park's then, six furlong grass track during the 1938 Christmas carnival(Saturday 31 December 1938, third day). Van Derby trained and driven by F J(Wizard)Smith outlasted Lawn Derby(Jack O'Shea) by half a length in an Australasian grass track flying mile record of 2:01.1/5(half 1:00.3/5). This time equalled Indianapolis's dirt track record, which had been the best in Australasia until Lawn Derby's 1:59.2/5 at Addington in November 1938, the first time 2 minutes had been bettered outside North America. Van Derby later time trialled at Epsom, Alexandra Park in 2:00.2/5(11 February, 1939). The achievements of these two champion pacers alone would merit their own story.

GOLD BAR v HAUGHTY:
At a special Patriotic meeting held at Addington on 27 March 1943 to raise funds for the war effort, Haughty(dr: Ossie Hooper) and Gold Bar(dr: Free Holmes) raced over a mile. Their battle saw Haughty prevail by two lengths in a new Australasian mares record of 2:00.2/5. Both horses established mile records of 1:59. 3/5TT - Gold Bar on 2 January 1942, second Australasian horse under two minutes after Lawn Derby and Haughty the third under two minutes on 11 November 1944, a NZ and Australasian mares record. They were the winners of three NZ Cups between in the mid 1940s(Haughty two, Gold Bar one).

JOHNNY GLOBE v OTHERS:
At Timaru on 7 March 1953 Johnny Globe took on several other superstars of the early fifties in Van Dieman, Burns Night, Vedette and Soangetaha over one mile. Between them, they were the winners of 2 NZ/GN derbies, 2 NZ Cups, 3 NZFFA's, 2 Auckland Cups and an InterDominion Grand Final. Johnny Globe prevailed on the grass in 2:04.2/5(first quarter in 30 seconds, half in 1:02.2/5) from Van Dieman and Vedette. To see screen footage of the even, google 'Timaru Harness Nostalgia' and enjoy.

PETITE EVANDER v NIGEL CRAIG:
Petite Evander was ready to fly out to North America so a match race was organised at Alexandra Park to take place at the Thames Club's meeting on 26 March 1977. In the preceeding month, Nigel Craig(Bevan Heron) had become Australasia's first sub two-minute trotter when he time trialled in T1:58.8 at Addington on 19 February 1977. Just three weeks later, Frank Weaver's Petite Evander(driven by John Langdon) became the first Australasian female trotter to break two minutes with her T1:59.8TT at Alexandra Park on 12 March 1977. The match race proved farcical with Nigel Craig dawdling through his first half in 1:06, three-quarters in 1:40.9 before sprinting home the last quarter in 29.9 winning by a half head in a ridiculously slow T2:10.8 for such quality trotters. This would appear to be the last match race held in NZ.


Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed April/May 2016

HORSES

CHRISTIAN CULLEN - Champion Racehorse & Sire

As a racehorse, he was incomparable. Pure elegance and power wrapped up in an eguine machine. Simply the best.

But when Christian Cullen's career is remembered in 30,50 or even 100 years it's hard not to imagine that it will be the indelible mark he left on the breeding scene of New Zealand that will be most freely recalled.

Like some of the best to have graced studs around the country, Christian Cullen has been a trailblazer. He came at a time when harness racing needed a pin up, a commercial stallion who could mix it with the flashy lads being brought in from America - a true blue Kiwi to keep things kicking.

Lordship left his mark, Sundon left his but Cullen was a whole new ball game. A bucking of the trend if you like. He became the most sought after stallion in the country and further afield, his progeny fetching big prices at yearling sales, his service fee skyrocketing to almost unheard of prices and his demand growing by the month. Cullen was a revolutionary on the New Zealand breeding scene. For 14 years he's been on, or at least near to, the top of the pile when it comes to stallions down under.

