Bill Hazlett

Bill Hazlett, who died recently, bred and raced two-time Invercargill Cup winner Relampago, a son of the White Robe Lodge sire, Yamanin Vital.

Hazlett also raced Kidunot, winner of the 2009 Great Northern Hurdles when trained by Ellis Winsloe. His late father, Bill had won that race with Macdonald in 1966. Both horses wore the same colours of white with emerald green sleeves. Bill raced Kidunot with his son, Jim, Len Insall and Winsloe.

"Bill loved the jumpers and he was at Riverton though not in the best of health to see his horse Tai Ho," said trainer Sally McKay. Tai Ho ran fourth in the Hazlett Contracting Steeplechase.

McKay and Ben Gordon trained Relampago to win the 2008 and 2009 Invercargill Cup for Hazlett, his wife, Alison, Colin Ashby and Graeme Hill. The Hazletts lived at Waianawa (Southland).  Relampago, who also won the Tapanui and Wairio Cups. The owners sent their mare Elle Chase (by Sky Chase) to Yamanin Vital seven times and another WRL sire, Random Chance twice in the course of breeding Relampago.