BREEDING MATTERS October 2019

SPANKEM 2019 HORSE OF THE YEAR

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BreedingMatters_BettingLine_09182019.indd 1 9/19/19 6:59:27 AM BETTINGp,2,1:51.8; 3,1:49h, 1:47.4f LINE($2,238,518) FLYING FIRST CLASS Bettor’s Delight–Heather’s Western–Western Hanover br.h. 15.3 Hands

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BreedingMatters_BettingLine_09182019.indd 1 9/19/19 6:59:27 AM BREEDING BACARDIBACARDI MATTERS SJ’s Photo – October 2019 Rum Boogie LINDYLINDYby Valley Victory) CHAIRMAN’S CORNER 5 THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED: FROM THE CROSSROADS TO THE LANES AT BRECKON FARMS 6 FEEDING PREGNANT MARES 10 COMMERCIAL PACING SIRE OPTIONS LIKE NEGOTIATING A MINEFIELD 12 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR INCOME STOPS 14 MCINTYRE HEADING INTO NEW TERRATORIES WITH EN SOLITAIRE IN THE FLESH 16 BOYD RECOGNISED FOR 50-YEAR SERVICE 22 COMING TO NEW ZEALAND: NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR HORSE BREEDERS! 24 IRISH EYES ARE SMILING DOWN VINCENT DELANEY WAY 26 DISCUSSION PAPER: HOW DO NEW EMBRYO TECHNOLOGIES MAKE THE BREEDING OBJECTIVES ACHIEVABLE FOR THE NZ STANDARDBRED BREEDER? 28 OneOne ofof Australasia’sAustralasia’s LINK TO HARBOUR LIGHT REALLY WAS A LIFE LINE FOR KEVIN JAMES AND DIANA HARBOUR 32 leadingleading trottingtrotting stallions.stallions. BROODMARE “CENTURIONS” 34 • Sire of Vicbred champions Claudys Princess, CHAMPION EUROPEAN TROTTER THE FIRST SON OF CANTAB HALL TO STAND DOWN UNDER 36 Needabacardi and Cruisin Around … winner of COMBINATION OF SPEED AND STAYING the Kilmore Trotting Cup Sept 26. His lifetime POWER PRODUCES SHARTIN 38 winnings are $258,000. 18 wins incl. The BREEDING REGULATIONS UPDATE 42 Holmfield and Final of 4yo Breeders Crown. PERKINS COMING UP TRUMPS WITH TROTTERS 46 Has won every season since 2yo. LEX WILLIAMS’ LAST COMMERCIAL CROP OF • Sired quinella in 2018 Vicbred Trotting Mares YEARLINGS PROVING QUITE THE SWANSONG 48 Sprint Championship – Margaret Ruth and BROODMARES OF THE YEAR 50 Derrie Aire. CHARLIE ROBERTS’ BREEDING SUCCESS DUE • Sire of 11 Group winners. LARGELY TO BETTOR’S AND ‘THAT FAMILY’ 54 GIRLS LET LOOSE REKINDLES MEMORIES OF • 67 Australian bred winners from 98 starters ENIGMATIC TROTTING MARE SCREWS LOOSE 60 and $3.1 million in stakes. BEAT THE DRUM 62 • Amazing average of $32,000 per starter. LIGHTS OUT AT LEXINGTON: SALE SETS RECORDED FOR GROSS AND AVERAGE 64 goStallions

goHarness.org 021 316 717 Fresh semen • DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE 4 Sires Stakes eligible now grade F&M races there is no way more of them will CHAIRMAN’S get to the races. BACARDI It may surprise you to know that there is no Group BACARDI CORNER 1 race for trotting F&M, with 14 for pacing, and that excludes the listed sales races. With trotting at SJ’s Photo – 27 percent of the bred and racing crop this is not John Mooney | NZSBA Chairman Rum Boogie acceptable. It has become harder for trotting F&M by Valley Victory) to compete against C&G. In the last decade only 19 LINDY Welcome to the 2019 breeding season. The Sires (17%) trotting group races were won by F&M. In the LINDY Register is out there. New stallions are with us. For previous decade there was 26 trotting F&M winners the first time there are almost as many trotting (32%) out of 80. stallions as there are pacing. So what is the state of the sport for breeding confidence? We recognise that this will need funding and that dollars are scarce right now: but once strategies are The Breeders work to support a positive environment agreed the dollars should follow, even if they come to breed your horses. Recently we prepared for the from somewhere else. HRNZ annual Conference some statistics that may be of interest: The new reduced size HRNZ board must adopted a greater strategic focus on the future of the sport • NZSBA has 640 financial members representing and lift itself above the day-to-day operational 1,100 people with partners stuff. HRNZ’s responses to the minister’s rapid • There were 1796 names on breeding certificates in implementation of the Messara review must help set 2019, slight increase on 2018 but significantly down the direction of our sport for the next two decades at on the 2764 named breeders in 2010 least. • 83% of breeders are 50+ years, 7% are less than 40 years old The big strategic issues are the replacement for • 68% of breeders are in the South Island, with 32% the Section 16 funding formula, the opportunities to North Island (mares are similar) outsource some TAB services including wagering, • NZSBA members bred 95% Group races winners the allocation of dates, the structure of the RIU and last season. JCA, the rationalisation of venues and the increasing turnover and influence of sports wagering. Our Who are the breeders? sport needs a united, well-researched and at times aggressive approach to advocating for harness • 62% of breeders breed one mare racing. And, in the meantime the outcomes from • 65% of the horse population is bred by people One of Australasia’s Operation INCA are hanging around, unfinished One of Australasia’s breeding one to four mares and lingering for at least another year. We are in the • 35 breeders bred 10+ mares last season weakest position of all the codes. leadingleading trottingtrotting stallions.stallions. • A 10-year trend: 47% of breeders also retain an ownership share and race their horses. Thoroughbred racing is seeking to benefit almost exclusively from both NZ and overseas wagering. • Sire of Vicbred champions Claudys Princess, In NZ last five years pacing bred mares decreased Its market is increasing. The dogs can run almost Needabacardi and Cruisin Around … winner of by 22.2% while trotting mares bred increased by 9.3% an unlimited number of meetings to fill Trackside. the Kilmore Trotting Cup Sept 26. His lifetime We have developed a statistical model that is Harness is declining in Australia, there are no new or winnings are $258,000. 18 wins incl. The reasonably accurate in predicting the future racing expanding markets for harness racing. Our domestic Holmfield and Final of 4yo Breeders Crown. crop. If the mares bred trend above continues this turnover is static at best but actually declining. No season, and everything else remains the same (i.e. one owes us a living. Has won every season since 2yo. the percentage of the crop that races at each age I can only wish our new board and Peter Jensen all group and the average number of starts per horse • Sired quinella in 2018 Vicbred Trotting Mares the best in advocating powerfully for harness racing. per annual, 10.7) then in the 2023 season we will Sprint Championship – Margaret Ruth and have 30 less race meetings. We can have the same Industry politics and economic aside one of my Derrie Aire. number of races as this season if every horse raced pleasures is reading the stories of breeders and just one more time on average. • Sire of 11 Group winners. their successes in the sport. Above all the trials and tribulations that horses bring, the wins here and You may ask what can we do to get horses to race there are the boost, the injection of vigour that brings • 67 Australian bred winners from 98 starters more frequently. The Breeders have presented to us back. Whether it is good folks like Kevin James and HRNZ some options for increasing racing options and $3.1 million in stakes. Peter McClelland with the consistent Diana Harbour for fillies and mares, especially trotting, and greater or the legendary Charles Roberts each story is • Amazing average of $32,000 per starter. opportunities for the progeny of Australasian important. Each and every breeder is a cornerstone stallions. of our sport and deserves respect. In 2013 17% of all races were for fillies and mares. Last goStallions I wish you all well for the season. season it was down to nine percent. Without lower goHarness.org 021 316 717 Fresh semen • DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 5 Sires Stakes eligible now THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED: FROM THE CROSSROADS TO THE LANES AT BRECKON FARMS

