| PEOPLE |
YEAR: 2015
MIKE DE FILIPPI - HORSEMAN
Almost as quietly as he had arrived on the scene driving Eden Pal to win on what became his 'home track' of Motukarara back in 1970, Mike DeFilippi has retired completely from a distinguished career of race driving, two serious health issues in the past 12 years have proven impossible to overcome.
But it was a highly successful career while it was going, including being only the 6th driver to handle 1000 winners a special achievement given the obligations to his own stable in that period.
The leading South Island driver in 1987 and prominent on the list for many other years he won a series of Group Ones, had virtually all his NZ Cup drives in position to win at the home turn and set records at Nelson winter meetings which are unlikely ever to be equalled.
"It was really hard not being out there especially when I realised things weren't going to change. There was the financial aspect of course but I loved driving and having to watch from the stand was tough" said Mike, a rather different person in private from the sterner public persona.
The DeFilippi name was new to most when he joined the stable of master trainer, Colin Berkett, in the late 1960s where Alex Purdon had once played a key role. By the mid 1970s he could set up on his own at Broadfield but his racing philosophy remained tied to his early associations. Even the stable colours were a variation of the Berkett design. Those principles made him a critic at times of some modern aspects of the game and he was never a person afraid to speak his mind.
His father Rod, a former Springs Junction former, had farmed and dabbled in training after he came to Canterbury and was associated for a while with Ordeal. When the family was based in Riccarton for a time Mike rode work there for trainer Ivor McClure, who was keen to apprentice him but weight gains headed that off.
Colin Berkett gave me my big break when I was given the drive on Mighty Lee which won a NZ Trotting Chamionship. He was a problem horse. Bob Cameron had gone clean through the iron fence at Addington with him one day and resigned from the job. Alex Purdon was a really top horseman too and he gave me another big break when I got the drive on Master Dean, a bad beginner but a brilliant horse who would have loved modern mobile racing. He won the NZ Free for All leading all the way and the Matson FFA. Game Way was a top trotter(Dominion placed) I drove for Alex.
Mike, like Berkett, let his horses mature, placed them for maximum return and, remarkably, has only ever raced one teo-year-old. He never had a team larger than 20 and his strike rate of starters to placings would best most professionals. Colin had a small group of owners and he used to say never train a horse you wouldn't pay fees for yourself. I followed that. There was a much wider group of average blokes racing horses then, not in larger syndicates, and I enjoyed that personal contact. Big syndicates suit some trainers and I trained for a few but it was never the same for me.
In my time at Berketts we had a number of top trotters and I have always had a weakness for them. They are a challenge and give great satisfaction when you get it right." Colin said.
Though he only won it once (Brian Gliddon- trained Alias Armbro in a particularly daring drive fighting off Scotch Tar from the 800m) Mike had a distinguished record in the Dominion Handicap, his next most prized race after the New Zealand Cup. Often he was in the first five. Sundowner Bay ran second twice for his stable. "You wouldn't believe it. We got beat by Lyell Creek the first time. Then he was gone and along came Take A Moment and we ran second again."
Sundowner Bay was sometimes handled by Karen O'Connor who was then with the stable. Murray Edmonds was a long time assistant and his career has followed many aspects of that of Mike's. The staff who realised the boss's bark was worse than his bite and appreciated the sly sense of humour, proved loyal recruits.
A funny thing had happened with the first starter in his colours, the trotter Viewy's Pride. "Felix Newfield told me to make sure my first starter looked good, and was ready to win. I thought I did both but we ran second at Hororata. The winner? Scotch Tar who was just starting off then," recalled Mike. Master Regal, his first training success, was the horse which brought the stable colours to prominence though Ladyship Khan and Lopez Boy were good that first season. "Master Regal I got later on but unraced and he qualified in no time. He was a big horse but turned out a fine stayer. When he lost form I tried everything before I realised that it was just that he was just on his mark. He went to America and was a bit of a star there in a way."
