The TAB Eureka winner’s Spreydon Lodge connection
Bay Of Biscay, the winner of the world’s richest harness race, the $1.98 million TAB Eureka at Menangle on the 6th of September, has strong ties to Spreydon Lodge with the brilliant 4-year-old’s dam being Nike Franco.
An outstanding racehorse in her own right, Nike Franco raced just the once for Spreydon Lodge before being sold to Australian connections, for whom she won three Group 1 races, including the Queen of the Pacific and the Queensland Oaks.
Subsequent to her Queen of the Pacific win she was purchased by American interests and went on to become one of the top free-for-all mares in North America over the following few seasons winning numerous Grand Circuit features, including the Betsy Ross Memorial, Allerage Mares Open and the Golden Girls Pace.
In total she won 32 races and more than $900,000 in stakes earnings during her career and took a lifetime best mile rate of 1:48 flat.
On retirement, the well-travelled mare returned to Australia after being brought by Alabar Bloodstock to join their broodmare band.
Bay Of Biscay, by Somebeachsomewhere, is Nike Franco’s first foal and is the winner of 12 races to date, including two at Group 1 level, and has amassed $1,838,830 in stakes earnings from just 25 starts to date.
His runner-up finishes in the 2024 TAB Eureka, Breeders Crown 3YO Colts and Geldings Final and the NSW and Queensland Derbies, alongside victory in the Nutrien Sales Classic saw Bay Of Biscay crowned the Australian 3YO Pacing Colt of the Year last season.
Nike Franco is a daughter of one the best performed horses to have raced in the Spreydon Lodge colours, Nearea Franco.
A two-time New Zealand Pacing Mare of the Year, Nearea Franco won over $400,000 in stakes and claimed the Group 1 Queen Of Hearts, Harness Jewels 4YO Diamond, Kaikoura Cup and Junior Free For All amongst her 11 lifetime wins.
Nike Franco is not the only daughter of Nearea Franco to have produced a Group 1 winner this season, with the Mach Three mare Naiya Franco having left the 2025 Bathurst Gold Tiara winner Ripples.