Brad Reid

Career opportunities in the New Zealand Rakarazor was a handy mare for the Fahy’s running standardbred breeding sector are often few and far 4th in behind Piccadilly Princess in the 2016 3YO between, and not for the faint of heart. Diamond at Cambridge.

Long days (and nights) working with livestock in the The Western Ideal mare Rakarazor probably gave ever changing but prosperous climate that the rural them their most enjoyment in recent times. In New Zealand landscape affords comes with many another tough crop of fillies that included Venus challenges. Serena and Ideal Belle, Rakarazor strung together several Group & Listed placings including; 3rd 2014 They do breed them tough in Southland mind you, Three Year Old Diamond, 2nd 2014 NZ Oaks, 2nd and for well over a decade, Nigel Fahy has made Southland Oaks, 2nd 2YO Sires Stakes Fillies Final, every post a winner once deciding that working with 2nd Leonard Memorial and 3rd Southland Fillies horses was the career for him. Classic.

Having recently assumed his position as the newly Success goes a long way in securing the interest appointed Farm Manager at Breckon Farms in of the young and impressionable, and Fahy found Ohaupo, the 36-year-old Southlander has had a himself on hand as a teenager helping with weaning rather serendipitous journey to the top of one of New and feeding the horses in the boxes when he could. Zealands leading breeding operations. Knocking round with horses was far from his mind “It’s quite exciting,” said Fahy. when Fahy decided to head up the road to study in Dunedin. “You pretty much walk into any paddock with mares in it and there is either a Group One winner or a “All my mates were going to University at Otago.I Group One producer. It is quite cool working with didn’t want to miss out on any of the fun up there, such high-quality bloodstock,” he said. so I enrolled and studied Sport Management at the Otago Polytechnic. Growing up on a 300-acre sheep and beef farm in the small rural Southland town of Woodlands (about “I tried my hand in following that line of work and 15 minutes from Invercargill they tell me) fostered was contracted with Rugby Southland at one stage a lifelong passion born from his parent’s hobby of but I couldn’t really break into a role as a sports breeding Standardbreds. team manager. I ended up moving to Melbourne to try and have a crack over there but it always seemed “Mum and dad breed all the ‘Raka’ horses,” said to be who you knew, not what you knew. Fahy referring to the moniker his parents Barbara and Brendan Fahy give their well-bred pacing stock. Having come back to help his father on the farm, Fahy found himself at a crossroads as to what he “With mum and dad breeding a handful each year wanted to do with his life. He had always enjoyed at home I was always around them and went to the working with the horses, but had no experience races quite frequently as a kid and was always quite outside of working with his own. An inspired Google excited following their horses around. search quickly put pay to that! “When I was eight we had a Group One winner up in “I got up in the middle of the night and googled top Auckland called Stands To Reason who won the colts 10 harness racing studs in North America. I sent my final in 1990. I think it’s dad’s only Group One winner CV to half a dozen of them and Seelster Farms were to date and I still remember listening to that race on the first to reply amongst others saying they would the radio,” he said.

6 be happy to take me. Within a week, I was on my way to Canada and spent two years working there,” said Fahy.

Seelster Farms is based in Lucan, a small town close to London which is two hours west of Toronto, Ontario. It was established by a family of Dutch immigrants, the Van Bussel’s in 1969. They had limited success until 1993 when Camluck p, T1:48.4 ($1,003,260) arrived at Seelster Farms. Camluck’s success in the breeding shed came quick, as he produced such standouts as D M Dilinger p, 5, 1:49.3f ($1,226,789), Northern Luck p, 3, 1:49.1 ($907,974), and the Canadian Horse of The Year, Whenuwishuponastar p, 3, 1:53.4 ($578,752), all from his first crop.

They currently stand eight stallions including Sunshine Beach and Big Jim while breeding from 64 of their own broodmares with most of the progeny aimed at the yearling sales.

“One of their marquee stallions at the time was Camluck who was a superstar when I was up there,” said Fahy.

“I started out as a foal watch attendant just doing lots of night shift work, but I liked sticking round in the mornings and helping with the collecting of the stallions. I got a bit of a thrill out of looking after these superstar race horses which would go on to become successful sires,” he said.

“After two years, up there I came back to New Zealand which led me to my previous role at Alabar as their stallion manager,” he said.

In moving to Alabar, Fahy teamed up with a man who had been involved in the business longer then he had been alive in Graeme Henley, and who better to learn from in this part of the world?

“Graeme was really good to work for. He used to be on the Sires Stakes boards with my Dad and he was great for me, always easy to talk too and him and I got on really well,” said Fahy.

Having handled a supertsar like Camluck, the opportunity to work with the star-studded roster at Alabar NZ was a natural stepping stone.

“Mach Three was the obvious one, he was always good to do stuff with. Real Desire was there when I first started and he was a nice horse to be around as well, but Mach Three knew he was the top dog.

“When you clipped the lead onto him to walk into the breeding shed, he would be roaring and yelling and letting everyone know he was there, but he was never a nasty horse or anything. He would just head in and do his business and go back to his paddock Nigel with the richest Standardbred of all time, Foiled Again and eat grass. Majestic Son is quite a neat little fella as well,” said Fahy.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 7 While their pedigrees are flashy and race records speak for themselves, dealing with a half tonne of testosterone wouldn’t be without it’s challenges?

