Durham Park owner Bruce Edward gives Minister for Racing Martin Pakula a tour of his property.
From disaster came great success in 2015-16 for Victorian Breeder of the Year, Bruce Edward of Durham Park. Bruce and wife Vicki’s breeding property was razed shortly before Christmas last year but stayed positive throughout and committed to rebuilding his establishment; his stock certainly gave him good reason to remain positive as the year rolled on with horses like Petacular and Ideal For Real cleaning up on the track.
Edward was presented with the Woodlands Park Victorian Breeder of the Year award at the IRT Harness Breeders Victoria awards night at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night, one of several premier awards to recognise achievements in the breeding industry across the season.
Long-time stalwarts of the Victorian industry, Dr Martin & Kaye Hartnett, were recognised with the Metro Ian Daff Memorial for tenured service to the industry.
The Benstud Pacing Broodmare of the Year was awarded to the Gleeson-Cameron managed mare, Celebrity Ball, dam of Celebrity Guest and Starburst Girl; while the Niota Bloodstock Trotting Broodmare of the Year went to Fred Crews’ mare, Sundonna, dam of the impressive Maori Law and Maori Time.
Three sires were recognised for their impressive strike rate of starters to winners – the A Rocknroll Dance @ Alabar Juvenile Sire of the Year was awarded to Alabar’s own Courage Under Fire (51.5%); the Niota Bloodstock Trotting Sire of the Year was presented to Rosehill Farm’s Armbro Variable (74%); while the Victorian Pacing Sire of the Year went to Royal Mattjesty, formerly of the Stallion Station (72.5%).
Championship trophies were awarded to 2YO fillies Petacular (Bruce Edward) and Kyvalley Kyrie (Aldebaran Park); 2YO colts & geldings The Storm Inside (Helen Head) which tied with Our Little General (Lauriston Bloodstock), and Illawong Byron (Dr & Mrs Hartnett); 3YO fillies Rocknroll Magic (Peter Gleeson, Bruce & Craig Cameron) and Aldebaran Eve (Aldebaran Park); 3YO colts & geldings, Our Waikiki Beach (The Fusinato family) and Cruisin Around (Pauleen Thomson); and aged horses Frith (Dianne Kelly), Maori Time (Fred Crews), Super Zeck (Shane Murphy) and Lennytheshark (Kevin Newbound Family, represented by Dion Gleeson).
Breeders were again recognised for excellence in breeding salable stock, with Greg, John & Kath Fusinato being awarded the APG Yearling Sales High Earner trophy for their $150,000 Somebeachsomewhere colt, and the Terry Forster & Heather Lyttleton combination for their $47,000 Majestic Son colt at the Australasian Premier Trotting Sales.
Excellence in recorded mile rates were presented to over 100 horses who achieved an exceptional time across the season.
Breeders of Group 1 race winners across the country were also presented with plaques for their efforts in 2015-16.
Available for comment:
HBV President, Mr Shannon Nixon, 0487 764 966
Photos will be available on HBV’s social media streams across the night, and further images will be uploaded in the following week.
Information about the awards criteria and selection process, and full results from the night, can be found on the HBV website under ‘Made in Victoria’.
