Broodmare paddock beckons for True Fantasy

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Multiple Group 1- winning filly True Fantasy has been retired from racing after doing "a marvellous job" and is to become a mum.

"She's only just arrived back at our place and she will definitely not race again," says Studholme Bloodstock principal Brian West of the star three-year-old.

By Bettor's Delight out of Secret Notion, True Fantasy was bought from Studholme Bloodstock's draft by high profile Australian owner Jean Feiss for $70,000 at the 2020 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales.

The country's most dominant filly in her age group was trained initially by Hayden Cullen and then by the All Stars combo of Cullen and Mark Purdon, with Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen driving her in all her 21 career starts. She finished with 11 wins and $548,119 in stakes earnings.

On many occasions Rasmussen referred to her as a "lovely and game filly".

True Fantasy was named two-year-old pacing filly of the year at this year's Harness Racing New Zealand awards and won a total of five Group 1s, her most recent being the Nevele R Series Final at Addington on Cup day last month. 

Her last race was a third to another Studholme-bred filly No Matter Wat in the New Zealand Oaks at Grand Prix day at Addington on December 4.

"She's done a marvellous job," says West, " but I thought racing wise she has done enough and I spoke to Jean and told her I was interested in having the filly back."

And so it's transpired. True Fantasy is now with West at his establishment at Coes Ford in Canterbury where she was born.

Over the next few weeks West will see how she adapts to her new life.

"Sometimes when they come from a racing background it can be a little difficult."

"We are not anxious about it ... let's see how she is."

"We don't have to breed from her this season but if we do it will be chilled not frozen semen."

So who has the inside running as his sire of choice?

"There are a number of options ... I will be studying the pedigree of a lot of stallions."