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Christopher Vance

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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

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.

Racing career

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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
1st 1990 Great Northern Derby[1] Christopher Vance Mark Hanover Amos Lee.
2nd 1990 Auckland Cup[1] The Bru Czar Christopher Vance Tight Connection
1st 1991 Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile[1] Christopher Vance Mark Hanover Franco Ice
1st 1991 New Zealand Messenger[1] Christopher Vance Franco Ice Mark Hanover
1st Nov 1991 New Zealand Trotting Cup[1] Christopher Vance Clancy Surmo Way
1st Nov 1991 Miracle Mile Pace Christopher Vance Defoe Westburn Grant
1st Dec 1991 Auckland Cup Christopher Vance Starship The Bru Czar
3rd Nov 1992 New Zealand Trotting Cup, with a 15-metre handicap and breaking at the beginning of the race.[2] Blossom Lady Giovanetto Christopher Vance
3rd Nov 1992 New Zealand Free For All Blossom Lady Sogo Christopher Vance
2nd Nov 1992 Miracle Mile Pace Franco Tiger Christopher Vance Jack Morris
3rd Dec 1992 M. H. Treuer Memorial Jack Morris Band Magic Christopher Vance
2nd Dec 1992 Auckland Cup Master Musician Christopher Vance The Bru Czar
2nd Apr 1993 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship heat Blossom Lady Christopher Vance Westburn Grant
1st Apr 1993 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship heat, in 1:54.5 for the mile Christopher Vance Master Musician Warrior Khan
3rd Apr 1993 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship heat Jack Morris Rustic Lad Christopher Vance
4th May 1993 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship final Jack Morris Warrior Khan Blossom Lady
3rd Dec 1993 Auckland Cup Chokin Franco Ice Christopher Vance
2nd Feb 1994 A G Hunter Cup Blossom Lady Christopher Vance The Unicorn
1st March 1994 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Consolation final Christopher Vance Our New Life Tact Rashad
3rd Dec 1994 Auckland Cup Chokin Franco Ice Christopher 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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "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.