I’m not a fan of the Messara report for two reasons. Firstly, the racing industry has never been an easy one to make a dollar in and, secondly, I can see no reason why some of the best tracks in the country are earmarked for destruction when rubbish ones will apparently survive.
The purpose of this article is not to get into the second argument, but to focus on the first. I’ve been breeding horses since 1974 and have never made heaps of money, I’ll admit, but I haven’t gone broke either – largely because I’ve managed (sometimes only just) to keep costs under control. For me and many fellow racing and breeding enthusiasts, the attraction of the industry is all about producing decent horses while keeping the balance sheet more or less in the black.
And it can be done by using reasonably priced stallions and avoiding over-priced agistment costs. (It’s only fair to mention here that, as a vendor, I avoid yearling sales like the plague. They’re great places to buy at but the unpredictability of the market and the eye-watering costs involved make them a financial nightmare.)
So which stallions are value for money? The following list is not an exclusive one, just a few horses which have caught my eye recently. And they’re in no particular order.
SATONO ALADDIN was a freakish racehorse with a pedigree which should suit a range of New Zealand mares. $12,500 is ultra-reasonable and the Japanese-born foals look just like him.
PURE CHAMPION was a warrior. As we become increasingly fascinated by inbreeding, we ignore soundness at our peril: this bloke started 50 times and ended his globe-trotting career by winning a Group 1 here as a 7YO. $4000.
EMINENT appeals strongly at $8000. A Group-winning and Group 1 placed son of Frankel and a real looker into the bargain.
EL DOUTE is a son of Redoute’s Choice with much more ability that his SP status would suggest. $2000 INCLUDING veterinary costs and agistment during the breeding season.
ROAD TO ROCK has always been a favourite of mine. The sire of Beauty Generation is only $2500 per mare if you send two of them and his winners to starters ratio is an impressive 60%.
NADEEM has an even more impressive ratio of 66% and he’s a stallion who responds especially well to one of our key bloodlines. $5000
BULLBARS hasn’t set the world on fire as yet but is tracking nicely nonetheless. He appeals as likely to leave decent stayers in the next few years. His fee is either $5000 or $4000 depending on whether you consult Arion or the current Stallion Register.
ROC DE CAMBES is just a nice horse. The sire of a Derby winner and a Group 1 victor in Australia is good value at $5000. You’ve usually got to wait for his progeny, but what’s an extra 12 months if you get a good one?
KEANO is still $2000 despite his 16 winners from 24 starters.
And yes, I have put my money where my mouth is. So far I’ve booked mares to Pure Champion (2), El Doute and Road to Rock. One mare, Flirtation, to go.
All the best for the breeding season.
