Holmes Hanover secured for Nevele R. Stud

Press, 28 January 1986, Page 31

Holmes Hanover secured for Nevele R. Stud

By

G. K. YULE

Holmes Hanover, with a race record of Imin 54.4 s and winnings of more than $400,000, is to join the ranks of stallions at Nevele R. Stud, Prebbleton, in the spring. By Albatross, a top racehorse and sire, whose sons have had a remarkable influence wherever pacers race, Holmes Hanover is the first foal of Hazel Hanover, the fastest two-year-old daughter of Tar Heel, with a record of Imin 56.4 s at that age when she was the top filly of her year in 1978. She continued her good form at three and was retired with winnings of $260,427. She set a world two-heat record of Imin 58 and Imin 58.8 s at two, and a world record of

Imin 56.4 s on a mile track.

Hazel Hanover is a sister to Hoot Hanover (Imin 56.65) and Holly Lee Hanover, and is a member of a family which has produced such winners as Sampson Hanover (Imin 56.8 s 25 years ago), and the top trotters Nevele Diamond (Imin 58.6 s at three) and Kimberly Kid (Imin 595).

Holmes Hanover was sold at auction as a yearling for $lBO,OOO by his breeder, Hanover Shoe Farms, while his brother, Michael Jonathon, was a $235,000 yearling and one of last year’s top juveniles.

Michael Jonathon had four wins and two seconds from 10 starts worth $407,375, winning his heat of the Woodrow Wilson in

Imin 55s before finishing second in the final in Imin 54.65, beaten a head by Grade One.

Holmes Hanover won his heat of the Woodrow Wilson in Imin 55.65, beating the final winner, Carl’s Byrd, by a length. After drawing wide and being 11 lengths from the leader turning for home, he finished seventh in the final, only four lengths from Carl’s Byrd.

Holmes Hanover won an elimination heat of the Sheppard Pace at Yonkers Raceway and finished fourth in the $668,000 final, two lengths from the winner, Trutone Lobell. At three Holmes Hanover raced 25 times for three wins and 12 placings for $221,368 in stakes, taking a mark of Imin 57.85.

He was race-timed in 1 min 59.6 s or better in all of his starts at three, including, six in Imin 55s or better, his fastest being Imin 53.85. Holmes Hanover had his four-year-old racing affected by a viral attack and he had only seven starts, winning in Imin 54.4 s at The Meadowlands. He won last month in Imin 55.6 s at Garden State Park, and is to continue racing until April, after which he will be let down before being brought on to New Zealand in August.

Nevele R. Stud and the Alexandra Breeding Partnership each own 40 per cent of Holmes Hanover, with Wayne Francis retaining 10 per cent and Bob and Denese McArdle 10 per cent.