Milestones for Wilson House and His "Pretty Cool Old Horse"

For 20-year-old Wilson House, it was his 100th driving win, while the evergreen Santanna Mach celebrated his 20th career victory.

It was a day to remember for House, who notched up four driving wins on the card, rounding out a training treble for his father, Canterbury-based trainer Michael House.

“It was a good day and nice to get that win on Santanna Mach,” says House. “He’s a pretty cool old horse. I’ve had four wins on him now, so he’s been pretty good to me.”

The 10-year-old gelding, a $2.10 race favourite in the Christmas Function Book Now December 10 and 12 Mobile Pace, delivered a gutsy performance. Settling four back on the fence early, House took advantage of a strong tempo up front to make his move just over a lap out.

After a head-to-head battle down the home straight with Stealers Wheel, Santanna Mach refused to back down, digging deep to take the win by a head.

The victory lifted the Santanna Blue Chip gelding’s lifetime earnings to nearly $230,000, with 20 wins and 48 placings to his name.

“At ten, he is still racing well and is competitive, as we saw today. And Dad recently realised that Santanna Mach has raced at nearly every racecourse in New Zealand except Blenheim, Westport, and Omakau," says House. “We are going to try to get him to those tracks to race in the coming months, which would make him possibly the only horse in New Zealand to have raced on every course.”

House is enjoying his best season yet, with 51 driving wins so far. He currently sits second in the NZ Junior Drivers’ Premiership, just four wins behind leader Sam Thornley, with Carter Dalgety close behind in third.

“There’s still a few weeks to go, but hopefully it’s a good dog fight for the premiership right down to the line,” says House, who next drives at Motukarara on Sunday.