Blossom Lady

Blossom Lady was a leading New Zealand Standardbred racehorse. Affectionately known as "The Bloss"[1] she is most noted for winning the 1992 New Zealand Trotting Cup and New Zealand Free-For-All double. She also won the 1994 and 1995 A G Hunter Cup in Melbourne, Victoria and in total she won eight Group 1 races.

Blossom Lady
BreedStandardbred
DisciplinePacing
SireFarm Timer (USA)
GrandsireRace Time
DamLumber Lady
Maternal grandsireLumber Dream (USA)
SexMare
Foaled11 December 1984
CountryNew Zealand
BreederBob Davison and Bill Cook, Ashburton
OwnerPolly Syndicate (Ralph Kermode et al)
Trainer(1) Stephen Doody, Palmerston North (2) Derek Jones, Templeton
Record
155:43-20-18
Earnings
$1,334,808
Major wins
1992 New Zealand Trotting Cup
1992 New Zealand Free For All
1994 A G Hunter Cup
1995 A G Hunter Cup
Honors
New Zealand Horse of the Year
Last updated on: 6 November 2021.

She was crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year in 1993.

Her owners were the Polly Syndicate comprising Ralph & Judy, Bill & Robyn Kermode, Pat & Mary Foley, Bob & Barbara Williams, Ian & Jenny Smith and Ross & Adrienne Kennedy. The majority of her owners were based in Palmerston North and she was initially trained there by Stephen Doody but after 6 wins (at Manawatu and Cheviot), she was moved to Derek Jones at Templeton near Christchurch. She was driven in the majority of her victories by Anthony Butt, grandson of trainer Derek Jones. Derek himself drove her in one win and his son Peter Jones drove her to two wins. Stephen Doody drove her to five of her six wins when he trained her at Palmerston North.

She was known and admired for her stamina and her long career, she raced in six New Zealand Cups and won races at five separate Inter Dominion Pacing Championship carnivals.[2] She also won the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes three times.

When she was retired she was the leading stake-winning mare in Australasia.

Her son, Mister D G, foaled 7 December 1997 (Camtastic, USA) was also a top class race-horse who won 20 races including six in Australia. He won the 2004 A G Hunter Cup that his mother had won twice.

Blossom Lady died on 18 May 2004.

She was inducted into the New Zealand Trotting Hall of Fame and the Addington Harness Hall of Fame. She also had a Lounge named after her at Addington Raceway.

Racing career

Blossom Lady's notable performances included:[3]

YearPlacingRace1st2nd3rd
19901stHannon MemorialBlossom LadyBold SharvidBalonne.
19911stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders StakesBlossom LadyWreleysLady Bonnie
19911stInter Dominion Pacing Championship Consolation (Auckland)Blossom LadyTight ConnectionThorate
19911stInvercargill CupBlossom LadyTartan ClansmanStrietross
19911stEaster Cup (3200m)Blossom LadyInky LordPopsicle
19911stAshburton Flying StakesBlossom LadyInky LordClancy
19911stNew World Cup (Forbury)Blossom LadyPopsicleLord Magic
19921stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders StakesBlossom LadyLady BonnieSeaswift Franco
19921stInvercargill CupBlossom LadyGiovanettoAir Supply
19921stNew Zealand Trotting CupBlossom LadyGiovanettoChristopher Vance
19921stNew Zealand Free For AllBlossom LadySogoChristopher Vance
19931stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders StakesBlossom LadyLady's DaySmooth Gretna
19931stPalmerstonian Classic (Manawatu)Blossom LadyPacing MachineDoctor Vic
19931stNew Zealand Mares ChampionshipBlossom LadyLady's DaySmooth Gretna
19931stHannon MemorialBlossom LadyMaster MusicianTigerish
19941stA G Hunter CupBlossom LadyChristopher VanceThe Unicorn
19941stSpeights Cup (Forbury)Blossom LadyPay Me BackLight Year
19951stA G Hunter CupBlossom LadyMaster MusicianGolden Reign

See also

References