Go Nicholas and Shelley Hale
Photo- Trish Dunell
Shelley Hale is hoping that 2016 starts as well as 2015 ended.
The Cambridge horsewoman had notable results as a trainer, owner and breeder in December.
Hale has only three horses in racing trim but was able to win a race on each of the first two days of the Christmas carnival at Ellerslie.
Seventh Up came from last to win a $50,000 rating 75 1400m on Boxing Day and stablemate Go Nicholas won a $10,000 maiden on the second day.
Hale also won an open sprint with Close Up at Tauranga in November and has had four wins, two seconds and a third from 10 runners this term.
There was also exciting news from the broodmare paddock last month when Regelle, the dam of Close Up and Seventh Up, produced her first filly, by boom sire Tavistock, at the age of 21.
Regelle has been a wonderful producer for Hale and her partners but the mare's eight previous foals had all been colts and Hale was thrilled to get a filly.
"It was a pretty good end to the year," Hale said.
Regelle's first seven foals have all won and between them recorded almost 30 successes. Hale is now working her eighth foal, an un-named Shinko King three-year-old.
Thumbs Up, a top performer in Hong Kong, has been the main flagbearer for Regelle but Sum Up and Close Up have also been well above average.
Thumbs Up, who won twice for Hale before being sold to Hong Kong owners, was a Group One winner in Hong Kong and runner-up in the Hong Kong Derby. He also proved himself in international company, finishing second in the Hong Kong Vase and twice being placed in the QE II Cup.
Now an 11-year-old, Thumbs Up returned to Hale at the end of his racing career and is "living the life of Reilly" in familiar surroundings.
"One of the conditions of his sale was that he had to come home after he finished racing," Hale said.
Six of Regelle's foals have been by Shinko King, including Thumbs Up, Sum Up, Close Up and Seventh Up.
Regelle, an Exploding Prospect mare, was raced by Hale with Robin Stent and the late Noel Johnstone and the same partnership has raced and bred her foals.
Seventh Up did not begin racing till this season, as a five-year-old, but is making up for lost time with two wins and two placings from five attempts.
"He has always shown us a lot but had little injuries along the way," Hale said.
"We were a bit cheeky entering him for his last race, as he was still eligible for a rating 65, but it paid off.
"He will probably go to Trentham for a rating 75 1400m on Wellington Cup day now."
Go Nicholas, a Danroad four-year-old, has had only two starts and is heading to a $50,000 special conditions maiden at Ellerslie at the Karaka Million meeting.
Hale had to give up training for a period, through ill health, but said she was now "close to full bore" again and is hoping for further success in 2016. – NZ Racing Desk
The Cambridge horsewoman had notable results as a trainer, owner and breeder in December.
Hale has only three horses in racing trim but was able to win a race on each of the first two days of the Christmas carnival at Ellerslie.
Seventh Up came from last to win a $50,000 rating 75 1400m on Boxing Day and stablemate Go Nicholas won a $10,000 maiden on the second day.
Hale also won an open sprint with Close Up at Tauranga in November and has had four wins, two seconds and a third from 10 runners this term.
There was also exciting news from the broodmare paddock last month when Regelle, the dam of Close Up and Seventh Up, produced her first filly, by boom sire Tavistock, at the age of 21.
Regelle has been a wonderful producer for Hale and her partners but the mare's eight previous foals had all been colts and Hale was thrilled to get a filly.
"It was a pretty good end to the year," Hale said.
Regelle's first seven foals have all won and between them recorded almost 30 successes. Hale is now working her eighth foal, an un-named Shinko King three-year-old.
Thumbs Up, a top performer in Hong Kong, has been the main flagbearer for Regelle but Sum Up and Close Up have also been well above average.
Thumbs Up, who won twice for Hale before being sold to Hong Kong owners, was a Group One winner in Hong Kong and runner-up in the Hong Kong Derby. He also proved himself in international company, finishing second in the Hong Kong Vase and twice being placed in the QE II Cup.
Now an 11-year-old, Thumbs Up returned to Hale at the end of his racing career and is "living the life of Reilly" in familiar surroundings.
"One of the conditions of his sale was that he had to come home after he finished racing," Hale said.
Six of Regelle's foals have been by Shinko King, including Thumbs Up, Sum Up, Close Up and Seventh Up.
Regelle, an Exploding Prospect mare, was raced by Hale with Robin Stent and the late Noel Johnstone and the same partnership has raced and bred her foals.
Seventh Up did not begin racing till this season, as a five-year-old, but is making up for lost time with two wins and two placings from five attempts.
"He has always shown us a lot but had little injuries along the way," Hale said.
"We were a bit cheeky entering him for his last race, as he was still eligible for a rating 65, but it paid off.
"He will probably go to Trentham for a rating 75 1400m on Wellington Cup day now."
Go Nicholas, a Danroad four-year-old, has had only two starts and is heading to a $50,000 special conditions maiden at Ellerslie at the Karaka Million meeting.
Hale had to give up training for a period, through ill health, but said she was now "close to full bore" again and is hoping for further success in 2016. – NZ Racing Desk