“There were one or two stallions that were a bit hairy and had a few close calls with, but nothing major. We would obviously wear a safety vest and a helmet and you get use to the physicality of it. They do push your around a bit, you just have to respect them and don’t let them get away with too much,” he said.

As mentioned previously, opportunities are a bit scarce when it comes to standardbred studs in New Zealand.

Having successfully completed 10 breeding seasons in his role at Alabar, an opportunity to spread his wings presented itself with the farm manager role at Breckon Farms being vacated by the long-serving Scott Yarndley.

“I talked it through with Graeme actually and he encouraged me to go for it and was supportive. He recognized it would be a good career move for me and a good step forward and wished me all the best,” he said.

Breckon Farms need little introduction as the largest stud in New Zealand not currently standing a stallion. Ken and Karen Breckon’s investment in the standardbred industry is Australasia wide and seemingly peerless. The opportunity to oversee the operation on farm wouldn’t be a difficult one.

“The first couple of months has pretty much been a whirlwind trying to get my head around the operation and processes. While it’s the same in the sense of breeding standardbreds like we were at Alabar, there are different ways of doing things and different staff so just finding a happy medium has been key.

“The great thing about working for a couple like Ken and Karen is that they are really open to change and improving things. As the time comes I’m sure we will look to identify any opportunities that we continue to Nigel with the world’s leading trotting sire, Muscle Hill adapt and raise the bar further.

“The other thing that is going to be quite exciting but similarly the land and the rolling countryside. here is that we’re going to be building a brand new It’s great for the development of muscles on young barn for the yearlings which will have 60 odd stalls to horses,” he said. be constructed over the next year or so which will be quite exciting for everyone involved,” he said. “We have anywhere between 60 to 70 mares that are both ours and client horses. We probably have In his short time at the helm, what are some of Fahy’s 50 yearlings on the farm of which 35 will go to the early takes on what makes the Breckon breds such a Yearling Sales next year. force at the sales and on the racetrack? “I’m quite excited about this coming yearling sales “Aside from the world class bloodlines, the farm has as well, Philly Higgins Drysdale is the Yearling Sales about 65 hectares and a lot of good quality stock Manager here. They had a brilliant sale last year so comes off this farm. That is attributed to both the I don’t think there is much for me to change or worry systems in place by way feeding and preparing, about,” he laughed.

8 “In the past, I’ve prepared one or two for Alabar and did quite a few yearling preps in North America and I’m really looking forward to the thrill of being part of that again.”

Prior to the commencement of the Breckon Farms role, Fahy found himself once again destined for North America with another opportunity to ply his trade at a world class facility with several equine superstars of our sport.

“Diamond Creek Farm were after a Stallion Manager Son of for a couple of months. Shaun Thompson from CHRISTIAN Nevele R Stud went up for the first half of the season and I went up for the second half. We looked after CULLEN – their stallions and they have some amazing ones on career ended their roster along with their high-quality yearlings and broodmares,” he said. due to injury

Diamond Creek Farm is situated in Pennsylvania 10 starts 5 wins 5 seconds and owned by Adam Bowden, a big supporter of the New Zealand standardbred industry with his shuttle stallions and race sponsorship. Sire of… His stallion roster includes the likes of Always B Miki, A Rocknroll Dance, Downbytheseaside and Sweet WILDWEST Lou on the pacing side. The trotting ranks are world class also with Father Patrick, Southwind Frank and Creatine, all with their names on the gate.

“It was a good experience with really nice people. We were based in the middle of Pennsylvania which wasn’t near one of the big cities or anything like that but a really nice bit of the countryside and really nice people to work for and I made quite a few good friends up there. “I managed to get around a few farms as well BARE KNUCKLE and went and had a look at Hanover Shoe for a day which was quite impressive. They are a name synonymous with harness racing and have the horse flesh to boot. Captaintreacherous was in the front center paddock and he was impressive in the flesh. They also stand the likes of Andover Hall, Donato Hanover and Western ideal was there as well.

“On a day off I took the chance to drive to Southwind Farms in New Jersey and was allowed the opportunity to handle Muscle Hill. He’s a real laid- back customer and a beautiful animal. They also had PRINCESS HOLLY Tactical Landing who is a big strong strapping lad,” he said.

It’s incredible to think that an inspired google search has taken Fahy on a journey that encompasses some of the greatest stallions and studs the world over, and has led to a career many could only dream of.

Not bad for a lad from the banks of the Waihopi River. goStallions

goHarness.org 021 316 717 Fresh semen • DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 Sires Stakes eligible now 9 FEEDING PREGNANT MARES

Gretel Webber Assoc.Dip.App.Sc, BBus, MSc (Equine) – Equine Nutritionist at Dunstan Horsefeeds

Nutrition Tips for Expectant Equine Mothers! In the situation where mares are holding sufficient body condition and do not require the recommended Nutrition of the pregnant mare has a huge impact intake of a full feed, a more concentrated source on the subsequent foal. Ensuring that the mare of supplementary feed is appropriate – a feed maintains adequate body condition is important that provides more nutrients per kg. Dunstan (without becoming overweight) as this ensures TriMAREster can be used in this situation fed at she has sufficient body condition to take on the approximately 500grams. This will provide a similar energy demands of lactation once she has foaled. contribution of vitamins and minerals to the ration If the mare is to be re-bred, maintaining adequate at an intake of 500grams as a full feed will when body condition will improve the likelihood of early fed at 2.5kg daily. Fed to mares in their last trimester conception. Dunstan TriMAREster will provide an adequate intake of key nutrients required by the unborn foal. The last trimester of the mare’s pregnancy is a critical time to provide her with the appropriate Once mares have foaled, their energy requirements intakes of key trace minerals including Copper, Zinc, increase to meet the demands of lactation. Selenium and Manganese. If this is done, it will Dunstan Breed and Grow is still the most suitable assist in the development of a sound skeleton in the supplementary feed after foaling, however intakes subsequent foal and the future athlete. will need to be increased for ‘lighter’ mares.

