August 13th, 2021 — Uncategorized
It’s always exciting when you’ve got a mare in foal to stallion who’s just having his first runners and it’s especially exciting if two of those progeny are entered for a black-type event.
So just imagine you have a mare in foal to Time Test, go to YouTube and find the video of Race 5 at Newbury last night. The race concerned is the Listed St Hugh Stakes and the Time Test juvenile Tardis falls out of the gates, is all over the place in the run and then simply explodes over the last 100 metres. The other Time Test entrant, Romantic Time, whose dam is bred on a Sir Percy x Entrepreneur cross, surely needs more ground than the five furlongs and a few yards of the event. (She’s already had a couple of victories, so no worries there).
Tardis’ dam is by the speed influence Equiano out of a dam by the legendary Green Desert: it’s no surprise that she’s a quick filly. However, most breeders try to produce a fast horse with gears, as opposed to a speedy squib and it’s unarguable that Tardis has gears aplenty.
The mare I have sitting in the front paddock is the Rip Van Winkle offspring, Make Your Move. I bought her from Pencarrow and if you saw her you’d understand why she was sold on. She has a lovely head but she otherwise resembles a beer barrel on reasonably short legs. However, she produced a cracking filly by Darci Brahma, now a 2YO (and available for lease), so I’m looking forward to her Time Test foal arriving.
The foal will be closely inbred to both Dansili and Sadler’s Wells. The Dansili duplication is something of a gamble but I can’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work.
May 8th, 2021 — Uncategorized
One bonus of getting older is that it’s fascinating to track the progress of families you’ve had something to do with back in the day.
Yesterday’s victory by Top Brass (Epaulette) is a case in point. Back in 1998 I suggested to long-time client Terry Archer that the Jetball – Precious Platinum (Sir Tristram) filly in the National Yearling Sale catalogue might be a good buy. Marscay x Sir Tristram appealed strongly and anything tracing to one of my all-time favourite horses, Ajasco, had to be worth serious consideration. Terry shelled out $80,000 for the filly and as Superjet she obliged by winning a couple of 2YO stakes races for him.
Superjet turned out to be a successful but not outstanding broodmare. One of her offspring was the Kaapstad filly Golden Lights and I was consulted again to advise how best to mate her. The result was the five-win High Chaparral mare Highlight – not far from being a very good mare indeed.
Highlight concluded her racing career in Australia and Terry decided that breeding her there was a smart option. I’d always liked Epaulette and the pedigrees matched up really well. The result is Top Brass – as yesterday showed, a very smart sprinter indeed.
Another blast from the past was yesterday’s impressive triple Derby winner, Explosive Jack. I had nothing to do with the mating which produced him, but I did advise on the mating which produced his dam, the Ekraar mare Extra Explosive. I rate Ekraar mares highly and used him on three occasions in the hope of producing a good filly. All I succeeded in doing was to produce the slowest horse I’ve ever had anything to do with (his dam turned out to be entirely useless), a filly which bled and a chestnut gelding still at home as a 3YO. He’s a gorgeous walker who has yet to learn that getting entangled in fences is not a smart thing to do.
Breeding thoroughbreds is a great way of keeping humble.
January 26th, 2021 — Uncategorized
This year’s Karaka Sales have been a roller-coaster in terms of prices and consequent value for money.
Day One featured some 25% of lots being passed in; many had acceptable pedigrees, good X-rays and impressive physiques.
An example is Lot 143, a bay colt by Vadamos out of the Zabeel mare Stanica. He’s one of his Group 1 winning sire’s second New Zealand crop and his dam is a Group 1 placed daughter of Zabeel from a strong American family. Stanica has already left five winners including the Group 3 winning Pins gelding Rhythm To Spare (11 wins, A$812,000).
The colt walks well and appears to have an excellent attitude. He is slightly offset in one knee but his X-rays are clear.
To date our racing partnership has invested in eleven yearlings with a total cost of $162,000 over the last ten years. Three are either still racing or are about to do so but our purchases have generated over $1,000,000 so far.
We generally buy a minority share (10 to 20%) in our selected yearlings; spreading the risk has much to recommend it. Chris Gibbs has purchased this colt for $25,000 – excellent value, in my opinion. If you’re interested in being part of Cloughmore Racing, check out this yearling on www.nzb.co.nz then get in touch with me at jeffreys@inspire.net.nz or 0210455855
January 16th, 2021 — Uncategorized
The Cloughmore quinella in today’s Waikouaiti Cup was a real thrill but even more exciting was the performance of the Darci Brahma mare Dee and Gee. The previous record for the Wingatui 2200 metres was 2:14.9 but these figures were consigned to history and replaced by a stunning 2:13.25.
Wingatui is an undulating course and therefore not especially conducive to fast times but today’s effort is not far behind the 2:12.5 posted by the Bandmaster 11 gelding Caruba at Trentham in 1978. It is to this venue that Dee and Gee will return in an attempt to win the Group 1 Wellington Cup in a fortnight’s time.
