In this business selecting successful stallions before their progeny are even conceived is a process that is fraught with danger. You have no idea whether the stallion is going to pass on his desirable genes and even if the first crop foals look just fine there’s no guarantee that they’ll have the temperaments to turn natural ability into results.
Readers of this website will be well aware that I’ve always rated Highly Recommended as an outstanding stallion prospect and today’s events at Tauherenikau, whilst not being in any way conclusive, gives me some hope that I’ve got it right. Highly Recommended’s strapping son, Waldorf, cruised to a facile victory in a 2YO event and will hopefully end up qualifying for the Karaka Million field.
Waldorf jumped on terms with the field, was positioned three-wide on the tight Waiarapa track and soon after straightening was urged to the lead by apprentice Tim Johnson. Under a hands and heels ride Waldorf lengthened stride smoothly for a comprehensive win.
I was especially pleased to note that today’s winner is out of a Pins mare. I had suggested to Berkley Stud that mares by the son of Snippets could well prove to offer an excellent genetic mix as well as being suitable physical types.
As an aside, I should also mention that I bred two mares to Highly Recommended in his first season: Malissimo (Howbaddouwantit) and Tuscany Rose (Tuscany Flyer). Both mares produced colts and although both have thrown to their dams in terms of physical type, they are both outstanding in terms of conformation and temperament. Another of my mares, Pronking, is currently in foal to the son of Fastnet Rock. On a good day Pronking can best be described as an evil-tempered baggage so it will be especially interesting to see how her foal develops.
Finally, wouldn’t it be exciting, if Highly Recommended does succeed, to have another South Island based stallion being keenly sought after? Last season Zacinto hit the headlines and let’s hope Highly Recommended follows in his hoofprints.
