The Seton Otway Horse of the Year went the way of star galloper Mr Brightside at Saturday’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro.
The popular son of Bullbars added a further four Group One victories this season to a record that features six elite level victories to date, 16 wins and A$13,477,752 in prizemoney for the stable of Ben, Will and JD Hayes.
Mr Brightside was bred by Bay of Plenty real estate agent Ray Johnson in conjunction with his late wife Martha.
“I go back to the start and I have to thank Marcus Corban, Sir Patrick Hogan and Brent Gillovic. It’s just outstanding,” Johnson said.
“I’m quite fortunate that the stable keep in touch with me and I keep up to date with what is happening with him. They tell me he has come back bigger and stronger than ever.”
Johnson said despite knocking back the option to retain a share in Mr Brightside, who was sold privately after a luckless fifth at Matamata, the horse continues to be a source of pleasure and pride and the inclusivity of his connections had made the experience all the more rewarding.
“We were looking to have a really good future racing the horse in New Zealand but the guy from Australia (Wayne Ormond, agent) really wanted him,” Johnson said.
“Some people say you probably regret not keeping a percentage in him but hey, that’s the game, you can’t keep them all.
“I was at the Cox Plate where we all thought he had won (when beaten a nose by Romantic Warrior). But the after-match function was outstanding just to be with those people and included,” he said.
“He has just given me a really good time and so much joy.”
Johnson also claimed Small Breeder of the Year, while the Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year award went to Mr Brightside’s dam Lilahjay, a daughter of Tavistock, with current owner Ed Sheather accepting the award, having purchased the mare for just $3,000 via Gavelhouse.com.
Lilahjay resides at Peter and Sue Westend’s Norwegian Park and is due to foal to Satono Aladdin in September.