Sudden death of Washington VC

Southland based harness racing stallion Washington VC died on Friday morning at Bryleigh Stud near Edendale, his home for twenty four years.

“He was neighing. Something wasn’t quite right. I led him out to his paddock, he lay down and never got up. It was almost certainly a heart attack. It was my dream way for him to die because you don’t want to see them cast or with a broken leg,” said his owner Keith Norman.

The Presidential Ball stallion was 28 and remarkably his progeny won 28 Group One races.

“That’s unbelievable for a stallion based in Southland. Twenty four years he’s been here so he’s part of the family. He could have been sold to Australia many times over, but we always said he looked after us so we’ll look after him”.

His last service was January 15^th 2020 so his last foals are now three year olds.

Washington VC was brought to New Zealand by Keith and Tracey Norman.

“I had The Gladiator, and we were battling with him. Old age had caught up with Son Of Afella so we were on the lookout. We had plenty of offers from America. I got put onto Washington VC who had just won the Adios but had pulled up lame afterwards. He was out spelling and we put an offer in for him. There was competition from other studs, but we got him.”

He was bought outright by the Normans but soon syndicated.

“On the trip over he was syndicated to a group of Southlanders like Peter McKnight, Mark O’Connor, Syd Brown and Alex Milne. Brian West from Christchurch also had a share. Washington had thirty six shares and I owned eighteen of them.”

Not only did he leave top end pacers such as I’m Themightyquinn and I’m Victorious, he also left a lot of good bread and butter horses that were very saleable to Australia.

“He’s been unbelievable like that. My brother (Brian) relied on selling them. I’ve sold them forever and I can’t complain about the money I’ve made from them (laughter). Any Washington that had been to the trials and shown any promise the Aussies would be on the phone straight away. In New Zealand the Washingtons have won about 10 million whereas in Aussie they’ve won about 20 million. Mind you that’s because they bought the best ones.”

Undoubtedly I’m Themightyquinn was his standout.

He won fifty eight of his one hundred and eleven starts earning $4,567,456. His wins include three WA Pacing Cups, two Interdominion Grand Finals, two Fremantle Cups, A Blacks A Fake and a Cranbourne Cup, all Group One races.

“He’s the greatest stake earner ever by a New Zealand stallion.”

I’m Victorious bred by the Normans was another flagship horse by Washington VC.

The gelding qualified for Norman in May 2011 and was sold to Tim Butt. He went on to win three Group One races; The WA Derby, the Fremantle Cup and the Four Year Old Nugget. He won twenty two of his thirty four starts and banked $876,137.

“He could have been anything, but he cut his leg in the Interdominion Final. It was his tendon and he never raced again.”

Other good winners for the stallion were Georgetown who recorded twenty two wins including the G1 Eurodrive Winter Cup and earnings of $673,283, Report For Duty, forty seven wins and $1,038,537, Dasher VC who had twenty one wins including the G1 Golden Nugget and the G1 Fremantle Cup, and earned $639,752. Hokonui Ben achieved twenty five wins including the G1 WA Pacing Cup and earned $685, 377.

Foreal and It’s Ella were his best two fillies. Foreal won eighteen races including three Group Ones – The Northern Oaks, the NSW Oaks and the Ladyship Mile while It’s Ella won eighteen and $291,639. Her wins included the G2 Premier Mares Championship twice, and the G1 New Zealand Breeders Stakes.

At stud Washington VC attracted a wide range of mares by a variety of stallions.

“He crosses brilliantly with Soky’s Atom mares but in saying that, of his 450 winners, 119 were from different stallions which was incredible because you wouldn’t think there would be that many stallions around.”

I’m Themightyquinn, I’m Victorious, Smarter VC and Report For Duty were all out of Soky’s Atom mares.

As a broodmare sire Washington VC left Field Marshal and Locharburn.

Field Marshal who was out of Foreal won three Group One races in New Zealand – The Taylor Mile, New Zealand Messenger and Four Year Old Emerald whilst in Australia he won the Group One Freemantle Pacing Cup and the Group One Miracle Mile in 1-46.9.

“He’s still the fastest horse in Australasia.”

Locharburn won fourteen races which included the Group One New Zealand Derby and the Group One Easter Cup.

“I’m just weaning a foal by him now (Loch Nessy). The only reason I went to him is because Locharburn is out of a Washington mare. That’s my last little bit of loyalty.”

With Washington VC’s successes and with his stock winning all over Australasia, he provided the Normans with many thrills and memories over many years.

Keith say a major one was Field Marshal winning the G2 Superstars Championship at Addington with Locharburn running second.

During the thirty plus years Keith and Tracey have operated Bryleigh Stud, they’ve seen major changes in the sport in the south.

“When I started the stud in 1989 we were one of twelve studs in Southland. Now there is only one left.”

The passing of Washington VC will leave a huge gap in Keith and Tracey Norman’s life because for twenty four years he was in the same paddock, next to the house.

“Even when he retired I didn’t want him to get hurt. We had a routine of carrots every day and his yard cleaned out. One funny thing about him was that he’d only eat lucerne, which is expensive. He wouldn’t touch meadow hay so I’ve been getting lucerne hay from Central Otago forever.”

Rest in peace Washington VC, you did well.

And as a fitting tribute to his great Southland sire and a salute to Keith and Tracey, Superfast a son of Washington VC bred and owned by them, won the last race at Ascot Park today.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink