Starting with the Nelson Derby mare Lady Dimp, the Grices have been breeding from the family for 51 years and leasing out the progeny.
Phil Kennard, a Christchurch part-owner of Captain Peacock, is also in the ownership of Major Mark, winner of the group one Welcome Stakes on Friday night.
Kennard is in the Gapmad syndicate which race Captain Peacock with brothers Grant Ball, of Christchurch and Darren Ball, of Sydney; Warren Wylie, of Christchurch; and R Boon, of Australia Others in the syndicate are brothers Michael and Gerard Dawson, of Oamaru, Alister Strachan, of Oamaru, Angela Mowbray, of Methven, and Des Aitcheson, of Oamaru.
Captain Peacock, trained by Dean Taylor at Ladbrooks, is the first foal of Enchanting who won her first start when trained by Taylor and driven by Mark Jones.
That was a race for 3yr-olds at Motukarara in December, 2003. Grant Ball was in the ownership of Enchanting (Sands A Flyin-Go Anna), who was put to stud after being unplaced in a further five starts.
"She was badly conformed," recalled Taylor.
He became involved with the family when he trained Go Anna to win four races in the mid 1990s.
Go Anna died in 2003 after leaving four foals.
She left another filly, Lancashire Witch (by Tinted Cloud), the winner of three races.
Go Anna was by Dancing Master from Kerry Khan, by Noodlum from Lady Barbara, by Lordship from Barbara Del, by Armbro Del from Coo Doo, by Morano from Lady Dimp, from whom the Grices began breeding in 1959.
They bought her from their cousin, Len Grice.
Their uncle, Jack Grice, owned and trained the 1952 New Zealand Derby winner, Rupee.
Another uncle, Ben, owned and trained Haughty, winner of the New Zealand Cup in 1942 and 1943.
Lordship won the New Zealand Derby in 1961 and Noodlum won the race in 1974.
Coo Doo won the 1971 Welcome Stakes.
Other big winners from this equine family include Palestine and Derby, who won nine races in succession in the early 1980s.
"Winning the Derby is our finest hour," Keith (84) said.
Bevan is 79.
"We have always felt that with good stallions and good trainers this family would reach the top.
"We cannot speak too highly of Dean Taylor," Keith Grice said.
"Breeding horses is our hobby and we have been at it since we left school."
Captain Peacock has been entered for a heat of the Southern Supremacy Stakes on Saturday.
"A start will depend on whether Mark Jones [driver of Captain Peacock] takes horses to Winton.
"The alternative is the heat at Gore (April 25)," Taylor said.
Captain Peacock has yet to contest the series comprising five heats and a $50,000 final at Invercargill on May 1.
The stud fee for Christian Cullen has been reduced to $17,500 from $25,000, owner Ian Dobson has announced.
The Manawatu Greyhound Racing Club cancelled its meeting yesterday over a funding dispute with Greyhound Racing New Zealand, NZPA reports.
Jim Leach, general manager of GRNZ, said the club informed GRNZ of its decision yesterday morning.
"They decided they weren't going to race today.
"Obviously we're disappointed, but we are having some discussion with them later this week, hopefully, and we'll see if we can't resolve what the issues are."
Committee member Lesley Haight said the club would not comment until after a special club meeting on Thursday night.
