Central Southland mares in the spotlight

It’s been quite a fortnight for Central Southland breeders Todd and Fleur Anderson and John and Katrina Price.

Faith Not Fear (Captaintreacherous-Imaginary Bet) bred by the Andersons and full-brothers Tour Party (Bettor’s Delight) and War Party (Bettor’s Delight) both bred by the Prices, have each had impressive wins.

Democrat Party, the dam of the “Partys” is owned by the Prices and has left six foals of racing age who’ve collectively won forty eight races and over $1.6 million.

The mare’s biggest star has been Republican Party, the winner of twenty seven and $1.3 million.

John and Katrina are beginning to breed from one of Democrat Party’s daughters – Advance Party. She’s a six win mare and they have a Captaintreacherous filly out of her. They sold a full sister to Advance Party in Smarty Party to the Andersons and Laura Smith and she has a Captaintreacherous colt on the ground.

Foals the Prices have taken to the sales out of Democrat Party have also been very good revenue makers, collectively selling for $600,000; War Party $240,000, Republican Party $210,000 and Tour Party $150,000.

The Anderson’s mare Imaginary Bet who’s been the New Zealand Broodmare of the Year for the last two seasons, has left six foals of racing age which have collectively won 67 races and earned $3.8 million.

Her biggest winners have been Merlin, 24 wins and $1.8 million and Captains Mistress 30 wins and $1.6 million.

Records show that five of Imaginary Bet’s foals have sold at the NZB Standardbred Sales fetching $678,000. Magician sold for $200,000, Captain Of Chaos $180,000, Faith Not Fear $160,000, Merlin $120,000 and Durrant $18,000.

Imaginary Bet has left three fillies, and the Jordash Breeding Trust are breeding from her first foal Cullen’s Bet who has left Elektra King (4). Trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety (Ontario Breeding Ltd) and a number of Australian based breeders including Mick Harvey, own the mare’s second foal Gemma Mac who has left The Queens Gambit – the winner of four, including her last two.

Another full sister, Debutante Party the winner of six races, is being bred from by Australian Mick Boots who has a Downbytheseaside filly, a Sweet Lou colt and a Father Nuno filly.

High stakes spring racing is now here. Merlin, Captains Mistress and Republican Party are about to reappear and Tour Party, War Party and Faith Not Fear will be targeting some big assignments. Democrat Party and Imaginary Bet are expected to add to their already impressive tallies.

And both the Andersons and the Prices outside of their star mares, have a handful of other well-bred mares that are kicking some goals too. There’ll be plenty to keep an eye on from their Central Southland bases.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink