Davis Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 I remember this horse well. He raced when harness was popular and crowds turned up at Addington each meeting. Southland produced some excellent horses in those days. Bee Bee Cee lived to 31 years old, I wonder what that is in human years? Good to see a positive story about harness racing for a change. RIP BBC. Former harness racing star Bee Bee Cee put down at age 31 Jamie Searle 16:36, Jan 12 2021 One of the great horses to come out of Southland harness racing has died. The 1994 New Zealand Cup winner Bee Bee Cee was put down last week after developing a heart problem on the mid-Canterbury property of his owners Colin and Jeane Calvert, formerly of Ryal Bush. “We [always] promised him, ‘you are never going to suffer’,” Jeane said of the 31-year-old standardbred. “He’s had a good life and is buried here on the property [at Chertsey].” The Calvert’s son, Michael, who is an assistant furneral director, arranged for a plaque, with Bee Bee Cee's name engraved on it, to be attached to a cross at the grave. A memorial tree will also be planted there. “It was Colin’s dream to have a horse good enough to start in the [NZ] Cup and the rest is history,” Jeane said. Soon after the Cup win the Calverts and Bee Bee Cee were on their way to Sydney for the prestigious Miracle Mile, in which he was a fast-finishing second. The Calverts bought Bee Bee Cee out of a group of three or four yearlings on offer by Ryal Bush breeder Russell Morton. Colin remembers the day well. “Jeane picked him out and said, ‘that’s the one you can buy’,” he said. She liked his conformation and the way he looked. Colin, who trained Bee Bee Cee, knew he had ability when educating him. “He was the perfect racehorse, you would never know he was a colt [or an entire]. “I never over raced him, I picked my races.” Bee Bee Cee had 14 wins in his 50-start career. The Calverts moved from Ryal Bush to Chertsey in early 1994 to be closer to top grade racing in Christchurch as Bee Bee Cee had won his way out of the Southland classes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 31 — a very good innings. And yes, a top horse in a strong era — Chokin, Master Musician, Blossom Lady, Desperate Comment to name a few. Provided Jim Curtin with his first cup winner, while the 2nd in the Miracle Mile was particularly unlucky. Sadly, he had little success at stud. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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