Our Spitfire has fairytale finish to racing days

Kiwi-bred trotter Our Spitfire has had the perfect farewell to a highly successful racing career.

The mare (Majestic Son - Teachers Pride) was bred by and is owned by former Takanini-based trainer Frank "Snow" Weaver, of Pride Of Petite and Petite Evander fame.

The 10-year-old won at Globe Derby Park in South Australia over the weekend. Driven by Terry Brown and trained by his wife Peta, Our Spitfire's win was her 21st for the stable and it was clearly emotional.

"It is the perfect way to end her racing career and now she can head to the breeding barn and it would be wonderful if she could produce foals with her ability," says Terry Brown.

Our Spitfire started out in New Zealand winning three races at Cambridge for trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett.

She then headed to Brent Lilley in Victoria, where she won another three before going to South Australia. She joined the Brown's Tee Pee Park in November 2021. 

While Weaver and the Browns have a "great relationship" curiously it has been a long distance one.

"I've never met them," laughs Weaver, "I've talked about going over there to see them but it hasn't happened."   

Our Spitfire retires with 27 wins, 35 seconds and 19 thirds and nearly $150,000 in stakes from 220 starts.

Weaver, who's now 85, retired from training in 2022. 

After starting out in 1964, Weaver trained 73 winners and had 21 wins as a driver. 

Petite Evander retired in 1981 with 48 wins, including 21 in NZ, while her second foal Pride of Petite was one of this country's greatest ever trotting mares with 35 wins, including two Inter Dominion titles.