Gisborne computer expert Paul Humphreys, the breeder-owner of last Friday’s impressive Ballarat winner Euroking, has an unblemished record as a broodmare owner.
The father of Harness Racing Victoria race caller Luke Humphreys, Paul has only ever owned two broodmares – Untuned and The Perfect Mona.
Untuned left only two moderate winners and was of little account, however, The Perfect Mona has been an outstanding matron with five victors to date – including four in 2:00 – and the winners of almost $740,000.
The best of her progeny is undoubtedly Anything For Love, a winner of 32 races in Victoria, NSW and North America and, who, at one stage was the fastest ever Australian-bred pacer at 1:48.7. The Rock N Roll Heaven gelding is still racing successfully in America and boasts a stake tally of $511,267.
Palais Du Louvre (by Safe And Sound), whom Paul raced himself, totted up 18 wins - including the Group 3 Breeders Crown Graduate Cup at Melton - and $165,201.
Others from The Perfect Mona have been Trip Sevens (by Bettor’s Delight), Something Fast (Safely Kept) and Euroking (Somebeachsomewhere), who have all won three races.
Euroking was originally trained by Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars before being transferred to Monegeetta horseman David Miles about six weeks ago.
“He had had a few issues, so it was decided to send him to our place to take advantage of our swimming regime,” Miles said.
“He always showed a lot of potential for Jess and Greg. He beat horses like Alby Two Chains, La Captain and Captain Bellasario as a juvenile.
“Hopefully we can get him back to somewhere near his best.”
Since producing Euroking in 2017, The Perfect Mona has left the Sweet Lou two-year-old filly The Perfect Sweet, who is in training with Miles, and is safely in foal to Rock N Roll Heaven.
Euroking is part-owned by Paul, David Miles’s brother Leigh and Ed Hoctor.