The past season has been an exceptional one for the Arden breed. Between 1st August 2020 and 1st August 2021 horses bred by John and Judy have accumulated a total of 92 placings - 36 wins, 31 seconds and 25 thirds. From 10 broodmares a total of 15 individual horses have had winning performances, backed up by first three finishes.
When you add in the performances of progeny from the broodmares owned by the couple that were bred prior to their purchase (this being Venus Serena's 4 YO Laver, Tricky Woman's progeny Bettor to Be Tricky, Copperfield and Bettor Trix, and Raindowne's Tom Martin) the total hits a whopping118 placings - 53 wins, 36 seconds and 29 thirds. And the total number of mares whose progeny have won comes to 18.
The total number of foals born under the Arden Lodge banner since 2013 isn't large -only 5 in 2014, 8 in 2015 and 11 in both 2016 and 2017. Of the nine bred in 2018 the only one to race as a 2 year old has been Arden's Horizon (Bettor's Delight/ Arden's Rose) who won in March in his second start. So for a fairly small number of horses bred the strike rate is enviable.
A highlight of the season were the 6 wins and 2 seconds by South Coast Arden (Somebeachsomewhere/Southwind Arden) which included the Group 1 win in the Civtec 4 YO Emerald Jewels at Cambridge when the Brent Mangos trained gelding was remarkable winning from the outside draw of 7 in the fastest time of the day for Natalie Rasmussen. He had won his previous two starts comfortably but the calibre of the other horses in the race and the difficulty of the draw made his run even more impressive. He earned $122,500 this season. It will be exciting to see what he can do for his owners this coming season.
Southwind Arden's other progeny racing at the moment is also flying the Arden flag consistently. Platinum Stride, by Captaintreacherous, finished the season with two wins in a row to take his season tally to 4 wins, 5 seconds and a third. He was Group placed on 3 occasions. He has started the new season with a win at Cranbourne.
Broodmare Venus Serena's (Mach Three/Inspiring Dash) progeny of racing age have won 7 races between them this season and had 9 placings. Laver and Arden's Ace have earned a combined total of $98,000. Laver impressed with his National Record at Nelson in a time of 1.51.9 and with his gritty run for his third place in the Group 1 Civtec 4YO Emerald at the Jewels.
Now racing in Australia Arden's Ace has made a good beginning there with a third and a very close to winning second place just last week. There should be more to come for both these two boys.
Broodmare Rocknroll Arden (Rocknroll Hanover/ Winter Rose) had two of her progeny winning this season - Arden Roanoke (Art Major) and Arden's Delight (Bettor's Delight) both had 2 wins and two seconds.
Arden's Reality (Somebeachsomewhere) and Arden Velocity(Bettor's Delight), both out of the Badlands Hanover mare Real Wings, had 4 wins between them for the season and 7 placings. Arden's Reality is trained by Grant Payne at Rolleston and the duo teamed up well with driver Tim Williams for all of their placings. Her 3 year old Arden Velocity (Bettor's Delight) had a second, a third and another second before a winning run for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.
Full brother to 2015 NZ Cup winner Arden Rooney ( Bettor's Delight/ Tosca Hanover) Arden Messi performed well for trainer Grant Payne before crossing the Tasman to be competitive in the Australian racing scene. He has won 7 races this season, been second 7 times and third twice.
Broodmare Arden's Darlin produced two winners this season - Arden Voyager (Somebeachsomewhere) and Celestial Arden (Rocknroll Heaven). They were placed 4 times between them.
Broodmare Excellence Award winner Winter Rose also produced two winners for the season - both by Somebeachsomewhere. Neds Beach, who races in Australia, had a win, 2 seconds and 2 thirds, and Spirit of Arden had a maiden win before needing a spell because of injury for trainer Dean Taylor. Arden's Winstar - also by Somebeachsomewhere- was placed twice in Australia for the season. Winter Rose is the grandmother of South Coast Arden, Arden's Delight and Arden Roanoke. She is also the great grandmother of Arden's Horizon (Bettor's Delight/ Arden's Rose) who had a maiden win in his second start in March of this year.
Ardenart's gelding by Sir Lincoln, Liberal Arden, retired at the end of the season in which he won 3 times, was second 4 times and third 6 times.
L'oiseau de nuit wasn't to be left out -with her Bettor's Delight gelding Bettor Watch Arden having a win and a third place.
The other Arden broodmare to produce a winner was Raindowne (Life Sign/ Tuapeka Tango) - Tom Martin won early in the season.
John and Judy are happy with the results from their broodmare band - and are looking forward to what next year brings for the Arden brand.
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