Every month HRNZ awards a breeder and owner of the month. The draw is done randomly with the only proviso being your horse must have won a race during the month.
Current Breeders of the Year Todd and Fleur Anderson are now April’s Breeder of the Month as well, following Dance Till Dawn’s win at Rangiora on April 27.
It was the six-year-old mare’s 12th win at start number 75.
“She has done a great job for her owners which is hugely satisfying as a breeder,” says Todd Anderson.
A $40,000 purchase at the 2020 National Yearling Sale she has now won over $300K in stakes.
“Dance Till Dawn (Art Major – Shimmy Shoes) was a lovely yearling from a nice family and has done a great job and always gives her best.”
Breeding under their Taffy Limited banner, the Andersons have a broodmare band of around 20 mares that include Broodmare of the Year Imaginary Bet, Spanish Armada, The Orange Agent, Safedra and others.
They were named Breeder of the Year at the last HRNZ awards in February following the success of many of their stock, most notably Pacer of the Year Merlin.
So what is the key to their success?
“It’s a combination of broodmare band, stallion selection and the team effort which is driven on a daily basis by (breeder and yearling preparer) Laura Smith.”
And the next generation is not far away from showing what they have got.
“We are looking forward to seeing the next bunch of two-year-olds getting to the track.”
April’s Owner of the Month was Melanie Mowbray following Impressive Shard’s win at Addington on April 4. Trained by husband Brad, Impressive Shard had the toughest trip but was still too good for his opposition to register his first win in five career starts. Impressive Shard is co-owned by Brad and Australian Russell Crossen.
March’s Breeder of the Month following Paris Prince’s wins at Rangiora on March 2 and at Addington on March 14 is Fay Fletcher. She bred and races the Royal Aspirations seven-year-old who is trained by husband Fred. He has now won eight times in 58 starts, with stakes earnings of just under $100,000.
March’s Owner of the Month is Doug Donaldson following Hillbilly Blues’ win at Alexandra Park on March 21, and he was there to watch the What the Hill four-year-old down the opposition by over two lengths.
“It is the ultimate reward for owning a horse to see them win,” says Donaldson, “Hillbilly Blues is doing everything right at the moment. For a trotter that’s pretty good.”
Trained by Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett, it was Hillbilly Blues’ third win at start number nine.
Donaldson got involved through Tony Herlihy, who bought the horse at the 2022 National Yearling Sale for $40,000. Herlihy’s wife Suzanne is also in the ownership group.
Hillbilly Blues is the latest of many horses Donaldson has been involved in, and there have been some real champions as well.
“I must have had over 100 horses over a period of 45 years or more starting with trainer Dane Alexander. Probably the best ones of them have been Temporale, Bolt For Brilliance, Double Delight and Massive Metro as trotters, while Revolver was probably the best pacer.”
Congratulations to March and April’s recipients – your winning plaques are on their way.
