Mantell wins share in Republican Party's full brother

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Josh Mantell had no idea when he went to the Motukarara races on December 29 that he was going to win a share in the full brother to a multiple Group 1 winner.

But that's what's exactly what happened after the 24-year-old electrician from Christchurch, complete with shoulder length mullet, entered HRNZ's Next Gen "Win a Share in a Race Horse" competition.

"I saw the Next Gen stand at the races and I was just being nosey and went up and filled in the form and then forgot about it really."

The stands were set up around the country in and around Christmas to spread the word about HRNZ's Next Gen ownership initiative. Next Gen is all about getting new owners involved and to encourage emerging horses and trainers.

Only horses sold at the recent NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Karaka and Christchurch are Next Gen eligible. 

About 500 people entered the competition either by filling out the form on course or scanning the competition's QR code.

Weeks later it was Mantell's name that was drawn out.

"I was over the moon, I was driving my van at the time I was told and I had to pull over," Mantell says, "it was just disbelief."

And the news was only going to get better. He hadn't just won the competition but he had won a 3.5 per cent share in none other than Tour Party, a full brother to Auckland and Invercargill Cup winner and New Zealand Cup place-getter Republican Party. He also gets money to help with training and other expenses.

Prepared by Price Bloodstock at Winton, Tour Party was snapped up for $150,000 by Republican Party's trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety.

Mantell is not from a racing family. He was introduced to the sport through his mate Michael Hadfield, who's dad Kerry has been involved as a driver and/or trainer since the 1990s.

"I just saw what they did and that was it."

He's a big fan of the likes of Sam Thornley, Blair Orange and John Dunn, and no doubt Carter Dalgety is about to join that list very soon. He was already a big follower too of Republican Party, even before this happened, and among his other favourite horses are Black Mach and the Hadfield-trained Royal Belle.

Word about his win has spread quickly and he's been inundated with well-wishers.  

"When the horse (Tour Party) gets to the races there'll be a whole section of workmates and others who'll be there," says Mantell.

Cran Dalgety has also been in touch with Mantell and he is looking forward to seeing them and Tour Party at the open day being held at the Dalgetys' Kentuckiana Lodge this Saturday.

"That's something I couldn't have even dreamed about."