Trained by Matthew Cumani, Hanaady (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was imported to Australia having one once in three starts in England at two. Cumani Racing, JS Bloodstock and Hurworth purchased her from Shadwell at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale of 2021 for 120,000 gns (AU$258,000).
In Australia, she won twice from 17 starts, earning over $110,000. Retired after sustaining a lateral condyle fracture in her off-foreleg, she was patched up by the team at Dowling View Equine Centre at Ballarat, then put through an Inglis Digital sale, where Barker and fellow racing owner Stephen Johnson bought her from the syndicate of eight ownership groups for $10,000.
Hanaady (GB) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“We fell in love with this mare. She was just an absolute sweetheart, a kind, generous, loving, affectionate, beautiful girl. And then she had this terrible accident, when she broke her leg passing the finishing post at Geelong and it took ages to get her healthy again,” said Barker. Hanaady ran second that day.
“We fell in love with this mare. She (Hanaady) was just an absolute sweetheart, a kind generous loving affectionate beautiful girl.” - Luke Barker
“Steven and myself, we race horses as Frank’s Crew, and our first priority is always that our horses' welfare is first and foremost in our minds. We had a 20% share, and we nursed her back to health and hoped she would stand up to being a broodmare.”
The choice to use Hitotsu
The reason for sending Hanaady to Hitotsu for her first mating was one of simple finances. Another friend, Dave Edmonds, had a breeding right to Hitotsu, and the three became first-time breeders when Hanaady foaled a filly last week.
“My friend Dave had a share in Hitotsu, so we decided to utilise his share, and gave him a third share in the mare and any foal,” said Barker.
Hitotsu | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Born at Taghadoe Stud in Scone, the filly is very flashy in colour with a big white blaze and four white socks. Irish-born Peter Burke and his wife Alison started Taghadoe Stud in 2015.
“Breeding is something that has always interested me. I’m always checking out bloodlines when betting, but knew nothing about the practical side, and one of the reasons we sent her to Taghadoe Stud in Scone is that Alison is a veterinarian.
“Having a vet on site was important to us. Peter is also brilliant and he’s always available for a chat. He’s a remarkably good fellow and always sends through plenty of updates.”
Hitotsu x Hanaady (GB) filly | Born at Taghadoe Stud
The most fun with friends
Barker is an enthusiastic first-time breeder who lives in Victoria. where he works as a criminal lawyer. “This is the most enjoyment I’ve had since my own human children. It’s an absolute thrill. I was so nervous, because I knew a lot less about horse pregnancy, and there was nothing I could do from afar.
“It’s been a remarkably enjoyable ride. Matt (Cumani) bought the horse in England, and now we are close friends, and we have several horses with him. One of the first people I wanted to tell was Laura Dixon, the vet who saved her, and she’s cock-a-hoop, too.
“It’s fantastic to do this with two of my closest mates. I love playing team sports and enjoy success with friends, and this is the same deal, doing it with mates.”
Peter and Alison Burke of Taghadoe Stud with the Hitotsu filly | Image supplied
Hanaady has a tidy pedigree. She is out of Harlequin Girl (GB) (Where Or When {Ire}) who is a half-sister to three stakes winners being G2 Gimcrack Stakes winner Blaine (GB) (Avonbridge {GB}), Listed winner Byline (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) who was crowned Horse of the Year in Bahrain in 2022-23 and has 16 victories, and juvenile Listed winner Bogart (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}).
Where to next?
Barker and his friends plan to race the filly themselves. “We will send her to Matt, who did such a good job with Hanaady.
“We’ve been discussing our next foray and Hanaady will go to Victoria to be covered by Panthalassa at Yulong. He was a globe-trotter and a huge prizemoney earner, so that’s the next phase of the plan. We will float Hanaady and the foal down there once Alison gives the all clear to do that.”
Panthalassa (Jpn) | Standing at Yulong
Panthalassa (Jpn) stood his first season at Yulong in 2024 and stands for $16,500 including GST in 2025.
“I’m confident this won’t be our last one. This is more exciting than winning races. We’ve won all sorts of races, including a Cranbourne Cup, and this beats that.”
