BEC DUNN’S UNFORGETTABLE WEEK OF HIGHS AND LOWS

Bec Dunn with Anne Janet Hayes

EMOTION is described in the Oxford Dictionary as being a strong feeling from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.

As far as Bec Dunn is concerned, it’s been all of that and more this week.

The Newcastle trainer’s gamut of emotions have flowed from the lowest of lows to highest of highs in the space of five days.

Dunn had a heart-breaking decision to make last Monday to put down the first foal of her maiden city winner and now 10-year-old mare On Her Word, whom she bought for only $500 as a Scone yearling.

The three-year-old filly, sired by Outreach, suffered a horrific paddock injury when only a few months old.

“It’s been two years, nine months and 13 days looking after her,” Dunn said today.

“I hadn’t named her to race, but she was known as ‘Legacy’ (being On Her Word’s first foal).“Legacy was coming good until those floods hit and she picked up an infection in her foot.

“It got to the stage where she was in so much pain. She was such a brave filly.”

On Her Word, who won a midweek race at Warwick Farm in June 2019, was “retired” and gave birth to two foals; the second a full brother to ‘Legacy’, and he’s now a two-year-old and thankfully hale and hearty.

Having decided to put a very sound On Her Word’s breeding career on hold for her first racing preparation in three and a half years, Dunn had to set aside obvious sadness to take the “old girl” to Armidale last Tuesday for a Benchmark 58 Handicap (1100m) against her own sex.

As the $71 rank outsider and carrying 60kg, she ran a “bottler”, finishing second to $3.40 favorite Purple Esprit.

“That was such a thrill after losing her first foal the previous day,” Dunn said.

“On Her Word’s first run back was at Tamworth in March, and then she ran third at Newcastle the following month.

“The Armidale race was only her sixth since coming back. Because she was off the racing scene for so long having her two foals, I wasn’t going to rush her.

“Though I have been spacing her runs, I might back her up at Mudgee next Saturday as after that there isn’t another suitable race for a month.

“On Her Word is in great order, and thoroughly enjoying being back in work.”

Dunn with "Legacy"

Come yesterday, the hard-working and experienced horsewoman was on the road again from her Williamtown base, this time to the Taree Cup meeting with another two of her small team.

And the emotions poured out again.

Dunn won the $50,000 Super Maiden Showcase Maiden Plate (1400m) with $19 chance Hard Knock Life, ridden by talented apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald.

To say it was special would not go even close to describing the result.

Dunn purchased the now six-year-old mare for $9000 online through Inglis Digital in April this year for Miss Anne Janet Hayes.

“Anne Janet is not in the best of health, and wanted to race a horse with me,” Dunn explained.

“I liked the look of this mare’s photo when she was advertised for sale.

“She is by All Too Hard, who gets bread and butter horses.

“Hard Knock Life was lightly-raced (four starts) and I spoke with her former trainer Mitchell Beer, who kindly told me all about her.

“The mare was having her sixth start for me yesterday, and had been thereabouts (being placed twice recently at Coffs Harbour and Taree).

“I was really hoping she would run well yesterday as Anne Janet had rung me to say she was very unwell and didn’t think she could make it to the races.

“She is in her 80s and lives at Wingham, and remarkably drove herself to the track and arrived in time to see the mare win.

“Of course it was very emotional, and Mollie (Fitzgerald) wore very famous colours on Hard Knock Life.”

They are the colours of the well-known Hayes family, carried by many good horses, including former country champ Skellatar, the winner of 21 races.

Those victories included a Country Cup at Royal Randwick, Newcastle Newmarket and Gunnedah Cup.

Skellatar was renowned for his big finish, and at one stage won eight straight races at Broadmeadow.

Dunn’s day wasn’t over either. Two races later her other runner Bump’N’Run ran second at $101 in the Krambach Cup (1600m).

“That was only his second run for me, and I didn’t expect that,” she said.

Which pretty well sums up Bec Dunn’s unforgettable week!

Story John Curtis, October 18, 2025 - Pics Michael Manahan