The way in which these key nutrients will be provided Mares that really struggle with condition during will depend on the individual mare (her metabolic lactation may benefit from the addition of a high rate) and pasture availability. Mares which are fat supplement such as Dunstan Muscle ‘n Shine or lighter and require hard feed to maintain condition Dunstan Trifecta Oil. will receive adequate nutrient intake in their last trimester if fed a good quality premixed feed such Dunstan Breed and Grow is also the ideal first-feed as Dunstan Breed and Grow at a minimum of 2.5kg for the foal to share with the mare. As Dunstan daily (based on a 500kg bodyweight). Dunstan Breed and Grow is a low GI formulation, calories are Breed and Grow is a low GI, high-fibre, low-starch provided by fibre sources rather than starch-laden complete feed which includes organic minerals, grains. Therefore it is a safer and more digestible and contains natural vitamin E. It is specifically feed for the young horse. In addition, the low GI formulated for pregnant and lactating mares and nature of Dunstan Breed and Grow helps to minimise young stock. the negative impact that insulin can have on the development of joints and cartilage - all important However, inadequate supplementation will arise if a for a growing a sound skeleton. full feed is not being fed at the recommended intake.

COMMERCIAL PACING SIRE OPTIONS LIKE NEGOTIATING A MINEFIELD

Frank Marrion

Commercial breeders of pacers have been used to Captaintreacherous was also a good commercial being almost spoiled for choices over the years, but option, but following the success of his first crop that is not looking like the case this season. of two-year-olds in North America and the warm reception for his yearlings this year in New Zealand There’s a variety of reasons for this but the main one – six colts averaged over $80,000 – and the limited is the demise of Christian Cullen, Courage Under supply of his frozen semen, the booked full sign was Fire, Mach Three and Somebeachsomewhere in up very early in the piece. recent times and it’s not like they’ve been replaced just yet. Art Major is almost fully booked and a breeder would need a top drawer mare to justify Bettor’s This transitional stage for the pacing sire ranks is a Delight’s stud fee of $25,000. contributing factor along with the fact that the stud scene is dominated by two or three farms. Nowadays Although Sweet Lou also made a big impression with expectations are so high for importing sires, that very his first crop of two-year-olds in North America last few are considered commercial enough. year, he was still unproven here heading into the last breeding season, but these limitations resulted in him All this are consequences of transported semen and covering 226 mares, the most by any pacing sire. unlimited stallion books. And with most of the pacing sire options being If one looks at the list of new and unproven pacing relatively big horses, both proven and unproven, the sires 4-5 years ago, only Sweet Lou looks like making options are even less for a breeder with a big mare. it commercially. He has joined Art Major and Bettor’s Delight in this respect.

Lazarus enjoying his new surrounds at Yirribee Stud

12 Bettor’s Delight is an option for some in that respect, They are the two best performed sons of Bettor’s but outside of him, there’s only He’s Watching as a Delight at stud and it is hard to find a hole in the smallish horse and he has some work to do with just armour of either. one winner last season from a first crop of 70-odd two-year-olds. Lazarus will have his own limitations or hurdles to overcome however in that he cannot be bred to Courage Under Fire is still available, but he was mares by Bettor’s Delight of course and probably never the most fertile horse, and the results with his even Christian Cullen. frozen semen means that that option is risky at best. He is from a mare by the latter and the mating would What this means for breeders generally is that a lot result in a 3x2 cross in the maternal lines of a foal. of mares are going to be pushed into the crop of new and unproven sires, and history suggests that this is “I’ve fielded some enquiries about breeding inherently risky. Christian Cullen mares to Lazarus and while I’m not going to discourage anyone, we’ve sort of had the A breeder may get a decent result at the yearling conversation and those people have gone away to sales with a new sire, as buyers tend to look to ‘the think about it a bit more,” says Lazarus’ NZ booking devil they don’t know rather than the devil they do’. agent Peter O’Rourke. Sires fail commercially nine times out of 10 at best, if not prove dismal failures, breeding to such sires is “Some people such as Brian West (co-breeder hardly doing the mares any favours in the long run. of Lazarus) and Trevor Casey (former co-owner) who you would think are going to be pretty keen to Breeders with smallish mares have the option of Art support him, have made bookings and gone away to Major and Sweet Lou and some will have got into find suitable mares,” he added. Captaintrecherous in time, but beyond them, again they’re into unproven options such as Always B Miki, One prominent commercial breeder in Canterbury Betting Line, Downbytheseaside, Fear The Dragon, who wished to remain nameless and who is “having Lazarus, Sky Major, Ultimate Machete and Vincent. a crack” with 14-15 mares this season, described the present situation regarding the proven and The reception for A Rocknroll Dance is cooling given commercial sire options as “like negotiating a his progeny are generally taking time, a none too minefield”. surprising outcome given his size and sire line. “Art Major and Bettor’s Delight are good safe Another son of Rocknroll Hanover in Rock N Roll options, but they aren’t cheap either and you can’t Heaven is just an average size horse, but his best send all of your mares there. progeny tend to be big horses which take time, such as Heaven Rocks, AG’s White Socks, Let It Ride and “They need to be very good mares to justify the costs Alpha Rock. and some mares simply may not be suitable for them. Rock N Roll Heaven can throw some very good young fillies, such as Shez All Rock, Heavens Trend “I think the jury is still out on Sweet Lou insofar as and MacKenzie, but not many commercial breeders producing juveniles (if we take out Sweet On Me and are ‘hoping to breed fillies’ so to speak. Virgil who are from top mares and from the same top stable) so I don’t think you’d want to be sending Lazarus will have no trouble getting 10 mares there this season. the numbers in New Zealand despite “So we’ve had to roll the dice and most of our mares these limitations, but the fact are going to new and unproven sires. remains all those splendid mares “That is the problem for commercial breeders who are trying to get a return from the yearling sales, out there by Bettor’s Delight and but then you have the people who are breeding to Christian Cullen, will be serving to race and or those that are patronizing the cheaper promote or enhance the prospects of stallions. his competitors. “That’s where we’ve been losing people and the foal crops have been in decline due to the costs of maybe If we cast an eye over the new and unproven sires getting a horse to the races.” on offer this season, it is hard to imagine the likes of Betting Line and Lazarus being anything but All in all there’s sure to be plenty of head scratching commercially successful. going on for breeders of pacers this spring. That has always been the case, but the present landscape is presenting a new set of problems.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 13 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR INCOME STOPS? ReddifordFinancial Personal Insurance Specialists

