King of Swing (horse)
| King Of Swing | |
|---|---|
| Breed | Standardbred |
| Sire | Rocknroll Hanover (USA) |
| Grandsire | Western Ideal (USA) |
| Dam | Twist And Twirl (NZ) |
| Maternal grandsire | Artsplace (USA) |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 13 November 2014 |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Breckon Farms Limited |
| Trainer | Belinda McCarthy |
| Major wins | |
| 2020, 2021 & 2022 Miracle Mile Pace 2020 & 2022 A G Hunter Cup | |
| Awards | |
| 2020, 2021 & 2022 Australian Harness Horse of the Year | |
King Of Swing (foaled 13 November 2014) is a New Zealand bred Standardbred racehorse that became Australasia's champion pacer.
King Of Swing was awarded the Australian Harness Horse of the Year three times (2020, 2021 and 2022).[1] He became the first pacer to win Australasia's richest race, the $A1 million Miracle Mile Pace, three times.[2] He also won the A G Hunter Cup twice and in total he had 11 Group 1 victories.
Racing career[edit]
King Of Swing was bred by Breckon Farms Limited and originally trained by Ray Green in New Zealand.[3] He raced 13 times for Green for 7 wins and 4 seconds, driven by David, Phillip and Zackary Butcher. In August 2017 he won two races in Australia, driven by David Butcher, including the $285,000 Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Series Final for 2 year old colts and geldings.
In March 2018 he was exported to Australia where he was trained by Gary Hall Senior. He later moved to the stables Belinda and Luke McCarthy.[4]
His notable performances include:[5][6]
| Placing | Year | Race | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | August 2017 | Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Series Final (Group 1, 2240m, Melton) | King of Swong | Poster Boy | Colt Thirty One |
| 1st | April 2018 | Western Australian Derby (Group 1, 2536m, Gloucester Park) | King of Swing | Bechers Brook | Cott Beach |
| 1st | January 2020 | Perc Hall FFA (Group 3, 1609m, Menangle) | King of Swing | Ignatius | Majordan. |
| 1st | February 2020 | A G Hunter Cup (Group 1, Melton) | King of Swing | Our Uncle Sam | Chase Auckland |
| 1st | February 2020 | Allied Express Sprint (Group 1, Menangle) | King of Swing | Code Bailey | AGs White Socks |
| 1st | March 2020 | Miracle Mile Pace (Group 1, Menangle) | King of Swing | Lochinvar Art | Alta Orlando |
| 2nd | October 2020 | Victoria Cup (Group 1, 2240m, Melton)[7] | Lochinvar Art | King of Swing | Bling It On |
| 1st | December 2020 | TAB Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship (Group 1, 2680m, Albion Park) | King of Swing | Colt Thirty One | Turn It Up |
| 1st | February 2021 | Schweppes Sprint (Group 1, 1609m, Menangle) | King of Swing | Out To Play | One Change |
| 3rd | February 2021 | A G Hunter Cup[8] | Lochinvar Art | Alta Orlando | King of Swing |
| 1st | March 2021 | Miracle Mile Pace | King of Swing | Expensive Ego | Wolf Stride |
| 2nd | July 2021 | Garrards Sunshine Sprint (Group 1, 1660m, Albion Park) | Copy That | King of Swing | Rockin Marty |
| 3rd | July 2021 | TAB Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship | Amazing Dream | Rockin Marty | King of Swing |
| 3rd | October 2021 | Victoria Cup (Group 1, 2150m, Bendigo) | Max Delight | Triple Eight | King of Swing |
| 1st | November 2021 | Interdominion Pacing Championship heat, Menangle | King of Swing | Majestic Cruiser | Boncel Benjamin |
| 1st | December 2021 | Interdominion Pacing Championship heat, Bathurst | King of Swing | Boncel Benjamin | Max Delight |
| 1st | December 2021 | Interdominion Pacing Championship heat, Newcastle | King of Swing | Balraj | Triple Eight |
| 5th | December 2021 | Inter Dominion Pacing Championship final[9] | Boncel Benjamin | Expensive Ego | Alta Orlando |
| 1st | February 2022 | A G Hunter Cup | King of Swing | Spirit Of St Louis | Amazing Dream. |
| 1st | February 2022 | Allied Express Sprint | King of Swing | Bundoran | Jay Ok |
| 1st | March 2022 | Miracle Mile Pace[10] | King of Swing | Spirit Of St Louis | Better Eclipse |
King Of Swing retired from racing with a record of 81 starts for 43 wins and 18 placings and AUD $3,390,546 in earnings.[11]
Stud career[edit]
After retiring from the track, King Of Swing commenced stud duties at Cobbitty Equine Farm, New South Wales.[12] His 2023/24 service fee was set at $8,800 AUD.[13][14]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "News Article - Australian Harness Racing". www.harness.org.au. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ The King Of Swing The King Of Menangle. Retrieved 2024-04-14 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Reid, Brad (August 31, 2023). "Breckon Farms eagerly awaiting King Of Swing progeny - Harnesslink".
- ^ Hamilton, Adam (March 13, 2022). "The King of Australia scores remarkable three-peat".
- ^ "KING OF SWING NZ :: Racing Queensland". www.racingqueensland.com.au. April 13, 2024.
- ^ "Australian Harness Racing". www.harness.org.au.
- ^ "Lochinvar Art's Victoria Cup masterpiece - Harnesslink". October 10, 2020.
- ^ Winnell, HRV-Cody. "Hunter Cup: 'Dream come true' win for Arty party". Harness Racing Victoria.
- ^ "Swansong then stud for King Of Swing". www.hrnz.co.nz.
- ^ Rando, Amanda (March 14, 2022). "'King' ready for stud - Harnesslink".
- ^ "King Of Swing Harness Runner Profile - Next Race, Form, Stats, News, Breeding". www.racingandsports.com.au.
- ^ "News Article - Australian Harness Racing". www.harness.org.au.
- ^ "King Of Swing".
- ^ "King Of Swing Archives". April 11, 2023.