Melton winner continues the Geddes legacy

The Franco Ledger gelding Justalittlesip, one of the standout performers of the winter racing at Melton, has worked his way to the fringe of cup class while carrying forward a maternal line established by the Canterbury-based Geddes family more than 70 years ago.

“The line was founded by my great-grandfather and stretches over eight generations of horses,” said Canterbury dairy farmer and hobby horseman James Geddes, who bred and raced the gelding’s dam, the Bettor’s Delight mare Justasip, in partnership with his mother Judith.

“We won one race with Justasip and then leased her to Peter Hunter from down south,” Geddes recalled. “They won two more races with her. She was a nice, tough mare who just lacked a bit of high speed.”

The Hunter family bred, trained, and raced three of Justasip’s four live foals. Her first foal, Justalittlesip, is now the headline act. After winning as a two-year-old in Invercargill, the gelding has gone on to record 12 more victories – including six at Melton – and boosted his stake earnings to $126,365.

Her third foal, Justanothersip, a three-year-old full sister to Justalittlesip, showed early promise with a sharp 1:56.5 win at Wyndham last October as a two-year-old. The two-year-old Justaweesip (by Rock N Roll Heaven) also looks progressive, having qualified in 2:00.5 in January. Sadly, Justasip died foaling to Sweet Lou in 2023.

Got Milk, the dam of Justasip, also produced the exported Buckeye – a four-race winner in New Zealand who later excelled in America, amassing $212,829 – as well as Buckskin ($135,329), a consistent performer on the New Zealand country cups circuit.

This maternal line traces back to Windsor Maid, who launched the Geddes family’s legacy. A winner of two races with eight placings from 35 starts, Windsor Maid left three foals including two influential daughters – Dryden Heather (by Whipster) and Trampolina (by Vagus) – who both bred on with distinction.

Dryden Heather produced five winners and became the ancestress of stars such as Jumpingjackmac ($954,853), Joyfuljoy (NZ Jewels), Bettor Joy (Delightful Lady Classic), Showsomejoy (Vicbred 3YO Final, SA Oaks), Joyfulbelle (Robin Dundee Crown) and the durable Victorian stayer Bernie Winkle ($678,292).

Meanwhile, Trampolina’s branch of the family also flourished, producing performers the calibre of dual Group 3 NSW winner Takara Shuffle, Ashburton Cup victor Dryden Amanda, Strike Master (Stratford Cup), Razor’s Edge, Lesdale Kid and Liz Taylor.

“We’ve had a lot of winners from this family over the years,” James said. “I’ve got a four-year-old mare by A Rocknroll Dance out of Buzkil from this line.”