Two mares Lex and the late Heather Williams bought and successfully bred from – Fleet’s Pocket and One Over Kenny, popped up in the pedigree of two horses that won at the weekend; One Over Da Line (Majestic Son) and Hughes Two Me (Art Major).
“They both retired and are in the old girls paddock (laughter). They’ve been a couple of bloody good horses I tell ya,” Lex said.
Hughes Two Me is out of Falcon Seelster mare Flying Mrs Williams, a daughter of Fleet’s Pocket, while One Over Da Line is out of millionaire trotting mare One Over Kenny.
The Williams bought Fleet’s Pocket at the yearling sales in 2002. She had four starts for Tim Butt before she was retired at three and was sent to stud.
In the breeding barn she’s left eighteen foals, fifteen of which have collectively won 146 races and over $1.8 million in prize money. Her biggest winners have been Flying Pocketlands (21 wins and $442,423), Mighty Flying Thomas (24 wins and $354,622) and Mighty Flying Art (27 wins and $294,365).
Other than Hughes Two Me, Flying Mrs Williams which is owned by Alabar Stud has also left Demon Blue and Flying Even Bettor.
Williams is also breeding from a daughter of Fleet’s Pocket – Bettor’s Delight mare Flying Heathers One.
“Her first foal Flying Major Art, won at Menangle the other day. He qualified for Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and they sent him over to Australia and he went 1-53.”
Trained by Mick Stanley, Flying Major Art is raced by Brendan and Anne James who have had success with Rock N Roll Doo and Fugitive.
The second foal of Flying Heathers One is a qualified two year old Sweet Lou filly that is with Brent and Tim White.
“I’ve got an Always B Miki colt this year and he’ll be going to the Sales.”
One Over the Kenny was bought at the yearling sales in 2003 with Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson selecting her from the catalogue. Lex and Heather agreed on a budget of $20,000.
The filly reached $20,000 before the auctioneer told the auditorium he was taking $500 bids. He then mistakenly raised the bid by a $1,000. When the sales staff went to get the buyer’s signature he refused to sign at $21,000, so the yearling was brought back into the ring later.
The other bidder regrouped and went to $20,500 before the Williams put a bid in for $21,000 which was to be the final bid.
One Over Kenny became a champion trotting mare, winning 32 races including two Rowe Cups and banking over $1 million.
At stud she’s also done a grand job, leaving One Over All (25 wins), One Over Da Moon (22) and Ultimate Stride (16).
Her latest star, One Over Da Line trained by Robert and Jenna Dunn, was offered at the 2021 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales and was sold to Diamond Racing for $110,000.
“He’s owned by a stack of people and I kept a 10% share in him.”
The six year old gelding has now won seven of his twenty nine starts – four this season.
One Over Kenny has been retired, and Williams is down to breeding from four mares. They are two daughters of One Over Kenny; One Over Da Rainbow and One Over Da Skye, Flying Heathers One and Oneamy Vici a half-sister to Cracker Hill by Orlando Vici.
“She’s got a Bold Eagle that’s with Brent and Tim White. She’s a big filly and has just gone back into work.”
On the racing front, Williams has five two year olds, including a Bird Parker filly out of Katieellen Castleton.
“We’re quite excited about her. She’s with Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and should be going to the trials in the next couple of weeks.”
Williams may be cutting down on the breeding front, but he still has plenty of young stock to watch out for and a few more on the way.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink