Brilliant trotter Sundons Gift first standardbred to enter Living Legends

Sundons Gift is the first standardbred resident of Living Legends, which is home to retired galloping greats such as Prince Of Penzance, Efficient, Lankan Rupee and Apache Cat.

Sundons Gift (right) and Apache Cat with Chris Lang at Living Legends. Picture: Supplied

Glorious memories of a golden period in harness racing has come flooding back for master trainer-driver Chris Lang during a special reunion with Sundons Gift.

Lang dominated the trotting ranks for years with the 10-time Group 1 winner, who will live out his life in the company of thoroughbred royalty at the iconic Living Legends property in Greenvale, about 20km from Melbourne’s CBD.

Sundons Gift on Wednesday was announced as the first standardbred resident of the facility, which is home to retired galloping greats such as Prince Of Penzance, Efficient, Lankan Rupee and Apache Cat and draws thousands of visitors through its gates each year.

“It was emotional to see him again… He still looks like he’s got that glint in his eye, so I was very, very touched to see him,” Lang said.

“It is a big deal for harness racing in general, so it’s great to be part of it. The facility is a great facility, and you can see that they all get very well looked after. It’ll be nice to think of him living out his twilight years there in such a great environment.”

Lang prepared Sundons Gift for 80 of his 86 career starts through a golden era between 2006 and 2013. During that time, the boy they called “Bernie” won two Inter Dominion Trotting Championship grand finals, claimed the time-honoured Rowe Cup in New Zealand and prevailed in the Australian Trotting Grand Prix on four-straight occasions.

“Then he took us to Sweden for Elitloppet. Until you go, feel the atmosphere and understand what it’s like to be part of it, you probably can’t appreciate it,” Lang said.

“It was one of his greatest achievements — just the fact he got invited, went over there and did his best.”

Sundons Gift won 41 races for prizemoney earnings of $1,275,264, leaving him fourth on the all-time rich list for Australasian-bred squaregaiters.

“I’ve been lucky enough to train a lot of good trotters, but he still has to be the one that sits on top,” Lang said.

Originally published as Brilliant trotter Sundons Gift first standardbred to enter Living Legends