Breeding Snippets | Families Continue to Deliver Across New Zealand

Dizzy Miss Lizzy family strikes on both islands

Few broodmares could boast a more productive week than Dizzy Miss Lizzy, whose two daughters both saluted within days of each other for the Dalgety stable.

The former smart juvenile, by Changeover from Back In The USSR, was herself a high-class racemare, winning six races, including three as a two-year-old, while banking over $270,000 in stakes. Now 11, she has produced just two live foals of racing age, but both have already added significantly to the family record.

At Winton, debutante Devil Woman (by Always B Miki) justified strong market support with a professional front-running victory, rating 1:57.7 on an easy surface after trial performances had hinted at above-average ability.

Three days later at Ashburton, older half-sister Bettor Than Lizzy (by Bettor’s Delight) displayed toughness in the parked position before proving too strong over 2400 metres, recording her second victory from just nine starts.

The family traces back to the long-established Don Bates breeding operation, renowned for its Beatles-inspired naming theme and decades of success under the Norwegian Breeding Ltd banner. Horses such as Lennon, Penny Lane, Hey Jude, Sergeant Pepper, and Eleanor Rigby all became notable contributors to the operation’s success.

The family is also enjoying a fresh wave of momentum through the unbeaten Forever Miki, while Back In The USSR herself has also produced winners including Ukraine and Lady Madonna. With a weanling by Sky Major already on the ground and another recent service to Bettor’s Delight, the future looks secure for the line.

Mass Disruption reconnects with legendary trotting blood

A modest Rating 35 victory at Cambridge carried far greater significance for those familiar with New Zealand trotting history, as Mass Disruption added another chapter to one of the country’s most respected squaregaiting families.

The five-year-old son of Father Patrick is out of Rattle, a lightly raced daughter of Scuffle, whose pedigree traces directly to the outstanding racemare Tussle.

One of the great trotters of the 1980s, Tussle won 38 races and more than $560,000 despite standing little more than 14 hands. Trained and driven predominantly by Peter Jones for Dr Cliff Irvine, she became immensely popular through her toughness, manners, and distinctive racing style.

Although none of her descendants have quite matched her feats on the track, the family has remained remarkably productive. Scuffle, by Sundon, left seven winners including Sir Fahrenheit, whose 24-win career on both sides of the Tasman earned over $300,000.

Meanwhile, Rattle has already produced useful performers headed by Matty A, while Mass Disruption now becomes another contributor to a family synonymous with toughness and longevity in New Zealand trotting circles.

Soul Artist carries deep Cambridge pedigree

Cambridge mare Soul Artist continues to rapidly build her profile after another impressive victory for trainer Rodney Frampton.

The four-year-old daughter of Art Major only debuted this season but has already recorded three wins and two placings from seven starts, suggesting considerably more upside remains.

Pedigree analysis indicates she also possesses outstanding long-term broodmare potential. Her dam Helena Ideal, by American Ideal, won three races and has already left a highly promising start through her first two foals.

The family is rich in black-type performers and durable winners. Half-sister Helena Jet produced performers such as Nicholas Cage, Sweet Jemma, and Tyson, while another branch through Matai Mies produced horses including Emily Blunt, Happy Place, and Kevin Kline.

Further back sits the influential Southland family responsible for performers such as Matai Dreamer, a top-class pacer during the late 1970s for Alec Milne.

With strong racetrack performance now matching a deep maternal page, Soul Artist appears capable of developing into both a valuable racehorse and future broodmare.

Prince Lincoln enhances elite Tosti Girl branch

The dominant performance of Prince Lincoln at Auckland further advertised the depth of one of New Zealand’s most accomplished pacing families.

The son of Always B Miki and Cullen’s Princess demolished his rivals by six-and-a-half lengths in a slick 1:53.6 mile rate, confirming the ability connections have long believed he possessed.

Although still lightly credentialed with only two wins to date, his pedigree leaves little doubt about the quality behind him.

His dam Cullen’s Princess was unraced but left a superb body of work at stud before her untimely passing. Her progeny include multiple winners Gooddealehemily, Gooddealehmaddie, Miki Montana, and Lincoln La Moose.

The branch descends from former Great Northern Oaks winner Tosti Girl, who became one of the country’s most influential modern broodmares. Her progeny included NZ Cup winner The Fixer, dual-millionaire performer The Honey Queen, and Weownthenight, whose descendants now include stakes performers Midnight Miki and Kiss.

The latter recently produced her first foal, a colt by highly regarded American sire Confederate, further strengthening the future of the family.

Given the sustained success throughout the pedigree, it would come as little surprise if Prince Lincoln develops into a far more significant performer over the coming seasons.

Night Moves continues Copy That family momentum

The Woodlands Stud breeding operation looks to have another highly promising filly on its hands following the impressive second-start victory of Night Moves at Auckland.

The daughter of American Ideal and Lively Nights led throughout in the hands of Zac Butcher and displayed professionalism beyond her limited experience.

Importantly, she is a full sister to dual NZ Cup champion Copy That, whose 33-win career netted over $2 million before his recent relocation to Australia for stallion duties.

Yet Lively Nights has proven far more than simply the dam of one elite horse. Four of her first five foals are already winners, including My Copy, Toni Street, and Sugar Ray Lincoln.

The successful American Ideal cross continues to strengthen the family, with further full sisters waiting in the wings as two-year-old and yearling prospects.

The pedigree traces back to Miranda Star and famed NZ Cup winners Luxury Liner and Christopher Vance, key figures in northern harness racing during the 1970s under breeders the Reid brothers and trainers Roy and Barry Purdon.

Tinkerbelle adds further strength to commercial trotting dynasty

Canterbury breeder Trevor Casey’s decision to send Tinkerbelle north to the Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett stable continues to reap rewards following another Cambridge victory.

The daughter of What The Hill and Belle Galleon now boasts seven wins and 12 placings, with earnings approaching $72,000.

Her pedigree alone suggests she possesses considerable long-term broodmare value.

Dam Belle Galleon was a top-class racemare herself, winning 11 races before becoming one of New Zealand’s elite trotting broodmares. Remarkably, all nine of her foals to race became winners.

The list is headed by millionaire trotter Stent, alongside high-class performers My Arya and Ollivici, while five of her progeny surpassed $100,000 in earnings.

The family is one of the most commercially successful trotting lines in the country, tracing through names such as Picotee, Sundowner Bay, Enthusiast, Inspire, and Framalda.

Given that background, it appears highly likely Tinkerbelle will eventually earn her place in the broodmare paddock once her racing days conclude.