Grey Way

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Grey Way, the Washdyke Wonder was a champion (and loved) New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse. He was born in Waskdyke in 1970 near Timaru by Grey William out of Waybrooke. The other racehorse born in this area is the immortal Phar Lap.

He was horse of the year in 1973. He was of course grey in colour, pure white in the later stages, and a great favorite of the crowds, who would sometimes give him standing ovations. Grey Way was successful mainly at distances from 6 furlongs to a mile, ie, a sprinter-miler, but he did win at longer distances.

Grey Way had an amazing (unprecedented?) record of 51 wins and 27 seconds and 21 thirds from 164 starts!

He raced from 2 years to 10 years old, beating nearly every champion that New Zealand had to offer, including the great Show Gate. He also broke the Australasian record over 7 furlongs, as a seven year old and carrying 60.5kg.

He was the New Zealand equivalent to other great grey, Gunsynd, and is still held in similar affection.

[edit] Detailed History of Grey Way

The following piece of research details Grey Way's phenomenal record. [1]

The text of the above now follows:

"Heres one that won races from 2 to ten and I would be surprised if any Australian would remember his name. He won 51 Races and if you note .... he detested rain affected going and yet he won a race in Australia on a soft track. Also note the rider was Noel Harris who is still riding here in NZ so it isn't that long ago the NZ turf was graced by the great Grey Way ...... Muz

South Island, Grey William gelding GREY WAY "The Washdyke Wonder" is certainly one of our best sprinter-milers of post-war years. He detested rain-affected tracks and is best known for his powerful finishing runs. He had 159 starts from two to 10 years of age for 51 wins and 49 placings.

Originally thought of as a jumping prospect, he won four races as a 2yo, and managed seven minor placings.

He went on to win a further seven races as a 3yo, including a track record for 1400m at Trentham.

Early on as a 4yo he won two races, including another track record, set at Ashburton. He then went to Aussie where he struck unsuitable wet tracks, but managed to win the Chirnside Stakes at Caulfield in soft conditions. His final start there in the George Adams yielded a close fifth on a firm track, where rider Noel Harris lost his whip.

Back home he ran a number of minor placings and looked awkward on right-handed tracks. He ended the season with three further wins, including a course-record at Riccarton.

As a 5yo he won 13 races - including the race you are referring to - the Awapuni Gold Cup over 2000m where he beat OOPIK in a fine contest, again in track-record time. Other top gallopers to wallow in his wake that season included, COPPER BELT, KIWI CAN, SIND, BLACK ROD, AJANTA, BLUE BLOOD, and CHRISARDA.

Going white with age, he won a number of races as a 6yo. Among these were the defeat of brilliant mare SHOW GATE in the Stewards Hcp carrying 60kg. He had some marvellous battles with COPPER BELT, and they beat each other on a number of occasions.

In one of the great races held at Ellerslie (one of the best I've seen in 25 years of attending there) he won the 1977 Easter Hcp over 1600m carrying 60.5kg. He had a wall of horses in front of him and his task looked impossible, but he bullocked his way through for rider Bob Skelton for a remarkable win. Behind him were TUDOR LIGHT, VICE REGAL, KIWI CAN, VERAX, PATRONIZE, and SHIFNAL'S PRIDE. His first win right-handed, and the Ellerslie crowd gave him a standing ovation.

He had lost some of his zip as a 7yo and 8yo. However, he won a South Island sprint under 62.5kg and set an Australasian record for 1400m clocking 1:21.75 at Trenham, aged 7. More wins brought him up to 45 career victories.

At 10 he brought up win numbers 50 and 51, and retired after knocking a leg at Trentham. His coat ended up almost snowy white.

His dam Waybrooke won the 'Broodmare of the Year' title in the 1977-78 season."