understanding that a good broker is there to work in their interests, for the long term. We also find some We want you to have the cover clients who have taken out cover and then forgotten about it. It may be too expensive, may not meet their you and your family need. changing needs and family circumstances. Chris: We make it easy for clients. We deal with the insurance companies. We deal with the claims when You know horses. You are good at that. they come in. Our aim is to be there for the long haul with our clients, just as the life insurance cover is You know what matters to you in life. there for the long term. You try to keep that going. Fraser: The business is changing all the time. We find people who have cover that has increasing Don't wait until it's too late! premiums. They get anxious about the cost and Fraser Mearns, Chris Reddiford, John Reddiford sometimes let it lapse. We work with clients to adjust cover to their circumstances. Kiwi Saver • Only use top KiwiSaver Investment companies The Breeders are pleased to welcome a new sponsor In NZ we have ACC to provide some financial • 1000 Canterbury investors, $20 million of funds protection for individuals and their families if to our stable. • We help balance risk and long term growth they are injured. Why should someone consider Reddiford Financial Services was established by John additional privately sourced income protection. • Watch your wealth grow Reddiford, who started his career in 1986. With son Chris: ACC cover is limited to loss of income from Chris, and adviser Fraser Mearns their aim is simple: injury and is quite limited. Most people will benefit Income Protection to provide excellent advice and tailored products to from taking out additional private cover for sickness • ACC has serious limitations their clients across a wide range of financial services. and loss not covered by ACC. We can also seek replacement income protection cover based upon • If you can’t work, who pays the mortgage and the bills? Tailoring ACC levies with your personal Income a person’s particular profession and circumstances. • Will replace your income for as long as you are unable to work Protection covers, Retirement and Investment Premiums are affordable, especially if a client has • Premiums tax deductible for most planning, Life Insurance, KiwiSaver and health savings or resources that can be used during an insurance is their business initial stand-down period. Everything is negotiable to Trauma Insurance suit the client and his or her family. We spoke to Chris and Fraser about what they can • Major medical illness cover offer the harness breeding and racing community. Fraser: Its quite simply really. If your income stops, how will you pay your bills and look after your • Lump sum payment on diagnosis John why did you establish the firm? family? • No financial pressure to return to work John: I simply wanted to provide professional financial services to ensure that our clients and the Kiwi Saver is now a feature of NZ working life. Many families enjoyed the quality of life that they deserve people just lock it up with their bank and forget Life Insurance and can afford. My approach is to be personable, the investment side of it. What can you do for your • Provide for your loved ones after death understand our clients’ needs and be there for them clients? • Fix premiums from increasing Fraser: We regularly monitor the purpose of the funds and their family in the long term. • Competitive rates we support. We report to our clients based on the Why should people come to Reddifords? appetite for risk and their long-term goals. We have Chris: We work for and with our clients. We really found that returns have increased for new clients want them to have the cover and retirement plans when their Kiwi Saver is transferred to a new fund. Have someone in your corner ready, that work for them. We want them to have cover in equipped and prepared to fight for you. place when they need it. Tell us a little about yourselves? Fraser: We try at all times to put the client’s needs Chris: We are have degrees and are both young, first. It is important that a client’s cover meets his or personable and approachable. I’m focussed on both the insurance and investment side of the firm, first That is our job! her needs and that of the family. These needs are not ReddifordFinancial standard and the change over time. home buyer packages and health insurance. I play hockey for Canterbury University, with social cricket Personal Insurance Specialists When you meet a new client what are some of the and golf in the summer. 154 Springfield Road, Christchurch common issues you find? Fraser: I have a passion for finance and people. I’m (03) 343 2320 Fraser: Some people are quite suspicious about focused on personal insurances that meet people’s [email protected] brokers – they have had an experience with a needs. My interests are social cricket, interclub and pushy broker or adviser. There is often a lack of social golf and tennis John Reddiford Chris Reddiford Fraser Mearns 027 448 8612 027 313 1540 027 431 9930 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

14 ReddifordFinancial Personal Insurance Specialists

We want you to have the cover you and your family need.

You know horses. You are good at that. You know what matters to you in life. You try to keep that going. Don't wait until it's too late!

Kiwi Saver • Only use top KiwiSaver Investment companies • 1000 Canterbury investors, $20 million of funds • We help balance risk and long term growth • Watch your wealth grow

Income Protection • ACC has serious limitations • If you can’t work, who pays the mortgage and the bills? • Will replace your income for as long as you are unable to work • Premiums tax deductible for most

Trauma Insurance • Major medical illness cover • Lump sum payment on diagnosis • No financial pressure to return to work

Life Insurance • Provide for your loved ones after death • Fix premiums from increasing • Competitive rates

Have someone in your corner ready, equipped and prepared to fight for you.

That is our job! ReddifordFinancial Personal Insurance Specialists 154 Springfield Road, Christchurch (03) 343 2320 [email protected]

John Reddiford Chris Reddiford Fraser Mearns 027 448 8612 027 313 1540 027 431 9930 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] MCINTYRE HEADING INTO NEW TERRITORIES WITH EN SOLITAIRE IN THE FLESH

Frank Marrion

Stallions standing in the flesh in Southland has been “His Amish owners in America had a rarity but Macca Lodge’s Brent McIntyre has wound up with three of them this season. decided to quit him and asked me if I would take him for the cost of getting Outside of Washington VC, one probably has to go back some 20 plus years to find sires that stood him here. commercially in the province, or the days of Grant Sim and the likes of Admiral Halsey. “I agreed because it sometimes pays

The only other one that McIntyre could recall was to stay in the good books with people Magic Rule, a son of Starship who stood a few – you never know when they might seasons in a somewhat curious attempt by Bill Keeler stumble across a really good horse.” to resurrect the Globe Derby siring line. A lightly-raced son of Somebeachsomewhere, Net Magic Rule produced 22 foals with four managing to Ten EOM had been available via frozen semen for qualify - three raced and two were placed. a few seasons and a first crop of 15 three-year-olds Macca Lodge has been a successful breeding farm last season produced four winners. for transported fresh and frozen semen for some McIntyre will be heading into fresh pastures however time. A a couple of years ago McIntyre agreed to with the arrival a few weeks ago on En Solitaire, a stand Franco Ledger for Hamish Hunter and the son of Ready Cash and a mare by Love You who is a rather enthusiastic syndicate which raced him. half-sister to a noted performer in Kaisy Dream.

“He got 22 mares for 14 foals in his first season here Love You was the leading sire in France and Europe and covered 11 mares last season, but I wouldn’t before that mantle was taken over by Ready Cash expect him to get many this season,” said McIntyre. and many would argue that he has been the best “Then I wound up getting Net Ten EOM here right at trotting sire in the world, alongside Muscle Hill, in recent times. the back end of last season. A two-time Prix d’Amerique winner, Ready Cash (4.2m Euros) sired one as good in the champion Bold Eagle (4.6m Euros), a winner of 22 Group One races including two Prix d’Ameriques, among numerous other top performers in Europe.

The first son of Ready Cash to find his way to stud in this part of the world, and perhaps the only one in time, En Solitaire wound up here thanks to the same connection between France’s ‘Mr Trotting’ Jean Pierre Dubois and Australia’s Pat Driscoll, that has brought us Love You in recent seasons.

