Adrienne Matthews – the complete horsewoman!
By Duane Ranger
Glenbrook horsewoman, Adrienne Matthews, says her 2010 American Ideal pacer, Shestherealdeal, is the best horse that she has bred, but added that mare’s first foal, Hesashorething, is rapidly closing in on that milestone.
The 4-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere notched up his fourth career win in race one at Cambridge Raceway last Thursday night (December 15) when the Matthews trained and Taitlyn Hanara driven Hesashorething won, as the second favourite.
Adrienne Mathews returning off the track at Cambridge Raceway with Shestherealdeal
Shestherealdeal, who raced in Matthews’ colours from 2014 to 2016 won 10 of her 56 starts and placed in 11 others for $60,757. Hesashorething has now won four of his 35 starts, and placed in 11 others for $52,431.
He is owned and was bred by Matthews and her mother, Phillipa, her step-father – Johnny Butcher, and friend Graeme Williams.
Shestherealdeal was bred by Matthews and Tim Vince.
“My name wasn’t down as the breeder with Tim, but we bought Shestherealdeal’s mother (Blazing Spirit (1991 Holmes Hanover – Pure Gavil) mare at an All-Age Sale in 2008. She’s rising 31 now and she was 17 when we got her and still in our paddock as happy as ever. In fact, she’s got a little 3-year-old neighbour who likes to come over most days and pat her,” Matthews said.
The grand old mare left 12 horses all-up between 1998 and 2012, with Shestherealdeal being the best of her progeny by nine wins.
Matthews said Blazing Spirit was a quality racehorse and her bloodlines were now showing through her grandsons and granddaughters.
The Irvin and Warwick Behrns trained Blazing Spirit won the 2015 Harness Million 3yo Fillies Pace and the 1995 Nevele R 3yo Fillies Final. She also placed in Group races, and also placed twice in Australia before retiring in April 1997, the winner of five of her 53 starts. She also placed in 187 others and banked $177,259.
“She’s a dear old soul and we love her. We love all of her family, especially Shestherealdeal (foal 10) and her offspring,” Matthews said.
Shestherealdeal has left three more foals since Heashorething was born on October 6, 2017. She is also in foal to Downbytheseaside.
“Hesashorething deserved that win the other night after placing in three of his last four starts. I like him. He could easily be the best I’ve bred the way he’s going,” Matthews said.
Foal two – a 3-year-old Sor Lincoln colt named Hesasirtainty has had three unplaced starts in May, October and November this year.
“He’s had foot problems, so I’ve turned him out. Once he has healed, I’m sure he will be back winning races. Like most 3-year-olds he’s still needs a lot more time to develop,” Matthews said.
Matthews said foal three – a 2-year-old A Rocknroll Dance – Shestherealdeal filly named Shesgotthemoves, has had a trial and workout and is progressing nicely.
“She looks promising and just needs time to strengthen. Shestherealdeal has also left us a Captaintreacherous weanling filly.
“She looks to be the best foal she’s left so far because he looks so strong unlike Hesashorething and Shesgotthemoves, who were both more gangly, awkward foals who took a while to work things out. This girl is solid and a real good looker,” Matthews said.
Matthews bred her first horse with her parents in 2007 when she crossed Pegasus Spur with 1985 Game Pride mare, Game Robinson. The result was the two-win gelding, Celeris.
Matthews and the Butchers also bred the last foal out of Game Robinson, the 2008 five-win mare, Equulei.
“We managed to get Game Robinson from Dave Phillips. She was from the Max Robinson breed which produced some nice horses. That was my first venture into harness racing, and I’ve loved it since.
“She’s left four foals, and the first three have all won races, and the 2-year-old Peak colt, who we lent to Alabar Stud to breed from has yet to race,” Matthews said.
She said Equulei’s third foal, the 2017 Muscle Mass mare, Bellatrix, who has won one of her 12 starts and placed in five others, won a race.
“I drove her into third at the same Cambridge meeting on Thursday. She’s a nice mare, who just needs more time. She should win a few races,” Matthews said.
Matthews has a 9-year-old son Millar, who loves horses.
“Life is good at the moment. I’m just so lucky to be able to wake up every day and do a job I love. I really enjoy the breeding side of the industry. It is so satisfying,” Matthews said.
“I’m just so glad I don’t have to drive miles to work in traffic and then do an office job,” the 42-year-old Mum added.
Franklin-based Matthews is truly the complete, all-round North island horsewoman.
As well as her breeding victories she has trained 103 winners (three this season) and banked $969,039 in stakes since 2007. In the sulky she has saluted the judge 21 times since 2001 for $203,213 in stakes.
Her win in the sulky this season came behind Bellatrix at Cambridge Raceway on June 3.