For some years until Lord Module's arrival Master Regal was New Zealand's fastest ever pacer (1:55) and was a celebrated 'King of the Claimers' in the US, racing until he was 15, changing hands up to 20 times a year doing good service for all. However, Take Care, bred and owned by Eric Mee, rates the best he trained, winner of 7 from 22 here before being sold for big money to the US. She was the second highest earning four-year-old of her year behind Melton Monarch.
Mike drove in a golden era of horsemen and has particular memories of the best of them, Maurice Holmes. "He'd always give you a go if he couldn't win. But you had to be on your toes. I was getting a good run outside him one time and he suddenly said,'look out boy here they come.' In the second it took me to turn around he had shoved me three wide! But on another day when I parked him he was happy to give me a running commentary on what was happening in the race. A great horseman."
He believes the changes to the push out rule, which made driving so competitive in that era was a backward step.
Derek Jones was a racing character of the sort Mike still misses. "He gave me a drive when I was going for the 1000. Derek's instructions were, 'Drive it as if you own it' and then, as he turned away, he added, 'and you were flat broke'."
He and his younger brother Colin's domination of many Nelson winter meetings was a feature of that era. A typical example was in 1978. Colin won the first day with Zaruella, Ungava and Flaxton(in succession). Mike won the Winter Cup with Master Regal and two of the last three races with Jerry's Best and Lopez Boy. Colin won the remaining race with Katea Lad for Mike Austin. On the second day Mike won with Regal Fare, Flaxton, Jerry's Best and Aldmet and Colin with Rimuaser Boy(Mike Austin) - 12 races in all. "I think our light weights did make a difference on the old grass track. Most of the top drivers of my time were lighter than people think, even Maurice Holmes. Bob Young was a driver I admired from my early days, he was very fair in a race and a genius with a trotter."
The New Zealand Cup was a frustration for Mike even though posting several placings. "I think every drive I had with a real stayer the horse was in a winning position at the home turn but they weren't good enough. Our own horse, Quiet Win, one of the best I trained but a poor beginner, ran third but up against Bonnie's Chance and Armalight," said Mike.
Rocky Tryax, Clancy and Freightman(unusually Mike and Freightman shared a world record 2500m record at Addington!), Annies Boy, Mack Dougall and Hoppy's Jet were among the number. Bionic Chance ("Probably the best horse I drove, she broke a leg a few days out from the Cup") was a star in the age and sex features and Westburn Vue was one of the best of many good ones for Reg Curtin. "Montini Bromac was a terrific juvenile for Reg. He beat Lord Module fair and square first up and as we pulled up Ces Devine said to me, 'I didn't think there was a two-year-old in the country who could have beaten this horse tonight'. We didn't see the best of him later."
Colin's career came to overshadow his older brother's in the long term but he is the first to acknowledge the help he got along the way. "I had never worked in a professional stable and when I had a problem I would go around to Mike's and he would usually have an answer. That was a great help to me," Colin once said.
Mike's 1000th winner was behind Top Day for Ian Cameron and recalls his friend Mike Austin was not happy. "I drove a lot for Mike(Ranger Globe, Idle Rules etc) and I had turned down one of his horses earlier in the day which won and would have been the 1000."
However at Rangiora some time later his career took its first turn for the worse. I broke 13 ribs in a crash in a trial. Jim Curtin's horse went right over me. I was out for a long time. Then Jim (a close friend) drove Sundowner Bay for me in the Rowe Cup and got tipped out at the start," Mike recalled.
The 21st century has had mixed blessings. A serious illness, never fully diagnosed, made things tough, and a virus that severely limited his sight in one eye spelt the eventual end of his driving career. "I went to the stables one morning and said how it was unusually dull that day. The staff couldn't understand what I was talking about as it was sunny," mused Mike. Heart problems requiring stents and a marriage breakup with Paulette that led to the sale of the Broadfield stables all added to the stress but his partner Stephanie has proven a tower of strength. While a young family of three has its moments Mike seems to have won the battle over his professional and personal frustrations as his driving career has wound down over recent years.