And Ian Dobson has enjoyed every minute of it. As far as owners go, Dobson could be best described as a run-of-the-mill owner before Cullen came along. He had enjoyed moderate success. Raced the odd horse but nothing that would compare with what lay ahead. One day and one nod in the direction of a striking colt changed Dodson's life. Paul Bielby was the person who pointed Dobson in the direction of Cullen. They say that the real good horses have a presence about them. They hold themselves in a way that can be different to any other horse. And Cullen did exactly that. Dobson purchased the horse on the spot. Gave a share to his trainer at the time, Brian O'Meara and the rest, from a racing perspective, as they say, is history.

Once his racing days were over, Cullen's impact as a stallion was almost immediate. Dobson initially knew nothing about the breeding side of the business but he was constantly informed that the only logical option was to stand the horse at stud. After buying O'Meara out of his share for a six-figure sum. Initially he began breeding while still racing, with semen collected from the property of O'Meara. Standing for $6,000, a high price at the time for a first season stallion, Cullen struck a snag when nothing he was bred to in the North Island got in foal, resulting in just 46 covers in his maiden season.

From that crop however, the success was incredible. He left Born Again Christian 1:51.2($133,130), Likmesiah ($427,965), Roman Gladiator($318,022), V For($208,777), Chris Riley($306,732), Conte De Christo($246,703), Dudinka's Star($106,580) and C C Mee($101,949). Almost every one had the Cullen "look" about them. That same presence he himself held as a young horse. An enticing possibility for trainers and for breeders.

It was arguably his second crop that produced the best results though. From it came New Zealand Cup winning mare, Mainland Banner. Purchased for $9,000 by retired Ashburton farmer Ian Sowden, her ability was recognised early on as she made a big impression around Mid Canterbury at workouts and trials. The similarities between her and her sire were remarkable - something that later moved legendary race caller, Reon Murtha to describe her as "Christian Cullen in a skirt."

Dobson was obviously enraptured by the then filly as well. So much so he went and forked out a six-figure sum to purchase her unqualified through the advice of his then trainer, Robert Dunn. She would go on to win 17 of her 21 career starts, including the New Zealand Trotting Cup - earning close to $700,000 in the process and is now a successful broodmare having left five winners from five foals to the track including Harness Jewels winning mare, Rocker Band.

Others to arrive from Cullen's second crop included; King Cat Anvil($918,191), Molly Darling($575,150), Mighty Cullen($574,945), Classic Cullen($451,660) and Whambam($407,299). That particular crop saw 108 foals with 58 winners - by far not his best in terms of foals to winners but it did produce some of his most prolific sons and daughters.

Cullen's third crop was modest. He left 34 winners from 59 foals, Pay Me Christian - an incredibly fast son, was the best of them.

Then came a very strong crop where 136 foals produced 72 winners with Gotta Go Cullen($1,173,343), Chausettes Blanche($329,250), Cullens Blue Jean($289,056), Fergiemack($230,653), Spicey($162,014) and Charles Bronson($127,255) at the top of the pile for stake earnings. Dobson was back in the action again too, purchasing Gotta Go Cullen - realising the strapping colt had stallion potential.

Jewels winners; Kiwi Ingenuity, Lizzie Maguire and Ohoka Arizona came the following year and in the same year he went to the next level when it came to his progeny at the yearling sales. At the 2008 PGG Wrightson Australasian Classic Yearling Sales at Karaka, Christian Cullen's yearlings averaged a stunning $89,000(24 yearlings). With 9 $100,000 plus yearlings being sold, Cullen was the sire of 8 0f the 9, including the two $200,000 plus sale toppers. At the Christchurch Premier sale, his 34 yearlings averaged just shy of $64,000, with Cullen setting a modern day record for a yearling colt with the sale of Tuapeka Mariner for $250,000. In the two premier yearling sales combined, Christian Cullen sired an unprecedented three $200,000 plus yearlings, 10 $100,000 plus yearlings and 20 $50,000 plus yearlings. In Melbourne, Christian Cullen also topped the APG Yearling Sale with a $100,000 colt.

