Client Spotlight – Bob Higgins

For a breeder who is on top of the world right now, you wouldn’t find more down-to-earth people than Bob Higgins.

The Westport based breeder had an afternoon to remember on Sunday when two horses he bred won feature races in both hemispheres within hours, and to boot they are half-sisters.

It started with Francent winning against the best mares in North America at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Canada.

The $50,000 Fillies and Mares Open consisted of top mares Twin B Joe Fresh and Rodeo Drive Deo, and Francent showed her explosive speed to run them down in 1.48.1. It was her sixth win from 12 starts to date in North America and she’ll now head to the Milton Stakes.

Francent was sold to America earlier this year after winning 13 races in New Zealand, including the Group 1 Queen of Hearts, the Group 2 Mares Sprint Classic and Ladies Sprint and Group 3 Northern Breeders Stakes.

Mattie Nevin proved the family bloodlines worth further with a win at Ashburton just hours later in the Nevele R Fillies Series Heat.

“It was unbelievable,” said Bob.

“We had the live stream of Francent going on the television, and it was so exciting to watch her against those good mares.”

“Even though we’ve sold her you get just as excited and just as anxious watching them, they still mean a lot.”

“And then with Mattie Nevin that was just brilliant.”

“Mark (Jones) had said her work had been great during the week and we were thinking we were a good chance, I was surprised to see her as an outsider in the field.”

The family’s broodmare line dates back to the 1940s, with Red Queen. Remarkably though, these horses very nearly never existed.

Bob’s passion for harness racing was a natural path for him, as his grandfather and father were both avid breeders and owners.

“I remember as a child we would always be at the track,” Bob explained.

“We used to go down to Patterson Park every Sunday after church and watch the workouts. We had our own horses there, my Dad, Uncle and myself eventually all ended up having horses.”

In the 1970’s Bob started getting involved in ownership and breeding, with Patsy Marie being one of his most memorable horses of the time.

“We thought she was a Group 1 horse, and she did go a New Zealand record at one stage.”

Patsy Marie won three races during her career, and would form a crucial part of the ongoing bloodline.

In the 90s Bob went into dairy farming and stepped away from breeding and racing, handing the reins over to his cousin.

“I got right out of breeding and my cousin John down south took over the mares and breeding from them,” Bob explained.

“But we almost lost the line eventually from my family’s breed. We got down to the very last mare.”

Fortunately though Trevor Craddock had leased Patsy McCreedy and was able to resurrect the breed.

“Trevor ended up buying her from the sales, and we were able to form a partnership and race her and carry on.”

Patsy McCreedy was a daughter of Patsy Marie by Bo Scots Blue Chip, and won three races in her career.

Trevor and Bob, along with Bob’s cousin John, bred several foals from that mare, including Lyse Doucet the second dam of Francent and Mattie Nevin.

“I’d been out of the game for 20 odd years, but my cousin talked me back into the game,” laughed Bob.

“We had Ellis Rose who won ten races and went 1.53 in Australia.”

“But once my cousin eventually got out of the game we went halves in the mare and then I ended up with Mary Niven.”

“So the breed got resurrected which was great, but it was only last year I had a number of the mares listed in various places and leased some out.”

“No one really wanted them.”

And what a difference a year can make!

It’s been a roller coaster ride, but to date Mary Niven has left outstanding performers outside of Francent and Mattie Nevin in Queenofdance (7 wins), Songbird (4 wins), and Killarney Dance (3 wins).

She’s had six foals to race for six winners, the youngest being a yearling now.

She’s also left Rocknroll Nevin who has won three races and Bob is now breeding from her as well.

Bob is also breeding out of a daughter of Rocknroll Nevin, Amanpour.

When questioned about which horses he felt most fond of over the years, Bob was a bit torn.

“I guess you get attached to all of them really.”

“And with the family connection going back so far, and very almost losing the line completely, it means a lot to see them winning so well.”

“Every now and then I’ll sit and think about my cousin John, my father, uncles and grandfather and how they’re not there to see this now. I do think about that a bit.”

Bob’s relationship with Wai Eyre Farm started about four years ago, and as this story was written he was preparing for another trip to Canterbury.

“I’m just about to load two mares to bring to Wai Eyre,” Bob said.

“It’s been great being able to bring the mares there to be served and foal, I find the staff really welcoming and helpful. They do a great job.”

“The communication is spot on and they make it really easy for me.”

“It’s a bit of a trip from the Coast, but it’s all part of it and it’s just what you do.”

In terms of a trip, we asked Bob if the thought had crossed his mind to head to Canada to see Francent compete at the highest level.

“I do dream about that yes,” Bob said.

“It could happen. It certainly could happen. Never say never.”

There was a sense of mischief in his voice as he said it, which certainly indicates the idea was not new to him, and it had been resonating with him for some time.

But ultimately the family connection and time spent together through the horses has been a big part of the journey.

Bob shares ownership of Mattie Nevin with family members who form the Patsy Marie Syndicate.

“It’s just such a special thing to share with our family. And it’s a bit sad that my grandfather, father and cousin aren’t around to see it.”

“But that’s the most rewarding part about breeding these horses, being able to share it with others.”