No account of the DeFilippi career can avoid two sensational occurrences, the chaotic Derby win by Naval Officer and the 'early start' Harrison Stakes 'win' at Methven with Twilight Time recalled by stipe Neil Escott on his retirement as his 'worst day on the job.' "Naval Officer wasn't as good as some in that Derby(most of the field fell on the first round) but I felt he was short changed . He was Derby quality and that was what I tried to show when I took him far out in front later in the meeting( Naval Officer won by 15 lengths and ran the third fastest 2600m by a three year old then recorded).
The Methven debacle, another racing headline of the time was caused by a 15 minute race delay over tote problems about which nobody told the starter. Twilight Time the first son of Montini Bromac to race was a dashing winner of a race that was on the DeFilippi bucket list only for it to be declared null and void. There was no question of him starting in the rerun and the queues of punters standing in the dusk to redeem their tickets. The horse always came first in the DeFilippi stable.
Mike DeFilippi departs the driving scene and with only a handful of horses in work training but still secure as a 'horseman's horseman' a man widely admired by his colleagues for his professionalism. What the future holds for the 63-year-old? "Well," he said, "There's an Art Major I've got which might go all right." Like most good trainers you never retire with a promising youngster to keep you going.
Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Sept 15
YEAR: 1976
1976 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL
The ease with which Master Dean won the NZ Free-For-All makes one wonder what might have been the outcome had he not ruined his chances at the start of the Cup.
The Honest Master stallion had no hope in the big event after his duffer's start but from the second line of the mobile in the sprint he gave his opponents no chance only Final Curtain worrying him at all in the latter stages. The power of the Prebbleton-trained horse showed to reach the front with a round to go did not augur well for his opponents and sure enough he went to the line strongly in the comparatively slow time of 2:30.3.
It was also a tribute to the skill of Mike De Filippi in his rating of Master Dean at the front and most certainly a tribute to the horse's trainer Alec Purdon. Alec had given Master Dean an intriguing preparation for the Cup which consisted of only one race. Although there was plenty of comment about this some experienced observers murmured appreciatively that this was a 'old time' Cup preparation when this sort of programme was more common. Purdon did it extremely well, for Master Dean looked like a million dollars on Cup Day. But the training schedule was not to finish the way Master Dean's connection's had hoped. But he made up for it in the Free-For-All - partly anyway - and will be an early favourite for the Matson Free-For-All and the Stars Travel Mile.
A horse with an enviable record as a sprinter Master Dean has now won 12 races and nearly $43,000 in prize-money. But he can stay too and he has one of the best two mile times of all the Cup class horses. Master Dean has always looked an ideal type for North America but owner Noel Borlase has refused all offers to date. On the other hand he has stud potential in this country.
Final Curtain was not well served in the running - he also drew the second line - but Barry Purdon had him up to challenge at the right time. Forto Prontezza, the early leader, didn't have the best of runs at the business end and just held the fast finishing Stanley Rio. Captain Harcourt was a disappointing fifth after enjoying a good run though he did have to go hard in the first quarter (cut out in a tick under 29 seconds) which might have taken the edge off him. He doesn't seem to quite have the brilliance he showed last Autumn on this trip. Palestine really only plugged while Lunar Chance had to improve wide from hear the back and this took the edge off him. None of the others really looked in it, some preferring more ground but Ripper's Delight was expected to go better.
Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide
YEAR: 1979
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| Alias Armbro wins from Even Speed & About Now |
Alias Armbro, fourth in last year's contest and largely responsible for the record-breaking win of Scotch Tar, recorded a game win in the $30,000 Dominion Handicap. Capably handled by Mike De Filippi, who was recording his first win in the event, and also his first win at Addington this season, Alias Armbro clearly outstayed the best trotters in the country.
