A colossal of the late 1930s, Defaulter would reign supreme at WFA throughout his career

Defaulter was a big, rich coloured bay with a wonderful physique that made him unbeatable at weight-for-age in New Zealand and Australia as the imminent threat of World War II became increasingly apparent. Despite his remarkable strength and potential, the horse's reign as a champion was unfortunately brief. Due to soundness concerns he was retired at the relatively young age of four in 1940. Defaulter will be remembered as an exceptional racehorse and subsequently as the most accomplished locally-bred sire of his time.

By the sire Defoe from the mare Expense, the yearling went through the sales yard at Trentham in 1937. His purchase was controversial and the inspiration for his name. There wad a dispute over his price and the final bidder defaulted and refused to confirm the purchase. He was offered to Harold Greenewood as the underbidder and he happily took the yearling for 170 Guineas. Harold came from a proud lineage of racing owners, with his father having owned the brilliant NZ champion, Gloaming. Defaulter was sent to Riccarton to be trained by Frank Robert's, and more then compensated his owner in his first season of racing by winning £725. It made up for his debut run at Banks Peninsula in October of 1937, where he lost his rider only a few yards after the start.

Defaulter soon showed he was a classy racehorse by winning 8 from 12 starts as a two-year-old. Two of the wins; the North Island Challenge Stakes at Trentham and the CJC Challenge Stakes at Riccarton were at WFA against older horses. Apart from a 2nd at his first start as a three-year-old, Defaulter proved to be invincible, putting together a sequence of eight wins, starting with the Dunedin Guineas, bolting home to take the trophy. Next on the agenda were the Trentham and Harcourt Stakes, then he went on to win the NZ Derby and the Canterbury Cup.

The it was off to the North Island to collect their silverware, in the Auckland RC Christmas Handicap and the Great Northern Derby. A fitting win to his run of splendid form was a win in the Wellington Cup, at the time run over a mile and a half (2400m). Defaulter carried 8st 11lb (55.5kg) - that was 11lbs over WFA and the highest weight ever carried by a 3yo in that event. Harold Greenwood then set his sights on conquering Australia after 10,000 Guineas was offered for the star galloper. Harold was not prepared to sell him at any price.

First up in Sydney was a win the AJC Chipping Norton Plate, surviving a protest to claim the honours. Defaulters next win was in the Autumn Plate over legendary jockey Darby Munro on Alunga. It was one Harold remembered with greatest pride. Munro was smiling approaching the line before Jim Ellis swooped inside to take the prize. His winning sequence of 10 straight ended when he was badly interfered with in the Sydney Cup, finishing out of the money for the first time since his two-year-old season. He bounced back on the final day to win the AJC Plate over two and a quarter miles, (3600m) beating Mosaic, winner of the Sydney Cup. Defaulter returned to Sydney in the Spring of 1939 and quickly continued his winning form, taking the Warwick Stakes and the Chelmsford Stakes. Sadly he went lame after that race and was returned to New Zealand with a cloud over his future.

He returned in the South patched up for the James Hazlett Gold Cup in February of 1940. Like a true champion Defaulter rose to the occasion and won the Gold Cup at Wingatui with distainful ease. Sadly it was the last time Defaulter would ever race. After damaging his suspensory ligaments Harold made the decision to retire the champion. He was sent to Inglewood Stud and had an immediate impact. Defaulter evenly produced 108 winners from 161 starters - a strike rate of nearly 68%, making him the most successful home bred sires of his time. A true measure of his class was that he was never beaten at Weight-for-age and Defaulters winning exploits match those of great Kiwi gallopers such as, Desert Gold, Gloaming, Mainbrace, Kindergarten and Sunline.

STARTS - 28 WINS - 22

EARNINGS - £11,215

CJC Challenge Stakes

North Island Challenge Stakes

New Zealand Derby

Canterbury Cup

NZ Great Northern Derby

Wellington Cup

Chipping Norton Plate

AJC Plate

Autumn Plate

Warwick Stakes

Chelmsford Stakes

James Hazlett Gold Cup