The now 6-year-old had gone amiss in France and Driscoll purchased him with a view to hopefully racing him to prove his class, while later standing him at stud.

The latter comes sooner than hoped however as En Solitaire also broke down for Driscoll’s private trainer En Solitaire Anton Golino near Ballarat.

16 “Plus they don’t have the pure trotting families that New Zealand has, outside of the trotting mares purchased out of New Zealand. “We could have stood En Solitaire anywhere in New Zealand, but we wanted to support and encourage the scene in Southland as we believe it is a bit of a sleeping giant in the overall scheme of things.” Earlier French sires made available in Australia may not have clicked well with their mixed bag of broodmares, but Driscoll has been turning things around more recently, largely by breeding a better class of sire to New Zealand mares now based in Victoria.

Driscoll has been dominating the trotting scene in Victoria for a few years now, winning Breeders Crowns with Dance Craze and Reina Danzante and a Victoria Trotting Derby with Une Belle Allure among many other features, and his influence was well evidenced at this year’s Breeders Crown.

During the trotting heats at Maryborough on August 16, All Cashed Up, a Ready Cash colt closely related to Speeding Spur, downed the Victoria Trotting Derby winner Majestuoso in the first three-year-old heat.

And Driscoll won the other three-year-old heat with Xebec, a son of Orlando Vici and the first foal from the New Zealand mare Elle Galleon (Dream En Solitaire Vacation-Galleons Surprise).

Earlier the first heat for two-year-old trotting fillies resulted in a trifecta for daughters of Quaker Jet, the Driscoll does not know exactly what happened to En son of Love You closely related to Coktail Jet. Solitaire under Dubois, but the fact he was unraced and not a Group race performer at three and four, The trio were led home by Im Ready Jet, a filly from meant he was never going to be allowed at stud in the New Zealand mare Im Ready Set, and they were France. a class above the rest in trotting home in 58.

As such he became a prospect which Driscoll could Im Ready Jet would go on to down the hotpot Jaxnme acquire, but after winning his two trials and “showing by 20m in the $100,000 final, making up for the a heap of ability”, En Solitaire broke a bone in a hind disappointment of losing the final for three-year-old foot and it was decided not to risk him again. colts and geldings, when All Cashed Up galloped in the shadows of the winning post. “We decided to stand him in New Quaker Jet has a first crop of 24 two-year-olds in Zealand because Australian trotting Australia and nine now three-year-olds in New breeders still haven’t cottoned on to Zealand. how successful and influential the He is away now along with Orlando Vici, the latter French trotting sires and blood is,” having produced eight three-year-old winners from said Driscoll’s NZ stallion manager a first crop in Australia. Dave Sanders. Often these sires are making an impression with just a handful of foals, with another example being The Best Madrik, a highly rated son of Coktail Jet.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 17 EN SOLITAIRE

FIRST SON OF I’m Ready Jet winning the Breeders Crown for Two Year Old fillies in August SUPER SIRE He has just four two-year-old foals in his first crop in That really started when Dubois bred Coktail Jet in READY CASH Australia and already two winners in Playboy In Paris 1990, but his influence can be seen much earlier than (1.59.7) and The Best Dream, the latter second in the that in the pedigree of En Solitaire. G1 Vicbred Final in July. Ready Cash descends in male line from the Nevele SERVICE FEE: $1500 + GST Pay by March 30 or $2000 + GST POLF. Driscoll and Golino had 15 starters in the eight heats Pride horse Bonefish, while his dam was by Extreme for the Breeders Crown, with Xebec raced by Driscoll Dream from a mare by Workaholic, by Speedy CHILLED SEMEN. CONDITIONS APPLY. MULTIPLE MARE DISCOUNT AVAILABLE. in partnership with trainer Ben Aubron. Crown. • The first son of super sire READY CASH to stand in New Zealand. FRENCH GOLDEN CROSS One of them in Imsettogo is a three-year-old filly Extreme Dream was a noted performer from by Used To Me and the first foal from Im Ready Set the broodmare gem Tahitienne, a daughter of Ready Cash over Love You mare (Aus1.56.6). Kimberland who also produced the leading French • Bred on the same Ready Cash-Love You sire for Dubois in Goetmals Wood. cross as BOLD EAGLE, sensational 4YO FACE One of three starters and two winners from just five foals from Used To Me’s first crop in Australia, Dubois had bred the influential Nevele Pride horse TIME BOURBON (13 wins from 15 starts), plus International Imsettogo was second in the Victoria Trotting Oaks in Kimberland by sending the Jamin mare Astrasia three other group winning stallions, FABULOUS Superstar June. to America in the 1970s, at a time when American WOOD, CASH AND GO and ATLAS DE JOUDES. imports were not allowed into France. BOLD Used To Me is rather similar to En Solitaire in that Driscoll purchased him from Dubois after he’d A bit earlier, while campaigning in America, the • En Solitaire was unraced due to injury EAGLE gone amiss, although he had already been a good champion mare Roquepine had been bred to Star’s performer in France. Pride and upon returning home, she produced the • En Solitaire is from an outstanding SIRE hugely influential Florestan. PRODUCING French family, his dam a LOVE YOU He briefly showed his class when Golino produced New sensation him to win his two races in Victoria late in 2015, The latter sired the grandam of Ready Cash’s sire sister to 15 winners, including millionaire Group including the G3 Chris Howe Trotters Cup over Indy De Vive, while also being the grandsire of one winning and producing sire KAISY DREAM. FACE TIME Kyvalley Blur with a last half in 55, before going Extreme Dream. BOURBON amiss again. En Solitaire belongs to a French maternal line, but his • OUTSTANDING pedigree looks a great and three These sires are of course examples dam is by Love You from a mare by Speedy Somolli, outcross for New Zealand mares. meaning she has a 4x2 maternal cross to the latter. other Group of Franco-American breeding and NZ SIRES STAKES, winning sires the means Dubois has used to So that Franco-American breeding in En Solitaire’s AUST BREEDERS CROWN NOMINATED. pedigree has been going on for the best part of half completely dominate the breeding a century. STANDING AT MACCA LODGE 56 Main Wendonside Road, Riversdale CONTACT: BRENT & SHEREE MCINTYRE and racing scene in France for Phone: 027 752 2284 Fast forward to the present day, and a stallion bred R.D. 7 Gore, Southland 9777 decades now. on a Ready Cash-Love You cross is no doubt going to [email protected] make some trotting breeders spark up. www.maccalodge.com CONTACT: DAVE SANDERS 021 245 2584 18 www.harasdestrotteurs.com.au [email protected] EN SOLITAIRE

