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.
February 2nd, 2020 — Horse Racing, Value For Money
Well, that’s never happened before. It’s rare enough to have two representatives in a black type event but a one-two finish is pretty much the stuff of dreams.
El Gladiador has looked like a good horse in the making since his 2YO days but until yesterday appeared to be indicating that more time and more distance would be required for him to show his best form. The long-striding Ghibellines – Querella gelding cruised over the 1500 metres of the Listed event for a dominant victory and there appears to be plenty more in store for him if he continues to be ridden in such a positive style.
I’ve always liked Querella’s pedigree as she has three lines of Cinna. (Her grand-dam Quorn Vale is 2 x 5 to that great mare). She was a speedy racemare and, although her sire Haafiz was of little account (69 foals in 10 seasons), he had two significant pedigree advantages. He was by that excellent source of speed, Green Desert, and his dam was inbred to Ribot via Alleged and His Majesty.
When considering Ghibellines, it was his Danehill line which really appealed. The inbreeding to His Majesty had already worked well (Keeper being a case in point) and I reasoned that yet another line of Cinna would be no bad thing. Another factor in his favour was that he appeared to be an exceptionally well-made horse who would suit Querella very well from a conformational point of view.
Runner-up Tears of an Angel is by the under-rated Echoes of Heaven out of the Storm Creek mare Trickle. She is yet to finish out of the money and will hopefully pick up some bold black type in the remaining events in the South Island Filly of the Year series.
January 19th, 2020 — Horse Racing, News
We can all trace our love for racing to a special event or set of circumstances. For me it was listening to the radio as a small boy some 60 years ago and being enchanted by the magic of words. Blonde Sprite, Quite Able, Melodic, Isfahan, Fountainhead, Cadiz, Commanding, Minglow.. are names which resonate over the years.
Just yesterday I thought of those radio commentaries as Minglow’s descendant Showbeel won the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham. I’ve been privileged to have been involved in the recent fortunes of the family, being asked to advise on the matings which produced both Showbeel and her dam, the Galileo mare Showileo.
And all this happened because of Minglow’s daughter, the immortal Show Gate, the most memorable thoroughbred I’ve ever seen. Her performances at the 1974 New Zealand Cup carnival are the stuff of legend. On day one she wins the Stewards Handicap beating top sprinter Soliloquy over 1200 whilst giving her 11.5kg. The following Wednesday it’s the time-honoured Canterbury Gold Cup over 2000, beating the good mare Sobeit after getting into a remarkable amount of trouble in the running. Three days later there’s the Churchill Stakes over 1600. She carries 56.5 kg and comfortably beats top sprinter-miler Auditor who’s in receipt of 5.5kg.
Fast forward to 1997. I’d been having some success recommending matings to clients and decided that the time was right to publish an analysis of the yearling sale catalogues, the aim being to identify youngsters with the pedigrees to win good races. 1997 was a trial. My top selection was a chestnut filly by Lord Ballina out of the Balmerino mare, Show Queen, herself a daughter of Show Gate. When the sale results were posted I contacted Frank Ritchie who had signed for the filly and he passed on the contact details of Terry Archer, her purchaser.
The filly was named Showella. She didn’t look much like Show Gate but was good enough to win two Group 1 events and over $500,000. She’s also turned out to be an outstanding broodmare, leaving three SWs from five foals.
One of her non-winners is the Galileo mare Showileo. Not short on ability, she was seriously field-shy and soon retired to stud. After beginning her career with some promising offspring, she’s now made a significant contribution to her illustrious family.
Nowadays I yell at the TV set rather than listen to the radio, but the thill is just the same.
November 16th, 2019 — Horse Racing, News
That was quite a day. It’s always memorable to win a race on a Premier Day, but to win two, including a marquee event, at what I’ve always considered to be New Zealand’s leading racecourse, is more than a little special.
Our homebred Riviera Rock (5g Road to Rock – Sheezashotseye by Cicerao) prevailed in Race 3, a R85 2500 event, by an admittedly diminishing margin. Superbly ridden by Leah Hemi, he’s an on-pace runner who lumped 58.5kg to victory in the respectable time of 2:35.97. He’s not the easiest horse to train, having a more than impatient mindset, but Graham and Michael Eade have once again worked their magic with a Cloughmore horse, following in the hoofprints of La Nouvelle Vague, Comanche Gold, Tuscany Rose and the ill-fated Amigo.
The Dee and Gee saga has been thoroughly documented elsewhere on this site. Suffice it to say that our Cloughmore Racing Partnership still retains a minority share in the Darci Brahma mare, currently raced on lease by the Corbett-Charles partnership. Yes, there is a ROP clause in the lease agreement and yes, we are resigned to losing our interest in her for what now appears to be a paltry sum, but at least we can congratulate ourselves on selecting a very good stayer who just won the New Zealand Cup and… No. there aren’t too many more positives to add. Racing is nothing if not character-building.
It’s worth noting that Leah Hemi also piloted Dee and Gee to victory. She’s one under-rated rider.
Let’s hope that both horses continue on their winning way.
