He’s From Heaven the best ever bred by South Island pair
By Peter Wharton
Dunedin businessman and harness breeder Gerald Cayford is adamant that star Victorian three-year-old He’s From Heaven is the best horse bred by good friend Gary Fyfe and himself.
Gerald Cayford
“He’s From Heaven is no doubt the best one we’ve bred. He showed outstanding ability here. He had a few tricks when he first went over to Australia but Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars have sorted him out,” Cayford said.
The Sweet Lou gelding notched his fourth success on end and his sixth from nine starts this season when he led throughout defeating the Breeders Crown finalists Some American and Miki To Success at Melton on July 27.
He’s From Heaven averaged a career-best 1:53.5 rating for the 1720 metres trip with the last 800 in 54.7 and final 400 in 26.3 – exceptional times for the icy conditions. He looks Derby material of the highest order.
He’s From Heaven is the second foal of the Rock N Roll Heaven mare Dreams From Heaven.
“Gary was part of a syndicate who bought Dreams From Heaven from the yearling sales at Christchurch,” Cayford said.
He’s From Heaven (4) winning at Melton
(c) photography: Stuart McCormick
“She got injured in the paddock and was retired. The other owners didn’t want to breed from her, so Gary rang me and said: Do you want to go halves in this mare? We can get her for nothing.”
He’s From Heaven was broken in by Winton horseman Gary Argyle and originally trained by respected Oamaru mentor Matt Williamson. He won a qualifying trial as a two-year-old at Oamaru in May last year and was sold to Victorian interests a month later.
Dreams From Heaven’s first foal Heavens Beach (by Somebeachsomewhere) died after being electrocuted, while her third foal Shes From Heaven (by Always By Miki) and fourth foal a yearling colt by Lazarus were both gifted to Waikouaiti trainer Eddie Murphy.
“She’s in foal to Sweet Lou now and we’re putting her back to him,” Cayford stated.
Dreams Of Heaven, who was unraced, was out of the Dream Away mare Angela’s Dream, whose eight successes included the 2009 Akaroa and Motukarara Pacing Cups. She was a half-sister to the 2006 NZ Sapling Stakes winner Jackson Street and a cup class pacer in Fifth Edition.
Cayford’s other broodmare is the trotter Laurie’s Legacy (by Majestic Son), who is carrying a positive test to the Alabar Bloodstock sire Elite Stride.
She won eight races and $81,961.
“She could have gone right to the top. She was a funny mare, she would be just on and off on her day, but when was going she was outstanding,” Gerald said.
Both mares are based at Donna Williamson’s Belmont Stud, Kirwee, 30 kilometres west of Christchurch.
Another mare Cayford bred from successfully was Walktheviadolorosa (by Malabar Maple), the dam of Winning Bones (10 wins and $111,239 to date), Granny Rose, Son Of Majestic and Five O’Oclock Gerry.
He also part-owned with Brian Bennett the smart Sundon gelding Heard The Whisper, who won seven races.
