Speed in the breed – The Splendid family of Irish Dream takes flight once again

Welcome into our Speed In The Breed article. A look into the successful families represented at the trials and workouts.

If you look into the sales catalogue or those that find fame out on the track in the features races you’re likely to find that many of the champions of today come from great families of the past. Here we touch on that habit of success- how the great families continue to leave the very best.

Ashburton trials are set to be run on 18th of June. Those to catch the eye for their royal bloodlines include…

Irish Dream (Downbytheseaside – Splendid Bet) You’d be hard at work trying to come up with better bloodlines than those possessed by this Bruce Negus runner. Irish dream won last week at this track when going around in a qualifying trial, tomorrow it’s more of the same. Dam Splendid Bet won 5 from her 25 race day appearances, leaving Chief Joseph, a 4-time winner by American Ideal as her first foal. Hands Christian, Christen Me, Aliante, Dream About Me, Delight In Me, and Dream On Me are just some of the siblings to Splendid Bet – a class of superstars left by the Dream Away mare in Splendid Dreams. Irish Dream is a name you’ll want to remember.

Irish Dream is royally bred. A winning turn last week could be continued at Ashburton on Tuesday.

Sweet Raine (Sweet Lou – Black Raine) Another to boast of plenty of family history in the harness racing game, this O’Reilly trained runner fell at her first race day start at Banks Peninsula – the late bid looked a winning one too before the feet got a little giddy over the final 150m. There’s plenty of speed in this breed, Lucca (American Ideal) was the first foal out of the dam and has impressed on Australian soil, running 3rd in the Preux Chevalier 4yo Classic at Gloucester Park in March of 2023.

Further back you’ll find the mother of 9-time winner in Better Think Quick in Rona Lorraine. When you think of this maternal line you also need to entertain names like Venus Serena and the current performer in Dashing Major – they are all included in this story too.

Franco Chaplin (Ultimate Machete – Cracker Anvil) This S McRae trained son of Ultimate Machete is certainly one to watch on breeding. Grandam Waihemo Rainship won 8 from some 44 starts, placing 2nd in the Gr1 Great Northern Oaks behind Paula Michele in the North Island feature event in 1996. Her progeny including West Coast Anvil (5 wins) Anvil On Fire (9 wins) and the prolific winner Anvils Revival, a winner of 27, the majority of those wins coming on Australian soil. It’s a family of depth and quality.

Franco Chaplin wins a workers pace last week

It’s Quite Easy (Quite Easy – Roydon’s Jewel) It’s Quite Easy to see this horse developing into something of a star! It’s also a current breed that’s been doing some great things on the track lately. The 3yr-old trotting filly is trained by Michael House, a trainer who has a strong association with the breed – his recent winner Styx Jewel being out of the dam with the full brother to that victor being the 5-time winner in Roydon Muscle.

The family of Royal Aspirations, Jinja Gal and Triumphant Monarch looks set to impress once again with It’s Quite Easy.

A close relation to It’s Quite Easy – Styx Jewel scores on Friday night at Addington

by Harnesslink Media