Dashing Donna has done her dash, finishing her racing career with the Logan Racing stables on a high note.
Ruakaka-trained Dashing Donna impressively won the listed Hallmark Stud Newmarket Handicap over 1200m at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Trained by Donna Logan, Dean Logan and Chris Gibbs she is owned by Hong Kong
based Dominic Lee (IDL Racing).
The black-type win was timely and will increase the 6-year-old's broodmare value considerably. The Don Eduardo mare is currently in foal to Mastercraftsman and she had her final race in the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
Ridden by Leith Innes, Dashing Donna finished a creditable fifth, after placing second in the big sprint last year.
"She was really unlucky not to win the Group 1 race, she was tuned and ready to give it her best shot in her last outing ... she was up with the bunch but just had nowhere to go, she couldn't get through," trainer Donna Logan said.
Outsider Miss Raggedy Ann won paying $87 for the win, and Logan said they got some enjoyment out of the win as Logan Stables are currently training two horses for her owners, Llanhenock Trust.
She is a stable favourite at Ruakaka, and trainer Logan said she was sad to see her leave the stables for the last time on Saturday - she headed to Cambridge's Mana Park, where she will spend her days as a broodmare, straight after the Ellerslie run.
"It was a very emotional day. She has been with us for three years and was an absolute princess. She was the perfect little horse, very relaxed with a great temperament and was a pleasure to have around."
Her offspring should prove popular, Logan added.
Logan Racing Stables and the Whangarei Racing Club community are now looking forward to a slightly more relaxed affair after the glamour of summer racing at Ellerslie at the Interislander Summer Festival Ruakaka Races on Wednesday.
They have seven horses racing on Wednesday, and will join the other local trainers at the popular Ruakaka track, all glad to have their charges running on their home turf.
