Breeding Snippets | Great Families Continue to Shape the Future

“From the enduring influence of champion trotter Merinai, to the rapidly emerging stock of Pacing Grace, and the continued strength of the famed Janetta’s Pride family, this week’s breeding performances again highlighted the depth within New Zealand’s maternal ranks. Add in the unbeaten rise of Imperious Girl, the growing reputation of Our Col, and another promising winner from the Flying Maiden line, and breeders had plenty to take note of across both pacing and trotting circles.”

Merinai legacy continues through Tactical Approach

Few trotters of the modern era commanded the admiration of Merinai, and nearly three decades after her remarkable career, her influence continues to shape New Zealand trotting.

At Cambridge last week, grandson Tactical Approach produced another impressive performance, winning his second race from only five starts for driver Jimmy Stormont, who famously partnered his granddam throughout her outstanding racing career.

The son of Tactical Landing is out of Classic Armbro, a daughter of Merinai who herself won two races before becoming a productive broodmare, with all nine of her progeny reaching the races.

The family’s ongoing success has largely been driven through the daughters of Merinai, who despite being by pacing sire Tuff Choice, developed into one of the most influential modern trotting families in the country.

One of the strongest examples comes through Sun Mist, who failed to race but later produced performers such as Sonofanearl, Pretty Sunday, and Leaf Stride.

Now the next generation of broodmares is continuing the trend. Rosemma, herself a 10-race winner, has already left two winners from her first pair of foals, while descendants of Pretty Sunday are also beginning to emerge successfully.

The legacy of Merinai appears firmly secured for many years yet.

Axel Rose emerging from deep southern family

The continued rise of Axel Rose at Addington provided another reminder that quality horses can emerge from even the most understated pedigrees.

The son of En Solitaire recorded his third win from just nine starts with an authoritative trotting performance for trainer Matty Williamson, suggesting considerably higher grades await.

His sire has struggled to gain traction commercially in New Zealand, but the family underneath Axel Rose contains generations of proven squaregaiters.

Dam Pegarose won two races from only seven starts and has already produced two promising performers from her first two foals. Further back, granddam Watch Rose Trot and third dam Jaqui N both contributed useful performers to the line.

Tracing the pedigree deeper reveals direct links to former open-class trotter Flying Maiden and the talented Cool Cat, while colonial champion Johnny Gee also appears prominently in the background.

The family has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to leave above-average trotters over several generations, and early indications suggest Axel Rose may well become the latest high-class representative.

Our Col looks every inch a top filly

Master horseman Tony Herlihy appears to have another elite trotting filly on his hands in Our Col, whose latest victory further strengthened her standing among the country’s best three-year-old squaregaiters.

The daughter of Father Patrick has now won four races from only six starts, combining natural speed with professionalism well beyond her age.

Her dam Cheeky Babe, by Muscle Hill, was also highly talented, winning four of her five starts under Herlihy’s care before retiring to stud.

The early results at stud have been outstanding. First foal Illicit Love has already won three races, while younger brother Confession Time is now progressing through his juvenile preparation.

The maternal family is loaded with class performers. Granddam Factor The Odds produced Group One winner Bet N Win, while further descendants include the durable and high-earning Stress Factor and Prince Fearless.

Developed carefully over many years by Mid Canterbury breeder Michelle Baird, the family has become synonymous with high-class trotters carrying the “Fear” suffix.

With major classics looming later in the season, Our Col already shapes as one of the standout contenders among her generation.

Woodlands family dominates Welcome Stakes quinella

The Group One Welcome Stakes at Addington not only showcased two exciting juveniles, but also highlighted the extraordinary strength of the modern Pacing Grace family.

Winner Travel Agent and runner-up Chiggsy are both products of the Woodlands Stud breeding empire and both descend directly from the same influential maternal line.

The Sweet Lou colt Travel Agent, a $90,000 Karaka yearling purchase, is from Pacing Delight and therefore closely related to performers such as Aladdin, Hadron Collider, and American-based speedster Mason’s Delight.

Meanwhile Chiggsy, by Bettor’s Delight, descends through Grace Way, whose progeny have collectively produced more than 100 wins across three countries.

At the centre of the family sits the exceptional broodmare Jessie Grace, whose 14 foals all made it to the racetrack.

Over the last three decades, this has become one of the most commercially successful modern pacing families in Australasia, with descendants continuing to dominate both yearling sales and elite racing.

The strength of the family was further reinforced earlier this year when an Alabar-offered Captaintreacherous filly from Gina Grace fetched $175,000 at Karaka.

Imperious Girl flies the flag for overlooked sire

The emergence of unbeaten Southland filly Imperious Girl has provided a timely reminder that top-class performers can emerge from unexpected sources.

The daughter of Imperial Count made it three wins from three starts at Winton with a stunning performance after working hard in the running before clearing out late in a slick 1:56.8 mile rate.

Her sire, a son of Angus Hall, enjoyed Group success on both sides of the Tasman but struggled to gain commercial support from New Zealand breeders before eventually returning to Australia.

Despite limited numbers, his stock has consistently performed strongly, headed by horses such as Keayang Livana and Monaro Mia.

The maternal side of Imperious Girl’s pedigree is equally tough. Dam The Sweedish Filly is a half-sister to seven winners, including the durable The Fiery Ginga, while another branch through Leithe Ellen has already produced promising trotter Mor Moonlight.

The pedigree traces back to the influential Hest family developed over many years by North Otago breeder Colin Campbell.

If her early performances are any guide, Imperious Girl may yet climb a long way through the three-year-old trotting ranks this season.

Blarney Stone adds another chapter to elite Sundon cross

The victory of lightly raced filly Blarney Stone at Winton further enhanced one of the most successful modern trotting crosses in New Zealand breeding history.

The daughter of Volstead and Triple A became the fifth winner from her dam’s six foals, continuing the extraordinary success generated from repeated matings between Sundon and Janetta’s Pride.

Although Triple A never raced, she was one of 14 foals bred from that cross by Mid Canterbury breeders Keith and Bevan Grice, and the results bordered on remarkable.

Those matings produced nine winners and a qualifier, including stars such as Dependable, Jo Anne, Shirley Temple, and Ima Gold Digger.

Even more significantly, the daughters of the family have continued to breed on with tremendous success. Descendants now include horses such as Jimmy Carter, Monty Python, Dark Horse, Father Christmas, Red Hot Poker, and Crusher Collins.

The depth and consistency throughout the pedigree has made it one of the most respected trotting families in the country, and regardless of what Blarney Stone achieves from here, her long-term broodmare value already appears assured.