Home » News » New London News » Racehorse, author to visit New London

Racehorse, author to visit New London

Thern Farm celebrates 130th anniversary

Retired harness racehorse Derek Bromac N and author Amber Sawyer will visit Thern Farm on Saturday, Aug. 21. Submitted Photo

A retired harness racehorse with a winning record and the author of a children’s book about him will visit Thern Farm Saturday, Aug. 21,

Derek Bromac N came from New Zealand in 2004 to embark upon a long, successful racing career in the United States.

He immediately began dominating his competition and ran in pari-mutual races.

He became a barn favorite due to his crazy antics of sticking out his tongue while being harnessed and on the racetrack.

When he was 13, Derek was injured during a race.

Amber Sawyer, a second-generation harness racer from Horicon, adopted the horse in 2013, cared for him and eventually returned him to the track.

In 2015, Derek entered and won his last race, making him the oldest winning racehorse in the United States.

Sawyer shared the story of how her 8-year-old son Paul nursed Derek back to health in a children’s book, “Love to Race.”

In addition to bringing Derek to visit Thern Farm, Sawyer will read from her book.

After the reading there will be crafts, driver uniforms for kids to dress up like real harness racehorse drivers, a harnessing demonstration, and photo ops with Derek. Amber will have her book available for purchase.

Programs are scheduled for at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Located at 425 E. Fairview Drive in New London, Thern Farm dates to 1891 when the first New London City Fair was held on the site.

Attendees of the fair enjoyed the harness races that took place on the half-mile track located to the east of the farmhouse.

The Aug. 21 event is in celebration of Thern Farm’s 130th anniversary.

For more information, call 920-878-2400 or email [email protected]. Information can also be found at www.thernfarmnl.com.

Scroll to Top