Evaluating the chances of a first-season stallion ultimately being successful is a task fraught with imponderables but Derryn certainly has the pedigree to do well here, provided that he’s dominant for the strongest influences in his pedigree. He was a tough, sound competitor with well above average ability; in my view, he has every chance of passing on these attributes.
Clearly, he’s a speed horse so it will be important for his future that he attracts a good proportion of speedy mares in his first book. He’s already got three Grey Sovereign lines but they’re a fair way back so duplicating them would be a minimal risk. Interestingly, Grey Sovereign crosses well with Nijinsky, already present via Royal Academy. A further line of this great stallion wouldn’t go amiss.
Derryn is inbred to Biscay – generally not a great asset, but one that crosses especially well with other Star Kingdom influences such as Kaoru Star and Noholme. Fortunately, we are not short of these in New Zealand. Pins is one stallion whose daughters appeal strongly for Derryn. This cross would provide a 4×3 influence of Snippets, a prolific sire of good-class winners, as well as Kaoru Star.
Another bloodline which crosses exceptionally well with Star Kingdom is Tudor Minstrel. His most effective lines nowadays occur via Blushing Groom and Sharpen Up. Stravinsky mares often seem to carry many of the attributes of Blushing Groom. Given that he also features Mr Prospector and Nureyev, his mares appear to have much to offer.
The Easy Date duplication is an obvious attraction. She seems to cross nicely with Vain in particular.
Unbridled’s Song is an outstanding influence in modern pedigrees. The trick with any Fappiano blood is to find more Mr Prospector; Derryn already carries this line via Straight Strike, but there are many Group 1 winners on the planet which boast a Mr Prospector triple close up.
An influence which I really rate for Derryn is Storm Cat. He crosses well with both Fastnet Rock and Sir Tristram. Tale of the Cat mares would be excellent prospects as they would bring Mr Prospector and Nijinsky as well as Storm Cat. Giant’s Causeway mares also appeal strongly
To finish off by stating the obvious, inbreeding to Northern Dancer via a variety of sons is always a smart course of action.
