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Standard Bred season one a success

Inspired by a gap in the harness racing television schedule down under the debut season of "StandardBred" is now showing on Australian screens having completed it's New Zealand run during the spring on Trackside television.
 
Producer Sheldon Murtha offered an idea at a NZ Standardbred Breeders Association meeting that while thoroughbred breeding shows were flourishing on racing television channels there wasn't a standardbred equal.
 
"Such a programme had to be viable given the following harness racing has, especially in New Zealand" he recalls. 
 
So with the support of The Breeders Associations across NZ, Trackside Television NZ and a stable of enthusiastic partners, the show got the go ahead for two seasons back in July this year. Heads are around the table mapping the next series following a more than encouraging response to the programmes.
 
"Viewer numbers across the various platforms available these days have been well beyond expectations" reveals Murtha whose dabbled successfully and otherwise with such broadcast projects.
 
"Making horse racing content that isn't generating some sort of quick betting turnover hike is shaky ground these days.It has been for a while now."
 
While television networks are interested in the marquee events, week to week coverage is the domain of racing channels like New Zealand's Trackside and Australia's Sky Racing which have become the drivers of the dollars relied on by racing through betting turnover. 'Colour' shows are queried and need to be self sustaining and popular to live long.
 
"There'll be an attempt to make StandardBred appeal to a wide audience that has a soft spot for rural, farming or country set stories" says Murtha."It almost hit the mark with a couple of these initial episodes but we were feeling our way a little too so it's an exciting project to be involved with. There's a global scope to it and the medium long term view is that we try and make a programme that can appeal to horse lovers in both hemispheres."
 
So how trotting is done in Europe or harness racing is faring in North America these days might make the schedule down the track if StandardBred can make good on it's great start.
 

Standard Bred | Episode 6

We caught up with Andrew Grierson of Woodlands Stud at his and Charles Roberts beautiful Clevedon based harness racing's standardbred breeding operation.

We cover Bettor's Delight and his rise from the unknown to prominence.

We also take a look a closer look at the 'Great White Blaze' who is hoped to be the perfect out-cross solution to New Zealand breeders before finding time to adore a foal as sweet (and valuable) as they come.

StandardBred | Episode 5

This time on StandardBred, we catch up with Ken Breckon at his breeding establishment of Breckon Farms in Ohaupo for a yarn or two.

Ken talks about his incredulous introduction to harness racing at the 1995 yearling sales in Karaka, where he and his late brother Peter purchased the 1996 2YO filly of the year.

We also find time to look at a farm bred Australasian trotting champion and his incredible journey just to get to the races under more than just a watchful eye.

We also take a deeper look into the farm operation and pedigrees of a few of the Breckon broodmare band that like anything 'Breckon' just keep on delivering.

StandardBred | Episode 4

Sheldon catches up with Greg & Nina Hope to find out about what it takes to breed a NZ Horse of the year in Monbet. After yesterday's fresh up win in the Flying Mile, Monbet looks set for another HUGE season!

StandardBred | Episode 3

On this episode of Standardbred, Sheldon catches up with Trent Yesberg of Dancingonmoonlight Farm to discuss what lays ahead for champion racehorse and now stallion Christian Cullen. We also take a look at the impact Direct Scooter line stallions have had in New Zealand and whether we have any heir apparent's to the colonial stallion throne.

Standard Bred | Episode 2

Sheldon catches up with Graham Pearson to find out about life post breeding a harness racing superstar in the ilk of Under Cover Lover. We also take a look back at the impact of her sire, In The Pocket, and the influence of the Direct Scooter line in New Zealand harness racing!!

Standard Bred | Episode 1

In this first episode of Standard Bred, Sheldon catches up with young breeder Sam Langrope and his wife Claire to hear about their pursuit of breeding their very own harness racing champion!

Harness Racing New Zealand

 

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