An unwavering faith in North American bloodlines by Durham Park Standardbreds’ Bruce and Vicki Edward was accentuated when they brought out a winning double at Melton last Saturday with Sir Jimmy and Keayang Hollywood.

Both were sired by the champion Art Major, Sir Jimmy being a four-year-old out of the Western Ideal mare Carolsideal and Keayang Hollywood, a three-year-old from the Real Desire mare Tamara Hall.

The Edward’s have imported nine broodmares from America since 2008.

The collective progeny have won 416 races including seven Group 1 winners and 20 $100,000 earners and they have amassed $5.6 million in stakes. And the second generation of the imported mares have left the winners of 69 races and $1.6 million to date.

Undoubtedly, the most successful of Durham Park’s American contingent is the Western Ideal mare O Narutac Bella, the dam of the Auckland Cup and Harness Jewels winner Turn It Up, the Southern Cross winner Treasure and the Vicbred Homegrown Classic winner Narutac Prince and grand-dam of the Victoria Oaks and Vicbred champion Sweet Bella, also a winner at Melton last Saturday.

Magic Z Tam’s four winners have amassed $873,545 including the Breeders Crown and Vicbred champion Tam Major, Ideal Priority has left six winners of $759,138 headed up by the Australian 2YO Filly and 3YO Filly of the Year Pectacular and Group 1 winner Idyllic, Hawiian Hottie’s five winners have banked $725,490 including the dual Vicbred Final winner Kualoa, while Tamara Hall has left seven winners of $676,207 highlighted by the NSW Derby, Vicbred and Breeders Crown hero Ideal For Real.

Garden Gate Tina, whose seven winners have amassed $433,315, Molly’s Lucky Star, the dam of six winners of $324,046 and the grand-dam of the Victoria Cup winner Act Now, Rockaround Sue (two winners for $215,872) and Carolsideal (three winners for $116,838) round out the list of USA mares imported by the Edward’s.

“I think it’s fair to say that the nine mares we have imported from the US have delivered in spades,” Bruce said.

“Many of the original imported mares have now been retired or sold on to other breeders and we have been able to retain their daughters.”

  • The French horse Classic Connection, a member of the Haras Des Trotteurs’ sire roster, was represented by the winner of the NSW Foundation 2YO Trot at Menangle in Cee Cee In Paris
  • The undefeated Arrhythmia, rated the top juvenile filly in Tasmania this season, was bred and is raced by Victorians Danny Zavitsanos and Ray Sellwood with the Apple Islander Warren Viney
  • Lollipop, who notched her fifth success at the Maryborough midweek meeting, was bred by popular Victorian Harness Racing Club president Emmy Mazzetti