Anndrovette continues to defy mother nature

Harness racing is a sport that takes a heavy toll on the horses that participate in it.

All horses are deemed to have a "shelf life" in their careers, especially the fillies and mares.

That is not to say that they can't race over an extended period but few are able to maintain their best for a long period especially at the elite level of the sport.

Anndrovette is one of those few exceptions to the rule.

The eight year old daughter of Riverboat King will line up at Woodbine on Saturday week in her fifth trip to a Breeders Crown Final.

It will be start 129 for the battle hardened mare with 44 wins and 46 placings already on her card for stakes totaling $3,493,292

Anndrovette already has two Breeders Crowns in the trophy cabinet and with a win in the $250,000 Open Mare Pace, Anndrovette will tie Jenna's Beach Boy, Eternal Camnation, and My Little Dragon for the most Breeders Crown titles by a pacer, with three a piece and in the form she has been in lately, it would be very unwise to count her out on Saturday week.

Purchased by her present owner Jeff Bamond half way through her three year old year, Anndrovette has just continued to race on season after season at the top level.

" She is just a real professional racehorse."

"She knows what she is there for and doesn't take kindly to anyone trying to pamper her or spoil her."

" On raceday, she is just all business,"  Jeff told Harnesslink this week. 

Anndrovette won her two Breeders Crown back to back at four and five and has run third and fourth in her other attempts at Breeders Crown glory.

" You can never write this mare off as she is so game and so honest."

" Every now and again someone will tell us that maybe she has had enough, that it is time to retire her."

" Most times that happens she will come out and win her next start just to stop that conversation before it starts."

" She continues to be a great money earner and loves racing and as long as she is competitive I will keep racing her," Jeff said. 

When she does finally hang up her racing shoes, Anndrovette is unlikely to stay in the Bamond barn.

" Breeding is not a side of the sport that we are into."

"Usually we sell our racemares when they are finished racing but we will have that discussion about Anndrovette when the time comes," Jeff said.

Whatever the outcome at Woodbine on the 24th October, Anndrovette has earned the right to be acknowleged as one of the best mares of her generation.

Harnesslink Media