Horse Tales: Maywyns Best

 ‘He had the heart of a lion - when the chips were down, he’d find a way.’

‘He possessed the no-fuss blue collar workmanlike attitude that stood the test of time.’

These are just some of the desciptions from reinsmen that have bestowed upon verteran performer Maywyns Best following his retirement back in October.

Maywyns Best is not a household name, not by any stretch, and he won’t rank with the likes of Blacks A Fake, Be Good Johnny, Flashing Red orWondais Mate,, among others as the state’s best pacer but he’ll be forever be remembered by those that matter most.

Foaled in Victoria at Staffordshire Park on October 22, 2009, the bay colt by Blissfull Hall from the Classic Garry mare Kelly Sheffield had a lot to live up to early given his pedigree.

He’s a half-brother to the likes of Shield Of Honour (three wins from four starts), Village Driller (20 wins—$188,000), Maddisons Dream (12 wins—$70,000), Grand Passion (14 wins—$82,000) and Where’s Paddy (four wins—$19,000) among others.

His unraced sister, Kellyarmbro, is the dam of seven winners from nine foals inlcuding Mister Bling (19 wins—$176,000) and the ill-fated Mindarie Priddy (11 wins from 17 starts—$284,000).

Purchased by Rob Essex from the Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sale in 2011, the youngster was entrusted with Shane Sanderson with a ‘Maywyn’ moniker.

Early on, the youngster faced adversity when he kicked a fence rail and caused significant damge to his near side hind suspensory—a problem that would effect him throughout his career.

With six wins from 31 starts under the tutelage of Sanderson, Maywyns Best scored in the 2013 $16,000 Easter Gift Final at Albion Park before being switched to the care of Graham Dwyer.

It would prove to be the first of two stints with the Greenbank horseman and his Kingslodge Stables.

Maywyns Best continued to perform well while battling injuries, the troublesome area near his sesamoid in his near hind continued to recive constant attention and care.

With 12 victories for Dwyer including a $12,000 Gold Rush Final plus his Qualifying victory at Albion Park, the horse known as ‘Bestie” was proving to be a great money-spinner.

But another switch came and Bestie was transferred to the stable of Kelli Dawson where he only raced a handful of times before claimed by Dwyer and stable clients for a modest price of $7000 back in 2019.

But the injury toll was mounting.

“When we got him back for the second time the vets basically said I had a riding horse. He developed issues with his tendon sheaths in his near side front and off side front,” Dwyer said.

“I gave him time out and attempted to build him up slowly. He did plenty of swimming and only saw the track for hopple work.”

While many didn’t share the optimism that Dwyer had in his banged up gelding, it was ‘Bestie’ who repaid the faith to his conditioner.

The watershed moment came on June 6, 2020, at Albion Park when Maywyns Best scorched the famed Breakfast Creek oval in a career best time of 1:51—just 0.6 seconds outside of the track record co-owned by Im Themightyquinn and Cruz at 1:50.4.

“I was surprised but not surprised, if that makes sense? He’s an unbelievable horse that has unbelievable determination so it was feeling of mixed emotions that night,”Dwyer said.

“Putting that effort into perspective, that was the fastest time Pete McMullen had recorded at Albion Park up until Will The Wizard went a little quicker reccently. And when you consider how many times Pete goes around, that’s quite a achievement.

“There’s no doubt Pete had the midas touch with him. I estimate that he added three lengths to him, he had that knack to get the best out of him and they thrived working together. Much of the success is credit to Pete and his skills as a driver.

“Sure, he was given the best of care and we toiled hard to make sure he was as good as we could have him each time he stepped out but it was a great combination of several factors, a real team enviroment.”

Trained by Dwyer in 164 of his 191 career outings, Maywyns Best retired as an 11-year-old with 32 wins and 41 placings from his 191 starts. He amassed earnings of $233, 761.

Following his claim back in 2019, he amassed more than $120,000.

“We never saw the best of him. I never worked him to run 1:51, the aim was always to keep him sound and healthy. I hate to think how many times he left me amazed and totally mind blown with his efforts on the track. He left it all out there and always hung in there and tried to overcome everything,” Dwyer said.

“He was a simple horse around the stables, a low maintenance type. He wanted everyone to know he was the boss but he was very easygoing until raceday when he would carry-on and buck. He wore basic gear and was easy to shoe.

“We all loved him around here—Martine and the kids plus all the staff. He was the best that I’ve prepared to date.”

Maywyns Best is probably best summed up by Graham and Martine’s son Layne, an aspiring reinsman himself.

“Geez Dad, he feels different compared to the all the others you’ve put me behind,” the 14-year-old quipped.

Succumbing to the aches and pains of age and following surgery to remove bone chips, Maywyns Best has been placed in the very best care for his retirement.

We salute you Bestie!