During a visit to Scotland in July Arden Lodge owners John and Judy Stiven had the opportunity to meet members of the Gilvear family who are involved in British Harness Racing. From their base at Greystale Farm at Polmaise, Stirling, the Gilvears work together to breed and race standardbred pacers.
The team currently have two very nice Sweet Lou fillies, both bred and owned by Steven Gilvear, trained by John Gilvear and driven by Gordon Gilvear.
John and Judy are pictured here with Steven and 3yo Louisiana (Sweet Lou x The Play Hanover (Rocknroll Heaven). She was named British Harness Racing Club 2021 2yo Filly of the Year as well as BHRC Horse of The Year after her outstanding results which included winning the 2021 Vincent Delaney Memorial at Tir Prince Raceway in Wales in a track record time of 1.59.2. Since the Stivens visit Louisiana has since won the 2022 VDM for 3yo fillies and the Breeders Crown 3yo Fillies Final.
John and Louisiana and her trainer John Gilvear.
2yo full sister Louisville has a hard act to follow but she has been showing some of her older sister's ability with some nice wins and most recently a third in the Breeders Crown 2yo fillies final Group 1 on 27th August at Tir Prince Raceway.
The New Fair Harness Races were held at Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria in England during the Stivens stay. The Appleby meetings are held in a field on the property of Christopher 'Kit' Bousfield called Holme Farm. Kit has had a lifetime of involvement with harness racing and recently celebrated his 100th birthday with a special race meeting to mark the occasion. The complete article in 'The Irish Field' by Dan Carlin called Harness Racing: Celebrations For Kit at 100' can be found here: https://www.theirishfield.ie/harness-racing-celebrations-for-kit-at-100-710586
It was a very hot British summer's day for the 13 race card. Ryan O'Neil from Ayr Standardbreds in Ayrshire, was on course and it was a pleasure for the Stivens to meet him.
Here are some photos from the day:
Three Arden bred fillies have recently qualified.
*Arden bred 2yo Eminent Arden ( Bettor's Delight x Tuapeka Art) See her qualifying run for trainer and driver Brent Mangos at Cambridge Raceway on 21 July here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dw_7vZsbjE&t=64s
*2 yo Melody Arden (Art Major x Venus Serena) is raced by John and Judy Stiven and Bob and Jen Sandford. She is trained by Grant Payne and was driven by Tim Williams to qualify. View her qualifying trial on a slushy track at Ashburton on 9 August herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dw_7vZsbjE&t=64s and her run at Rangiora on 24 August here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dw_7vZsbjE&t=64s
*Tosca's Arden (Bettor's Delight x Tosca Hanover) Tosca's Arden is trained by Grant Payne and was driven by Robbie Close to qualify at Rangiora on 17th August. She is raced by the Stivens and Grant and Jan Payne. See her trial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwpt8YRRI1A
Arden bred 3 yo gelding Tempo Warrior (A Rocknroll Dance x Ardensplace (Artsplace) had his first win when he won the Leading HR and Immigration Mobile Pace at addington on 22 July 2022. He was sold at the National Yearling Sale as Arden Tempo to Kevin and Valerie Schmack and he is trained by Denise Ottley. He was driven for the win by Samantha Ottley. See the win here:
Arden bred Arden's Pursuit (Sweet Lou x Rocknroll Arden (Rocknroll Hanover) and Indiana Arden (Panspacificflight x Southwind Arden (Bettor's Delight) have also been seen at workouts and trials. Indiana Arden should be racing soon.
Arden breds Arden's Reality (Somebeachsomewhere x Real Wings (Badlands Hanover) and Arden's Horizon (Bettor's Delight x Arden's Rose (Somebeachsomewhere) have both had their first wins since leaving New Zealand to race in Australia. Arden's Reality was sold by The Slice of Heaven Syndicate and is being trained by Amanda Turnbull. The syndicate has since purchased a 2 yo Vincent filly out of In The Pocket mare Young Tegan - Johanna Arden. Arden's Horizon is trained by Callan Suvaljko and was also driven by Callun for his win. He has raced four times in August for two seconds, a third and a win.
Being jogged at Arden Lodge and getting close to returning to hoppled work are fillies 4 yo Arden's Delight (Bettor's Delight x Rocknroll Arden (Rocknroll Hanover), 3 yo unqualified pacer Arden's Treasure (Captaintreacherous x Raindowne (Lifesign) and 2 win 4 yo Stellar Arden (Bettor's Delight x Ardenart (Artspalce).
1 yo Fearlessly Arden (Fear The Dragon x Ardenart (Arden's Dream) is also being jogged up.
Spelling are 2 yo fillies Johanna Arden (Vincent x Young Tegan (In The Pocket), Arden's Memory (Bettor's Delight x Venus Serena (Mach Three) and Pride of Arden (Captaintreacherous x Southwind Arden (Bettor's Delight)
The young ones destined for the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch in February were inspected during August. There is a Captaintreacherous filly out of Real Wings and colt out of Arden's Choice, a Vincent colt out of L'oiseau de Nuit, an En Solitaire colt out of Surfin Sunsation and a Downbytheseaside filly out of Ardenart. They are all developing nicely.
Arden's Sweetheart has been retired from racing and will become a broodmare for new owners.
It won't be long before the first of the broodmares due will make their way to Macca Lodge and the new breeding season will get under way.