More embarrassing omissions in harness awards finalists - breeder disappointed

Harness Racing New Zealand’s oversights in its nominees for the 2022 season awards extend to categories other than just the on-track performers revealed yesterday.

One of the country’s most successful participants Brian West is missing from a list of four finalists for breeder of the year and Stardon, the dam of the country’s most outstanding trotter Sundees Son, who is certain to be trotter of the year and could well win overall harness horse of the year, is also overlooked in the trotting broodmare section.

West, who has been breeding for 48 years and runs Studholme Bloodstock at Coes Ford in Canterbury, previously won the breeder of the year title in 2017.

But he has just enjoyed what he says is easily his best season and among his list of 30 winners are five who are all contenders for awards themselves - Don’t Stop Dreaming (six wins from seven starts), True Fantasy (four wins), Manhattan (six wins), Paramount Empress (three wins) and No Matter Wat (three wins).

“We haven’t had another year like it so it’s disappointing we didn’t get a nomination,” West said.

West, 71, who bred his first horse at the age of 23, but didn’t develop his hobby into a profession until the mid-1980s, isn’t letting the snub get to him and says he is excited about the 16 yearlings he will present for sale in Christchurch next month.

Judge for yourself

Here are West’s full credentials and those of the four nominees for top breeder so you can be the judge of whether Studholme Bloodstock should have been a finalist. (There may be some Australian wins not included)

Don’t Stop Dreaming was one of 30 winners bred by Brian West’s Studholme Bloodstock and one of five who are finalists for awards.Studholme Bloodstock (30 winners)

Don’t Stop Dreaming (6), Manhattan (6), True Fantasy (4), Bach (4), Rockin Va Va (4), No Matter Wat (3), Folklore (3), Paramount Empress (3), Anything Goes (3), Artisan (2), Bohemian Rhapsody (2), Motor Mouth (2), Barnstormer (2), Thank You (2), Quik Shot (2), With Style (2), Angus (2), With A Bang (2), Mandalay Bay (2), plus 11 horses who won one race each, including the exciting Captain Tom.

The four finalists are:

Lex Williams and the estate of the late Heather Williams (9 winners)

Gotta Elect Bill (3), Lumen Caeli (3), Samanthas Moon (2), Light Of Da Moon (2), Leesa Castleton (2), One Over Da Line (2), plus three horses who won one race each.

Katie Carville (10 winners)

Millwood Nike (8), Braeview Kelly (2 in NZ plus 6 in Aus), Cut N Run (3 in Aus), Ohoka Achilles (2), Manhattan Sunshine (2), Ohoka Creed (2), plus four horses who won one race each.

Paul and Pauline Renwick of Renwick Farms (9 winners)

Akuta (7), Ajira (3), plus seven horses who won one race each.

Breckon Farms (27 winners)

Allamericanlover (6), High Energy (5), Wheels Of Fortune (4), Hot And Treacherous (3), Wy Fi (3), Tonites Delight (2 in NZ and 1 in Aus), Dancing Desire (2), Luvstruck (2), Regal Attire (2), A Bettor You (2), I See Fire (2), plus 16 horses who won one race each.

Sundees Son is in line to win both the trotter of the year and overall harness horse of the year but his dam Stardon couldn’t even make the list of finalists for trotting broodmare of the year.Inexcusable omission

Almost as inexcusable is the omission of Stardon in the finalists for trotting broodmare of the year.

Stardon took the title in 2020-21 through the feats of Sundees Son, winner of 11 of his 17 starts. She also left Tamenund who won one race.

But Sundees Son was even more dominant last season when he recorded nine wins from 14 starts and banked $436,831.

Among his achievements were four Group I wins and three New Zealand records.

The only other progeny of the 25-year-old mare to race was two-year-old Sunny’s Sister who placed once from five starts.

The four finalists are:

Toomuch To Do, dam of top trotter Bolt For Brilliance (5 wins) and Miss Yo (1).

Ugly Betty, dam of promising two-year-old Southern Diamond (2), Bennie And The Jets (2) and Gazza Galleon (1).

Countessa Galleon, dam of I Dream Of Jeannie (4) and Uncle Louis (2 in NZ and 3 in Adelaide) and

Habibti, dam of Resolve (5) and smart two-year-old Confessional (3).

Award winners will be announced at Addington on March 4.

* HRNZ did not reply to an email asking who was responsible for deciding the finalists.