The Flintstones are coming to town - and Cambridge tonight

By Rob Courtney

If you are a ‘baby boomer’ (born post WW2 to 1962) you will recall the black and white cartoon version of the classic Flinstones being a staple diet for young people before the telly went off well before midnight back in the day.

Key characters were Fred Flinstone (married to Wilma) and his best mate and neighbour Barney Rubble (married to Betty)

Montana Park Principal Dean Shannon, a well known patron of the Purdon/Phelan stable and a buyer of expensive yearlings at our sales could well be in that age bracket as he has a couple of well fancied horses going around Cambridge on Friday night with definite links to the TV series according to their racing names.

(Pictured above) Dino (short for Dinosaur) was Fred’s pet (dog equivalent) and it excitedly used to jump all over him when he returned each night from the rock quarry.

The equine version, a Bettor’s Delight – Tandias Bromac 2YO gelding was a Shannon purchase at the 2025 Christchurch Yearling when offered by Taffy Ltd and was knocked down for $85k.

Sent north to the top northern stable, Dino has always shown ability and after a succession of winning trials and workouts through the autumn and early winter, he didn’t disappoint on debut at Auckland (12/6/26), winning in a 1:58MR.

Turned out soon after, he has come back with some lofty targets in the ‘planner’ and after a solid trial at Pukekohe behind Omaha Lincoln earlier this month, he begins a fresh campaign at Cambridge on Friday night against five rivals over the 1609m. Despite drawing the outside of the field, he is expected to be a key player on this occasion.

In the Flinstones cartoon, Fred and Wilma had a daughter called Pebbles. The equine version is a 2YO filly by Always B Miki from The Morning Star and ironically was purchased by Shannon at the same 2025 Christchurch sale when offered by Jim and Sandi Curtin. The Morning Star (2 wins) is by Bettor’s Delight and is a half/full relation to a number of good horses including millionaire pacer Self Assured (NZ & Auckland Cups).

Pebbles has also recorded multiple trial/workout wins, the latest at Pukekohe (11/8/26) where she proved too good for four rivals in a 2:03.5MR, last 800m in 57.4.

She is set to debut in a very strong Sires Stakes heat on Friday night but has secured a great draw (2) and again looks a grand prospect which could make for a very good night at the office for Dean Shannon.

Just to make the point, Fred’s mate Barney and his wife Betty had a son and they called him Bamm Bamm.

Well guess what…..Mr Shannon bought the equine version called Bamm Bamm (Tall Dark Stranger – Bubbled Up) at the 2025 Auckland sale when offered by Breckon Farms.

The 2YO is not starting at Cambridge on Friday night but has already had a couple of starts including a last start fifth at Group 1 level behind the unbeaten Tour Party back in March. No doubt, he will be back at some point.

What a hoot !

As Fred Flinstone used to say Yabba Dabba Doo !