ODE TO NORWAY

“She was a sweet old thing … used to fire up a bit earlier on, but in recent years she played ‘nanny’ to a lot of the young horses on farm. What a great mare!”
Eliza Park’s Nagambie manager, Kim Holley, was recalling the deeds of farm ‘matriarch’ Song of Norway, who died on Monday (25 January) at the ripe old age of 27.
Although Kim’s tenure as manager of Eliza Park’s agistment and rearing division only dates back to 2008 when the company acquired the Central Victorian property, she is one of Eliza Park’s longest serving employees, joining the team over 10 years ago.
“Song of Norway has been with us since Eliza Park was first established, having a huge influence … and, based on recent events, is likely to have a sizeable impact in the years to come.”
A grey mare by Vain out of the Danish matron, Love Song (imported to Australia by Kingston Town’s breeder David Hains), Song of Norway was foaled on 1 November 1982.
Although unraced, Song of Norway would go on to produce 12 live foals, 11 of which were winners. Her first foal was unraced, but then in quick succession she foaled:

• Wyama King (by Kingston Jamaica) – winner of 7 races
• Russian Tea Room (by Raise A Cup) – Melbourne stakes winner
• Magic Piper (by Magical Wonder) – won 3 races
• Frosty the Snowman (by Christmas Tree) – Melbourne stakes winner of 4 races
• Glacial Lass (by Canny Lad) – Flemington winner of 2 races
• Scandinavia (by Snippets) – multiple Group winner and 4 times Group One placed
• Midnight Sun (by Western Symphony) – Sydney stakes winner of 4 races
• Nordica (by Western Symphony) – Melbourne winner of 2 races
• McHappy (by Rory’s Jester) – winner
• Song of the Sun (by Desert Sun) – city winner and stakes placed
• Cardiale (by Desert Sun) – 8 wins

A half sister to the Hains’ family’s Group Two winner and VRC Derby-G1 runnerup Muirfield Village, Song of Norway then missed at her last five covers before putting the cue back in the rack in 2006.
However, it’s her continuing influence through five of her daughters, all of whom have produced winners: Nordica, Glacial Lass, Song of the Sun, Midnight Sun and, in particular, Scandinavia.
A ‘blue hen’ in her own right, Scandinavia is the dam of both Group One winning sprinter and Eliza Park sire, Magnus (below), the multiple Group winner Wilander and Helsinge, who has been very much in the news of late as the mother of unbeaten star, Black Caviar.
One thing’s for sure, Song of Norway is a tune that will be hard to get out of your head.