Voukefalas may not be a name that we have heard a lot of in New -Zeeland, but in North America he is a horse that has conquered the imagination of the Harness Racing World, and the hearts of those closest to him.
The son of Lazarus is a stallion bred by home, which is in itself rare states, with most of the racing population bred by a series of large stud farms, so when Voukefalas burst on scene two years old, he really got people talking.
Trained by Michael Russo of New Jersey, he is also co-breeder of the horse together with the old stable customer Michael Pagonas and was involved in the horse from the moment he was born. He knew early on what he had, but could never dream of the places he would go with him.
“I knew exactly from the moment he was a two -year -old in February of that year, I worked with a special type of horse,” said Russo. “As soon as everything clicked in his head and he started working down his time, I could just see that we had a ride with him.”
“And I am not at all, everyone who knows me or who had horses with me will know that I never build up a horse, or give anyone high expectations. Especially a young horse. But there was no doubt with him, I just knew it.”
But in his debut season in two, the horse would start his career on the most unconventional ways.
“His first three career starters were in the New Jersey Sires Stakes Races. And he won them all, two heats and one final. It was really ridiculous, his first career start in July and they are 1.50. He ran his last quarters in 25 and 26 as a two-year-old, who parked wide and sitting.”
“And what I didn’t know at the time was that he was the first two -year -old ever in history here who went that time before August, that’s when they are usually at their peak.”
“So for him to go that time in his first year, and then to continue and fight and win at the highest level again at three and four, it is a really big achievement for the horse and shows how difficult he is. He has earned a lot of money that he has raced every year.”
Like a two -year -old Voukefalas, his year ended with a record of seven Starts, three victories (New Jersey Sires Stakes) and three placements, for $ 414,000 NZD in Stakes.
On three he conquered again in the New Jersey Sires Stakes Final and New Jersey Classic, and won four of 12 starts, with three seconds and $ 560,000 NZD that year.
On Vier he put his best milestone of 1.47.3 in the graduated final in the Meadowlands and finished the year with 18 starts, 4 wins, 5 placements and $ 540,000 NZD in income.
This year has had a number of challenges, he has currently had six placements of 11 starts. But his biggest tests are yet to come.
“I thought this would be his best year. Training him that he felt so good all year round. I didn’t want to drill in him as I normally do, the way I wanted him to come all year round. 47 and 48 are difficult for horses at that top level, and he racet on that whole career.
He finished second in 47 in the Meadowlands earlier this year, and then he led from the ten hole and was attacked in the front. Then he got a bad virus that struck him, so he was outside for ten days and slowly returned to fitness. He has had in the last few weeks after a lot of work in Pocono at Pocono. ‘
Russo has a plan for Voukefalas, including a trip to Woodbine in Canada later this month.
“The breeders Kroon and the TVG are two big chances this year. And he’s up against the best horses in North America, so I hope we can have him back at his best for those races and he can show us again how good he is.”
Russo raced Voukefalas’s mother herself, and despite the fact that she was bred unclearly (by Cam Fortune), she showed a huge heart on the track in her career and won against some of the best mares in the Meadowlands. But when it came to sending her to a stallion, he always had Lazarus in mind for her.
“I really wanted to go to a son of gamblers pleasure. And Lazarus showed a huge heart and speed when he raced here, and adapting to our racing style is so difficult at that level and that he was just huge after shipment.
Lazarus was such an impressive animal, there was never any doubt that I would send my mare to him. I thought he was an obvious choice, really not Brainer.
I also have a full sister of Voukefalas who would come back to work, and I also sent his sister to Lazarus. I like them all. He has stamped them so well with posture, competence and type. “
Russo continued to say that Lazarus’ stock continued to impress him in the United States.
“Lazarus really fired so well here, he had Lifes a puzzle and uses a Porsche around the same time as Vouk. And he keeps showing up today with quality supply. It is such a competitive market for stallions here, so for him to keep kicking goals is impressive.”
Russo also reflects on the journey of breeding Voukefalas.
“I am proud of the horse, he is a great horse that he really is. He has the best attitude of every horse with whom I have ever worked.
Something I think a lot about is that if you buy at Jaarling, you look at hundreds of horses, hundreds of family trees, you have veterinarians for the sale and narrowing all this money you have to spend to place horses in your stable. Hundreds of thousands of publishing perhaps a few beautiful horses at the end.
And I think of the fact that I bred this horse, what I got was what I got. He landed on the ground and there was nothing else to do for me but work with him. And for him to prove to be as good as he had, it is such a great feeling. “
Lazarus gets up Wai Eyre Farm And is available for mares in Nieuw -Zeeland and Australia.
His service costs are $ 4,000.00 Plus GST in NZ and $ 5,500.00 including GST in Australia
For mares bred in Wai Eyre, his service costs includes the veterinary package and work costs.
Through Jess Davidson For Wai Eyre Farm
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