Gaits? Find a Mare Who Can Do Both

Spirit of Smooch never made it to a raceday. She had plenty of ability but the chestnut daughter of Denver Gift made it clear racing was not really to her taste, and trainer Bruce Morgan suggested to owner, Alan Faux, that she might be better suited to the breeding barn – the decision for long-time Harness Breeders Victoria-member and breeder has proven to be a sound one.

After a stint owning and breeding standardbreds in his late '20s, Faux had a two-decade stretch away from the sport, with other interests taking up his time. Involvement with a VHRSC syndicate in the early part of the 2000s, which raced two Ross Gange-bred horses, Foxy Hanover and Foxy Capri, rekindled his interest and soon he had purchased Hilarious Way mare, Hilarious Walk. From her, Faux found himself with an Ultimate Falcon filly – Ultimate Walk – who went to the breeding barn in 2005 unraced.

The first foal by Jet Laag never made the races, but her second issue in 2007 by Denver Gift, was a chestnut filly with an attitude to fit the stereotype – as any of her farriers could attest, according to Faux. She became Spirit of Smooch and under the tutelage of Morgan, who had trained the syndicate horses Faux had earlier been involved in, it became clear she had ability. It was following a trial, where after cruising to the lead and setting a good pace, she allowed other runners to sail past her without any inclination to go with them, that it was decided...

Continue reading this story, with full video and images, on The Barn: The Home of Breeding