Breeding Snippets | Commercial Families, Trotting Traditions and Emerging Talent

From the commercial strength of the Bee Gee’s Dream family and another promising youngster from the Champagne Party branch, to a Southland trotting dynasty stretching back more than 50 years and the continued success of the prolific Abundant family, this week's results again highlighted the value of deep maternal lines. Add in a well-related juvenile making an immediate impression, a rising trotter from the McKenzie breeding programme, and several broodmares already proving their worth at stud, and there was plenty for breeders to take note of.

Partytime makes winning start from powerful commercial family

First starter Partytime lived up to market expectations with an impressive debut victory for the Nathan Williamson stable, sprinting sharply from the trail over the closing stages to score in a 1:59.7 mile rate.

The son of Tall Dark Stranger certainly looks to have inherited his fair share of ability, but his pedigree suggests that should come as little surprise.

His dam Surprise Party won only once from a brief 11-start career but has proven a valuable broodmare, with Partytime becoming her fifth winner from seven foals. Among her best performers are Repartee, a 17-race winner who earned more than $160,000, and Stag Party, winner of seven races.

The family has remained active through another daughter, Yankee Party, while a two-year-old three-quarter sister to Partytime by Tall Dark Stranger is already waiting in the wings.

The pedigree traces through outstanding racemare Champagne Party, a 14-race winner who has continued to influence the breed through her descendants. Her daughter Democrat Party has already left millionaire pacer Republican Party and unbeaten juvenile Tour Party, one of the most exciting two-year-olds currently racing.

Further back sits former Broodmare of the Year Bee Gee’s Dream, ensuring this remains one of the strongest commercial families in the modern stud book.

On debut evidence alone, Partytime appears capable of adding further quality to an already outstanding pedigree.

Becky’s Girl continues a Southland trotting traditio

Few breeding stories can claim a lineage stretching back more than half a century, but the family behind Invercargill winner Becky’s Girl can do exactly that.

The story begins in the 1960s when Southland breeder Ginger Woodhouse established the family through mare Dorocin. Several generations later, the line remains a source of quality trotters.

The latest representative is Becky’s Girl, whose third win from just seven starts suggests she has a bright future ahead.

Her dam Alderbeck was a 13-race winner who earned more than $120,000 and became one of the better performers produced by JD Pat, herself a daughter of champion sire Sundon.

The family has produced a succession of winners through mares such as Young Pat and Go Pat, while globe-trotting star Supreme Pat remains the standout performer with 34 wins and more than $360,000 in earnings.

Now owned by Bev Williamson, Alderbeck is beginning to establish her own branch of the family. First foal Kraccka Looka has already won four races, while Becky’s Girl looks capable of surpassing that mark.

With youngsters by What The Hill and Oscar Bonavena still to emerge, the future of the family appears secure.

Dino looks every inch a juvenile of quality

Promising Auckland winner Dino gave every indication that he could develop into one of the better juveniles of his generation.

Purchased for $85,000 from Todd Anderson’s Taffy Ltd draft at the 2025 Christchurch Yearling Sale, the son of Bettor’s Delight justified strong support on debut with a determined finishing effort despite receiving little luck in transit.

The pedigree behind him is loaded with performance.

Dam Tandias Bromac won 14 races, the majority in Australia, and has already left outstanding performer The Falcon, a full brother to Dino who has won 14 races and earned almost $300,000 while recording a 1:49.8 mark.

Another sibling, Rumble Stride, won five races from just 10 starts before injury curtailed his career.

The family depth extends further through Group One-winning juvenile Tandias Courage, whose descendants include Tatijana Bromac, Aardie’s Express, Te Amo Bromac, and the durable Tommy Lincoln.

Held in high regard by the Purdon-Phelan stable, Dino possesses the pedigree and early ability to measure up against the best two-year-olds later this season.

Viscount Mackendon carries on the McKenzie legacy

The late Don McKenzie made an enormous contribution to New Zealand trotting and his influence continues through horses such as Viscount Mackendon.

The five-year-old son of Volstead is in career-best form for trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett and has now won four races while edging towards six-figure earnings.

His dam Princess Mackendon was a smart performer herself, winning nine races and earning almost $95,000.

Importantly, all three of her first foals have become winners, while she continues to contribute to the family through younger stock by Oscar Bonavena and Father Patrick.

The pedigree traces through Stimulus, whose eight winners from nine foals provided tremendous success for the McKenzie and Jenny Butt partnership.

One daughter, Prestine, has already left promising performers Master Class and Prestigious, while another branch through Epona produced millionaire trotter Vulcan.

The family continues to thrive and Viscount Mackendon is proving a worthy modern representative.

Dance N Delight proving a broodmare gem

Race records can often be deceptive when assessing broodmare potential and Dance N Delight is proving exactly that.

Although unraced herself, the daughter of Bettor’s Delight has now left four winners from her first four foals after Cheer Up N Dance scored on debut at Addington.

The Nathan Williamson-trained daughter of Always B Miki became the latest contributor to what is quickly becoming an outstanding production record.

First foal Shut Up N Dance won her first three starts and has since entered the broodmare ranks, while Get Up N Dance and Rise Up N Dance have also been successful.

There is further depth still to come, with a yearling by Stay Hungry and a weanling by Always B Miki waiting their turn.

The family traces through Hurricane Dancer, whose progeny included 12-win performer God Forbid, while deeper generations feature successful producer Maureen’s Dream and a host of winners bred by the Cummings family.

For a mare that never made it to the races, Dance N Delight is certainly making her mark where it matters most.

Wishing For U backed by generations of success

The victory of Wishing For U at Addington may have surprised some punters, but a glance through his pedigree suggests the result was far from unexpected.

The son of Bettor’s Delight is the third foal and third winner from Cmeerock, continuing a family that has been producing quality performers for generations.

Older siblings Rock Me Lou and Candy Cane have already demonstrated ability, while younger stock by Bettor’s Wish and Sweet Lou are progressing through the system.

Trainer Robert Dunn knows the family intimately, having trained both Cmeerock and her dam Veecmee.

The maternal line traces back to the late Ernie Mee’s influential mare Believe Me, whose descendants enjoyed considerable success through the 1970s and 1980s.

Among the standout performers were dual Derby winner Mighty Me, while daughters such as Nanoose, Charsi Me, Lady Me, and Vee Mee all became highly successful broodmares.

Given Dunn's long-standing involvement with the family, it is no surprise he continues to invest in it. If recent performances are any guide, Wishing For U may have more wins in store before the season is out.