Every month HRNZ selects an Owner and Breeder of the Month award. It is done randomly with the only proviso being that you must have won a race during the month.
For May Michelle Caig was named Breeder of the Month after Abull’s win at Winton on May 4 while Jono Ansley was the Owner of the Month after Double Parked’s success at Alexandra Park on May 23.
Breeder of Month – Michelle Caig
Abull’s more than five length win at Winton was his first success at start number seven. Breeder Michelle Caig wasn’t on-track as she was working out of town but “I did watch it on my phone.”
“It’s a thrill to win on my home track or any track for that matter,” she says.
The six-year-old is by Raging Bull out of Chloe Finn.
“I like the fact Raging Bull was by Christian Cullen and like the thought of breeding to our colonial stallions,” says Caig, who’s been breeding horses for over 20 years.
Sun Mist was “her rock” and the Sundon trotting mare, a daughter of the champion Merinai, has been a super producer with the likes of Sonofanearl (7 wins), Pretty Sunday (15 wins), Rosemma (10 wins), He’s Like The Wind (6 wins), and Flying Without Wings (5 wins).
As for her favourite?
“I don’t like to single out my best horses (it’s like asking who your favourite child is) but Leaf Stride was my heart horse.”
Leaf Stride won two from 10 in this country before going to Australia. His record now stands at 10 wins from 49 starts.
Now she is breeding from two broodmares. She’s Like The Wind (Majestic Son – Sun Mist) is in foal to Orlando Vici while Shake It Up (Majestic Son – All Settled Down) is in foal to Volstead.
Owner of the Month – Jono Ansley
Ansley is a first-time race horse owner who’s having a great run with Double Parked. He’s part of the Young Wons syndicate that co-owns the Downbytheseaside four-year-old along with Philip and Glenys Kennard. The Young Wons syndicate is made up of a number of friends and associates of syndicate “boss” George Breckon, Ken and Karen Breckon’s oldest son.
“I met George and his brother Andrew at the start of 2020 and they have been excellent in the way they’ve organised this syndicate.”
Double Parked has won three from 12 with five other placings with the syndicate known for its boisterous celebrations of any success.
“It has been amazing to be part of the Young Wons syndicate and experiencing the journey from an idea, to the purchase, all the way to the winners’ lounge,” says Ansley, “we’ve been very fortunate Tony (Herlihy) has been able to train and race Double Parked so well and podium almost every time he hits the track, so yeah it’s been a lot of fun!”
“It has been my first time owning a race horse and I have a pretty good feeling it won’t be the last!”
