Breeding Snippets | Established Families Continue to Deliver

From the enduring influence of Tosti Girl and Fight For Glory, to another promising performer emerging from the famed Black Watch family and a fresh winner carrying the blood of My Field Marshall, this week's racing again showcased the depth of New Zealand's breeding ranks. Add in another rising star by Captain Crunch, a filly from the powerful Sparks A Flyin tribe, and several mares already enhancing their future broodmare credentials, and there was plenty for breeders to take note of.

Prince Lincoln adds another chapter to Tosti Girl legacy

The form of Prince Lincoln can occasionally frustrate followers, but when the son of Always B Miki gets things right, he leaves little doubt about his ability.

His latest victory was another reminder of that talent, with two of his three career wins now recorded in sub-1:54 mile rates despite a record that currently stands at just three wins and eight placings from 23 starts.

The pedigree behind him suggests there could be considerably more to come.

Dam Cullen’s Princess never raced but left a lasting legacy before her passing in late 2024. Six of her eight foals became winners, headed by the talented Miki Montana, a full sister to Prince Lincoln, who won six races and earned $138,000 before joining the Spreydon Lodge broodmare band.

The family strength originates with Northern Oaks winner Tosti Girl, whose influence continues to grow through descendants including NZ Cup winner The Fixer and high-class mare The Honey Queen.

Another branch is now represented by the promising Princess Of Savoy, who is beginning to establish herself for the Hughes stable.

Given both his speed and pedigree, Prince Lincoln appears capable of adding significantly to his current record.

Ride The Waves follows in her dam’s footsteps

Two starts, two wins, and a pedigree suggesting there is much more to come.

That is the current profile of Cambridge winner Ride The Waves, whose latest success came courtesy of a front-running drive from Anthony Butt.

The daughter of Downbytheseaside is the latest winner from former champion filly Fight For Glory, one of the standout mares of her generation.

A 14-race winner who amassed more than $675,000 in stakes, Fight For Glory is now beginning to build a similarly impressive record as a broodmare.

From just four foals she has already produced three winners, headed by Built For Glory and Glory’s Delight, while a two-year-old full brother to Ride The Waves remains to emerge.

The family traces through Breath Of Life, another high-class racemare who produced eight runners, seven of them winners.

With both ability and pedigree on her side, Ride The Waves could easily become a player in the major three-year-old fillies' features later in the season.

Home Town Girl enhances powerful trotting family

Cambridge winner Home Town Girl may not have entered the race with obvious winning form, but her pedigree has long suggested she was capable of better.

The daughter of What The Hill is from outstanding racemare Our Sunny Whiz, who won 19 races and nearly $350,000 during a distinguished career.

That mare has since produced six winners, including the durable Sunnys Little Whiz, who accumulated 18 victories.

The family runs considerably deeper still. Granddam Hanover Whiz won nine races, while third dam First Prize was also a nine-time winner.

Further back appears the influential mare Abundant, whose descendants include top performers such as Genius and millionaire trotter Vulcan.

The family has been producing quality performers for several decades and Home Town Girl now has the opportunity to further strengthen that record.

Scrunch emerging as another quality member of Black Watch family

Few young pacers are building a profile as rapidly as Scrunch.

The son of Captain Crunch now boasts four wins and four placings from only 10 starts, continuing the excellent recent run enjoyed by the stallion's progeny.

His dam Shimmy Shoes won only once, but has already left three winners from four foals, including the outstanding Dance Til Dawn, who earned over $300,000.

Trainer Robert Dunn knows the family well, having trained numerous descendants over the years and later purchasing Shimmy Shoes himself.

The family has produced a long list of quality performers including Hot Shoe Shuffle, Joshua Mac, Jivin Cullen, and Australian star Glenferrie Shuffle.

Through mares such as Sem’s Delight, the family continues to flourish, while the female line traces directly back to the influential Black Watch, one of the foundation mares of modern New Zealand breeding.

Given his early record, Scrunch looks another capable of carrying the family banner forward.

Major Copy taps into My Field Marshall bloodline

Impressive maiden winner Major Copy could hardly ask for a stronger maternal family behind him.

The son of Art Major was making only his second raceday appearance when he scored at Cambridge, immediately suggesting a bright future.

He is the first winner from Delightful Dash, herself an 11-race winner, but the real depth emerges further back.

Granddam Coming Up Roses produced multiple quality performers including Regal Dash and Askmenow, while another branch produced the talented Foregone Conclusion.

The family also includes the outstanding mare Foreal, winner of 18 races and over $600,000, who later became the dam of Miracle Mile champion My Field Marshall.

Remarkably, all nine of Foreal’s winners recorded mile rates of 1:58 or better.

Those are lofty standards to live up to, but Major Copy has made an encouraging start.

Arinitti backed by one of the sport’s great modern families

Another recent winner by Captain Crunch, Arinitti, produced a strong finishing burst at Addington to secure victory at only her sixth start.

The filly is the 10th winner from 11 foals produced by Sparks Under Fire, an extraordinary record in itself.

Even more impressively, nine of those winners have broken the two-minute barrier, a benchmark Arinitti appears likely to join before long.

The family traces directly to champion mare Sparks A Flyin, who won 21 races across three countries before becoming one of the most influential broodmares of modern times.

Her descendants include millionaire pacer Bettors Fire, alongside performers such as Art Union, My Alpha Rock, and Safedra.

The next generation has continued the trend through horses such as Dr Susan and La Rosa, both earning more than $200,000.

Developed over many years by the late Jim Wakefield and trainers such as Cran Dalgety, this remains one of the strongest pacing families in Australasia.

With that pedigree behind her, Arinitti looks to have a bright future both on the racetrack and eventually in the broodmare paddock.