*Foaling has continued for the Arden Lodge broodmare band with two more colts and a filly being born in November. Trotting mare Surfin Sunsation (Sundon x Minuetto) has had a Father Patrick colt. Countess of Arden (Net Ten EOM x Young Tegan) has had her first foal - a filly by Capt Midnight - a three by three cross to Somebeachsomewhere. Arden's Choice (Panspacificflight x Winter Rose) had a Tall Dark Stranger colt on 15th November. The Stivens are looking forward to seeing these three foals when they next visit Macca Lodge. Unfortunately the Bettor's Wish filly from Tricky Woman ( In The Pocket x Super Smooth) was born dead. Tricky Woman is being a foster mare for a Creatine colt out of Splash Cola. That brings the total for the season to six colts and three fillies with one mare still to foal.
*Arden's Darlin ( Bettor's Delight x Achieve A Dream) is home from Macca Lodge in foal to Always B Miki.
*John and Judy Stiven attended the NZ Standardbred Breeders Association Cup Eve function held to acknowledge the breeders of horses in the New Zealand Cup and those that have won Group Races during the 2021/22 Year. Arden Lodge has previously bred a runner in the NZ Cup on six occasions with Arden Rooney (Bettor's Delight x Tosca Hanover) winning in 2015 and Bettor's Strike (Bettor's Delight x Winter Rose) placing second in 2009. In last year's Cup South Coast Arden (Somebeachsomewhere x Southwind Arden) was third and showed that given the right run he had the talent to go even better this year. It was disappointing for the connections of the five year old gelding to see his standing start manners improve but his performance not live up to expectation. Some medical issues were found and he did not take part in the Group 1 FreeForAll as planned - the event that he won in impressive fashion last year.
Two year old filly Melody Arden (Art Major x Venus Serena) raced at Ashburton on 10th November from barrier eight. After sitting parked for most of the journey she stuck on well for third place. "She is improving with every run" her driver Mark Hurrell commented. Trainer Grant Payne was pleased with her run and made a similar comment, "She will just keep on improving."
To see the race click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2C7lyo_cqk
Ardenbred Tempo Warrior (A Rocknroll Dance x Ardensplace) also ran well at Ashburton for trainer Denise Ottley and owners Mrs VA Schmack and KF Schmack, recording his second career win. To see his race click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G-unwuz5gU
Photos from Ashburton:
Melody Arden ran in slushy conditions at Addington Raceway on Sunday 27 November from barrier twelve. After a difficult run and a seventh placing John Stiven commented, "It was just the way the race was run. We've just got to line up again."
To see the race click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icr9Q6YEHLc
At the same meeting Stellar Arden (Bettor's Delight x Ardenart) had her second race start back after a spell. She had a good team of supporters from her owners the Night Sky Syndicate to cheer her on but despite finishing the best of the runners she was too far back at the turn to get in the money. At her first start she also ran at the back of the field and finished strongly for fourth. The syndicate will keen for her to get a better draw and trip.
To see the race click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvTzjQiEFYI
*Ardenbred four year old Reigning Arden qualified at the Chertsy Trotting Club's
trials at Ashburton on 29th November. She is by Bettor's Delight out of Lifesign mare Raindowne. Simon Adler trains the horse for owners Mrs RF Bennett and BD Bennett. She was an $18k purchase at the 2019 National Yearling Sales. She beat four maidens to qualify with Gerard O'Reilly aboard.
*Also to qualify this month was two year old Ardenbred Arden's Ideal ( American Ideal x Ardenart) who was a $52,500 purchase at the National Yearling Sales in 2019. He is trained by Brendon Hill for owners Mrs GJ Kennard, PI Kennard, PI Baken and RJ Magness. He was placed third in his trial at North Canterbury TOA at Rangiora on 30 November driven by Ricky May.
*Arden bred You Can Fly Arden ( Panspacificflight/ Ardenart) is a HERO graduate and recently the five year old mare excelled at the 2022 Canterbury A and P Show. Having only been under saddle for seven months being awarded Champion Paced and Mannered Standardbred and Reserve Champion Novice Standardbred was a good effort.
This month's photo gallery features the young fillies who have enjoyed good conditions during November and Arden's Delight in training. She is on schedule for some summer racing.