Kick Back - photo Kenton Wright, Race Images
The Pakuranga Hunt Cup run over 4900m of the iconic Ellerslie steeplechase course on Saturday 20th August saw yet another dramatic finish fought out to this prestigious steeplechase. Kick Back (Bahhare(USA)- Take Three(NZ) trained by Kevin Myers and ridden by Shaun Fannin took over the lead within the shadows of the winning post to gain victory for Marton owner and breeder Sam Trotter and family.
The diminutive yet durable 8 year old mare, who was named after a bruising encounter with Sam, took her career earnings to within a whisker of $150,000 at the weekend with 10 wins and 6 places from 38 starts to date. Kick Back whom Sam bred in conjunction with his father Thomas Ashton Trotter (former Marton Jockey Club Board Member), races in the distinct red and green colours of the partnership with his wife Philippa.
Sam Trotter who is a self confessed "Hobby Owner/Breeder" first gained experience with Jim Gibbs and Roger James in the Waikato before returning to the family's dry stock farm. A passion to train horses developed and came to fruition with initial success with Rasify (Fort Prospect (USA) - Ruakiwi Belle (NZ)), followed on by Nitty Gritty (Bahhare (USA)-Flying Chance (NZ)), and Takes Three (Al Akbar (Aus)-Rasify (NZ)) amongst others. With the growth of both his farming business and young family, Sam has taken a break from training, but still holds a licence awaiting the return of more peaceful times to take him away from the toils of the spring lambing.
Now warming to the charismatic mare, which was once described by Sam as "not one of his favourites", Kick Back will return to the family farm after her racing career and find a place in the paddock alongside her dam Take Three. Take Three whom the Trotters bred, trained and owned to win 6 races, with a further 10 places, from 32 starts is dear to the family's heart. She is the only foal from the talented yet ill fated Rasify. After losing the mare at foaling it took two attempts at fostering her foal before success was found, and this tenacity to live and the will to win has been passed down the generations.
After the culmination of her race career Take Three was mated with Bahhare (USA) (Woodman (USA)-Wasnah (USA)) who then resided at Rich Hill Stud. Sam's choice of stallion which was due to the past success with multiple winner Nitty Gritty, proved to be inspirational with the resulting Kick Back. Take Three has since produced 4 foals with 2 going onto race including winning mare Third Time Lucky by Lucky Unicorn (AUZ) (Redoute's Choice (AUS)- La Bamba (AUS)). She has a 3 year old colt by Mettre En Jeu (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE) – Delgatie Queen (NZ)) and a yearling filly by Tavistock (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE) - Upstage(NZ)) which the family will retain to race. Last season she returned to Rich Hill Stud and is in foal to Shocking (AUS) (Street Cry (USA)- Maria Di Castiglia(GB)).
Future race plans for the mare could see her compete against this seasons Grand National winner Upper Cut (Yamanin Vital – Volucidate(NZ)) in the Great Northern Steeplechase over 6400m at Ellerslie on September 3rd.- Richard Wright.
The diminutive yet durable 8 year old mare, who was named after a bruising encounter with Sam, took her career earnings to within a whisker of $150,000 at the weekend with 10 wins and 6 places from 38 starts to date. Kick Back whom Sam bred in conjunction with his father Thomas Ashton Trotter (former Marton Jockey Club Board Member), races in the distinct red and green colours of the partnership with his wife Philippa.
Sam Trotter who is a self confessed "Hobby Owner/Breeder" first gained experience with Jim Gibbs and Roger James in the Waikato before returning to the family's dry stock farm. A passion to train horses developed and came to fruition with initial success with Rasify (Fort Prospect (USA) - Ruakiwi Belle (NZ)), followed on by Nitty Gritty (Bahhare (USA)-Flying Chance (NZ)), and Takes Three (Al Akbar (Aus)-Rasify (NZ)) amongst others. With the growth of both his farming business and young family, Sam has taken a break from training, but still holds a licence awaiting the return of more peaceful times to take him away from the toils of the spring lambing.
Now warming to the charismatic mare, which was once described by Sam as "not one of his favourites", Kick Back will return to the family farm after her racing career and find a place in the paddock alongside her dam Take Three. Take Three whom the Trotters bred, trained and owned to win 6 races, with a further 10 places, from 32 starts is dear to the family's heart. She is the only foal from the talented yet ill fated Rasify. After losing the mare at foaling it took two attempts at fostering her foal before success was found, and this tenacity to live and the will to win has been passed down the generations.
After the culmination of her race career Take Three was mated with Bahhare (USA) (Woodman (USA)-Wasnah (USA)) who then resided at Rich Hill Stud. Sam's choice of stallion which was due to the past success with multiple winner Nitty Gritty, proved to be inspirational with the resulting Kick Back. Take Three has since produced 4 foals with 2 going onto race including winning mare Third Time Lucky by Lucky Unicorn (AUZ) (Redoute's Choice (AUS)- La Bamba (AUS)). She has a 3 year old colt by Mettre En Jeu (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE) – Delgatie Queen (NZ)) and a yearling filly by Tavistock (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE) - Upstage(NZ)) which the family will retain to race. Last season she returned to Rich Hill Stud and is in foal to Shocking (AUS) (Street Cry (USA)- Maria Di Castiglia(GB)).
Future race plans for the mare could see her compete against this seasons Grand National winner Upper Cut (Yamanin Vital – Volucidate(NZ)) in the Great Northern Steeplechase over 6400m at Ellerslie on September 3rd.- Richard Wright.
