Client Spotlight – Gwen and Kevin Gilmore

For North Canterbury breeders Kevin and Gwen Gilmore, breeding standardbreds is a team effort.

Gwen with weanling Letz Go and Kevin with weanling El Cid

A passion that began in Geraldine in 1980, when the couple worked and raced their own horses.

“We raced and trained our own horses for about 17 years when we were in Geraldine,” explained Kevin.

“We never went a year without a win, which was great for us, but we only ever had two in work at a time.”

“We had success with horses like Gay Black who won about four races, and Capitulate won four as well. They were handy horses.”

Gay Black and Capitulate where then sold to the United States, and racing then selling horses became part of the process.

“We used to have a big mortgage, so selling them made sense and helped out at that time.”

“We didn’t breed them ourselves back then, that came much later on.”

Both working for Universities, Kevin and Gwen then moved overseas for work, and moved around from England to the Middle East and Australia.

Once they returned home and were able to retire, Kevin and Gwen settled in Cust, just west of Rangiora.

Kevins brother Simon Gilmore was also racing horses at that time, and it allowed them to immerse themselves back into the harness racing lifestyle again.

“I used to help him with his horses, and started getting back into it. He’s had some good ones that he has sold over the years too,” said Kevin.

“Simon is currently racing a horse named Seaside Croft, he’s won three to date.”

Kevin had his training licence renewed and set about getting some horses of his own to work again.

“I only ever have trotters. I think the big stables have the advantage with the pacers, but with trotters you have to make them.”

“You have to try and work them out, they’ve got to trot for a start and then they have to have manners. Then they of course have to have speed and endurance. Trotters need to be worked on and made.”

“I find that really rewarding. It can take a lot more time, but when you’ve got one that’s got any ability there it can be worth it.”

Kevin and Gwen have a track at their property, and Kevin will then take his horses to the Rangiora racecourse when more serious work is needed.

Returning home and also now being retired, it mean that Kevin and Gwen could now look into breeding their own trotters.

They purchased a Letz Hope from Alabar Stud, a six-win Pegasus Spur mare. She had previously left winners in Our Evie Rae, Zigzagzoo and Group 2 winner, Maestoso.

They have a Majestic Son filly out of Letz Hope and she is currently in foal to On A Streak.

The couple are also breeding from Majestic Ali, an eight-win Majestic Son mare out of Galleon’s Paradise (12 wins) and hails from the legendary Gary Allen bred family.

Majestic Ali has a Habibi Inta colt for Kevin and Gwen, and will be bred to On A Streak this coming season.

Part of the broodmare band is Light Year Franco, a pacing bred Bettors Delight mare who actually won three races as a trotter. She has already left trotting winners Franco Light and Lotus Franco.

The couple purchased a half-sister to Heavyweight Hero at the Sales, by Habibi Inta.

Kevin’s role is choosing the stallion, and he looks into specific traits when doing so.

“They have to have a good trot. That’s where I like to look at the videos of their races and watch them.”

“Also, I do look at the crosses. We like having Love You in there, which is where we’ve booked to Classic Connection this season and we have Habibi Intas.”

“But I also like the Cantab Hall line as well, that’s still prominent today in the States, so that’s why we liked On A Streak too. I think he’s got every show.”

While Kevin is charged with breeding decision making, Gwen is heavily involved hands on with their horses at home, ensuring the daily welfare and care of their equine stock.

She is also part of the hugely popular Waimak Adult Riders Club. A club that has grown from four riders initially, now to 150 members.

They ride together each week, and also hold events each month that focus on the social aspect and guest speakers.

“We have some really cool events,” Gwen explained.

“Alongside riding together we try and get together without the horses, in fact last night we had a gathering and dinner with 40 people there and talked to vets. We try and get guest speakers along and it’s really interesting.”

“It’s probably one of the most successful aspects of the clubs because people can be sociable and not have to worry about bringing the horse and float along.”

Standardbreds have a strong part to play in the riding club as well.

“I would say around 25 percent of our members have a standardbred. The breed lends itself so well to CTR (Competitive Trail Riding) as they’ve got great heart rates.”

“For a lot of our riders, they don’t have time to be out riding their horse every day. They might ride them once or twice a week, yet they are able to pull their standardbred out of the paddock and they still have a great heart rate for CTR.”

“I hear from a lot of our members, a lot are mothers, and they don’t have the time to do much for themselves or put themselves first. So being able to do something like CTR and have a standardbred has really been a positive thing for them.”

The group has become so popular that they have had to put a cap on numbers.

“We were getting so big that at some events we found we didn’t know everybody, and we want it to get a group where everyone knows eachother and we didn’t want it getting out of hand.”

Alongside being involved as a racing breeder and owner, Gwen takes the opportunity to promote the standardbred breed where she can through the club.

“We have a lot of standardbred events, and we are looking to tailor classes for them around their gait. They can struggle a bit with dressage, but they do so well in other events like jumping.”

“I’m trying to ensure we promote the breed and it’s best attributes.”

For the Glimores the relationship with Wai Eyre Farm has been a strong one for the Gilmores, breeding and foaling mares at the stud.

“The staff there are just fantastic,” Kevin said.

“They are so good with the horses, and treat them like they are their own. The mares are very well looked after.

“And the communication is very good as well. We are always kept up to date with what is happening.”

When asked ultimately what their goal would be as breeders, Kevin only had one wish.

“You now see people buying trotters at the sales for $250,00 and you think, they’re either going to win big races or be disappointed. Winning 2 races would be disappointing for them.”

“I just want a nice, reliable trotter.”

“We’re not trying to win the Interdominion, just a nice, reliable trotter, that’s what we are looking for and if we win a couple of races that would be great.”