Rocky Pacific adds to long list of McGuire winners

Mike and Sue McGuire still enjoy breeding and racing horses and the win at Winton today by the Amber Hoffman trained Rocky Pacific (Rock N Roll Heaven) added to their long list of success in both gaits.

Driver Craig Ferguson positioned Rocky Pacific in the one one early. As the field straightened for the run home Rocky Pacific was up challenging pacemaker Rakamick, but it took the length of the straight before he got to the top, winning by a neck.

ROCKY PACIFIC REPLAY

Rocky Pacific is out of the Bettor’s Delight mare Pacific Rapture which won five races including the NZ Yearling Sales Final at Alexandra Park as a two year old.

Mike bought her at the 2011 Yearling Sales when she was offered by Tuapeka Lodge.

“No one wanted to buy her so I went round and offered them $7,000 and she won the $170,000 Yearling Sales race at Auckland.”

He’s also successfully bred from Artiscape mare Jazz Tanner which left Eric Clapton and Pat Stanley.

Mike says Eric Clapton was the best horse he’s owned. He won five races for John Hay including two at Winton in 2013 before he winning a further six races for Victorian trainer Brent Lilley.

“I’ve won over fifty races with horses trained by Brent.”

Pat Stanley won 14 races in Australia and a further 24 in America.

“He won the South Australian Cup and then won another $500,000 in America.”

They’ve also had success with the progeny of Sun Mist – a daughter of champion trotting mare Merinai.

They raced Sonofearl which won four for Nigel McGrath and three for John Hay before he was shipped off to Australia where he won another fifteen races.

Other progeny of Sun Mist which were all bred by Winton breeder Michelle Caig and raced by the McGuires, were Pretty Sunday, Rosemma and Stuey D.

Mike and Sue also successfully bred from three win trotting mare Gamble’s Girl which left The Real McGuire (won six) and The Last Gamble which won five.

Mike and Sue farmed at Dorie in Mid-Canterbury for quite a few years but since retiring have moved to Ashburton.

Mike travelled south today to see Pacific Rapture win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink