As the popular chestnut Burning Front is being readied for a crack at Saturday's Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington, his proud breeder Justin Lovatt is reflecting on the grand galloper's wonderful career.
A career that has seen him win an amazing 18 races with a further 20 placings to his credit from 56 starts.
One that has seen him amass in excess of $1.3 million in prize money.
.jpg "Burning Front - Grant Courtney")
Burning Front - Grant Courtney
And as if Burning Front had not given his owners enough reason to smile, he has also earned Lovatt the accolade of VOBIS Owner Of The Year.
Lovatt was delighted to be informed of the award last month and happier still that Burning Front was named VOBIS Horse Of The Year.
The VOBIS scheme's all time highest prize money earner, Burning Front has earned $515,000 VOBIS dollars and has won three VOBIS features; the Gold Star, the Gold Eldorado and the Gold Mile.
"We just could not be prouder of everything that Burning Front has achieved," Lovatt said, noting that he also has a very special place in his heart for the gelding's dam She's A Knockout.
Also dam of the Flemington winner Apollo Creed and the five times winner Cajo Kellila (in turn dam of two times winner Autonomous), She's A Knockout - who was served last spring by Toronado - added a fourth winner to her record with Casino Star saluting at Albury last week.
Burning Front is described by Thoroughbred Breeding Victoria's Executie Officer Patrick Clandy as "iconic."
"His record breaking achievements have been a great advertisement for Victorian breeding," he said.
"He shows that you don't need the most expensive horse or best pedigree to be a top racehorse."
