Durable, tough and still winning: the wonderful Wingates

When Victorian harness racing horseman Adam Stephens and his father Allan drove to a stud clearing sale about 15 years ago, they had no idea how lucky the trip would prove to be.

“Well-known breeder John Campbell had sold up and had a heap of horses on offer at his property near Boort,” Stephens recalled.

“We walked around and both Dad and I liked the look of a broodmare named Alberts Belle (Albert Albert), which had a triple cross to Albatross,” he said.

“When we caught up with John later, he thought another interested party had got in before us, but that fell through and we ended up paying $1000 for her, with a filly foal at foot by Union Guy.”

That foal would later race with distinction for the Stephens’ under the name Union Belle, winning 11 races and 21 placings (for $76,835), including a Melbourne success.

“She was a very good racehorse. In my opinion Union Guy was a very underrated sire. Unfortunately, Union Belle broke down with a tendon injury and she had to be retired,” Stephens said.

Alberts Belle was unraced, but her value came in the breeding barn. She produced three durable and consistent performers: Iamawingate (I Am The Way), a 12-year-old gelding who is still racing with so much zest after a massive 234 race starts; Wingate Guy (Union Guy), a consistent performer with 24 victories; and Ruby Wingate (Union Guy), who is on the cusp of reaching a remarkable $200,000 in stakemoney.

“They are all just beautiful animals. It’s been great fun. It really has been tremendous,” Stephens, who is based at Allendale near Ballarat, said.

“They are all sound, although Ruby Wingate had some issues with quarter cracks for a bit which I still keep an eye on.”

The trio’s achievements put the story into perspective:

• Iamawingate – 234 starts: 28 wins, 63 placings, $163,600, best mile rate 1:56.2.
• Wingate Guy – 215 starts: 24 wins, 45 placings, $160,770, best mile rate 1:55.8.
• Ruby Wingate – 187 starts: 18 wins, 52 placings, $192,085, best mile rate 1:54.4.

Stephens said Iamawingate was particularly special, being bred from their own stallion I Am The Way, who won 12 races and helped the family through some tough times during a bad drought.

“Iamawingate was the only foal we got as the mares slipped,” he said.

Most recently, Ruby Wingate added another highlight when she won the Heidi George Mares Classic Pace Final at Bendigo last week – a victory that carried a free service to Poster Boy.

“So we’ll send Union Belle off to Poster Boy, who I like a lot,” Stephens said.

The “Wingate” brand have been more than just very good horses – they’ve been a family project.  The Wingate moniker has been in use since 1977 in honor of Stephens’ grandmother Ruby Wingate.

“I named Ruby Wingate after her – for dad.  She helped dad (who has been involved with horses for more than 60 years) with the horses until her 80s and Ruby Wingate is a very big-hearted filly – I thought she carried the heart of my grandmother, to be truthful,” he said.

Stephens is quick to acknowledge the support of his dad Allan and brother Jamie.

“They drive out from Ballarat every day, which is half an hour away. They mix all the feeds, do the waters, wash and towel the horses down and take care of the rugs. I’ve got 10 in work and do them all in the cart, so their help is really important.”

He believes training is all about balance.

“We’ve got a really good feed program and I’m big on that. It’s something we’ve learnt over the years,” he said.

“Another key for me is still getting the work into the horses without killing them. In between regular races I’ll give them one or two days off, and fastwork might only involve a short mile.”

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink