Blossom Lady Explained

Horsename:Blossom Lady
Breed:Standardbred
Discipline:Pacing
Sire:Farm Timer (USA)
Grandsire:Race Time
Dam:Lumber Lady
Damsire:Lumber Dream (USA)
Sex:Mare
Foaled:11 December 1984
Country:New Zealand
Breeder:Bob Davison and Bill Cook, Ashburton
Owner:Polly Syndicate (Ralph Kermode et al)
Trainer:(1) Stephen Doody, Palmerston North (2) Derek Jones, Templeton
Racerecord:155:43-20-18
Raceearnings:$1,334,808
Updated:6 November 2021

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.

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
1990 1stHannon Memorial Blossom LadyBold Sharvid Balonne.
19911stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom LadyWreleys Lady Bonnie
1991 1stInter Dominion Pacing Championship Consolation (Auckland)Blossom LadyTight Connection Thorate
1991 1stInvercargill CupBlossom LadyTartan Clansman Strietross
19911stEaster Cup (3200m)Blossom LadyInky Lord Popsicle
1991 1stAshburton Flying StakesBlossom LadyInky Lord Clancy
1991 1stNew World Cup (Forbury)Blossom LadyPopsicle Lord Magic
1992 1stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom LadyLady Bonnie Seaswift Franco
1992 1stInvercargill CupBlossom LadyGiovanetto Air Supply
1992 1stNew Zealand Trotting CupBlossom LadyGiovanetto Christopher Vance
1992 1stNew Zealand Free For AllBlossom LadySogo Christopher Vance
1993 1stNew Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes Blossom LadyLady's Day Smooth Gretna
1993 1stPalmerstonian Classic (Manawatu)Blossom LadyPacing Machine Doctor Vic
1993 1stNew Zealand Mares ChampionshipBlossom LadyLady's Day Smooth Gretna
1993 1stHannon MemorialBlossom LadyTigerish
1994 1stA G Hunter CupBlossom LadyThe Unicorn
1994 1stSpeights Cup (Forbury)Blossom LadyPay Me Back Light Year
1995 1stA G Hunter CupBlossom LadyGolden Reign

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ADDINGTON HALL OF FAME BLOSSOM LADY. Hof.co.nz. 9 November 2021.
  2. Web site: Racing: A true Lady who loved hard work. The New Zealand Herald. 9 November 2021.
  3. Web site: Welcome to HRNZ. Hrnz.co.nz. 9 November 2021.