Alias Armbo's win was a triumph for Burnham trainer Brian Gliddon, as last Christmas Alias Armbro looked to be finished as a racing proposition because of a hock injury. Because of this, he was set for stud duty this season and up until last week, he had covered 20 mares, including one the morning of the race. His victory is certain to lead to more enquiries for the son of Armbro Del and Charming Widow as a stud prospect. He is raced by Messrs Bryan Crofts and Graham Pilkington, who purchased him for the bargain price of $1800 at the National Yearling Sales. Now an eight-year-old, he has won around $55,000.
Mike De Filippi made use of Alias Armbro's speed and staying ability over the 3200 metre journey, taking him to the front with 2300 metres to run. As happened last year, Scotch Tar moved up wide to tackle Alias Armbro with a round to go, but this time was unable to head him off, and Alias Armbro had his measure a good way out. Scotch Tar had broken briefly at the start and again at the 1700 metres, but recovered quickly both times and made a big run round the field to be in the open at the 1200 metres.
In the end, it was left to last Tuesday's Worthy Queen Handicap winner Even Speed to lodge the most serious challenge. He was favoured with a good run all the way, getting a drag up behind Miss Castleton on the turn, and 30 metres out it looked as though he was going to peg Alias Armbro back. "He came to the end of it the last 20 metres and went to pieces," his driver Wes Butt said after the event. "His legs were going in all directions that last bit and he just battled."
Denis Nyhan, driver of third placed About Now, was certain he could have won had he secured a run earlier. "She did not get a gap at the right time. If she had, then I would have won it," Nyhan said. The game little mare improved to be three back on the rails turning for home after getting back a bit early from her outside barrier draw, but was held up at a vital stage and could only get within half a neck and a length and a half of the first two. She shaded Scotch Tar by half a head for third, with Stormy Morn finishing fast for fifth ahead of Waipounamu who was handy throughout.
Game Folly was the best of the northern challengers in seventh place after breaking at the start and then came Cool Cat and the favourite, No Response. No Response settled back and was last passing the 800 metres. He was checked when starting to improve at the 500 metres when he ran into the back of the tiring Pointer Hanover. He recovered quickly to start a rapid improvement wide round the field on the turn, but could only battle into ninth over the final stages.
Alias Armbro's time for the 3200 metres was a fast4:12.3, the second fastest in the metric history of the race and only .9 of a second slower than Scotch Tar's record run last year.
Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calendar
YEAR: 1984
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| After race presentation |
The 1984 John Brandon NZ Derby, which promised so much with one of the best fields of three-year-olds assembled for the event for some time, ended tragically for most at the end of only 200 metres when a spectacular smash eliminated all but five of the 14 horse field.
Horses, drivers and sulkies went in all directions as Liquid Lightning fell when second in the open, bringing down Tucker's Rule, Freightman, Ruthless, Logan Dryham, Kanturk and Roydon Glen, while Slugger had to be pulled to a dead stop and King Alba lost his driver after almost avoiding the melee. Three drivers, Charlie Hunter (Tucker's Rule), Barry Clark (Logan Dryham) and Colin De Filippi (Freightman) were taken to hospital after the event. Hunter, who crawled from under the wreckage of horses and sulkies, was the most seriously injured and was reported to be in a fair condition at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Liquid Lightning, who fell when he attempted to jump a shadow, became entangled with Roydon Glen, and these two horses lay on the track while the remaining five runners completed the course.
Victory went to the most loosely assessed horse in thr field, the Southland owned and bred Naval Officer, who joined Mike De Filippi's Broadfield stable prior to the Easter Meeting, and finished fifth in the first two legs of the John Brandon Triple Crown on the first two nights of the meeting.
The race started sensationally enough when one of the favourites, King Alba, broke in the run up and was many lengths behind at the start. After the smash, Josephine Bret, Lord Louie, Paleface Tryax, Naval Officer and Crowhurst were the only runners left in the contest at the end of 300 metres, with Naval Officer enjoying the run of the race on the outer from the 1600 metres. The field had to swing wide out on the track to miss the fallen runners with a round to go, when a loose dog on the track almost cause more problems.
