Written by Paul Vettise

John Galvin’s syndication company got away to a flying start and has maintained a hot pace with their current flagship performer Melody Belle (Commands) now taking it to a new level.

The Fortuna-raced and Jamie Richards-trained mare has added the New Zealand Horse of the Year title to her outstanding CV that includes seven Group 1 victories.

Melody Belle, who has 37 share-holders, was an almost unanimous choice for the top title at Sunday evening’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards, receiving 59 of the 61 votes cast.

She was also named Champion Sprinter-Miler for the 2018-19 season and was narrowly beaten by Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in the middle-distance category.

“We had a huge crew of people there, it was a pretty big night and all very proud of Melody Belle,” Galvin said.

He started Fortuna on a part-time basis in 2007 and didn’t take long to make an impact.

“We had a really good start and in our first year I bought five 2-year-olds, including Tell A Tale, who won a Group 1,” Galvin said.

Tell A Tale (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) won six races, including the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and was placed a further five times at Group 1 level.

“I was doing the syndication on the side, in conjunction with another business at the time before it became full-time for (wife) Jessica and myself. It’s the best job in the world,” he said.

“We currently have 28 horses we’re managing with eight in Singapore and one in Australia that will be going up there.”

Recently purchased by Fortuna off China Horse Club, Showbound (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) made two appearances for Peter and Paul Snowden and was a last-start third at Goulburn.

Galvin has a successful and long-time association with Te Akau, working closely with principal David Ellis and the operation’s Matamata trainer Richards and Mark Walker, who heads the Singapore stable.

“David, of course, starts inspecting yearlings in late November and early December and obviously Te Akau has its own syndication business,” Galvin said.

“We look to buy three or so yearlings and I’m looking for a nice pedigree and one that fits within our budget.

“With Melody Belle, we were looking for a Karaka Million type up to NZ$80,000. I said to David that we wanted a filly and we actually missed out on three of four others that all went over budget.”

Bred by Marie Leicester, Melody Belle was offered by Haunui Farm at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2016 and was secured for NZ$57,500 by Ellis on behalf of Galvin.

The Fortuna model is to sell all its fillies and mares at the end of their racing careers and it will be no different with Melody Belle.

“We had a big offer in the autumn of NZ$3.25 million and it was conditional she would go to stud for an Australian breeder, but the syndicate decided to give her the opportunity to see her racing career out,” Galvin said.

Melody Belle won the G1 Tarzino Trophy for the second time at her most recent appearance and is preparing for the defence of her G1 Windsor Park Plate title before attempting to claim the G1 Livamol Classic.

Should she be successful, she will become the first horse to win all three legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown series.

Top trainer honoured

Champion trainer Murray Baker, who had prepared the previous five Horse of the Year winners, received the prestigious Contribution to Racing Award on Sunday. He has enjoyed a long and successful career and has won more Group I races in Australia than any other New Zealand trainer.

Baker and his training partner Andrew Forsman have won almost 600 races over the past five seasons and set new benchmarks in terms of wins, stake earnings and black-type wins.

They have won 105 back type races over that period, including 78 Group races, with 23 at Group 1 level. The stable’s stake earnings for the period have topped NZ$25 million.

Baker and Forsman currently prepare Madison County (NZ) (Pins) and Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), respective winners on Sunday of the Champion 3 and 2-Year-Old Awards.

Wellington owner Lib Petagna, who races under the JML Bloodstock banner, was voted Owner of the Year with 14 winners or stakes-placed horses, from 26 runners, including two Group 1 winners and three Group placegetters.

The deeds of champion Hong Kong galloper Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) were acknowledged in the two major breeding awards. Greg Tomlinson’s Nearco Stud was the Breeder of the Year and his dam Stylish Bel (NZ) (Bel Esprit) was Broodmare of the Year.

Award Winners

Horse of the Year: Melody Belle.

NZTR Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing: Murray Baker.

Champion 2-Year-Old: Yourdeel.

Champion 3-Year-Old - sponsored by FastTrack Insurance: Madison County.

Champion Sprinter-Miler (up to 1600m) - sponsored by Majestic Horse Floats: Melody Belle.

Champion Middle-Distance Horse (1601m-2200m): Danzdanzdance.

Champion Stayer (2201m +): Glory Days.

Champion Jumper: Jackfrost.

Trainer of the Year - sponsored by Dunstan: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman.

Jockey of the Year: Opie Bosson.

Jumps Jockey of the Year: Aaron Kuru.

Owner of the Year – sponsored by TAB: JML Bloodstock.

New Zealand Strapper of the Year – sponsored by Chris Waller Racing: Brittany Moore (employed by Pitman Racing).

NZTR Award for Contribution to Media, Digital & Content: Isola Racing Stables.

Breeder of the Year: Nearco Stud (Breeder of Beauty Generation, Belle du Nord and Miss Federer).

Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year – sponsored by Arion Pedigrees: Stylish Bel (dam of Beauty Generation).

Trainers’ Premiership: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman.

Jockeys’ Premiership: Lisa Allpress.

Apprentice Jockeys’ Premiership: Ryan Elliot.

Owners’ Premiership: Sir Peter Vela.

Newcomer to Training – sponsored by gavelhouse.com: Jamie Richards.

Grosvenor Award (stallion earnings in NZ): Savabeel.

Dewar Stallion Trophy: (stallion earnings in New Zealand and Australia): Savabeel.

Centaine Award: (stallion earnings worldwide): Savabeel.

New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year: Imelda Mary and Queen Of Diamonds.