Every now and then, along comes bonny mare who sweeps all before her. I'm not too sure just what it is a about a champion filly or mare that fills us with an admiration beyond the norm. Maybe it's because we're used to the heroic deeds of the opposite sex. Most champs are male, so when a grand mare comes along, they seem to bring out in us, an admiration steeped in awe. We find ourselves asking. "How can a mare do this? That kind of strength and will are usually the domain of the male." From 1998 to the year 2002, a New Zealand bred, Desert Sun mare by the name of Sunline, tore the heart of the very best in this part of the world. In a magnificent career that spanned 48 races, she won 32, finished second 9 times and filled the minor placing on 3 occasions. She won herself the honour of being elected to both the Australian and New Zealand Halls of Fame. By the time her deeds were done, she'd amassed a staggering A$11,351,607 in prize money, making her at the time, the world's greatest stakes winning mare. It was a large wad of cash in those days. Below are just two examples of her brilliance, her back to back Cox Plate triumphs. In the second of her wins, she comes from the outside gate. [video=youtube;R5gyB6VxU5A] [video=youtube;iqc4iga4Uxw]
Interesting question Cyc and I think perhaps you're on to something with your answer. There have been great mares down the years and from my brief history with the sport a few stand out - Zarkava, Quevega and my personal favourite, Feathard Lady. She was unbeaten in 2 NHF races and 5 over hurdles but her career was cut short due to a ligament injury. She had missed both the Supreme Novices and the Champion Hurdle at consecutive Festivals and I'm certain she would have given Hardy Eustace, Harchibald et al something to think about. On her final start she absolutely dotted up by 12 lengths in the 2005 Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Sandown and I read long ago that Graham Wylie had purchased her as a broodmare. Unfortunately I can't find any stats regarding this although I read that she has been in foal to Presenting several times, I'm unsure as to whether any of her offspring made it to the track. Perhaps Princess will know something so I will post the question on her thread. Feathard Lady was a lovely animal and captured my imagination having just started to take an interest in the sport at that time.
