Two of Southland's best mares Democrat Party and Venus Serena have recently had foals in the province.
Quality mare Democrat Party owned by Winton couple John and Katrina Price has produced her first foal at Ross and Robyn Jones Poppymalda Acres near Invercargill.
The Bettor's Delight filly was born on 31st October.
"A stunning effort for a first foal," commented Ross Jones on the newly born.
Democrat Party was bred by the Prices and raced for three seasons. She qualified at Ascot Park as a two year old beating smart colt Pulp Fiction by four lengths.
She was transferred to Barry Purdon's barn and then from six starts at two she won twice including the Group Two Young Guns Delightful Lady Classic.
Her best season was at three when she won once from twelve starts. That win came in the $138,000 Group One Alabar Three Year Old Fillies Championship Final at Alexandra Park. Her time for the 2200 metre mobile that night was 2-37.1 which was a new New Zealand record. It was bettered twelve months later by Golden Goddess in the same race.
Democrat Party was placed three times in Group One races, twice in Group Two races and once in a Group Three race.
Meanwhile Arden Lodge has a new arrival with high class mare Venus Serena giving birth to an Art Major colt.
Venus Serena was bought privately earlier this year by John and Judy Stiven from Bob and Jen Sandford.
John said at the time, “Mares of this calibre are rarely available for sale. She's Mach Three’s best performed mare in New Zealand and was absolutely fabulous on the track and a terrific opportunity for Arden Lodge to take up."
On the race track perhaps Venus Serena's most memorable win was at Cambridge in the Three Year Old Diamond on Harness Jewels day when she beat Ideal Belle and Raksdeal.
Venus Serena – At her best, the number one four year old mare in the country
In the four seasons Venus Serena raced, she broke six New Zealand records – two of which still stand; Two Year Old Fillies record for 1950 metres mobile of 2-23.5 (Addington) and Four Year Old and Older mares for 2700 metres mobile of 3-18.7 (Cambridge).
In 2014 she was named New Zealand Two Year Old Filly of the Year after winning three Group One races; The Caduceus Club Fillies Classic, Sires Stakes Championship and Two Year Old Diamond. The following season she won the Three Year Old Filly of the year title winning another three Group One races. All in all she won seven Group One races.
The new colt, who is yet to be named, is a full-brother to Laver, a yearling colt which was Venus Serena's first foal and which has been retained by the Sanfords.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing