The owners of Ivana Legacy are having the time of their lives.
So far the diminutive American Ideal mare has provided them with four wins and a trip to Christchurch for Cup Week and the ride looks set to continue.
She’s owned by the Chop A Nick Syndicate which is made up of members of the Squash City Club, Jess Ramsay, Karen Ramsay, Anika Sollitt, Grant Milne, Steve Clarkson, Danny O’Connor and Kayla Rusk.
She qualified and was trained initially by Wyndham trainer Brendon McLellan before the group bought her off the Horse Trader website run by new Southern Harness board member Tom Kilkelly.
“Scott Ramsey rang up and bought her off Brendon for $1,000. We were looking for a horse to replace trotter Nathan D. We watched a few replays of her races and thought we might have a bit of fun and get a win out of her. We’ve got four now,” said driver and stable spokesperson Andrew Armour whose wife Shannon trains Ivana Legacy.
In yesterday’s Invercargill Workouts Committee Handicap Pace Ivana Legacy got the perfect trip tucked in behind the pacemaker Go Getta.
“She’s a good standing start horse and has got good manners and if she gets the suck along she’s got a potent 200 metre sprint.”
Little horse beats Big horse – Ivana Legacy beating Go Getta – Photo Bruce Stewart
Despite running out of the money on Cup Day, Armour says the trip to Christchurch has done the mare the world of good.
“That’s what the trip was all about. The long term aim is to hopefully take her back up there for the South of the Waitaki Winter Series. She’ll have a couple more runs and we’ll turn her out because she’s been up for a while now.”
Trainer Shannon Armour wasn’t on-course yesterday to enjoy the win. She was away at a horse show with her hack. She’s into her second season as a trainer taking over the colours her husband used up until 2017.
“She’s taken over and does a fair bit with her (Ivana Legacy). She maps out her programme. She’s been placing her quite well to be fair.”
Happy bunch – Photo Bruce Stewart
Andrew, who has been involved in the harness industry for a good part of his life now works for ICC Parks and Reserves Department at Queens Park while Shannon manages the Travelex Foreign Exchange Booth at House of Travel Lakers.
They have two children; Brooklyn who is three and Beauden who is five months.
“I’m really enjoying it. I’m able to mix work and horses and the children. So we’re just busy enough.”
Bruce Stewart