The Falcon (NZ) and Allamericanlover (NZ) Star in Country Championship Final

The staying power of NZB Standardbred's graduates was on full display when The Falcon (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Allamericanlover (NZ) (American Ideal) filled the quinella in the $100,00 Listed Hydroflow NZ Country Championship Final (3200m). 

The Falcon produced the biggest win yet for Geoff and James Dunn’s training partnership when he dashed along the inner to win the inaugural running of the 3200 metre feature for driver Gerard O’Reilly.

The four-year-old was purchased by Bob Sandford at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale for $95,000 when offered by breeder-vendor Taffy Ltd.

Sandford races The Falcon with wife Jenny, Hayley Wall, the John Gould Family Trust, with Geoff Dunn also sharing in the horse’s ownership. Saturday night’s win gave Dunn a special thrill as it was the first six-figure stake he and son James had landed in their two seasons training in partnership.

“It was absolutely unbelievable, it couldn’t be better than doing it with my son,” Geoff Dunn said. “James is so passionate.”
“We were like chalk and cheese watching the race. I was as quiet as a mouse and James was just about doing handstands.”

The Falcon has been a consistent performer, winning six races and taking his game to a new level in the 2022 season.

The pacer ran third to Krug (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and B D Joe (NZ) (Roll With Joe) in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2600m) this time last year.

Dunn described The Falcon as a dream horse who has the scope for even more improvement. 

“He is one of those horses you dream about because he keeps on improving and obviously they improve because they have a big ticker.”

“I think he’s got a good future because he is a stayer, I love stayers.”

“He has got a bit of speed too, as he has got older and he is not overly mature, so I think he will be a lovely horse eventually,” he said.

Gerard O’Reilly had in front soon after the start of the Country Championship but as Allamericanlover took the lead the pacer was shuffled to three back on the inner.

When a gap opened in the home straight The Falcon burst along the inner to win over Allamericanlover who fought on gamely.

Allamericanlover was purchased by Stonewall Stud for $35,000 from the Breckon Farms draft at the 2019 Auckland National Yearling Sale.

Consignor	Broadfield Lodge
Purchaser	Mr RL Sandford
Breeding	Bettor's Delight x Tandias Bromac
Sale	2019 Christchurch Yearling Sale, $95,000
Bred by	Taffy Limited