Those results, coupled with some serious interest from further abroad, saw whispers around Cullen heading to America to stand for a season and Dodson was inundated with requests from breeders from the other side of the world. Prospective clients came down to see Cullen and Dobson in the flesh and also spent a fair amount of time inspecting some of his progeny. They were concerned about the declining gene pool and Christian Cullen was even a well known name in North America. Eventually Ian went to America and hosted a number of top breeders and at the end of the evening had approximately 80 mares booked, however after all the arrangements were made and the stallion sent to America, there was the worldwide financial crash and as a result only about 20 mares ended up getting served. He stood for US$10,000 in that season and although he only produced 26 live foals, 17 of them were winners and his mark is still prominent in America with a large number of Kiwi pacers sold there and performing well.

All Tiger 1:49.1s(401,238), Royal Cee Cee 1:49.3f ($996,432), Mighty Cullen 1:50.2($574,945), Classic Cullen 1:50.4, King Kat Anvil 1:52.4h ($918,191) and Lightning Raider 1:52.4($403,559) have all performed with distinction in the States and Cullen's most prolific son of recent years, Christen Me is headed there as well now.

Back home, Cullen's sixth crop produced the outstanding Stunin Cullen who was a winner of the Sires' Stakes Final as a three-year-old and won close to $1.5 million during his career. Also from that year came Group One winners, Lauraella and Rona Lorraine.

His seven-year-old crop produced 145 foals for 86 winners headed by Franco Emirate($326,830), Royal Cee Cee($996,432), Meredith Maguire($226,167) and Gotta Go Harmony($205,909) before Easy On The Eye($315,650), Statesman($306,632), Hands Christian($263,930), The Muskeg Express($111,331) and Ohoka Texas($174,342) came the next year.

Christen Me hailed from Cullen's next crop alongside Franco Nelson - both multiple Group One winners before Lacharburn, Libertybelle Midfre and All Black Stride came the following year.

What is obvious from these listed horses is Cullen's ability to leave a good horse each year. And while the numbers might have dwindled in recent times, there has been no shortage of good ones still stepping out onto the track as well as those from daughters of the super sire.

Three times he was named Harness Racing New Zealand's Stallion of the Year and on three occasions it took the might of Sundon to lower him from the title. From just over 20,000 starters in 10 seasons at stud, Cullen has produced more than 2,500 winners in New Zealand with his Australian statistics just as good. Stake earnings, from just New Zealand, sit at over $33 million while world-wide they would at least double that.

After the humble breeding beginnings at O'Meara's property, Christian Cullen found his niche at Wai Eyre Farm where Dobson's unforgettable lime green colours made the Cullen brand recognisable on the worldwide stage. In 2013, when Cullen's fertility issues really began to raise their head, Dobson moved Cullen to Nevele R Stud in an effort to rejuvenate the stallion's career. Then in the 2015 and 2016 season Cullen was shifted to Dancingonmoonlight Farm in North Canterbury.

The move came for two reasons, one more final effort to try and raise fertility levels and also to find a place where he would likely retire. Under the watchful eye of Farm Manager Trent Yesberg, Cullen has been given every opportunity. To put the issues Cullen has been facing in layman's terms, Cullen's sperm do not swim in a straight line which makes it very hard for them to make their way to the required destination. All number of tests and ideas have been undertaken but at 22 it would appear as though the body is finally saying enough.

So early this year, after a long amount of time spent thinking and deliberating, Dobson decided to call time on the stallion career of the horse who made him one of the most well-known men in harness racing. A horse who took him all over the world, gave him so many thrills and a couple of heartbreaks too.

Fitting of the champion status he has so rightly earned through, Cullen will enjoy retirement with all the modern luxuries. He's got a big paddock at Dancingonmoonlight and is rugged and fed each day as well as regular farrier work. Two-time New Zealand Trotting Cup winning, Monkey King is there to keep him company from the safety of the other side of the fence and there's still a plethora of people who drive into the property and one of the first questions they ask, whether they are harness racing inclined or not, is whether or not they can grab a picture, or have a look, at Christian Cullen.

And considering it has been 17 years since he last raced, it would seem the pulling power of one of harness racing's greatest champions, as a racehorse and as a stallion, is still just as strong as ever.




Credit: Matt Markham writing in Harnessed Apr 2017

HORSES

COURVY KAZI - Mystery Mare

With all due respect to those dedicated Aussie breeders who produce the odd real marvel from unlikely sourses how do we explain Flashing Red? Well, let me tell you, not by pedigree.