If there is a strong pace she will be very hard to beat.
January 10th, 2021 — Uncategorized
Earlier this year I adopted a “fee free” policy for mating advice. Several clients took advantage of this offer, a response to the Covid emergency, but it didn’t do much for my cash-flow, as you’ll appreciate.
For this year’s breeding season, I’ll continue my traditional mating advice service – at the reduced fee of $65.00 +GST per mare.
As regards the yearling sales, I have once again analysed the catalogues for prospective buyers. Rather than printing and publishing my analyses in full, I’m encouraging clients to approach me re an evaluation of specific lots that they are interested in. Pricing will be on a case by case basis.
In addition, I’m offering a valuation service for all types of bloodstock at an introductory fee of $100+GST per horse. This should be especially useful for breeders wishing to transfer horses from their breeding accounts to racing propositions.
August 30th, 2020 — Breeding Theory, Choosing A Stallion, News
“He strikes us as a real classic stallion. He gets a very good type and is a total outcross with his pedigree free of the major European forces like Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, Montjeu, Danehill, Green Desert, Invincible Spirit, Danehill Dancer, and Dubawi.
“We are thrilled that he is coming to Coolmore and are very excited about what he might achieve when paired with our Galileo mares,” stated Coolmore spokesman David O’Loughlin.
The above quote explains succinctly why Coolmore have outlaid a no doubt eye-watering sum to purchase upwardly mobile French stallion, Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj).
The breeding powerhouse have no shortage of Sadler’s Wells and Danehill bloodlines at their disposal and their brains trust must have been mulling over for quite some time the age-old question, “Where do we go next?”
Clearly they’ve seen Wootton Bassett as the answer to that question and their conclusion is not exactly surprising given that the son of Iffraaj has shown a remarkable ability in the last year or so to throw class and to throw that desirable quality consistently. To date he’s produced 106 winners, including 15 SWs and another 12 stakes-placed performers.
So what does this all mean for the kiwi breeder? Well, Almanzor now looks a much safer bet than he did when he arrived and full marks to Cambridge Stud for what was then a courageous decision to stand him.
Turn Me Loose has his first juveniles out and about this season. As his dam is bred on the Danehill – Sadler’s Wells cross, it will be very interesting to see how his youngsters perform.
Ribchester, the winner of four Group 1s in Europe, begins his third SH season at Haunui next week. At $15,000 he will no doubt attract many of our most commercial mares. Inbred to Nureyev, and featuring the highly successful Nureyev – Last Tycoon cross he must be a very strong chance to make a significant impact down here.
Jon Snow’s first foals are arriving about now and Wyndspelle is about to begin his first season at stud. Both Group 1 winning sons of Iffraaj are at bargain fees. Wyndspelle stands at $5000; ATC Derby winner Jon Snow is at $3750.
Wyndspelle features the Iffraaj – Sadler’s Wells cross which Coolmore are hoping to build on; Jon Snow has a similar pedigree to Ribchester. Inbred to Nureyev, he has the Nureyev – Last Tycoon nick as well.
Interesting times.
June 10th, 2020 — News
At yesterday’s South Island sale, I’d identified a couple of yearlings whose pedigrees really struck a chord.
One was Lot 28, the Echoes of Heaven – Sita (Bertolini) filly, a half-sister to the well-performed Sitarist, winner of this year’s renewal of the time-honoured Dunedin Cup (LR). The latter is a tough racemare who could well add to her record next season.
I’ve been a fan of Echoes of Heaven for quite a while now and did the mating for the brilliant Singaporean galloper, Siam Blue Vanda, the likely favourite for the Singapore Derby (S$1,000,000), due to be run in the next few months. Echoes of Heaven is a sire who has been starved of opportunity and, given the overall quality of his past mares, has done exceptionally well to produce the results he has accumulated to date.
What I like about the Sita filly’s pedigree page is that she descends from Eulogy, that foundation mare who is the ancestress of so many top thoroughbreds. This particular branch specializes in producing quality stayers. The filly boasts inbreeding to Northern Dancer, Special, Lalun, Bold Reason, Sir Ivor and Relic. She also has the Alydar x Mr Prospector cross, which has worked very well internationally for several decades.
The filly was passed in at $5000 and subsequently purchased by the Parsons stable. Prior to the sale I had talked to Karen about likely types which were in the catalogue. Last evening, I received a call from her asking if I was interested in buying a 10% share. I certainly was, I replied, and volunteered to write this article in order to find another four shareholders.
I don’t expect this filly to make a competitive 2YO but, if she does have the family ability, she should be able to mature into a competitive 3YO, especially in South Island company. On pedigree, I would anticipate that she will be able to stay at least 2000 metres.
Anyway, if you are interested, do give me a call. (0210455855)
May 16th, 2020 — Breeding Theory, Choosing A Stallion
We’re all in these difficult times together and If Little Avondale and Cambridge Stud can offer breeders significant advantages by using their stallions, I can follow their example by offering free mating advice for the coming season.
