Blossom Lady

Blossom Lady
BreedStandardbred
DisciplinePacing
SireFarm Timer (USA)
GrandsireRace Time
DamLumber Lady
Maternal grandsireLumber Dream (USA)
SexMare
Foaled11 December 1984
CountryNew Zealand
BreederBob Davison and Bill Cook, Ashburton
OwnerPolly Syndicate (Ralph Kermode et al)
Trainer(1) Stephen Doody, Palmerston North (2) Derek Jones, Templeton
Record
155:43-20-18
Earnings
$1,334,808
Major wins
1992 New Zealand Trotting Cup
1992 New Zealand Free For All
1994 A G Hunter Cup
1995 A G Hunter Cup
Honors
New Zealand Horse of the Year
Last updated on: 6 November 2021.

Blossom Lady was a leading New Zealand Standardbred racehorse. Affectionately known as "The Bloss"[1] she is most noted for winning the 1992 New Zealand Trotting Cup and New Zealand Free-For-All double. She also won the 1994 and 1995 A G Hunter Cup in Melbourne, Victoria and in total she won eight Group 1 races.

She was crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year in 1993.

Her owners were the Polly Syndicate comprising Ralph & Judy, Bill & Robyn Kermode, Pat & Mary Foley, Bob & Barbara Williams, Ian & Jenny Smith and Ross & Adrienne Kennedy. The majority of her owners were based in Palmerston North and she was initially trained there by Stephen Doody but after 6 wins (at Manawatu and Cheviot), she was moved to Derek Jones at Templeton near Christchurch. She was driven in the majority of her victories by Anthony Butt, grandson of trainer Derek Jones. Derek himself drove her in one win and his son Peter Jones drove her to two wins. Stephen Doody drove her to five of her six wins when he trained her at Palmerston North.

She was known and admired for her stamina and her long career, she raced in six New Zealand Cups and won races at five separate Inter Dominion Pacing Championship carnivals.[2] She also won the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes three times.

When she was retired she was the leading stake-winning mare in Australasia.

Her son, Mister D G, foaled 7 December 1997 (Camtastic, USA) was also a top class race-horse who won 20 races including six in Australia. He won the 2004 A G Hunter Cup that his mother had won twice.

Blossom Lady died on 18 May 2004.

She was inducted into the New Zealand Trotting Hall of Fame and the Addington Harness Hall of Fame. She also had a Lounge named after her at Addington Raceway.

Racing career

Blossom Lady's notable performances included:[3]

Year Placing Race 1st 2nd 3rd
1990 1st Hannon Memorial Blossom Lady Bold Sharvid Balonne.
1991 1st New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom Lady Wreleys Lady Bonnie
1991 1st Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Consolation (Auckland) Blossom Lady Tight Connection Thorate
1991 1st Invercargill Cup Blossom Lady Tartan Clansman Strietross
1991 1st Easter Cup (3200m) Blossom Lady Inky Lord Popsicle
1991 1st Ashburton Flying Stakes Blossom Lady Inky Lord Clancy
1991 1st New World Cup (Forbury) Blossom Lady Popsicle Lord Magic
1992 1st New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom Lady Lady Bonnie Seaswift Franco
1992 1st Invercargill Cup Blossom Lady Giovanetto Air Supply
1992 1st New Zealand Trotting Cup Blossom Lady Giovanetto Christopher Vance
1992 1st New Zealand Free For All Blossom Lady Sogo Christopher Vance
1993 1st New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom Lady Lady's Day Smooth Gretna
1993 1st Palmerstonian Classic (Manawatu) Blossom Lady Pacing Machine Doctor Vic
1993 1st New Zealand Mares Championship Blossom Lady Lady's Day Smooth Gretna
1993 1st Hannon Memorial Blossom Lady Master Musician Tigerish
1994 1st A G Hunter Cup Blossom Lady Christopher Vance The Unicorn
1994 1st Speights Cup (Forbury) Blossom Lady Pay Me Back Light Year
1995 1st A G Hunter Cup Blossom Lady Master Musician Golden Reign

See also

References

  1. ^ "ADDINGTON HALL OF FAME BLOSSOM LADY". Hof.co.nz. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Racing: A true Lady who loved hard work". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Welcome to HRNZ". Hrnz.co.nz. Retrieved 9 November 2021.