Christopher Vance

Christopher Vance (5 November 1986 – 13 December 2016) was a Group One-winning New Zealand Standardbred racehorse, trained by Roy and Barry Purdon and generally driven by Barry Purdon or Tony Herlihy.

Christopher Vance
BreedStandardbred
SireVance Hanover (US)
GrandsireAlbatross (US)
DamDisco Girl (NZ)
Maternal grandsireBerry Hanover (US)
SexGelding
Foaled1986-11-05
CountryNew Zealand
BreederR Reid, Estate L F Reid (Waiuku)
OwnerR R Reid & J C Reid & Lorna Reid Syndicate
TrainerRoy & Barry Purdon, Clevedon
Record
121 starts: 38 wins 41 placings
Earnings
NZ$1,747,167
Awards
New Zealand Horse of the Year

Racing career

He was the 1991–92 New Zealand Horse of the Year after winning both the major New Zealand races, the New Zealand Cup and Auckland Cup, as well as the Miracle Mile Pace at Harold Park in Australia. Christopher Vance was not as dominant in the following seasons but remained competitive against top class opposition such as Blossom Lady, Master Musician, Jack Morris and Chokin.

Notable performances by Christopher Vance include:

Placing Year Race 1st 2nd 3rd
1st1990Great Northern Derby[1]Christopher VanceMark HanoverAmos Lee.
2nd1990Auckland Cup[1]The Bru CzarChristopher VanceTight Connection
1st1991Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile[1]Christopher VanceMark HanoverFranco Ice
1st1991New Zealand Messenger[1]Christopher VanceFranco IceMark Hanover
1stNov 1991New Zealand Trotting Cup[1]Christopher VanceClancySurmo Way
1stNov 1991Miracle Mile PaceChristopher VanceDefoeWestburn Grant
1stDec 1991Auckland CupChristopher VanceStarshipThe Bru Czar
3rdNov 1992New Zealand Trotting Cup, with a 15-metre handicap and breaking at the beginning of the race.[2]Blossom LadyGiovanettoChristopher Vance
3rdNov 1992New Zealand Free For AllBlossom LadySogoChristopher Vance
2ndNov 1992Miracle Mile PaceFranco TigerChristopher VanceJack Morris
3rdDec 1992M. H. Treuer MemorialJack MorrisBand MagicChristopher Vance
2ndDec 1992Auckland CupMaster MusicianChristopher VanceThe Bru Czar
2ndApr 1993Inter Dominion Pacing Championship heatBlossom LadyChristopher VanceWestburn Grant
1stApr 1993Inter Dominion Pacing Championship heat, in 1:54.5 for the mileChristopher VanceMaster MusicianWarrior Khan
3rdApr 1993Inter Dominion Pacing Championship heatJack MorrisRustic LadChristopher Vance
4thMay 1993Inter Dominion Pacing Championship finalJack MorrisWarrior KhanBlossom Lady
3rdDec 1993Auckland CupChokinFranco IceChristopher Vance
2ndFeb 1994A G Hunter CupBlossom LadyChristopher VanceThe Unicorn
1stMarch 1994Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Consolation finalChristopher VanceOur New LifeTact Rashad
3rdDec 1994Auckland CupChokinFranco IceChristopher Vance

From April to August 1995 Christopher Vance was driven in a number of Australian races by Brian and Darren Hancock, only managing to win two lesser events. He was then brought back to New Zealand to race but failed to manage a top three placing in his final campaign. His last race was a sixth placing in the Courier Post Flying Mile (Group 2) at Cambridge behind Victor Supreme on 16 February 1996.

During his retirement years, Christopher Vance lived at Cambridge Stud, where he was a companion to the champion thoroughbred Rough Habit. The two were buried next to each other, Christopher Vance dying a month past his 30th birthday.[3][4]

See also

References
  1. "Christopher Vance". www.hrnz.co.nz.
  2. Harness Racing Annual 1993 (22nd Edition) Editor: Ron Bisman, Publisher: Moa Publications, Auckland
  3. "Farewell Christopher Vance - Harnesslink". 13 December 2016.
  4. "Star Kiwi galloper Rough Habit dies at 28". 7 November 2014.
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