Pacing mare comes to aid of thoroughbred foal
The Dennis brothers' broodmare mare, The Style (two wins), sustained injuries during the foaling of a colt by Ancient Spirit at the brothers' farm at Woodlands in early November.
Jamie Searle is a long-time racing writer. For more of his work on thoroughbred racing check out the Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page
A Group II winner in harness racing is in the fourth month of being a foster mare to a thoroughbred colt foal, owned by the Dennis brothers.
The foster mare, Smokin Bird, won 10 races, including three in Australia and the 2015 Group II Southland Oaks.
The Dennis brothers' broodmare mare, The Style (two wins), sustained injuries during the foaling of a colt by Ancient Spirit at the brothers'Â farm at Woodlands in early November.
The Style was not expected to live prompting the call to go out for a foster mare.
Northern Southland standardbred breeders Macca Lodge responded with the offer of Smokin Bird, part-owned by former top trainer Kevin Court, of Dunedin.
The foal was taken to Macca Lodge, while broodmare The Style died several days after the birth.
About a month ago the foal and Smokin Bird were brought to the Dennis' farm to graze.
Broodmare The Style, trained by Robert Dennis, won the last thoroughbred race to be held at Waimate on June 9, 2019. Robert's father, Tony, is one of the four Dennis brothers.