Little Avondale have trimmed Time Test’s fee from $10,000 to $6000 and I’ve been unable to resist this inducement. I can well remember when Rich Hill reduced Pentire’s fee to the same amount – and the angst when the mare concerned failed to get in foal, especially when the son of Be My Guest left SWs all over the place in subsequent years.
I really rate Time Test and he should cross well with many of our leading bloodlines. Inbreeding to Sadler’s Wells clearly works well and if you’re going to inbreed to Danehill, something most of us approach with caution, Time Test’s Dansili line is one that should be relatively risk-free. The mare I’m sending is bred on a Rip Van Winkle – Dansili cross, so I’m going for broke.
If you’re thinking of using Time Test, then have a look at the photos of last year’s foals on the LA website. It’s something of a challenge to tell them apart.
Cambridge Stud’s 2020 strategy is to offer a
payment on live foal deal – an arrangement which will appeal to breeders
whose cash flow isn’t what it used to be. They offer two stunning
physical types in Almanzor and Embellish and deserve to be rewarded for
their initiative.
To date, other studs’ announcements of their 2020 fees have been notable for their adherence to 2019 figures. Let’s hope they think again. Wouldn’t six weeks’ free agistment be a powerful inducement?
In recent years I’ve often published a review of fees
based on what I’ve considered to be the extent to which they’ve
represented value for money. I plan on doing this again in a coupe of
weeks, but one stallion I’d like to mention at this stage is Derryn.
His offspring on Gavelhouse have been nice types and my experience with breeding a mare to him has been more than satisfactory. Tuscany Rose is a mare that has yet to leave two foals alike, even when bred twice to the same stallion but her Derryn filly we’re currently weaning is an absolute cracker. She appears to have a fair amount of Lonhro in her, which is certainly encouraging.
May 9th, 2020 — Choosing A Stallion, Horse Racing, Value For Money
Readers of this page will be well aware that I’m a fan of Pure Champion. In an era where young stallion prospects are hustled off to stud after a few starts, the son of Footstepsinthesand and the Danehill mare Castara Beach is in another league.
Starting 50 times over seven seasons and winning eight times in four different countries and amassing well over NZ$1 million is a combined achievement that few horses can match. Throw in a range of black type wins and placings, culminating in a Group 1 victory in the Windsor Park Plate (1600) as a 7YO and you’ve got a very special thoroughbred.
Unfortunately, our breeders haven’t seen Pure Champion in anything like the same light. He has 15 3YOs 26 2YOs and just 11 yearlings so it’s going to be a challenge for him to make his mark as a stallion. There’s also no doubt that his progeny are imposing types who are taking their time to mature.
However, today was break-through day with the stallion recording his first winner. The interestingly-named Manhattan Spector (ex Red Opal by Red Clubs) sat outside the leader in a well-contested $31,500 maiden at Ballarat, hit the front at the 300 and fought gamely to gradually ease away from the opposition.
Having run second at his previous start, today’s victory was no surprise. Whilst not seeming entirely at home on the Heavy 8 surface, this tough performance was strongly reminiscent of his sire’s will to win. You’d also have to think that Manhattan Spector would be well suited by distances beyond 1500.
The other surprising thing about the comparative lack of patronage Pure Champion has received is that he has an excellent pedigree which complements several of our most significant bloodlines.
Last Spring I supported him with a couple of my own mares: Chambon (Jimmy Choux – Glam Girl by Galileo) and Zayzay (Fast ‘n’ Famous – Cielo by Stravinsky).
If you’re thinking of using this stallion, do feel free to get in touch. This season’s mating advice is entirely free of charge.
March 21st, 2020 — Horse Racing, News
We live in trying times. If there’s an upside, it occurs when something special occurs.
Siam Blue Vanda’s brilliant win in Friday night’s Stewards Cup (Sgp Group2) was just such an event. When the well-performed and red-hot favourite Top Knight hit the front with 150 to go, the result appeared to be a formality; however, SBV found an extra gear and edged in front on the line.
As we all know, it’s the ability to accelerate when it really matters that distinguishes top-class thoroughbreds and the son of Echoes of Heaven and the Lahib (Riverman) mare I’m A Wag has acceleration aplenty. The close relative of iron horse Istidaad, whose dam is I’m A Wag’s grand-dam, is reportedly being aimed at the Singapore Derby (15 April) and must now be well-favoured for this prestigious event.
From a pedigree point of view, Siam Blue Vanda features inbreeding to Northern Dancer, Lalun and Best In Show (5×5). I can see no reason why repeating this pedigree pattern should not work well as this is not the first time this genetic combination has produced a superior racehorse.
Echoes of Heaven now has a winners to starters ratio of around 57%. Given that many of his early crops were from mares with little to recommend them, he has done very well indeed.
