“Wingate” siblings weave their magic

Doubles are always a cause for celebration – but the Stephens harness racing stable experienced something extra special at Geelong last week, when they landed a double with full siblings.

Ruby Wingate and her full-brother Wingate Guy are the progeny of good producing mare Alberts Belle owned by Allan, Adam and Jamie Stephens.

“We’ve got three of her offspring racing, but it’s the first time we’ve been lucky enough to get a double,” breeder Allan Stephens said.

“But we were fortunate to get the dam in the first place. We went up to a property near Bendigo to buy another horse a few years back, but it was sold,” he said.

“So we decided to purchase a broodmare who had a foal at foot. Alberts Belle caught our eye. She was bred by an astute breeder in Stan Walker, who was really good with mares. She was unraced but was sired by Albert Albert (out of an Albatross mare Sachet Hanover).”

Alberts Belle has gone on to produce four live foals: Ima Wingate (by I Am The Way), Wingate Guy and Ruby Wingate (both by Union Guy) and a rising two-year-old by All American Ingot.

Four-year-old mare Ruby Wingate took out the Jack Rabbit Winery Pace at Geelong after a nice drive by Michael Bellman. Three races later, six-year-old bay gelding Wingate Guy won the Jim’s Mowing VicBred Pace, courtesy of well-timed drive by young Connor Clarke.

Alberts Belle has now had seven foals to race with five of these combining for 36 wins and 79 placings.

It’s somewhat of a family affair at the Stephens property at Allendale, near Ballarat, with youngest son Adam having the role of Wingate Trotting Stud trainer, with assistance from his brother Jamie and dad Allan. The eldest son John completed the harness racing school at Bendigo before working for well-known and longtime trainer Ray Matthews for six years.

“I’ve been involved for many years. But we all really love it and we love our horses,” Allan said.

“Wingate was our original family name on my mum’s side when they came out from Scotland in 1850. They settled on the same property we have now. It’s on 70 acres and Allandale was once a gold mining town,” he said.

“My mum Ruby Wingate married Kevin Stephens and I was only three when dad got killed in a freak accident involving a front-end loader and a truck.

“Mum, who was born out here, used to milk cows and raised three kids. She died aged 94 in 2004. It’s special to have a horse racing in her name. The old house where she was born is next to the Kingston Hotel.

“I remember I was the little boy of the town. I’d collect bets for SP bookies and then go around and pay out the next day.

“My first horse was Scotch Secret who had Allandale Lad at foot. I got them off the late Max Parish and Allandale Lad ran something like 16 or 17 fourth placings and never won a race. The stewards asked me one day did I think he was any good!

“I remember years ago going to the races and being worried if I had enough money to ‘pay up’ at the acceptance office to be allowed to race. Times have certainly changed. One of the nicest fellas going around was Reg Hayes, father of Mark who trains at Maryborough. They often took me into their home as if I was family.”

Allan kept his horses but sent them to outside trainers after getting a job as a dress designer.

“I started off as a junior dress designer at Lucas and Co. I was in charge 10 years later. The company was based in Ballarat as well as Melbourne,” he said.

“Some of the horses went to Len Towers, while Keith and Alec Douglas along with Norm Gath also had a few.”

Allan later worked at a chaff mill making haystacks, as well as other jobs, later returning to Lucas and Co for another stint before it closed.

He said race driving never appealed after just two “hair raising” trials drives.

“I drove at the old Ballarat Showgrounds where the Ballarat North football ground is now situated. On both occasions I got locked in down on the fence. The cart was scrapping the paint on the running rail, and I was watching how close the hooves were going near my sulky.

“Back in those days we had spoked wheels and they caused so many accidents. I was sure I was going to be added to the list so that ended any aspirations I may have had!”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink