Loyal Lazarus breeders rewarded with Jeremiah

As his oldest New Zealand crop turn five, Lazarus has some rising stars in the open class ranks to keep an eye out for in 2026.

A now seven win pacer, Jeremiah’s story has been one of persistence and loyalty, for both his trainers and his breeders.

One of the biggest supporters of Lazarus, John McDermott bred Jeremiah along with his brother Maurice McDermott.

He is out of ten win Live Or Die mare, Flyover, who also placed 31 times in her racing career and was raced by in partnership with John and Maurice, with John training her himself.

Jeremiah caught their eye from the moment he was born.

“He always was a good-looking horse from day one, with a really great nature,” John explained.

He caught the attention of prospective buyers, and after plenty of interest was purchased by the Purdon/Phelan team for $80,000 at the 2022 National Yearling Sales in Christchurch.

“I’d have to say he is one of the nicest yearlings we have ever put into the sales, and I have been putting yearlings through it for a long time. We got a lot of favourable comments during the parades from a lot of experienced judges about him.”

“We were very pleased that he went to clients of Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.”

John is grateful that he has been able to keep following Jeremiah and his career, and the new connections keep him up to speed on what is happening with the now five-year-old.

“It’s really satisfying to watch him progress as a breeder. You always feel like you are still invested in them, even though you don’t own them anymore.”

“And we’ve met the new owners and keep in touch with a couple of them. And Barry and Scotty have kept us in the loop, well mainly because we are always asking them what he’s up to,” he laughed.

“He has actually been a bit unlucky in a couple of those big races, where I think with better luck in the running he would’ve been right in the firing line to pick one up.”

“He was nominated for the New Zealand Cup last year, and I don’t think it would be the type of race he would be out of place in. Flyover was a real stayer herself, and so is Jeremiah, so a race like that would really suit him,” John said.

Co-trainer Scott Phelan said they nominated Jeremiah for the New Zealand Cup last year, in case he took that next step up during the season.

“He was actually pretty unlucky in the Spring Cup where he missed away and finished right behind them and was looking for room,” Scott said.

Despite the work taken initially to get things to click into place with his gait, Jeremiah did show ability from then on.

“We thought he always was a good size, and he was strong and he had the speed of a good horse. He’s got a beautiful temperament and is great to have around the place.”

Jeremiah is now spelling and will come back into work in about eight weeks, in terms of plans this year there could be some big goals.

“I don’t think distance is going to be an issue for him. He could potentially be aimed at the Cup this season, but he’ll just have to keep stepping up to the mark, which he has been doing,” said Scott.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTNV2zfb4Us

Jeremiah

Co-breeder John McDermott also has a full sister to Jeremiah which is now a two-year-old, and he has retained and trains himself for himself and his brother Maurice.

“Her name is Jorja, named after Jorja Miller. She has been broken in and had a spell, and is now jogging up again. We think she has a future as well,” John explained.

“She is probably a bit better gaited than Jeremiah was at this stage of his career. I know he took a little to get going but once everything clicked for him he’s really hit his stride. He showed a huge amount of ability over a really short space of time.”

It’s fitting too that John would breed a horse like Jeremiah, given his long-standing support of Lazarus at stud over the years.

“I have always sent a mare to Lazarus and I have been a firm supporter of his.”

“The biggest thing about his foals is they’ve all got his temperament – every single one that I have bred has been so easy to handle and great to work with. They are willing and  want to work with you, and not against you.”

“People seem to not always see the great job he has done with his stock, especially that last year’s four-year-old crop, his results really do speak for themselves when you look at the numbers,” John said.

That four-year-old crop last year included 16 registered foals in New Zealand, two of which were Jeremiah and The Lazarus Effect (8 wins from 13 starts). Both potentially could take their place in the New Zealand Cup in November.

Other notable performers for Lazarus from that crop include Quicker Than Quick (5 wins), Change Tact (5 wins) and Bad Habits (4 wins).

John will once again offer a son of Lazarus at this year’s sales in Christchurch on February 18.

Lot 285 is a colt out of I Spy Diamonds, a He’s Watching mare who is a half sister to Ruby’s A Delight (13 wins) and Topaz (9 wins).

“I really rate him on looks, he is a real looker. I rate him on appearance equally as high as Jeremiah.”