Jockey, Bailey Rogerson now a quality ‘standy’ breeder
By Duane Ranger
Waikato apprentice jockey, Bailey Rogerson, has co-bred her seventh harness racing winner, and at just 21, has already bred two generations of standardbreds.
Bailey and Graeme Rogerson
Rogerson co-bred and co-owns the 4-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding, Ahwel, who won race three at Cambridge Raceway, Thursday 23rd March – the Barret Homes R35-48 Trot. The 4-year-old is trained by Graeme Rogerson and his driver, Dylan Ferguson at Hamilton.
Rogerson said she was gifted Ahwel’s mother, the 2007 Dream Vacation – French Tarte (Gee Whiz II) mare, Banana Smoothie as a seventh birthday present by her family in 2009.
The following year the Rogerson and Steven Reid trained Banana Smoothie made her race debut under the G. A. Rogerson, Bailey Rogerson Ltd ownership.
“She won three races and then we retired her in 2014. I was just 12 back then, and grandad put the mare to Monarchy and Splitting Image was the result.
“I was driving Kidz Kartz horses and loved working with the standardbreds as well as the thoroughbreds on grandad’s Tuhikaramea farm at the time and was really excited about co-owning and breeding a standardbred at such a young age,” Rogerson said.
“Right from the time I first attended St Peters (Cambridge), I knew I wanted to be a jockey. Galloping is still my priority, but I’ve always loved standardbreds, and really enjoy breeding from them,” the 25-win jockey added.
In fact, Rogerson is loving the breeding side of it so much, Splitting Image was also retired after three wins, and she has left the Rogersons “a lovely” Majestic Son yearling colt, and she is currently in foal to What the Hill.
“I remember when I was a little girl, and I went to the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast. That fueled my fire to work with horses. I wanted to be a jockey or do some outside horse work. I was never destined to work in an office,” Rogerson said.
Ahwel is the third of six foals out of Banana Smoothie. Rogerson said the mare was served by Majestic Son in November and has also left a Majestic Son weanling colt and a yearling filly.
“They are all so beautiful. I think Ahwel is probably the pick of them so far, but time will tell.”
Rogerson’s four other breeding wins have come via Banana Smoothie’s second, third, and fourth foals.
Rogerson said the 5-year-old Majestic Son mare, Ya Know was a lovely pacer who had so far won two of her 21 starts for the Rogerson/Ferguson stable.
“I like her a lot and so do the trainers, but I don’t think she’s quite as good as Ahwel (two wins). Ahwel is probably the best of the family because he has the all-round game.
“We want Ya Know to keep performing well because I think she will also make a lovely broodmare one day,” Rogerson said.
Bailey Rogerson and Mum Michelle Northcote Monte Trots Cambridge same night
Banana Smoothie has also left a 3-year-old Father Patrick gelding named Hez Blessed, who is yet to hit the racetrack.
“It’s quite exciting breeding with grandad because being an apprentice jockey I’m not able to breed thoroughbreds yet.
“I always see myself as a galloping person who likes the trots. Dad (Gary) is breeding from a mare, and Mum (Michelle Northcote) is dual-coded. I’ve got the breeding bug, and I enjoyed riding at Cambridge with Mum the same night of the trots,” Rogerson said.
She was referring to the two Monte Trot races that were held between races.
“I hope these races take off because I love riding the trotters. It’s like a mix of both codes, which suits,” Rogerson said.
Rogerson also said she enjoyed going down to the trotting stables and mixing with staff before she hit the galloping track.
“I love watching the babies develop into amazing athletes. I could never imagine myself working with anything but horses,” Rogerson said.
Footnote: Graeme Arthur Rogerson (MNZM) has trained more race-day winners than any other trainer in New Zealand and has won dozens of Group One races in New Zealand and Australia.
He has also trained 433 harness racing winners in partnership with four trainers since 2008.