He was the only named foal from several offspring of dam Courvy Kazi. She was by Golden Medoro, a New Zealand bred stallion, who left 114 foals, 28 of who won about $12,000. The next stallion in the pedigree was another Kiwi, Master Scott, who left only 25 foals, two of whom started(both won).

Flashing Red's Australian history is quite complicated but his sire Echelon is the story of the pedigree. Flashing Red was the only live foal left by that old style hard-hitting 1:50.6 American racehorse from Courvy Kazi. By Troublemaker from a Race Time mare, Echelon left 107 winners in Australia, a good strike rate. They won over $5m but of course Flashing Red won nearly half of that.

Flashing Red, so dominant after Tim Butt and Phil Anderson assumed command, was a marvel, winning two NZ Cups(one a surprise to us all but evidence of his thoughness) and an Auckland Cup, ending up Aged Pacer of the Year. Not many Aussies have done that.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed June 2016

HORSES

PRIDE OF LINCOLN - Mystery Mare

She is the 'mother of the trotting nation' the greatest broodmare of our industry. That is why when Wrightsons numbered the breeding families hers was made No 1. From Lincoln Yet(sire of the first Cup winner Monte Carlo) and stonewall Jackson in the 1890s to Christian Cullen in the 1990s arguably our latest true pacing superstar her descendants have produced champions in every era. Even now when her tribe numbers seem to have decreased alarmingly she can still claim Take A Moment alongside Cullen to show how the family just goes on at both gaits.

Her daughter, Thelma, whose memory is still commemorated by the Akaroa Trotting Club(thanks to the late Steve Edge) was even more successful than her own dam but because of better opportunities with trotting stallions. But Pride of Lincoln, who was owned by John Tod of Lincoln(of course), was where it all began.

Yet nothing is known about her dam, Sally. Arguments raged for years among the breeding experts about what breed of horse of horse Sally actually was. She was listed in the Stud Book as 'supposed to be a thoroughbred' and with (AUS) in brackets after her name. In the early days all trotters had thoroughbred blood close up. But later on when Pride of Lincoln and Thelma became so successful, some revision seemed to creep in and there were attempts to show Sally had trotting blood. You know how it goes.

Pride of Lincoln was a big strong mare too heavy to race and whose appearance was not always praised when she made occasional show appearances with a foal at foot. The only genuine clue about Sally is that when one of the tribe was advertised as a stallion in the 1890s it was claimed that Sally was imported by Robert Wilkin, the man who some time later landed the first Standardbreds in Canterbury.

The real answer to the Sally question was that it didn't matter. The truth probably lies with Doctor's Maid a thoroughbred foal of 1867 and the dam of Touchstone, the sire of Pride of Lincoln. Doctor's Maid left other foals who adapted well to trotting and so did the stock of Touchstone. Many years later some enthusiast got hold of Doctor's Maid's last filly foal and bred her to a pacing stallion as a very old mare. A filly resulted and her granddaughter produced the high class Auckland pacer of the 1950s in Laureldale. Blood endures.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed June 2016

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

LAZARUS - 2016 NZ CUP WINNER

For almost a decade popular owners Phil and Glenys Kennard have been riding the crest of a hugely successful harness racing wave. But last month they reached their ultimate goal when they owned their first New Zealand Trotting Cup winner in Lazarus. Matt Markham talked to Phil about the successful day in which they also won the Sires' Stakes final and what the game is all about to himself and his wife.

Experience, as it is with anything, is a key factor in any success. To achieve something, you are supposed to first failed at it a number of times. And just when you think you might have failed enough, you should expect to fail a couple more times before reaching the mountain-top. Just ask Phil and Glenys Kennard. They know what it's all about. And only now can they officially talk of what it feels like to overcome all that adversity and get all that luck required to win on the biggest of all the stages.

