Racehorse ownership is a journey that can provide connections with many thrills but also just as many frustrations and heartaches. As race horse owners we always have a dream in mind when we buy a share in a race horse, for those that came on this journey, nobody could have imagined the journey they were about to embark on.
It started back in 2016 when John headed back to his home country to attend the 2yo’s Ready To Run Sale at Karaka. Lot 24- a bay filly by Mastercraftsman out of an unraced Gaileo mare in Wansesingyee caught his eye, also showing her potential in her breeze up running 10.69 seconds. The auction going in John’s favour, the filly is secured for $55,000 NZD.
Astute horsemen Mark Pilkington and Darren Thomas (Seymour Bloodstock) taking a large portion of the filly, invited John to find some interested parties in joining in the journey. The parties that came into the ownership were simply looking for a “country cups” type of horse. Eventually getting her race name after the famous Jerrod Niemann song “LuvaLuva”.
Fast forward to today and the connections are going back through the memory book looking at all the fun that has been had over the years and the friendships made.
After her run last Saturday at Rosehill in the Epona Stakes, Luvaluva strained a tendon. In the best interests of the horse the decision has been made today to retire the now 5 year old mare. A race career that spanned over 30 starts recording 6 wins and 5 minor placings, netting connections over $800,000 in prize money, she has definitely taken the connections on a thrilling experience.
Luvaluva was first seen in a barrier trial at Gosford in February of 2017 when she came out and ran 2nd. Sent to make her race debut at Goulburn, connections did not have to wait long for her to break her maiden status as she did it at start 1. Showing her potential she progressed through her campaign and became a filly to watch over her 3 year old career. On the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup in 2017, she lined up in the Group 3 Wakeful Stakes and stormed home to give John and the connections their first win at such level. Before then going around in the Australian Oaks running a gallant 4th.
A race career that spanned over 30 starts recording 6 wins and 5 minor placings, including the Wakeful Stakes her other victories have included the Group 3 Kembla Classic (2018), Group 3 Adrian Knox (2018), Group 3 Summer Cup (2019) and the Listed January Cup (2020). Along with these victories she has placed 3rd in Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2018), 2nd in the Group 2 Aspiration Quality (2019) and 3rd in the Group 1 NZ Breeders Stakes (Te Aroha- 2019). Over the span of her career, she has banked over $800,000 for connections.
With this record next to her name, she is now a valuable prospect as a broodmare. She quickly became a favourite of the stable and will be missed by the entire team. However, as she departs us for her new life after racing, we are blessed to have her younger half brother in the stable- BRANDENBURG.
A 3 year old colt that has shown his promise since stepping in to the stable and through his continued consistent runs. From just 10 starts, Brandenburg has won twice (causing an upset in the Hobartville Stakes) and recorded 7 minor placings, just missing 3rd in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes.
We thank the connections of Luvaluva for being part of the team and look forward to seeing her babies on the track in the future.
