Trotting star to celebrate 30th birthday

Harness racing star Diamond Field is set to mark the milestone of his 30^th birthday on October 13^th

The winner of the 1994 Interdominion Trotters Grand Final and Rowe Cup had an illustrious racing career winning 33 races from 150 starts with 29 seconds and 20 thirds.

Though, all standardbred and thoroughbred horses officially celebrate their birthdays on August 1^st, owner Michelle Blackie wanted to mark Diamond Fields foal date, as a day of celebration.

The 30 year old is booked to parade at the Riverton clubs meet on October 29^th before the feature trot, in which he was beaten by a nose in 1990 by Maggie Blue.

Diamond Field was produced by North Makarewa breeder Grant Sim from Yankee Jolter and Robyn Evander. Sim recently visited the horse after an 18 year interval.

Sim was impressed with the horses appearance and relayed stories of the horse as a youngster and the nature of his dam Robyn Evander.

Diamond Fields racing career began at the stable of Allan Beck where he won his first eight races. He was then transferred to the stable of Roy and Barry Purdon in Auckland to open up more opportunities.

The Purdon stable prepared him for his Interdominion win at Harold Park and the Rowe Cup win at Alexandra Park. Tony Herlihy the successful driver in both starts. Diamond was then transferred to the stable of Mark Purdon.

As a nine year old he won two heats of the Interdominions at Moonee Valley and the City of Sails free-for-all in Auckland.

As a ten year old, Diamond Field was placed in the South Australia stable of Neil Cavallaro where he begun his Australian campaign winning at Globe Derby Park.

Four minor wins followed in Australia before returning to New Zealand. On return to New Zealand, the then 11 year old had his final win at Addington Park from a 40m handicap. His last race he finished 2^nd ,beaten by a neck by Sundowner Bay from a 45m handicap.

Diamond Field was retired to the property of the Blackie family and has been there ever since. The family was part of the syndicate that raced Diamond Field.

Owner Michelle, was a child at the time and enjoyed the spirited nature of the race horse. Diamond Field was introduced to saddle and even ventured over some low fences.

As an elderly horse, not a lot seems to have changed from reports of his earlier antics. Breeder, Grant Sim, as reported in the 1994 Harness Racing Annual, described the horse as a hyperactive type and recalled a scene at the 1988 yearling sales.

While the horse was being prepared, the attendents struggled to settle the horse, a vet was asked to administer a tranquilizer to quieten him down.

The horse was tranquilized twice, and became more difficult to handle with each shot. Diamond Field smashed the rail he was tethered to, taking the attendents out in the process.

Trainer Allan Beck recalled Diamond Field as hyperactive,difficult to settle, spooks at anything and can see a rabbit 200 yards away.

Diamond Field has been retired and in the care of the Blackie family in Southland since the late nineties.

He spends his days lazily grazing the paddocks of his Southland home. Every now and then owner Michelle, will perch upon him bareback with only a halter and lead for security. Perhaps a far cry from earlier antics,

Michelle reports he can still be a handful. He is hard fed three times a day and is all to happy to let anyone in the vicinity know if his meals are slightly late.

Diamond Field as a 29 year old.

While sufficiently getting on in years, after his daily walk around the bottom paddock, the gelding can be seen galloping when released and enjoying a good roll in the dust. The 30 year old is immensely loved by owner Michelle, who even has two tattoos dedicated to the champion trotter.

Happy Birthday Diamond Field.

Harnesslink Media