b4breeding

Late September……I’m very conscious of the big races on at the moment – Little Brown Jug, for instance – and the big name horses starting to race here as we move into NZ Cup preparation time.

But on a personal level, I am incredibly excited about the racing tonight at Cambridge and Addington. Because there are a cluster of horses racing tonight that I have a connection to, and whose careers I follow with a lot of interest as a very small-time breeder.

There’s American Flybye, a Tintin In America filly in race 4 at Cambridge, who has one win for one start and lots of ability but a tricky draw. Then in the trot later in the evening, there’s Franco Nadal, the first foal of my “new” mare Nostalgic Franco – he’s a 7-win 8yo trotter with pure pacing breeding, having his first start after a long break. And then in the final race at Cambridge, Zenterfold’s Real Desire son Thephantomtollbooth has drawn 1 of the second row and will probably need the run. He’s grown into a big boy and is still learning the trade, but will have strengthend up as a 3yo now.

Down at Addington Race 8 will have me glued to the TV, watching Nerida Franco (a half sister to Nostalgic Franco) and Amazon Lily (my mare The Blue Lotus’ first foal) compete in the Pinlea Farms Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace.

The race before is the big one of the night, and my interest lies with Bit Of A Legend, as I have co-bred a Tintin In America filly from his half sister A Legend.

There are many others I’ll follow for other reasons – Articulight is bred and owned by blog friend Brian Cowley. Freedom Fighter is bred by my friend Brian West. And in race 2 at Cambridge Overstayer is the trotter who gave my Hawaiian friends a sulky experience a couple of weeks ago, thanks to trainer David Marshall…

It’s going to be a great night of racing, for all sorts of reasons. Enjoy!