First for Brosnahan

It was a day to remember for Washdyke harness racing trainer Kevin Brosnahan.

The South Canterbury horseman who’s in his sixth season of trained geared up his first winner Sheza Trendy One (Majestic Son) at the Oamaru HRC meeting yesterday.

To make the win even more special Kevin bred and race Sheza Trendy One with his wife Sue, Peter and Janine Hurst, Noel Taylor and Noel Dix.

“Noel talked me into trotters (laughter),” sixty nine year old Brosnahan said.

Yesterday was start number twelve for the trotter. Prior to her win she’d been placed five times and was made favourite on the back of a third on her home track and a last start second on the grass at Wingatui a week ago.

“She’s very well gaited and her manners have improved this year.”

Driver Matty Williamson stepped the four year old away well from the inside draw and she led all the way to win by four and a quarter lengths from Storm Cloud who closed the race off well.

“He drove her at the trials and has driven her three times now for a third, second and a win. Sarah O’Reilly was driving her for a start and did a great job educating her and getting her to race.”

SHEZA TRENDY ONE REPLAY

Sheza Trendy One is the first foal out of the Monarchy mare Sheza Trendy Monarch who won four races for Taylor. Sheza Trendy Monarch has three other foals on the ground; a rising three year old by What The Hill called Hunter Hills, a rising two year old by Marcoola named Heza Cool Dude and a foal at foot by One Over Da Moon.

“That’s her last foal. I think she’s got a bit of a sore hip.”

Sheza Trendy One and Heza Cool Dude are the only two horses Kevin has in work.

“It’s a long process when you breed one, wean it, break it in and educate it. A lot of people have helped me with this mare. Trevor Harkness who lives round the road has been great. We work together and he shoes her.”

Oamaru has been a lucky track for Brosnahan. He owned Meadow Bonnie (Scottish Command) which won at Oamaru in February 1981. She was trained by his father-in-law Dick Langford. Langford trained and drove between 1973 and 1993. Two of his best were Loyal Onedin (5) and Last Morana (4).

“They’re his colours. He said the other day it’s thirty three years since he finished driving, so they’ve been in the wardrobe for a while.”

Brosnahan trained gallopers for a number of years and the Oamaru track also provided him with his first galloping winner, Allen James.

“The last horse (galloper) I trained, It’s Happening won at Oamaru as well so it’s been a lucky track for me.”

Both of Kevin’s grandfathers, Bill Spring and Matt Brosnahan raced horses. The Brosnahan family ran a stud farm at Otaio, standing a number of stallions including Our Secret Weapon who was a grey by Three Legs. He was trained by Ray Pankhurst and won eleven races.

Brosnahan says he’d still like to train gallopers but reckons falling off might be a bit hard on the body these days.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink