KYPROS KOTZIKAS 4TH OWNER TO WIN DOUBLE
Kypros Kotzikas, one of Christchurch’s most successful businessmen, has achieved a rare feat as a horse owner with victories in the elite races of both New Zealand pacing and trotting.
Kypros Kotzikas accepts the magnificient Hellers Dominion tropy.
The Cyprus-born United Fisheries founder and chief added the Hellers Dominion Handicap Trot trophy on Show Day, 2013, with Master Lavros, 16 years after winning NZ’s most prestigious pacing race, the 1997 New Zealand Cup as the co-owner, with trainer Bob Cameron, of Iraklis.
Kypros, who has been a major invester in racing for 36 years, is the first modern day owner to achieve wins in both major races at Addington.
Three major players of yesteryear also owned winners of the top races of both codes.
G J (George) Barton raced triple NZ Cup winner Indianapolis (1934-36), and also owned the 1925 Dominion winer Napland.
W T (Bill) Lowe, who raced dual NZ Cup winner Lucky Jack (1937 & 1939), also raced 1934 Dominion winner Trampfast.
Kypros Kotzikas, and partner Jane Campbell, show their delight after the Dominion presentation.
A B (Allan) Holmes was the most recent, racing and training 1945 NZ Cup winner Gold Bar, while he also co-owned and trained 1952 Dominion winner Precaution.
Kypros dedicated the biggest win of Master Lavros’ career to his late wife Mary, who died from cancer in March last year.
Mr and Mrs Kotzikas bred Master Lavros, by Sundon from from the imported Sierra Kosmos mare Lavra Noblesse.
He is a half-brother to Kosmopolitan Lavra, who who four from only 15 starts, before heading to the breeding barn.
Master Lavros was Mary’s favourite horse.
“It was very exciting to win the race,” said Kypros graciously at the presentation.
He also thanked sponsors Hellers, stating without sponsors, there would be no prizemoney.
Major owner Kypros Kotzikas triumphantly raises the Dominion trophy. Partner Jane Campbell looks on.
Iraklis (Vance Hanover-Tuapeka Star), who won 21 of 51 racetrack starts for just over $1 million in stakes, was humanely put down in 2007 after suffering a heart problem.
The superstar pacer also numbered big race wins in the New Zealand Free-For-All as a 4YO in 1996, the year preceeding his Cup win, and victory in a Miracle Mile.
Together with the late Mary, Kypros founded their Lavros Lodge operation and has raced a host of other winners.
Following the retirement of Bob Cameron from full-time training, Kypros has sent horses to various stables and has been a loyal supporter of Burnham trainer Mark Jones.
He also now races C1 trotter Astrapi from the Overport Lodge stable.
Other good pacing winners for Kypros over the years include: Anvil’s Star (runnerup to Il Vicolo in the 1996 NZ Cup), Lavros Star (11 wins from 18 Australasian starts, 1:50, US), former top youngster Ermis (17 wins & $191,568), Bio Marinus (Sires Stakes 3YO Finalist), Lavros Jasper, Lavros Lord (18 wins, 1:52.6), Lavros Cameleon (six NZ wins from 12 starts), Barrosa (four wins), That’s Life Lavra (10 wins & $191,346), Posh Lavra (five wins) and Kokona (three wins, 1:56.9).
By Jeff Scott