FIRST SON OF SUPER SIRE READY CASH

SERVICE FEE: $1500 + GST Pay by March 30 or $2000 + GST POLF. CHILLED SEMEN. CONDITIONS APPLY. MULTIPLE MARE DISCOUNT AVAILABLE. • The first son of super sire READY CASH to stand in New Zealand. FRENCH GOLDEN CROSS Ready Cash over Love You mare • Bred on the same Ready Cash-Love You cross as BOLD EAGLE, sensational 4YO FACE TIME BOURBON (13 wins from 15 starts), plus International three other group winning stallions, FABULOUS Superstar WOOD, CASH AND GO and ATLAS DE JOUDES. BOLD • En Solitaire was unraced due to injury EAGLE

• En Solitaire is from an outstanding SIRE PRODUCING French family, his dam a LOVE YOU sister to 15 winners, including millionaire Group New sensation one winning and producing sire KAISY DREAM. FACE TIME BOURBON • OUTSTANDING pedigree looks a great and three outcross for New Zealand mares. other Group NZ SIRES STAKES, winning sires AUST BREEDERS CROWN NOMINATED. STANDING AT MACCA LODGE 56 Main Wendonside Road, Riversdale CONTACT: BRENT & SHEREE MCINTYRE Phone: 027 752 2284 R.D. 7 Gore, Southland 9777 [email protected] www.maccalodge.com

CONTACT: DAVE SANDERS 021 245 2584 www.harasdestrotteurs.com.au [email protected] 2019/20 Stallions ALL SERVICE FEES PLUS GST | MULTIPLE MARE DISCOUNTS APPLY

a proven track record

• 45 years harness racing industry experience • Catering for all classes of standardbred horses • Specialising in NZ racehorses, commercially bred fillies and broodmares • Registered valuer AMERICAN IDEAL BETTOR’S DELIGHT Service Fee: $10,000 Service Fee: $25,000 I am pleased to offer my own independent professional services as a standardbred bloodstock agent for the buying and selling of all classes of standardbreds including racehorses, broodmares and younger horses. Also, being a Registered Valuer, I am able to offer valuations on any bloodstock.

With over 45 years of engagement in the harness racing industry, I bring to the market a substantial amount of knowledge and experience. I have an extensive and strong relationship with trainers, owners and breeders in both Australia and New Zealand.

My involvement over these 45 years include ownership, breeding, training and for 44 years I have been fully engaged in corporate sales of bloodstock.

This background provides me with an exceptional understanding of what buyers and sellers expect from DOWNBYTHESEASIDE HIGHVIEW TOMMY an agent to meet their needs. Service Fee: $6,000 Service Fee: $1,500 My mission is to provide a service to both buyers and vendors that will:

• Have the highest level of integrity • Draw on my strong knowledge of bloodstock – racehorses, breeding and values • Capitalise on my extensive contacts in New Zealand and Australia • Be focused on a client’s specific needs and expectations of transaction processes FULL AND CLOSED • Provide the highest level of client confidentiality

I will be attending trials and race meetings regularly throughout New Zealand. In October and November I will also be attending race meetings in Australia on the dates listed below: PEGASUS SPUR SWEET LOU - West Australia – 11 October to 15 October 2019 Service Fee: $3,000 Service Fee: $7,500 - Victoria – 16 October to 19 October 2019 - New South Wales – 23 November to 27 November 2019 - Queensland – 28 November to 1 December 2019

I am ably supported by wife of 40 years, Sharon. We have two adult children, Laura and Ben.

I welcome all enquiries on how I may assist you with your bloodstock needs.

INTEGRITY | RELATIONSHIPS | RESULTS WHAT THE HILL FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT Mobile +64 27 536 1575 Email [email protected] Service Fee: $7,000 www.woodlandsstud.co.nz 20 Bookings and enquiries: Stacey White - 021 595 492 or [email protected] 2019/20 Stallions ALL SERVICE FEES PLUS GST | MULTIPLE MARE DISCOUNTS APPLY

a proven track record

My involvement over these 45 years include ownership, breeding, training and for 44 years I have been fully engaged in corporate sales of bloodstock.

I am ably supported by wife of 40 years, Sharon. We have two adult children, Laura and Ben.

I welcome all enquiries on how I may assist you with your bloodstock needs.

INTEGRITY | RELATIONSHIPS | RESULTS WHAT THE HILL FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT Mobile +64 27 536 1575 Email [email protected] Service Fee: $7,000 www.woodlandsstud.co.nz Bookings and enquiries: Stacey White - 021 595 492 or [email protected] NZB BOYD RECOGNISED FOR Standardbred 50-YEAR SERVICE The flag bearing Sale for New Zealand breeders,

Jonny Turner NZB Standardbred’s 2020 National Standardbred Yearling Sale is the showcase event of the season, featuring four South Island Freeze brander John Boyd has been action-packed days of inspections, parades and selling across recognised by Harness Racing New Zealand for his massive half-century of service to the industry. John French (Left) & Ken Spicer (right) present John Boyd with two outstanding venues. a silver salver to commemorate his 50 years of service A presentation was made to Boyd at HRNZ headquarters recently, as he signs off from his 50- Hot on its heels, the All Aged Sale will present a variety “Now they want them up and running as 2yrs-old.” year role as the man in charge of branding foals in of breeding, investment, and racing opportunity - the upper South Island. Boyd has also witnessed the decline of breeding with a diverse catalogue of broodmares, weanlings, 2020 numbers from healthy levels the concerning state The Cantabrian has stepped down and is in the they are currently in. yearlings and racing stock set to go under the process of helping his replacement, Paul Black, hammer in both Christchurch and Auckland. getting started in the job. “When I started we did about 3800 and we are down to about 800 now.” Boyd has been responsible for the branding of foals born between the top of the South Island and as far “I used to go down to Oamaru and stay there for south as Waikouaiti during his lengthy tenure. three days.”

HRNZ have estimated he has branded an incredible The breeders of yesteryear provided some of the tally of more than 83,000 foals. highlights of Boyd’s career. NATIONAL YEARLING SALE ALL AGED SALE

Boyd admitted he has enjoyed every minute of His work would have him travelling to country working away through that massive total. stations all around the upper South Island.