Naval Officer finished best in the run home, winning by two lengths from the Southland filly Josephine Bret, who just held out Paleface Tryax by a neck. Crowhurst was nearly two lengths back fourth clear of Lord Louie. Naval Officer recorded a smart 3:22.5, a mile rate od 2:05.4, which was a good effort considering the field had to run very wide twice.
Owned by Brian O'Meara, Ray Taiaroa and Dave Edwards, Naval Officer is one of the first crop of the Meadow Skipper stallion Midshipman, who stood two seasons at Nevele R Stud in Christchurch, a season at John Butcher's in Cambridge and a season at Grant Sim's in Invercargill. He will stand at Colin Chandler's Matamata property for the 1984 stud season.
Naval Officer is out of the Smooth Hanover mare Smooth Robyn, from Robyn Lee, by Light Brigade from Night Sister, by U Scott. Runner up Josephine Bret is by Knowing Bret from the Young Charles mare Young Charlotte, While Paleface Tryax is another son of Midshipman from the Hal Tryax mare Brigitte Bardot.
Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calender
YEAR: 1993
CYRIL AITKEN
Cyril Aitken, a life member of the New Brighton Harness Racing Club, and the Metropolitan and Canterbury Park Trotting Clubs, died recently. Aged 79, Mr Aitken raced horses for 25 years, firstly from the stable of Jim Winter, and then from Mike De Filippi's.
He won races with Winter Son, Whenuanui, Hira Pita who won a Greymouth Cup; Shoreline, Sure Winner (5 wins), In The Pink (4 wins) and Evadyar. His latest interest was in the trotter Rainbow Bay, who is having tendon problems and is spelling for at least a year.
Credit: NZ HRWeekly 12May93
YEAR: 2004
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After kindling his interest with modest success on the provincial tracks of Canterbury, Seaton stepped up a cog with the purchase of Il Vicolo for $23,000 as a yearling at Karaka in 1992, and he had been buying in the top bracket ever since. His name was synonymous with big spending at the yearling sales, major wins at major meetings, and forging a formidable partnership with his No.1 trainer and driver, Mark Purdon. Together, they took sure aim at the classics and the cups with colts from the most distinguished pedigress.
A dealer in every sense, Seaton revelled in the cagey science of auction bidding. He was a hard man to head when he set his sights on a prospect in the ring. Purdon was his faithful ally and confidante, and he valued their relationship both as a friend and professionally. "He was one in a million," he said. "It was a partnership that was probably meant to be. He had a big impact on my career. And it probably developed more as it went on."
Purdon said Seaton loved his 2-year-olds, and he would organise their yearling sale tour before the sales to inspect up to 75% of the offering. He said this one would be "a tough trying week. But I have got other clients and other horses, and it will have to go on," he said.
Mike De Filippi was a trainer for Seaton in an era before the scale grew with Purdon, and he raced the good horse Delegation with Seaton's wife Ann. "He came here with a horse when my brother Colin went north. He was very supportive and loved his horses. We never had any trouble, and he liked to celebrate a win with a jug of beer afterwards."
Roy Purdon, who watched Seaton nurture the careers od Mark and his son-in-law Tony Herlihy, was devastated when told by his son of Seaton's death. "I was shocked. I spoke to John on Sunday. It is just so hard to believe. He was so much fun to be with. I know he was devastated when he learnt of the charges Harness Racing New Zealand were bringing against him and when they came. It took the glamour off Addington's big day, and it is very sad for trotting." Purdon said he definitely thought it would have some sort of affect on harness racing. "I think Mark has been very strong through this. I wish I could see a better outlook for it all, but it is just too gut-wretching," he said.
Il Vicolo was Seaton's ticket to fame and fortune. But there were plenty of others, and his tally of wins has passed 250. Il Vicolo won two NZ Cups, in 1995 and 1996. He won the Sires' Stakes Final at two and three, the Great Northern and NZ Derbies, the Rising Stars Championship, the NZ FFA, and he sired Jack Cade, who for Seaton also won the NZ Derby, a Sires'Stakes Final, and the NZ FFA.