Their New Zealand Trotting Cup history leading into 2016 was, at best, frustrating - while at the same time it was also exhilarating. They felt well versed in how the biggest harness racing event Down Under can play out. They'd been around the block a few times. Highview Tommy had placed on three occasions. Fly Like An Eagle went awfully close to downing Terror To Love and Smolda produced a herculean effort when the chips were down last year to get within a whisker of Arden Rooney. Plus a host of others too. "Obviously we consider it a great thrill each time we have a horse in the race," Phil said. "But we'd gone close so many times that there was a pretty strong desire to get the monkey off the back and finally taste success in the race."

Enter Lazarus. Mighty by name, even mightier by nature. His first appearance in the lives of the Kennards was somewhat unspectacular. The Bettor's Delight colt out of Bethany had been paraded in front of them prior to the annual Yearling Sales and while he liked what he saw, Kennard wasn't super excited, initially. It was Glenys who fell in love with him first, she had a lot of ticks next to his name in the book," Phil said. "I thought he was a nice individual but it wasn't until I saw him again in the parade ring on Sale Day that I really got interested in him. He had come a long way from when we first saw him. We had settled on our budget for him but ended up going $25,000 more to get him we were that impressed. I always give Trevor Casey a bit of stick about something he said to me after we bought him, he said it was a big call to go as much as we did but then straight after the Cup win, Trevor said to me that it might be the best $25,000 I have ever spent and it's pretty hard to disagree with him."

The Kennard approach to buying horses at the sale has been quite simple. There is nothing special they try and spot in a horse but they are careful of letting the emotions get in the way of a sale. with a firm budget in mind, they try and stick to what they have set out but in the odd case, where they feel it is warranted - a little deeper into the pocket they shall go - case in point Lazarus. "I love the thrill of it all, from when the book first arrives to those first inspections, it's a great thing to be part of. Obviously we rely a lot on Mark and Natalie's judgement and there are a lot of discussions that take place about a horse before we even think about buying it."

"One thing we do try and be really careful about is not getting caught up on breeding. I see it as a big advantage of ours because we will not become engrossed in a family of a horse that we might have had a half-brother or sister to. We have been very lucky in the past few years with what we have purchased and we know that, so never take it for granted."

Buying and racing horses wasn't the early Kennard way though. Initially, they were largely breeders. With a band of just over half a dozen broodmares they were involved, without being heavily invested. The time wasn't there for a serious involvement with Phillip fully entrenched in a successful real estate business and Glenys handling three children - two big roles at completely different ends of the life spectrum.

But there came a time, like there does in most people's lives, where the Kennards decided they wanted more. They had been buying a horse or two at the sales each year and then selling them on. "I remember one morning we were talking and I said that this was bloody ridiculous and within probably 8-12 weeks we had sold all the broodmares."

"At that point in time we were mainly working alongside Michael House, who we got to know through Studholme Park and Brian West, we had got into a couple of the Yonkers Investments and had a bit of fun but we wanted more. We were also getting quite heavily involved in the family of Armalight at the time too and selling up those mares was probably a great decision because other than Barney Rubble who is doing a good job in Australia, the family hasn't been a great success."

It was House who first pointed the Kennards in the direction of Mark Purdon at the Sales one year and that fateful meeting has paved the way for an incredible decade of success, with good horse after good horse littering the pages in between. Despite becoming a firm part of the All Stars furniture, the Kennards have remained good friends with House and enjoyed being able to celebrate Smolda's Grand Curcuit victory in Australia with House who was in attendance.

"Michael is a great guy and I'm pleased to say we still have a great relationship with him and own a horse or two in his stable too." Moonrock, who was one of the three horses the Kennards owned a share of in the Cup this year is with House while they also support young trainer Brad Mowbray when they can with a horse of two as well.

A crowning glory of the Kennards success has been the establishment of their syndicates after purchasing horses at the sales. Incredibly hard to get into due to the success of each one, they are meticulously managed by Glenys who handles all the bookwork - which is made slightly easier by the fact there is generally a success or two every month when it comes time to pay the monthly bills. The groups have been littered with some of racing's most prominent names. Kevin Riseley and Trevor Casey, who of course share in the ownership of Lazarus are there as well as names like Neil Pilcher, Marcus Kirkwood, Phil and Margaret Creighton, Gavin Douglas and a whole heap more. "That all sort of started with Fiery Falcon and then went into Major Mark so we hit the ground running with a bit of success early on there and it thjen led into the likes of Fly Like An Eagle and most recently Ultimate Machete. Kennard said it was as much about the camaraderie as it was the racing side of the business and they had made many lifetime friends from their involvement with horses over the years.

