Voukefalas - a home bred hero by Lazarus

Voukefalas may not be a name we have heard of much in New Zealand, but in North America he is a horse that has captured the imagination of the harness racing world, and the hearts of those closest to him.

The son of Lazarus is a home bred stallion, that in itself is rare stateside, with most of the racing population bred by a string of large stud farms, so when Voukefalas burst on to the scene as a two year old, he really got people talking.

Trained by Michael Russo of New Jersey, he is also a co-breeder of the horse along with long time stable client Michael Pagonas, and has been involved with the horse from the moment he was born. He knew early on what he had, but could never dream of the places he would go with him.

"I knew right from when he was a two-year-old, in February of that year, I was working with a special type of horse," Russo said. "Once everything clicked in his mind and he started working his times down I could just tell we were in for a ride with him."

"And that's not me at all, anyone that knows me or who has had horses with me will know I never build a horse up, or give anyone any high hopes. Especially a young horse. But with him there was no doubt, I just knew."

But in his debut season at two, the horse would start his career in the most unconventional of ways.

"His first three career starts were in the New Jersey Sires Stakes races. And he won them all, two heats and a final. It was ridiculous really, his first career start in July and they are going 1.50. He was running home his final quarters in 25 and 26 as a two-year-old, drawing wide and sitting parked. It just blew my mind."

"And what I didn't know at the time was he was the first ever two-year-old in history here to go that time before August, which is when they are usually at their peak."

"So for him to go that kind of time in his first year, and then to carry on and compete and win at the top level again at three and four, it's a really big accomplishment for the horse and shows how tough he is. He's earned big money every year he has raced."

As a two year old Voukefalas finished his year with a record of seven starts, three wins (New Jersey Sires Stakes) and three placings, for $414,000 NZD in stakes.

At three he was again victorious in the New Jersey Sires Stakes Final and New Jersey Classic, and won four from 12 starts, with three seconds and $560,000 NZD that year.

At four he set his best mile time of 1.47.3 in the Graduate Final at the Meadowlands and finished the year with 18 starts, 4 wins, 5 placings and $540,000 NZD in earnings.

This year has had some challenges, he has currently had six placings from 11 starts. But his biggest tests are yet to come.

"I thought this was going to be his best year. Training him down he felt so good all year. I didn't want to drill into him like I normally do as I wanted him to get through the whole year strong. Going 47 and 48 is tough on horses at that top level, and he's been racing at that his whole career.

He finished second in 47 at the Meadowlands earlier this year, and then he lead from the ten hole and was attacked in front. Then he got a bad virus which affected him so he was out for ten days and has slowly come back to fitness. He's had two placings at Pocono in the last couple of weeks after doing a lot of work."

Russo has a plan for Voukefalas, including a trip to Woodbine in Canada later this month.

"The Breeders Crown and The TVG are his two big chances this year. And he's up against the best horses in North America, so I am hoping we can have him back to his best for those races and he can show us again just how good he is."

Russo raced the dam of Voukefalas himself, and despite being obscurely bred (by Cam Fortune) she showed some huge heart on the track in her career winning against some of the top mares at the Meadowlands. But when it came to sending her to a stallion he always had Lazarus in mind for her.

"I really wanted to go to a son of Bettors Delight. And Lazarus showed some tremendous heart and speed when he raced here, and to adapt to our racing style is so tough at that level and for him to endure that after shipping over was just huge.

Lazarus was such an impressive animal, there was never any doubt that I would send my mare to him. I thought he was a fairly obvious choice, a no brainer really.

I also have a full sister to Voukefalas due to come back into work, and I sent his sister to Lazarus as well. I really like them all. He's stamped them so well with attitude, ability and type."

Russo went on to say the stock of Lazarus have continued to impress him in the States.

"Lazarus really has been firing so well here, he had Lifes A Puzzle and Handle Like A Porsche around the same time as Vouk. And he continues to show up with quality stock today. It is such a competitive market for stallions up here, so for him to continue to kick goals is impressive."

Russo also reflects on the journey of breeding Voukefalas.

"I'm proud of the horse, he's a great horse he really is. He has the best attitude of any horse I have ever worked with.

Something I think of a lot is if you are buying at yearling sales, you're looking at hundreds of horses, hundreds of pedigrees, you have vets before the sales and narrowing down all this money you have to spend to put horses in your stable. Spending hundreds of thousands to maybe get a couple of nice horses at the end.

And I think about the fact that I bred this horse, what I got was what I got. He landed on the ground and there was nothing else for me for me to do except work with him. And for him to turn out as good as he had, it's such a great feeling."

Story with thanks Jess Davidson

Lazarus - the Living Legend!

Lazarus stands at Wai Eyre Farm and is available to mares in New Zealand and Australia.

His Service fee is $4,000.00 plus gst in NZ and $5,500.00 including gst in Australia

For mares bred at Wai Eyre, his service fee INCLUDES the vet package and working fee.