Nicki Fields Passes, Leaves Lasting Legacy

GENERATIONAL brood Nicki Fields has been laid to rest aged 11, leaving behind an amazing legacy which will see her remembered as one of the greatest producers of all time.

Owner Darren Puleio made the difficult decision at the weekend after the much loved member of the family's health began to deteriorate significantly.

"She hasn't been great for a while now but the last few days it got to a point where we had to do the right thing by her," an emotional Puleio said.

"What she's done for us is amazing and she'll always have a special place here. She was a part of the family. It's a sad day but she had a great run."

While a winner at eight of her 29 races on the track, it was in the breeding barn that the daughter of Knocka Norris truly excelled, with her direct offspring winning a remarkable 270 races and $1.9 million in prize money.

Included among the galaxy of stars she produced were group 1 winning brothers Poke The Bear and Out Of Range (by Fernando Bale) along with their superstar half-brother Hooked On Scotch (by Barcia Bale), also a winner at group 1 level.

Prolific winners True Talent and Fully Loaded were other topliners out of the champion brood.

Only adding to her legacy, in retirement Out Of Range and Hooked On Scotch have gone on to forge hugely successful stud careers, while Nicki Fields' female offspring are proving equally impressive in the breeding barn.

On The Runway, in her first litter to Barcia Bale, produced stars Substantial and Rebellious, while her most recent litter to Bernardo is responsible for gun youngster Pass The Buck, set to represent TAB in next Saturday night's The Phoenix.

Such is her profound influence on the breeding landscape, Nicki Fields, be it directly or indirectly, has been responsible for more than 2000 race wins and $9 million in prize money.