By KEVIN TAYLOR
Sir Patrick Hogan was still elated, hyped even, a day after Brew won the Melbourne Cup.
Settling back into his office chair yesterday for his umpteenth interview of the day, the Cambridge Stud owner reflected on the attention he has received since Tuesday's victory.
Brew is the gelded son of the stud's champion sire, Sir Tristram, and Japan Cup winner Horlicks, who is owned by Hawkes Bay breeder Graham De Gruchy.
The media started calling minutes after Brew crossed the line, and calls continued late into the night. He fielded more calls from 6 am yesterday, many from Australia.
Sir Patrick does not mind the attention - it shows the standing New Zealand horse-breeding commands worldwide.
The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is also elated at Brew's victory.
"This is the result we all wanted," said Thoroughbred Breeders Association chief executive Michael Martin.
The Melbourne Cup and the weight-for-age Cox Plate, won by Sunline, were Australasia's two biggest races, receiving television exposure in 120 countries.
"These sort of victories are what the industry here works for every year," Mr Martin said.
It meant buyers would be attracted to New Zealand yearling sales, and it boosted export possibilities.
Much of that international standing can be attributed to Sir Tristram, known affectionately as Paddy.
When Brew crossed the line on Tuesday, Sir Patrick went outside and placed two red roses on Paddy's grave.
The win provided Sir Tristram with a world-record 45th group one success, and the horse has now sired three Melbourne Cup winners.
"As soon as he crossed the line I was out the door and across to his graveside with a couple of red roses."
Sir Patrick dwelt at the graveside for a moment and contemplated how he was lucky enough 20 years ago to strike such a great horse.
"The win is a tremendous and continual reminder of what Sir Tristram himself has been able to achieve through a 20-year period."
The progeny of the great horse, who died in 1997, had been enormously successful and continued to create excitement, and at times jubilation.
"He's been dead three years, but he's saying, 'I'm not forgotten'."
Sir Patrick said it was impossible to determine the value of Brew's win to the industry, but it was a continuation of the country's horse-breeding success story.
Mr Martin said thoroughbred exports in the March year had reached $110 million and the industry had the potential to do better.
Sir Patrick said such successes just increased the credibility of the New Zealand industry.
Racing authorities in Dubai were so impressed that they wanted some New Zealand-bred horses to race their Northern Hemisphere horses.
"It just goes to prove they are certainly taking a lot of notice of what's happening down in New Zealand with our stock."
Just down the road from the Cambridge Stud offices, Brew's dam, Horlicks, trots around a paddock, dutifully followed by a foal that may be another future champion.
The filly was born in a trouble-free delivery on November 1. Its sire is Zabeel, a son of Sir Tristram.
Paddy continues to leave his mark - and continues to be loved.
An admirer left yellow lilies on Sir Tristram's grave overnight, to lie beside Sir Patrick's roses, as a mark of respect for the great horse.
Racing: Brew tops up thoroughbred legacy
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