Written by Paul Vettise
The glorious G1 Japan Cup victory of Almond Eye (JPN) (Lord Kanaloa {JPN}) rolled back the years for Hawke’s Bay identity Graham de Gruchy.
In 1989, he struck a major international blow for the New Zealand industry when the gallant grey mare Horlicks (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}) won the 2400 metre feature, and he has continued to successfully breed from her family.
His penchant for naming his horses after refreshments has continued to be one to toast.
“Horlicks’ Japan Cup win was a great thrill, but there’s a lot of water gone under the bridge since then.” - Graham de Gruchy.
“Horlicks’ Japan Cup win was a great thrill, but there’s a lot of water gone under the bridge since then,” de Gruchy said. “She broke the world record when she ran 2.22.2 and that stood for 14 years.
Watch: The story of Horlicks
“That filly (Almond Eye) last Sunday was brilliant and she ran 2.20.6. That’s a mind-blowing time. She’s obviously a champion filly. No doubt about it.”
De Gruchy bred and raced Horlicks having purchased her dam Malt (NZ) (Moss Trooper {USA}) as a yearling.
“I bought her at Trentham and I paid $27,000 for her, which was a lot of money in those days, the average that year was $18,000. I had a very kind bank manager,” de Gruchy said.
“Horlicks was a wonderful mare who won pretty much on any ground, any distance and any way around.” – Graham de Gruchy.
“Horlicks was a wonderful mare who won pretty much on any ground, any distance and any way around. She was very versatile.”
She was trained by Dave O’Sullivan and his son Paul with another son Lance guiding her to success in the Japan Cup.
Horlicks produced 13 foals and gained broodmare fame as the dam of the 2000 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram {IRE}). She passed away at the age of 28 in 2011, but her legacy continues.
Watch: Horlicks winning the 1989 Japan Cup
Grand-daughters continuing the line
De Gruchy is currently breeding from her grand-daughters Baltika (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), Caffeina (NZ) (Holy Roman Emperor {IRE}) and her half-sister Frappuccino (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {NZ}).
“Baltika has a 3-year-old filly (by Darci Brahma) I’ve got in work with Tony Pike called Ninkasi, the Greek goddess of beer,” he said.
“I’ve kept it in the family with the drinks theme. Baltika is out of Zambuca and Baltika is a Russian beer brewed in St Petersburg, the birthplace of Stravinsky.
“Baltika has just been covered by Snitzel. She’s got a Tavistock filly at foot and a Tavistock yearling at Wentwood Grange, which I’ll retain to race or lease out.”
Baltika has a Tavistock filly at foot and a yearling at Wentwood Grange
Group 1 success
Baltika’s first foal is the G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi {IRE}), who was sold at Karaka in 2015 for NZ$170,000.
“He was a well-performed horse who sadly broke down in Hong Kong,” de Gruchy said.
“Caffeina is the goddess of coffee and she’s out of a daughter of Horlicks called Mocha. Caffeina won three races in Australia in the country, one over 1000 metres which is quite rare for the breed.
“She’s had two foals by Nicconi and she’s got a Star Witness filly at foot.” – Graham de Gruchy.
“She’s had two foals by Nicconi and she’s got a Star Witness filly at foot. She’s been covered by No Nay Never at Coolmore.
Sacred Elixir winning the G1 JJ Atkins S.
“I sold the Nicconi filly at the Classic Sale in Sydney earlier this year and the Nicconi colt will go to the Sale next February.”
Continuing the beverage theme is Frappuccino, who was unraced due to a paddock mishap.
“She’s got a Pour Moi yearling filly and hasn’t been able to get back in foal since, but we’re still trying. She’s been a bit of a shy breeder,” de Gruchy said.
FOOTNOTE: Mr Quickie (Shamus Award), who claims Horlicks as his fourth dam, made it four wins from six career starts when he was successful for trainer Darren Weir on the Hillside course at Sandown on Wednesday.
