On a day when news of the death of champion pacer-turned-successful sire Courage Under Fire emerged from Australia, his son, Alexy, gave those close to the little superstar a reminder of the big part he played in their lives.
Alexy is part-owned by Colleen Negus, wife of Bruce Negus, who trained Courage Under Fire, the pocket-sized pacer, to win 41 races including six derbies and a sequence of 24 consecutive victories.
The mighty little pacer has had a remarkable impact on Colleen Negus' life.
Colleen was to meet her future husband, Bruce, when he was asked to speak at an Otago Harness Racing Awards function at Palmerston.
''My mother and I arrived and mum introduced me.
''It was towards the end of Courage's New Zealand career, so it was through the horse I met him because he was the guest speaker and it went from there.''
Adding to the appropriateness of Alexy's win was that he was formerly raced by Greg Brodie who also raced Courage Under Fire. Alexy, a 7yr-old, is also trained by fellow part-owner Dennis O'Connell, a brother of Colleen's, at Waikouaiti, where Courage Under Fire Raceway is located.
Courage Under Fire began his career on a winning note at Forbury Park in January 1998. His six derby wins and 24-race-winning streak earned him legendary status in the harness racing world and endeared himself to scores of fans.
''There has only been one horse to win six derbies. When will that ever happen again? I don't think it will,'' Colleen said.
So great was the horse that when he suffered his first defeat in a heat of the 2000 Interdominion series, commentator Dan Milecki shouted ''the world must be ending'' as Kyema Kid downed the previously unbeaten champion.
After that series, the horse's career plateaued. Brodie had relocated him to Brian Hancock's New South Wales stable, but he could not continue his dominance in Australasia's open ranks.
The four-time New Zealand record-breaker would eventually retire as the winner of $1,551,941 and embark on a successful career as a sire.
Until his death at Yirribee Stud in New South Wales at the age of 21, Courage Under Fire sired 434 New Zealand winners and had 320 individual winners on Aussie soil, headed by Interdominion champion Smolda.
He also left quality performers in Pembrook Benny, Lancome and 1.49.6 United States miler Flem N Em.
It is understood that Courage Under Fire was to serve a full book of mares during the coming Australian breeding season.
While Courage Under Fire captured hearts and headlines, his son, Alexy, has gone about his career in tradesman-like fashion.
The 7yr-old scored his second consecutive and fifth career victory at start 165 in the hands of Blair Orange at Oamaru yesterday.
The pacer's strong recent form was down to the horse thriving in his recent work along the Waikouaiti beach, O'Connell said.
''I'm really pleased for the horse,'' he said.
