Photo: Supplied
One of New Zealand racing’s most famous families has lost another member, with the recent passing of Martin Dennis, aged 82.
Martin was the youngest member of the Dennis Brothers quartet, with the family facing a particularly tough last six months, with the passing of brother Tony in September.
The brothers have been a pillar of South Island thoroughbred racing for more than 60 years, with a plethora of elite equine athletes coming off their Woodlands property.
Dennis’ nephew, respected Southland trainer Robert Dennis, the son of the late Tony Dennis, said Martin had a wealth of knowledge on pedigrees and form, with the partnership relying on his expert analysis for their mares’ mating selection.
“He was an integral part of their operation,” Robert said. “His strength in the partnership was the breeding and the pedigree side in the later years. Earlier on he was more involved in the training side.
“He was extremely knowledgeable about pedigrees and crosses, and he analysed all the stallions and mares, and he had his own rating system.
“For me personally, when buying horses, I would call on him to get his opinion on what he thought of pedigrees.”
The brothers are well known for their horses carrying the prefix ‘The’, which was made famous by several top-flight performers, spanning more than 60 years.
Among their leading flagbearers was the Gr.1 Penfold Chardon Mile (now TAB Classic) winner The Twinkle, while The Dimple and The Fantasy were the stakes winners of a combined 34 races.
The breeding side of their operation included the three-time top-flight winner and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner-up The Phantom, and his brother The Phantom Chance triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), while The Jewel won the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and trained on to claim the Gr.1 Waikato International Stakes (2000m).
Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
In more recent times The Oaks Stud resident sire The Chosen One was another elite-level winner who also placed in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m).
It was fitting for Martin to go out a winner, with the octogenarian cheering home a winning double at Wingatui last weekend, with the Dennis Brothers’ colours carried to victory by The Ocean Heart and The Princie One.
“Last week we had a double for the brothers,” Robert said. “Martin was at home with a lot of his family and a few friends. Apparently, there was quite a big crowd there and he in particular really enjoyed the day. It was a good sendoff for him.”
The brothers’ colours also came close to victory at Ascot Park on Saturday when The Radiant One finished second in the Southland Stakes (1200m), and he will now head to Wingatui in a fortnight to tackle the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m).
“It was good to see her back to what we know she can do,” Robert said. “Things haven’t worked out lately for her. We ran in the Hazlett (Listed, 1400m) and she was very wide with no cover the whole way. She got a few more favours yesterday and she was only just beaten. “She is getting a bit older now but she has still got plenty of spring in her step and we might look at heading to the White Robe next.”
Martin will be farewelled at a Requiem Mass in St Theresa's Catholic Church, Perth Street, Invercargill on Tuesday, February 17 at 2.30pm. According to Martin's wishes, bright colours are to be worn.
Messages can be sent to 161 Edendale-Woodlands Highway, RD1 Invercargill 9871, or to Martin's tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where a link to the livestream of the Mass will be available.
