Yesterday’s Wingatui meeting saw Cloughmore runners reach a milestone with Amberecho (3f Echoes of Heaven – Sita) winning the 1250 maiden event.
I’d noticed the filly in last year’s South Island Sale catalogue and was impressed by both her pedigree and her type. I phoned client Karen Parsons who has had much success with the filly’s elder half-sister Sitarist and recommended that she purchased her. Karen duly did so and offered me a 10% share which I accepted with alacrity.
Amberecho developed good trials form and, after a promising fourth at her first raceday start, was too quick for her opposition yesterday. She isn’t far away from a well-deserved spell, but may have another start before she goes to the paddock.
I’ve always admired Echoes of Heaven as a stallion and have been lucky enough to have had a significant level of success with his progeny. Recommended matings have produced the brilliant Singaporean galloper Siam Blue Vanda, SP filly Tears of an Angel and last season’s 2YO winner, All in Echoes. Our homebred Our Echo won well over 1200 at a recent Riccarton meeting and will hopefully continue with his good form.
Echoes of Heaven’s statistics tell a very interesting story. Not only is his winners to runners percentage a very healthy 56%, but his wins to winners ratio is very close to 3.0. In other words, his average winner wins three races. Few stallions can boast such a figure, which is, of course, indicative of soundness and excellent racing temperament. Given that many of his progeny are still in action, this figure is likely to become even more impressive over time.
The other benefit of using Echoes of Heaven is that he does appear to respond to certain bloodlines in his mares. The Best In Show family and Never Bend appear to be especially effective.
This season I’ve sent my Thorn Park mare Misty Trella to the stallion. If you have a look at her pedigree, you’ll quickly see why.
