Blossom Lady was a leading New Zealand Standardbred racehorse. Affectionately known as "The Bloss" 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.
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. 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:
YearPlacingRace1st2nd3rd 1990 1st Hannon Memorial Blossom Lady Bold Sharvid Balonne. 19911stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom Lady Wreleys Lady Bonnie 1991 1stInter Dominion Pacing Championship Consolation (Auckland)Blossom Lady Tight Connection Thorate 1991 1stInvercargill CupBlossom Lady Tartan Clansman Strietross 19911st Easter Cup (3200m)Blossom Lady Inky Lord Popsicle 1991 1stAshburton Flying StakesBlossom Lady Inky Lord Clancy 1991 1stNew World Cup (Forbury)Blossom Lady Popsicle Lord Magic 1992 1stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom Lady Lady Bonnie Seaswift Franco 1992 1stInvercargill CupBlossom Lady Giovanetto Air Supply 1992 1stNew Zealand Trotting CupBlossom Lady Giovanetto Christopher Vance 1992 1stNew Zealand Free For AllBlossom Lady Sogo Christopher Vance 1993 1stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom LadyLady's Day Smooth Gretna 1993 1stPalmerstonian Classic (Manawatu)Blossom Lady Pacing Machine Doctor Vic 1993 1stNew Zealand Mares ChampionshipBlossom Lady Lady's Day Smooth Gretna 1993 1stHannon MemorialBlossom Lady Master Musician Tigerish 1994 1stA G Hunter CupBlossom Lady Christopher Vance The Unicorn 1994 1stSpeights Cup (Forbury)Blossom Lady Pay Me Back Light Year 1995 1stA G Hunter CupBlossom Lady Master Musician Golden Reign
See also Harness racing in New Zealand
References