He Came, He Saw, He Spanked'em

That was the headline on Australia’s National Trotguide front page back in March after the Kiwi Spankem won in the A$1,000,000 NSW Miracle Mile. Crowning his incredibly succe

ssful season at Saturday’s Harness Racing New Zealand awards he was voted 2018-19 NZB Standardbred Horse Of The Year.

His 1.47.7 win in Australasia’s richest race, one of his four Group One’s for the season, gave the Pacer of the Year the nod over Sundees Son, the season’s Trotter Of The Year. Sundees Son won three Group Ones, in a row, from just four wins at the beginning of the season.

Spankem’s four wins when he was a two-year-old must have had him close to the Age Group honour, which was taken out by Ashley Locaz. At three he came up against another star in Chase Auckland. But as a four-year-old he has absolutely shone. From 15 starts Spankem has won 8, amassing season earnings of $869,562 and pushing his lifetime earnings to date over the million dollar mark.

Bred by Canterbury Harness Racing Awards 2018-19 season Pacing Breeders Of The Year, Gwenda and Robin Wah, Glenys and Phil Kennard purchased Spankem out of the sale ring at Christchurch for $70,000. As with all the Kennard purchases, the remaining shares were taken up by various other friends and associates. This time with Ken and Karen Breckon, Jim and Anne Gibbs and Gary and Kerry Woodham investing in the talented pacer.

The Kennard’s ability to secure superior standardbreds at the sales and attract owners has seen them celebrate a number of title wins including the 2017-18 NZB Standardbred Horse Of The Year Lazarus. In fact, Glenys and Phil’s super achievements this season had them again in contention for a third consecutive Owner Of The Year title. They owned a share in an impressive four 2018-19 Age Group category winners, trotting filly Tickle Me Pink plus Spankem, Ultimate Sniper and Thefixer. 

To view the full results from the New Zealand Bloodstock Harness Racing NZ Awards, click here.