Racing: Sponsorship to repay NZ

Philadelphia-based owner Joe Muscara has been the biggest buyer of New Zealand-bred standardbreds over the last five years - purchasing more than 250 horses.

Now Muscara wants to give something back to the New Zealand industry in the form of a $750,000 sponsorship package with the Auckland Trotting Club.

Muscara decided a year ago to become actively involved in the breeding industry - now he owns five stallions.

The Muscara-owned stallions Mach Three, Dr Ronerail, Day In A Life, Cammibest and Falcon's Icon all stand at stud in New Zealand.

Mach Three, Dr Ronerail and Cammibest also stand at stud at Tara Hills, Canada, before performing shuttle stallion duties at Double E Stables, Christchurch.

The New Zealand side of the breeding operation is managed by the South Auckland-based Supreme Stallion Team.

The $750,000 Mach Three Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final will be held at Alexandra Park on March 18.

Mach Three was a sensation on the racetrack as a two and three-year-old and was retired to stud after winning 18 of 27 starts and $US2.38 million in stake money.

The speed machine won $1 million races as a two and three-year-old and competed against and defeated outstanding age group rivals Art Major and McArdle.

Muscara has been the number one client of leading New Zealand bloodstock agent John Curtin for the last 10 years.

Curtin is also actively involved in the stallion management of the Supreme Stallion Team and said that Muscara did not hesitate to sponsor the Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final at Alexandra Park.

"Joe [Muscara] is 80 years of age and I would have to say a young 80 because he still drives his motor vehicle in Philadelphia," said Curtin.

"He's on the internet every day checking on the New Zealand racing industry and we talk at least once a day on the telephone.

"He has every intention of travelling down here to New Zealand next year to watch the Inter Dominion Series.

"Over the last five years he has been the number one supporter who has promoted the New Zealand-bred product in the United States and Canada.

"He has spent close to $10 million with me and the majority of that money in the last five years where he has always had a stable of at least 40 NZ-bred horses in training and racing in America.

"He buys, races and then sells his horses to American owners and he has had plenty of success."

Mach Three was purchased as a two-year-old by Muscara for a hefty US$2.2 million from Cambridge, Ontario, owner Linda Magid.

The deal was clinched by Curtin who arrived unexpectedly at Magid's front door and negotiated the sale.

In 2002 Muscara was the number two ranked owner in North America winning 215 races and $US3 million in stake money.

A casual visit to a racetrack in 1975 with a client sparked the passion that has resulted in the retired property developer now owning one of the largest racing operations in harness racing.