Owners of cult horse Hasselhoof pose in the winners circle after victory in the Dunstan 1400m at Ellerslie on December 13, 2015. The gelding is unbeaten in five starts.
Race Images – Kenton Wright
There's little doubt that unbeaten galloper Hasselhoof is New Zealand's talk horse of the moment.
Not that he can literally talk, but as part-owner Blair Alexander says - there's plenty of people doing the talking for him.
Hasselhoof has his own social media accounts, merchandising and a fan club - and that's all before he even puts his unbeaten record on the line when he steps out for just the sixth time in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
Alexander, whose partner Matt Cameron is Hasselhoof's regular jockey, is something of a PR whiz and his influence is all over the buzz surrounding the galloper.
That's meant that Hasselhoof is not just a racehorse - he's his own brand.
"Part of that is the name, Hasselhoof. It reflects the naivety of the owners," explained Alexander, who had fun creating the name around the anatomical name for a horse's foot with the iconic Baywatch star David Hasselhoff.
"It's about people talking horses to people who know very little about them. Combine the two parts and it's a name that has capture the mood of the ownership group."
Alexander said the mainly first-time owners were having the time of their lives with Hasselhoof - and not just on race day.
"He's got his Facebook page and Twitter account [@TheHasselhoof] and printed caps. If he starts looking like a Group One horse we'd probably have to get some t-shirts printed too," Alexander said.
"Sir Patrick Hogan got one of his caps the other day and Sir Peter Vela text Donna [Logan, trainer] and asked where his cap was so we've got racing's royalty supporting him too.
"As owners, we're just enjoying the moment. That's all part of the fun. It's not just about the fun of race day but the hype and banter of the buildup.
"Most of the guys are novices to racing and it's important to get that new blood and to give them a fun experience. We've subtly but deliberately sought to create interest - and luckily we've got a good horse to do that. We've used him to help create the fun.
"It's just exciting. It's all still ahead of him. He's only had five starts and what he's doing now he's doing on raw ability. Just wait till he's an older horse and he gets over more ground. But right now it's just a thrill to have him racing at Ellerslie on New Year's Day."
The four-year-old Tavistock gelding has become one of New Zealand's most popular horses, not just because he has made a habit of winning, but also for the wit of his social media posts, with many related to his close namesake.
"We've got video of him galloping along the beach at Ruakaka from the other day and it's just begging to be played slow-motion to the Baywatch music - so watch out for that," Alexander said.
As for a prediction on Hasselhoof's chances in the Rich Hill Mile, Alexander takes on a more serious tone.
"It's hard to say because we don't know what he's going to come against yet. But the way he finished off at Ellerslie to win the other day, running his last 600m in 34.68 [seconds] and pricking his ears on the line, he's obviously very good at what he does," Alexander said.
Hasselhoof's success has spurred Alexander into sourcing a second galloper, this time a Ready To Run Sale two-year-old Iffraaj colt purchased through Te Akau Racing's David Ellis, with 20 first-time owners involved.
"We're racing a horse but we've told them the most important thing is having fun along the way. The next challenge is getting the right name and we've got our creative team working on that one right now," Alexander said. - NZ Racing Desk
Not that he can literally talk, but as part-owner Blair Alexander says - there's plenty of people doing the talking for him.
Hasselhoof has his own social media accounts, merchandising and a fan club - and that's all before he even puts his unbeaten record on the line when he steps out for just the sixth time in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
Alexander, whose partner Matt Cameron is Hasselhoof's regular jockey, is something of a PR whiz and his influence is all over the buzz surrounding the galloper.
That's meant that Hasselhoof is not just a racehorse - he's his own brand.
"Part of that is the name, Hasselhoof. It reflects the naivety of the owners," explained Alexander, who had fun creating the name around the anatomical name for a horse's foot with the iconic Baywatch star David Hasselhoff.
"It's about people talking horses to people who know very little about them. Combine the two parts and it's a name that has capture the mood of the ownership group."
Alexander said the mainly first-time owners were having the time of their lives with Hasselhoof - and not just on race day.
"He's got his Facebook page and Twitter account [@TheHasselhoof] and printed caps. If he starts looking like a Group One horse we'd probably have to get some t-shirts printed too," Alexander said.
"Sir Patrick Hogan got one of his caps the other day and Sir Peter Vela text Donna [Logan, trainer] and asked where his cap was so we've got racing's royalty supporting him too.
"As owners, we're just enjoying the moment. That's all part of the fun. It's not just about the fun of race day but the hype and banter of the buildup.
"Most of the guys are novices to racing and it's important to get that new blood and to give them a fun experience. We've subtly but deliberately sought to create interest - and luckily we've got a good horse to do that. We've used him to help create the fun.
"It's just exciting. It's all still ahead of him. He's only had five starts and what he's doing now he's doing on raw ability. Just wait till he's an older horse and he gets over more ground. But right now it's just a thrill to have him racing at Ellerslie on New Year's Day."
The four-year-old Tavistock gelding has become one of New Zealand's most popular horses, not just because he has made a habit of winning, but also for the wit of his social media posts, with many related to his close namesake.
"We've got video of him galloping along the beach at Ruakaka from the other day and it's just begging to be played slow-motion to the Baywatch music - so watch out for that," Alexander said.
As for a prediction on Hasselhoof's chances in the Rich Hill Mile, Alexander takes on a more serious tone.
"It's hard to say because we don't know what he's going to come against yet. But the way he finished off at Ellerslie to win the other day, running his last 600m in 34.68 [seconds] and pricking his ears on the line, he's obviously very good at what he does," Alexander said.
Hasselhoof's success has spurred Alexander into sourcing a second galloper, this time a Ready To Run Sale two-year-old Iffraaj colt purchased through Te Akau Racing's David Ellis, with 20 first-time owners involved.
"We're racing a horse but we've told them the most important thing is having fun along the way. The next challenge is getting the right name and we've got our creative team working on that one right now," Alexander said. - NZ Racing Desk