Kevin Riseley bred and owned superstar trotter, Spidergirl.
Prominent Kialla breeder-owner Kevin Riseley, the breeder of champion trotters National Interest and Spidergirl, has won the prestigious Benstud Standardbreds Ian Daff Memorial Breeder of the Year Award for 2014.
The award was presented at the 2013/14 Metro Printing Victorian Breeders Awards Night conducted by Harness Breeders Victoria at Shepparton Raceway last Saturday night.
Riseley, who has been breeding pacers and trotters since the mid 1980s, is the only breeder in Australia to have bred four Breeders Crown champions – Right Interest, Magic Interest, Tsonga and Spidergirl.
The Vicbred Pacing champion By My Side and the smart square-gaiters Mister Gunsen, Dougie and Astrud were other smart performers bred off Riseley’s Sheron Park property.
In his acceptance speech, Riseley paid tribute to leading Goulburn Valley horseman Kevin Newbound and his family for their help and guidance when first starting out in the breeding business.
Spidergirl was one of the stars of the night, picking up three Awards – Aged Trotting Mare of the Year, Vicbred Champion and Group 1 winner.
Alabar Bloodstock flagship Art Major scooped the pool in the Siring awards, being named Victorian Sire of the Year and Juvenile Sire of the Year, while Holmes Hanover collected the Broodmare Sire of the Year title.
Trophies for Victorian-bred Group 1 winners bred by HBV members were presented to the breeders of Abettorpunt, Barynya, Nowitski, Major Secret, Makes Every Scents, Frith, Major Crocker, Elegent Image, Lettucerockthem, Bamako Mali, Vansumic, Smooth Showgirl, Guaranteed, Claudy’s Princess, Illawong Helios, Spidergirl, Queen Of Pop and Follow The Stars.
Meanwhile, HBV member breeders of the Vicbred champions Messini, Niki No No, Lennytheshark, Endsino, Claudy’s Princess, Illawong Armstrong and Spidergirl were also recognised on the night.
Former HBV secretary and committeeman Ian Kitchin, the 2003/04 Victorian Breeder of the Year, was presented with a Life Membership of the Association from HBV president Shannon Nixon.
Over 110 people attended the evening and enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal, refreshments and lots of giveaways. MC Tanya McDermott was a splendid host, keeping the night’s proceedings on time.
The night was generously sponsored by Pryde’s EasiFeed, International Racehorse Transport, Nevele R Stud, Niota Bloodstock. Benstud Standardbreds, Harness Racing Victoria, Hygain, Alabar Bloodstock, Woodlands Stud, Minitube Australia, Renown Silverware, Shepparton Harness Racing Club, Quest Apartments Shepparton, Moama Bowling Club, Empire Stallions, Global Stallion Management, Mountain View Stud, Loddon Valley Standardbred Stud, Australian Pacing Gold, Aldebaran Park, Pacific Vet, Raising The Standards and Truffles Continental Catering.
The major Award winners were as follows:
2YO Pacing Colt/Gelding: Follow The Stars
2YO Pacing Filly: Bamako Mali
3YO Pacing Colt/Gelding: Major Crocker
3YO Pacing Filly: Barynya
Aged Pacing Horse/Gelding: Guaranteed
Aged Pacing Mare: Frith
2YO Trotting Colt/Gelding: Illawong Armstrong
2YO Trotting Filly: Endsino
3YO Trotting Colt/Gelding: Imamenace
3YO Trotting Filly: Claudy’s Princess
Aged Trotting Horse/Gelding: Elegant Image
Aged Trotting Mare: Spidergirl
Pacing Broodmare: Alldatglittersisgold
Trotting Broodmare: Lunar Landing
Sire of the Year: Art Major
Juvenile Sire: Art Major
Broodmare Sire: Holmes Hanover
Breeder of the Year: Kevin Riseley
