A decision to purchase a pair of well-bred siblings by Finley hobby breeder Ash Haynes almost 20 years ago paved the way for the breeding of trotting’s latest ‘Million Dollar Club’ member and Inter Dominion Grand Final winner Arcee Phoenix.
Haynes, in partnership with close friend Chris Shaw and Brian and the late Ted Payne, bought the half-sisters Byrdie Num Num (by Speed Supreme) and Dodo Rocket (by Wagon Apollo) as the foundation broodmares of his breeding enterprise.
“Ted called into my butcher’s shop one day. He was on his way to the Alabar Bloodstock mixed sale with the two mares,” Ash recalled. “Chris was working with me at the time and I talked into coming into the ownership group.”
Byrdie Num Num, who won eight races at Globe Derby Park, left two winners including the Sundon mare Justa Phoenix, who numbered among her four successes the Aldebaran Park Princess of Speed.
Justa Phoenix, in turn, produced the horse-of-the-moment, the Trixton gelding Arcee Phoenix, her fourth foal. Other winners from Justa Phoenix have been Querencia, In Redwhiteandblue, Tomahawk Phoenix and Justatrixta, a full sister to Arcee Phoenix who is now being bred from by Benstud Standardbreds, where the Inter Dominion champion was bred and raised.
The 2023 Victorian Trotting Broodmare of the Year, Justa Phoenix has since produced a two-year-old colt by Majestic Son and a yearling colt by Muscle Hill’s Hambletonian champion Trixton, the sire of Arcee Phoenix.
Not to be outdone, Dodo Rocket, who was unraced, became the dam of four winners including the Vicbred and Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic winner Princess Phoenix, the Melton winner Veruckte Phoenix and the Vicbred and Breeders Crown finalist Hadrian’s Phoenix.
Dodo Rocket also figures as the grand-dam of The Redwood, Vicbred and Breeders Crown champion Eljaykay Phoenix, the Victoria Trotters Oaks winner She’s Ruby Roo and the Inter Dominion heat winner Ofortuna.
Haynes is currently breeding from five relatives of Arcee Phoenix namely Maple Eve Phoenix (in foal to Tactical Approach), Peregrine Phoenix (I/F King Of The North), Owe Dee Em Phoenix (I/F Dancinginthedark M), Fortunate Phoenix and Epona Phoenix.
Picture: Duncan McPherson, Chris Svanosio and Ash Haynes
Alot Like Louie, a most impressive winner at Melton on Saturday, is the fourth winner this season left by the Art Major mare Without Guile. The Sweet Lou gelding was bred by Portland breeder Heath Bourke.
Sahara Breeze, the winner of the Stylish Memphis Stakes, the main event at Menangle last weekend, was bred and is part-owned by Australian Pacing Gold deputy chairman and former Harness Racing Victoria board member Peter Watkinson.
Freak Out, who won his second race at the Kilmore midweek meeting, was bred by well known Wedderburn veterinarian and studmaster Greg Hargreaves, who stands the five-year-old’s sire Devilish Smile at his Wooltech Stud.