Swayzee (horse)

Last updated

Swayzee
Breed Standardbred
SireRock N Roll Heaven (USA)
GrandsireRocknroll Hanover (USA)
DamLettucereason
Maternal grandsireArt Major (USA)
Sex Gelding
Foaled (2017-09-23) 23 September 2017 (age 7)
CountryAustralia
TrainerJason Grimson
Last updated on: 15 February 2025.

Swayzee (foaled 23 September 2017) is an Australian Standardbred racehorse, notable for winning the New Zealand Trotting Cup in 2023 and 2024, the 2023 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship, the 2024 Victoria Cup and the 2025 A G Hunter Cup.

Contents

Swayzee was bred by Paul Kahlefeldt at Redbank Lodge Standardbreds in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Initially trained by Tim Butt for limited success, he moved to the stable of Jason Grimson at Menangle, Sydney, New South Wales in 2023. [1] [2] He is owned by Boots Properties Racing Pty Ltd, [3] L F Drake, N H Jackson and Jason Grimson.

He is a half brother to another champion standardbred racehorse Leap To Fame. They were sired by different USA stallions: Leap To Fame by Bettor's Delight, but both were out of the dam Lettucereason (Art Major, USA). Leap To Fame was also bred by Redbank Lodge Standardbreds. Lettucereason, who won 17 races, is a sister to the 2013 Victoria Cup winner For A Reason [4] [5]

Racing career

In a sign of things to come, Swayzee's first race was the Buy a Woodlands Stud Weanling Pace for 2-year old pacers over a mile at Tabcorp Park, Menangle, on 21 April 2020 which he won easily by 14 lengths.

He could only manage 7th in his first Group 1 race, the VHRC Caduceus Breeders Crown Series at Melton on 21 November 2020 which was won by Major Moth from Act Now. He was also unsuccessful in two other Group races for three-year old horses the following year. However, in mid 2023 after shifting to the stable of Jason Grimson, he embarked on a run of 10 wins including the Group 1 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship and New Zealand Trotting Cup. The following year he was to lose that Queensland Championship to his main rival and younger half-brother, Leap To Fame.

Swayzee has only had two race-day starts in New Zealand and notably they are both wins in New Zealand's greatest race.

Notable performances

PlacingDateRaceTrackDriver1st2nd3rd
1st28 May 2023L - Goulburn CupGoulburnCameron HartSwayzeeAlta OrlandoArdens Ace
1st8 July 2023G3 - Mr Feelgood Open PaceAlbion ParkCameron HartSwayzeePetes Said SoManila Playboy
1st22 July 2023G1 - The Blacks A Fake Queensland ChampionshipAlbion ParkCameron HartSwayzee Leap To Fame Hot And Treacherous
1st14 November 2023G1 - New Zealand Trotting Cup [6] Addington Cameron HartSwayzeeAkutaBeach Ball
1st1 December 2023Inter Dominion HeatAlbion ParkCameron HartSwayzeeManila PlayboyTurn It Up
3rd5 December 2023Inter Dominion HeatAlbion ParkCameron HartSpeak The TruthPetes Said SoSwayzee
4th9 December 2023Inter Dominion HeatAlbion ParkCameron HartBetter EclipseClassie WashingtonKanena Provlima
3rd16 December 2023G1 - Inter Dominion Final [7] Albion ParkCameron Hart Leap To Fame Better EclipseSwayzee
2nd13 July 2024G2 - Mr Feelgood OpenAlbion ParkCameron Hart Leap To Fame SwayzeeSimply Sam
2nd27 July 2024G1 - The Blacks A Fake Queensland ChampionshipAlbion ParkCameron Hart Leap To Fame SwayzeeHector
1st12 October 2024G1 - Victoria Cup [8] [9] MeltonCameron HartSwayzeeCurly JamesMach Dan
1st12 November 2024G1 - New Zealand Trotting Cup [10] [11] Addington Cameron HartSwayzeeDon't Stop DreamingRepublican Party
1st26 December 2024G3 - Shirley Turnbull Memorial [12] BathurstCameron HartSwayzeeSmooth BuzzKanena Provlima
1st1 February 2025G1 - A G Hunter Cup [13] [14] MeltonCameron HartSwayzee Leap To Fame Republican Party

See also

References

  1. "Wayback Machine". www.racingandsports.com.au.
  2. Rando, Amanda (2 May 2022). "Just who is Jason Grimson? - Harnesslink".
  3. Hamilton, Adam (19 November 2023). "Down Under's 'Mr. Harness Racing' aims for third Inter Dominion in December".
  4. "Wagga breeder has good Reason to smile". 17 November 2023.
  5. Rando, Amanda (11 March 2022). "Weekly spotlight on breeding - Harnesslink".
  6. "Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips". racenet.com.au.
  7. "Leap To Fame wins the 2023 Inter Dominion Pacing Final at Albion Park". 17 December 2023 via YouTube.
  8. "News Article - Australian Harness Racing". www.harness.org.au.
  9. "Swayzee claims Victoria Cup". 13 October 2024.
  10. Hamilton, Adam (15 November 2024). "Aussie's Swayzee and Just Believe reign on New Zealand Cup Day".
  11. "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz.
  12. "Swayzee dominant in record-breaking race day return". www.hrnz.co.nz.
  13. Mitchell, Lachlan. "Swayzee wins the battle of the brothers in Hunter Cup thriller". Harness Racing Victoria.
  14. Hamilton, Adam (7 February 2025). "Swayzee got the better of little brother Leap To Fame in Hunter Cup".