Respected New Zealand racing identity Jeanette Broome has died aged 81.
She achieved international success as the breeder of Seagram, a son of Balak who won the 1991 Grand National Steeplechase (6900m) at Aintree, and the 1998 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Jezabeel, a daughter of Zabeel who also won the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m).
The best
horse she raced was her home-bred Crested Wave mare Moire, who won eight races
including the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) in 1993.
Broome, who enjoyed a lengthy involvement with the Waikato branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, established Loch-Haven Thoroughbreds near Hamilton in the early 1970s.
The Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) Bazelle was sold under her banner, as was the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Unearthly, who was bred by her close friend Lorna Moore.
"She bred three Group One winners and the Grand National winner, which was quite amazing for a small breeder," Moore said. "We were friends for many years and when I was in Australia I had my mares with Jeanette. She just loved her horses."
Broome also had a successful association with Hawke's Bay breeder Don Gordon and together they raced Full Noise, a son of Kaapstad whose seven wins featured the Listed Stayers' Cup (2400m) at Randwick.
She was acknowledged as the New Zealand Breeder and the Year in 1991 and honoured in 2000 with a New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the thoroughbred industry.
Pre-deceased by her husband Jack, Broome is survived by children Paul and Carey. – NZ Racing Desk.
