94-year-old leading the breeding game

Having been involved in harness racing for more than 40 years Victorian breeder Helen Head has lost count on how many horses she has bred.

However, the 94-year-old does keep a list of her horses that have reached $100,000 in earnings and, she may need to start a new list!

That would be to document the horses that she has bred that have rated a sub 1:50 mile.

Head recalls there have been a handful of her horses that achieved that yet was not aware of yesterday’s Menangle winner The Fortunate Son who rated a career best 1:49.4.

The son of Roll With Joe and Island Dreamer became the 100th winner in Australasia to rate a 1:50 mile, or faster, in the process.

“That’s very good,” said Head.

“I’ve had five or six of my breed break 1:50 before including Tell Me Tales who went 1:49.3, and Garnet River went to America and went 1:50 from what I recall.

“I often wonder how many horses I have bred but have never attempted to add it all up.

“I do keep a list and know the ones that have made $100,000.”

After breeding thoroughbreds, Head became involved with breeding standardbreds when her late husband Graham was a member of the Victorian Trotting Control Board.

Madame Han, by Bachelor Hanover, was their foundation mare and have stuck with that breeding line ever since leaving a trail of top class horses like Safari, The Storm Inside and the abovementioned horses to name a few.

The matriarch of Victorian breeding is still actively involved and has two horses up for auction at Sunday’s Australian Pacing Gold Sale in Melbourne.

“I have two in the sale, a filly by Lazarus out of Stratospheric who is out of Star Chaser and also a Bettors Delight filly out of Our Star Dust who is also out of Star Chaser,” said Head.

“I have five foals on the ground now and providing everything goes alright I will have a busier year next year.”

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink