Scuse Me & Her Modern Day Legacy

You won’t see many more impressive winners than Irish Dream at Addington last Sunday (27/7/25). His powerful six‑length victory in 1:58MR came as little surprise once you glance at the pedigree page: Downbytheseaside – Splendid Bet.

The lightly raced 3YO has now won twice from just six starts and looks certain to be tested against the best of his crop again in the coming months.

His dam Splendid Bet, a five‑race winner by champion sire Bettor’s Delight, has already produced the useful performers Chief Joseph (4 wins) and Betamerica (7 wins), among seven live foals. Several others were exported after being sold as yearlings by Canterbury breeder Paul Renwick. She is currently in foal to top commercial sire Captaintreacherous.

The influence deepens further with Splendid Dreams (Dream Away – Scuse Me), dam of Splendid Bet. Though a modest race mare herself (2 wins from 6 starts), she became a broodmare of rare influence. Her record includes standouts Christen Me (32 wins, $2.47M) and Dream About Me (25 wins, $1.4M), while the highly talented but unsound Hands Christian (13 wins, $330k) might well have been just as good had he stayed sound.

Her daughters Splendid Deal, Aliante (8 wins), Delight Me (2 wins), Splendid Me and Dream On Me (2 wins) have all transitioned into valuable broodmares, now in the hands of leading commercial breeders who regularly realise strong returns in the yearling sales ring.

This family’s rise to the very top of the commercial ladder has all stemmed from third dam Scuse Me (BG’s Bunny – Super Smooth). A winner of the Great Northern Oaks at three, she stamped herself as elite when taking out the 1998 Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park. Against a star‑studded field she ran an unheard‑of 1:53.5 mile rate, storming clear in the hands of Frank Cooney for breeder‑trainer Mark Purdon and part‑owner Jim Dalgety. That time stood for years as the benchmark for fillies and mares over a sprint trip in New Zealand.

And she wasn’t done there. As a broodmare, Scuse Me has been a phenomenon, leaving 13 winners from 15 foals. Her headline acts include champion mare Adore Me (26 wins from 36 starts, $1.67M, 1:47.7), Have Faith In Me (16 wins, $1.5M, 1:47.5) and Imagine Me (9 wins, $247k). Daughters La Filou, Coca Vicola and Revere Me have all gone on to breed with distinction, extending the reach of this modern dynasty.

While Imagine Me has been relatively disappointing at stud, her unraced daughter Imaginary Bet (also by Bettor’s Delight) has more than compensated, producing the current stars Merlin (21 wins, $1.6M) and Captain’s Mistress (8 wins from 15 starts, $420k).

Another recent branch producing results is through Bare Knuckle (by colonial sire Raging Bull), dam of Better Knuckle Up (6 wins, $298k). Bare Knuckle herself posted a slick 1:51.5 mile.

In just three decades, this family has gone from a promising foundation mare to one of the great modern trotting dynasties. Multiple millionaires, Group One champions and elite performers now litter the pedigree page. After his latest effort, it would be no surprise if Irish Dream added his name to this remarkable legacy. Many good judges are already tipping he will.