John and Karen Parsons have been rewarded for perseverance with Final Touch, winner of the listed New Zealand Bloodstock Stakes for 3yr-old fillies at Riccarton on Saturday.
Karen Parsons is the breeder, owner, and co-trainer with her husband of Final Touch, one of two foals left by My Lydia.
The first two foals of My Lydia were born dead. She then left a filly, Nareda (by Al Jadeed), who had her racing career curtailed with a tendon injury after one win. My Lydia left Final Touch (by Kashani) two years later. Her colt by that sire died at birth the following year and the complications ruled out My Lydia continuing as a broodmare.
My Lydia had been bought privately as a yearling in Australia by Karen Parsons. The daughter of Umatilla was campaigned there by the Parsons stable in races for Victoria-bred horses. She had four minor placings from 12 starts before she developed a breathing problem.
The Parsons stable had won the 1600m race for 3yr-old fillies in the South Island filly of the year series with Pledge (at Ashburton in 2002), Sorrento (1999) and Seamist (1990).
Seamist and Pledge both took the title.
Seamist won the Warstep Stakes, the final race in the series. Final Touch will step up to 2000m in the Warstep with David Walsh retaining the ride.
