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 Christian Cullen  Lyell Creek  Yulestar  Sunline  Ethereal  Zabeel |
The Chinese Year of the Horse started on February 12, 2002, and to celebrate this New Zealand Post has released a set of stamps commemorating famous New Zealand racers. These lovely stamps feature three standardbreds and three thoroughbreds and are shown to the right. In addition to the stamps, first day covers and a silver coin are also available.
The stamps feature the following horses:
- Christian Cullen - a popular pacer whose wins include the New Zealand and Auckland Cups
- Lyell Creek - the first New Zealand trotter to win over $1 million, he dominated his competition with a 20 race win streak
- Yulestar - the 'Hawera Hurricane' who has won most of Australasia's major races including the 2001 Interdominion.
- Sunline - a great race mare who was Australia's Champion Racehorse for two consecutive years and Australasia's highest money earner ever
- Ethereal - in 2001 she became only the third mare in history to complete the Caulfield - Melbourne Cup double.
- Zabeel - multiple Group winner and New Zealand's champion sire with 18 Group One winning offspring
The stamps which were designed by Kevin Dunkely of Auckland, will be issued on February 7th, but can be ordered online now. The first day covers will be available until March 5th and the stamps will remain on sale until February 6, 2003, while supplies last.
Related links:
- New Zealand racing wallpaper - includes Lyell Creek, Christian Cullen, and Sunline
- Racing Victoria wallpaper - includes two of Sunline
- Melbourne Cup Carnival gallery - scroll down about halfway for lots of photos from Ethereal's win in 2001
- Zabeel - his sire page from Cambridge Stud where he stands
- Year of the Horse e-card
- Another Year of the Horse e-card
- Chinese New Year - background and traditions
- Chinese Horoscope - find out what year you were born in
- More about Chinese New Year - from the About Chinese Culture site
- More about Stamp Collecting - from the About Stamps/Coins site
Graphics courtesy of New Zealand Post
