Emotional win
It was an emotional moment for Brian Anderton, the principal of White Robe Lodge, when his pacing mare, New Years Jay won at the Forbury Park Trotting Club meeting on Thursday night (17/07/2014). He races her with the estate of Bryan (Mouse) Kennedy with whom he shared much time in racing as a jockey, trainer, breeder and owner.
"It is very emotional. It would just have been great if "Mouse" was here,''said Brian.
Kennedy died four years ago. His widow, Sandra and son, Peter were on hand to share the triumph on Thursday along with members of the Anderton family, including Brian's wife, Lorraine, daughters Karen, Nicky and Lynne, granddaughter, Georgia Lowry and grandson, Jake Lowry. New Years Jay made the night by winning a maiden race by 10 lengths in a 2.00.1 mile rate for 1700m (mobile), the fastest rate of the night. The 6yr-old New Years Jay, foaled on January 1, 1998, had been first past the post at Forbury Park in her other race two years ago but she was disqualified for galloping in the early stages. She was subsequently sidelined with filling in a foreleg before being brought back in work with Jonny Cox and Amber Hoffman on the beach at Westwood.
New Years Jay was bred by Kennedy and Anderton from a mating of Washington VC and Jay's Glen, who won for them at Addington in 1998 as a 6yr-old. She was a half sister by a star pacer, Roydon Glen to Nero's Jay, who
won two of his three starts for the same owners before he was sold to Australia. Nero's Jay carried on to win the 1989 Queensland Derby and amass 16 wins in Australia and 68 United States for a career total of 86. Nero's Jay was by Nero's B B from Red Jay, by Tactile from Jayship, who began the Anderton - Kennedy association with standardbreds. They bred her in 1971 from a mating of Lordship and Blue Jay, who came their way through Jack Kennedy, father of Bryan. Blue Jay was then 19 and Brian liked her grey (officially roan) colour. She had left useful winners, Blue Tryax and Brian Hanover from six foals for other breeders. Jayship was her last foal. Blue Jay, who won seven races, was bred by Jack Kennedy. She was a half sister by Great Blaze to top pacer, Blue Prince.
A 3yr-old half sister by Klondike Kid to New Years Jay, has been registered as Mousey Jay.