When they re-evaluated where they were heading over a decade ago, there was a firm decision in the type of horse they could buy. Phil had a strict policy of no fillies and trotters were out of the question too. A friendship that has grown with Ken and Karen Breckon has led to that being slightly broken as they are involved in the ownership of brilliant trotting mare High Gait and have also had shares in the talented Prince Fearless who is expected back to the track at some point in the near future.

With more than 30 Group Ones next to their names already, there isn't a lot more left for Phil and Glenys Kennard to achieve. But don't expect that to stop them. They will be at Karaka and then Christchurch early next year with the catalogue in hand looking to find another star and that process is starting to kick into gear already.

"We flew to Australia to attend our first grandchild's first birthday after Cup Week and our flight home was delayed. And as we were sitting in the Airport we were talking about the fact that the catalogue must arrive soon, so it is nearly time to do it all again but that is exciting. I have always said that I stopped paying school fees so I could pay training fees and I don't really feel like stopping anytime soon."

Kennard said that they were lucky their three daughters Amanda, Philippa and Hayley were understanding of their passion for the game and also added that while they were interested, visits to spend time with them were a welcome escape from the demands of harness racing.

"Philippa, who lives in Christchurch, often jokes that she is an orphan because we always seem to be away watching a horse race somewhere. But we are trying to make the most of what we have got while we can, because you can't expect to stay around for ever. We do love getting out and about and watching the horses, wherever they might be racing, Glenys particularly enjoys it. I have always joked that if we had a horse racing somewhere and there was only one seat left on the plane to get there it would be her that would take it."
Hopefully, with that comment in mind, flights will be booked well in advance for the next few months for the pair as they look set to have a few big months with horses racing all around Australasia.

First though, there is a trip to Perth to take in the Inter Dominion action and cheer on their old favourite Smolda, who is over there flying the flag. "I am a bit of a traditionalist and love the three heats then the final format of the Inter Dominions so it is going to be great to get over there and take all that in. We got a real buzz out of the Grand Circuit racing and are looking forward to enjoying a bit more of it over the next few months with the likes of Smolda and Lazarus."

And with a horse like Lazarus in their corner, the Kennards along with their co-owners look set to be in for one most enjoyable ride.


Credit: Matt Markham writing in Harnessed Dec 2016

FACILITIES

CANTERBURY BUSINESS AWARD

Addington Raceway and Events Centre claimed a major coup last month when they were recognised at the Champion Canterbury Business Awards. Awarded the title in the Retail/Hospitality Category for medium to large enterprise, Addington saw off all competitors - continuing the rise and rise of the business side of the operation at harness racing headquarters in the South Island.

The advent of events such as Christmas at the Races as well as a high patronage prior to rugby matches at the next door AMI Stadium has undoubtedly lifted the profile of the Addington landscape with more and more foot traffic making its way through their doors.

Addington chief executive, Dean McKenzie said the award was justification for all the hard work put in by the team. "Although our business has been part of the fabric of our city for over 100 years, it would be fair to say it has changed dramatically, particularly in the past few years," McKenzie said. "Receiving this award certainly makes it feel like all the hard work has not gone unnoticed, which is always nice."

Described in the Awards winners list as Canterbury's leading multipurpose racing and events venue, Addington received their award for providing an exceptional hospitality and entertainment venue for its guests.

McKenzie said the success wouldn't have happened without a lot of input from behind the scenes. "I am sure our Board will join with me in thanking all our customers, members, suppliers and key partners who have all played a massive role in the transformation of our business. Without them we would simply not be where we are today. But above all, we would like to thank and acknowledge our team for their hard ongoing work, enthusiasm and dedication to the organisation."

Credit: HARNESSED OCT 15