Seaton enjoyed racing his horses with friends, notably Tim Vince, and they shared notable victories with Cool Hand Like (Noel Taylor Mile), a Sires' Stakes Final (Light And Sound), and the Cardigan Bay Stakes (Jack Cade and Lennon). He decided to race Advance Attack, the brother to Courage Under Fire, himself, and his wins included the Cardigan Bay Stakes, Sapling Stakes and Welcome Stakes
His other big winners included Beatem, Bella's Boy, Born Again Christian, Flashing Sword, Hindover, Horizon, Kotare Testament, Ohara, Perfect Seelster, Raptorial, So Cool, Tricky Vic, Ulrich and Willow Chip. His ownership included 41 horse aged 4 or younger, including 2-year-olds by In The Pocket, Soky's Atom, Il Vicolo, Presidential Ball, Rustler Hanover, Badlands Hanover and Artiscape.
The cause of Seaton's death will now rest with the coroner. He leaves his wife Ann, and daughter Ann-Marie. He also leaves a stable of horses - young ones with great potential he couldn't live to see - a state of the art training establishment, boots that are really beyond the size of anyone in harness racing to fill, an engaging smile that made you smile back, and a dreaded horror of being called to the microphone.
John Seaton will be sorely missed in harness racing. But sadly, John will miss it so much more.
Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 17Nov04
YEAR: 2009
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| Ricky May's 2000th winner |
There was no whip fourish, just a sly smile of satisfaction on the face of Ricky May as he drove Tara Royale to his 2000th success at Rangiora yesterday. May's modest demeanour suggested it was just another race, but the win put his name in New Zealand harness-racing record books.
In a career that has seen the Methven reinsman win nearly every major race in New Zealand and Australia, May became only the third New Zealand harness-racing driver to reach the 2000-win mark, joining driving legends Maurice McKendry and Tony Herlihy.
Racegoers got their first look at Ricky May successes at the Geraldine racecourse on November 27, 1976, when he drove Ruling River to victory. The horse went on to win another seven races with May in the sulky. "She was owned by my grandmother (Anne May)," May said. "I was in the one-one early, but got shuffled back a wee bit. It was a pretty tight finish, but we won the race, and that was the start of things, really. She got me going."
In a time when it was tough for a junior driver to get a break in the game, May managed 20 wins in his first four seasons in the sulky. The real fun began when May teamed up with fellow Mid-Cantabrian Brian Saunders. The pair quickly struck up a training-driving partnership with an impressive strike rate that started with Miss Bromac, which won the Greymouth Cup.
Miss Bromac incidentally gave May his first New Zealand Cup win in the form of her son Inky Lord, which, to this day, is one of the most talked-about New Zealand Cup victories in the 105 runnings of the great harness race. Inky Lord appeared to be wiped out with 500 metres left to run, but made a remarkable comeback to win. "It's hard to name what was exactly my best moment, but your fist NZ Cup win is always special," May said. "He (Inky Lord) gave me some of my best moments in the game, but he also gave me some of my worst." A year after his breathtaking victory in the Cup, Inky Lord looked on song to make it two from two, before suffering a heart attack after the Cup Trial a week before the big race. "He felt awesome that day, too. It was gut-wrenching," May said. "I really think he could have won back-to-back Cups."
Two more New Zealand Cup victories were on the cards for May with Iraklis in 1997 and then Mainland Banner in 2005. "Mainland Banner would get the greatest performance of any horse that I have ever driven. She started out having her first start on Boxing Day, and 11 months later she won the NZ Cup, as well as nearly all of the major fillies races in between."
Renowned as one of the most patient drivers in racing, May early on based his driving style on Mike De Filippi and Peter Jones who were leading drivers at the time of his introduction to the game. It was that patience that earned May major respect from his peers, opponents and critics alike, although nowdays May sees it as something that cannot always be emulated. "Brian (Saunders) liked his horses driven quietly, so that fitted in with the way I liked to drive. You can't do it so much these days, just with the way that things have changed, but it still comes in handy every now and then." it was fitting then that May's 2000th winner came courtesy of just such a drive on Tara Royale yesterday.
