BACK IN 2003 Brent McIntyre took a neighbour along to a promotional evening in Southland for a new North American stallion shuttling to New Zealand.
They both bought tickets in a raffle with the prize of a free service to the horse concerned, Mach Three. And, you guessed it, the neighbour, Steve Sloan, held the winning ticket.
He didn’t have a broodmare at the time, but he borrowed Holmes Hanover mare Elleuro from his brother and got a filly from the mating called Mach N Elle. Brent took a half share and trained her at his Tussock Creek property. Mach N Elle didn’t win in eight starts but was good enough to run second on debut as a two-year-old and fifth in the big Cheviot fillies race at her next start.
Brent took her first foal, a Bettor’s Delight colt, who was born at Macca Lodge. Named Darcee, he was sold to clients of Tony Herlihy’s stable at the national yearling sales for $32,000. The four-year-old had the biggest win of his career in the $23,800 North Island Country Cup Final at Palmerston North on 16 April, taking his record to six wins from 18 starts and $61,000 in stakes.
Mach N Elle has proved to be a shy breeder. A year after foaling Darcee she left Machjagger (by Justa Tiger), a winner for Brett Gray this season, but has not been back in foal since.