LEADING OWNER AGAIN

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31116, 20 July 1966, Page 4

LEADING OWNER AGAIN

*‘Th« Press’* Special Service INVERCARGILL. Mr W. E. Hazlett, of Invercargill, who is assured of being New Zealand’s leading owner for the second successive year, has now won more than £208,000 in 32 years.

During the present season, Mr Hazlett’s horses have won £23.865 10s, and nearly £50,000 during the last two seasons. For several years, Mr Hazlett raced horses in partnership with his brother the late Mr J. S. Hazlett, and trained them himself. During that time he produced more than 400 winners and was leading owner-trainer in the country. Mr Hazlett’s first win was with a steeplechaser. Cultivator, at the Birchwood Hunt meeting In 1934. During the 1935-36 season, he went into partnership with his brother. The brothers were the leading owners in the 1941-42 season when they won 19 races, worth £4735 10s. In eight seasons, from 1935-36 to 1942-43. the partnership won £20.563 15s. After his brother was killed during the Second World War, Mr Hazlett continued to race horses in association with the estate of J. S. Hazlett. He did so until the 1948-49 season, when the partnership was dissolved. During that time Mr Hazlett won £44.111 5s in stakes and

was twice second in the trainers’ championship, in 194647 and in 1948-49, winning 28 races each season. He was also second on the owners’ list in the same seasons with winnings of £8643 10s (1946-47) and £9410 (1948-49). From 1949-50 until 1958-59, Mr Hazlett continued to figure prominently as an ownertrainer and was twice second in the trainers’ championship, in 1955-56, with 31 winners, and in 1956-57, with 30.

W. J. HUliliis took over as private trainer to Mr Hazlett in the 1959-60 season, and has won 172 races in that capacity.