The Dave Thompson-trained runner was given the prefect run by May, and when asked to give at the top of the straight, the Live Or Die filly gave plenty and cleared away for victory by three-quarters of a length. "It's a pretty big relief to finally get there actually. I drove Vita Man to win the Ashburton Flying Stakes in 1982 for Ray Anicich, who owns Tara Royale, so that makes it all the more special. He's pretty over the moon about it, too.
So the main question is where to now? May isn't too sure, but leaving the driving ranks isn't on the cards yet. I'll keep on going. I have been pretty lucky in having both trainers and owners who have been loyal to me and stuck with me throughout the years, and they will soon let me know when I'm not driving any good. "I haven't won an Interdominion or an Auckland Cup, but I am not too worried. If Monkey King was to come back next season as good as when he finished this one, he could get me one of them; he was fair flying before he went for a spell."
Three thousand wins paints a picture of a long road ahead, but it only took a matter of hours for May to get win number 2001 when Eisenhower crossed the line first later in the day yesterday, so who knows? Anything could be possible.
Credit: Matt Markham writing in The Press 29 June 2009
YEAR: 2022
Colin De Filippi doesn’t hesitate for a second when asked to rate the talent of his brother Mike, who passed away at his Canterbury home on Friday.
"He was a better driver than me, right from the start,” says Colin.
It is one of the ultimate compliments for Mike, who would have turned 72 on October 30 but died after a difficult last year of failing health
While the dual De Filippis have been part of our industry for as long as anybody can remember Mike’s name has not been as prominent in recent years as first his eyesight then his health started to deteriorate.
But there was a reason both brothers are in the elite 1000-win driving club. For all Colin’s polish and patience Mike (1161 career wins) was confidence and guile, both natural horsemen who chose to sharpen different tools of the ones they were gifted.
There was a time in the 1980s and 90s they were feared by rivals and loved by punters in an era of horsemen like Robert Cameron, Peter Jones and Jack Smolenski to mention a few. A time of rare skill and plenty of cunning. Even then, whether it be dominating Victoria Park in Greymouth or pulling off a sting at Addington, Mike was a small giant, armed with total self belief.
“He was a better driver than me right from when were young,” says Colin matter-of-fact.
Even though you know the comments of a loving brother will be through the rose-tinted glasses of grief, Colin says there was proof of his talent long before Mike found this throne in a sulky.
“He was always a talented sportsman, he was a bloody good rugby player and I kind of wish he hadn’t given it up so young,” says Colin.
“And he could box. He has fast hands but his only real boxing fight came when he was six in Reefton.
“Dad took him along there and the only other kid they had him to fight was eight years old and the doctor didn’t want to allow it cause Mike was so small.
“Dad said let him fight cause he will be okay and Mike beat the other kid up and after that Did didn’t take him back to boxing any more.”
He put those fast hands and sharp eyes to spectacular use in the sulky and had his share of really good horses like Quiet Win, who finished third to Bonnies Chance and Armalight in a real New Zealand Cup in 1982.
Another of his good pacers Hoppy’s Jet was good enough to win an Ashburton Flying Stakes 26 years ago beating big Cups winners in Bee Bee Cee, Master Musician and Burlington Bertie.
Sundowner Bay was a highly talented trotter, Alias Armbro who Mike drove to win the 1979 Dominion may have been a better one.
Mike also triumphed in one of our most infamous harness races, the 1984 NZ Derby which Naval Officer won after a sickening smash that saw nine horses fall at the Addington winning post 200m after the start.
Only five horses remained on their feet and Mike, not one to get fazed, secured the one-one with Naval Officer and timed his run to perfection to win the classic like nothing has happened until after the race.
That was Mike De Filippi. Laser-sharp focus, determined, talented, little time for fools but all the time in the world during a race.
He is survived by four daughters and two sons.
He is also survived by some great stories and iconic moments. And tremendous respect inside his industry.
Credit: Michael Guerin