by Rob Courtney
Legendary horseman Jim Dalgety used to say that very good stud book families can be ‘dormant for a time but retain the ability to reinvent themselves back into the limelight.’
Friday’s Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park and recent impressive performances by The Moonstone (Monkey Bones – Landora’s Jewel) and Eyre I Will (What The Hill – Landora’s Special) have done just that for Landora’s Pride.
This bonny mare from Pukekohe, trained mostly by her part owner Trevor Allingham started 120 times (the last 22 in Australia) between the ages of two & 10, winning 34 races and being placed in another 40 starts, amassing $477k in the process, a small fortune back then.
Her CV included wins in the 1987 Rowe Cup and the 1988 Dominion Handicap, racing against the likes of Tussle, Jenner, Melvander and Admiral Soanai, and a Dullard Cup in Australia at Group 1 level.
She then went to stud and left nine foals for nine winners (six fillies) and in the 2010 -2011 season was awarded the Broodmare Excellence Award.
Those daughters of Landora’s Pride have certainly made their mark albeit some time ago. Landora’s Gift (Chiola Hanover) won 4 before leaving Sundon’s Gift, a dual Inter Dominion champion, winner of 41 races and $1.275 million
Invasions Pride (Armbro Invasion) won six before leaving Let Me Thru, multiple Group 1 winner in Australia, winner of 19 (from only 30 starts) & $454k
Landora’s Image (Sundon) won seven before leaving Monkey Selfie, who has won six for Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott, and Landora’s Jewel (2 wins) now the dam of Chilcott’s very impressive 2yo The Moonstone.
The Moonstone ran away from the highly regarded High Step (Purdon/Purdon) in a heat of the Young Guns at the beginning of the month. The Monkey Bones filly has had two wins and a second in three race day starts. She is also a half to Jewel In The Crown (1.57.8), who is now the winner of eight in Australia.
Landora’s Special (Sundon) won four and has left six winners from eight foals, the last five courtesy of embryo transfer for owner/breeder Darryl Brown of Wai Eyre farm.
Eyre I Come and Springbank Eden each won 10 races for Mark Jones and Phil Williamson respectively. Eyre I Go won eight and like many of the breed was able to race time under the 2 min. MR. barrier.
Jones and his loyal owners have ‘gone back to the well’ with their latest winner Eyre I Will from this family. Placed as a two-year-old, his breakthrough win came at Winton earlier this month as a $1.40 favourite. He has since finished fifth at Rangiora on Sunday (May 21).
These two young trotters look like pushing the Landora name back into the limelight, some 36 years after their grand dam won the time honoured Rowe Cup.