“It has been a great innings and I have really “You had the cockies that had big farms, they would enjoyed it.” be breeding seven or eight foals.” AKL CHC CHC AKL Boyd has not only branded every champion “You would go there and have lunch and have a 16 & 17 FEBRUARY 18 & 19 FEBRUARY 17 APRIL 4 MAY racehorse born in the South Island in the past half great time.” century – from Lazarus to Lord Module, Courage AT KARAKA AT CHRISTCHURCH AT CHRISTCHURCH AT KARAKA Under Fire and Lyell Creek. “Nowadays it is a bit different, most of the foals are at the studs.” Showcasing some of the very The action continues at the He has also had an up close view of the massive The 2020 Christchurch The Sale continues at Karaka best yearlings New Zealand Canterbury Agriculture Park session will feature a range with quality stock on offer. change the harness racing industry has seen in the The farms he used to visit have also provided Boyd has to offer, join us at Karaka with the remainder of the of weanlings, yearlings, All weanlings and unbroken past 50 years. with some of the most comical moments of his in 2020 to find your next very best trotting and pacing broodmares and mixed yearlings are eligible for the career. harness champion. yearlings on offer. . And few would have had a better look at how bloodstock Harness Million Series. standardbred breeding has seen foals evolve in to “The cockies would have the mares and foals in the finer and sleeker racing machines. sheep yards and all of a sudden they would have jumped over to the next four or five sheep yards.” “A lot of the stallions coming in now, they are really made for speed.” “I was asked the other day about seeing that sort of thing, they caught me on the hop.” “Years ago, when you had Holmes Hanover and All Weanlings and unbroken Yearlings offered those stallions, they were a heavier horse and they “I wish I had started writing a book when I first at NZB’s Sales in 2020 are eligible for the would stay all day.” started – I reckon it could be a best seller.” NZB Standardbred Harness Million Series “But, now, these stallions that are coming in have The end of Boyd’s career as a freeze brander does great mile rates and they are built for speed.” not mean the horseman will not stop working with horses. “And people don’t want to hang around, years ago Stay connected with NZB Standardbred you could have a trotter or something like that, that He will be kept busy helping at the stables of his son, didn’t come right to it was 4yrs-old.” Stephen.

www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz | +64 3 381 0141 | [email protected] 22 10 Hinau Road, Karaka, Auckland, New Zealand, 2580 | PO Box 315, Christchurch, New Zealand, 8140 NZB Standardbred

The flag bearing Sale for New Zealand breeders, NZB Standardbred’s 2020 National Standardbred Yearling Sale is the showcase event of the season, featuring four action-packed days of inspections, parades and selling across two outstanding venues.

Hot on its heels, the All Aged Sale will present a variety of breeding, investment, and racing opportunity - with a diverse catalogue of broodmares, weanlings, 2020 yearlings and racing stock set to go under the hammer in both Christchurch and Auckland.

NATIONAL YEARLING SALE ALL AGED SALE AKL CHC CHC AKL 16 & 17 FEBRUARY 18 & 19 FEBRUARY 17 APRIL 4 MAY AT KARAKA AT CHRISTCHURCH AT CHRISTCHURCH AT KARAKA

Showcasing some of the very The action continues at the The 2020 Christchurch The Sale continues at Karaka best yearlings New Zealand Canterbury Agriculture Park session will feature a range with quality stock on offer. has to offer, join us at Karaka with the remainder of the of weanlings, yearlings, All weanlings and unbroken in 2020 to find your next very best trotting and pacing broodmares and mixed yearlings are eligible for the harness champion. yearlings on offer. bloodstock. Harness Million Series.

All Weanlings and unbroken Yearlings offered at NZB’s Sales in 2020 are eligible for the NZB Standardbred Harness Million Series

Stay connected with NZB Standardbred

www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz | +64 3 381 0141 | [email protected] 10 Hinau Road, Karaka, Auckland, New Zealand, 2580 | PO Box 315, Christchurch, New Zealand, 8140 THE FASTEST HORSE OF ALL TIME COMING TO NEW ZEALAND: A SIRE ON THETHE RISE FASTEST—ALREADY HORSE A OFMULTIPLE ALL TIME SUB-1:50 SIRE NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR HORSE BREEDERS! A RocknrollAlways B DanceMikiMiki The NZ Standardbred Breeders Association is The FoalPoint Score “I THINK THIS COULD BE HALL OF FAME TRAINER, JIMMY TAKTER A GROUP ONE “IPRODUCING THINK THIS SIRE COULD WITH BE HIS THE FIRST GREATEST NZ CROP HORSEHORSE THATTHAT EVEREVER LIVED”LIVED” HALL OF FAME TRAINER, JIMMY TAKTER helping PFERA Inc. a Canadian based company, create new opportunities for innovative farms to In addition to record keeping, foaling estimation will upgrade their breeding management system. to be available for breeders by using the innovative include everything from conception to foaling. FoalPoint Score on the FoalPoint software. The software system known as FoalPoint tracks Each mare is unique in her own way in when everything year-round from conception to foaling. preparing for foaling. Maiden mares generally don’t FoalPoint is currently being used by breeders across follow the text-book, and seasoned mares have their North America and is recommended by the United own distinct pattern. With the FoalPoint app you States Trotting Association. can log all their unique physical and behavioural FoalPoint is an easy-to-use software, designed to changes as they prepare for foaling. From here, improve efficiency, organization and accuracy within we determine the time until foaling by using breeding operations. Some highlights include: sophisticated machine learning algorithms that take the mare’s current gestation day and physiological • Simple implementation, getting started can take signs into account. Get more sleep by knowing more less than 2 minutes. about when your mare will foal.

• No more paper trail- have all your horse’s records What Breeders are Saying backed up and easily accessible 24/7 from your mobile phone or computer. “Anything you need to know regarding your mare’s cycle or gestation is right at your fingertips. It • Replace binders, breeding charts and calendars takes the guesswork out of breeding and foaling. with digital horse profiles. I definitely recommend FoalPoint!” -RDT Spitzig Farms, Ontario Canada (13 mares, 2 stallions) THE FIRST • Automatically schedule and be notified about important activities such as pregnancy checks, “We are thrilled to be using the FoalPoint technology HORSE EVERTHETHE FASTESTFASTEST vaccinations and farrier appointments. on our farm. Lisa and the PFERA team have TO RECORDHORSE HORSE EVEREVER made tracking our broodmare’s cycles, hormone • Track your mares through each stage of the treatments, vaccinations and other important MULTIPLE SUBBREAKINGBREAKING THETHE breeding cycle, gestation period, and foaling. information a breeze” Mac Lilley Farms, Ontario - WORLDWORLD RECORDRECORD Canada (90 mares, 5 stallions) 1:50 WINS AS A • Gain analytics, graph reproductive cycles and set TWO-YEAR-OLDRUNNINGRUNNING 1:461:46 gestation counters for your mares. For more information and to get in touch with the a FoalPoint team member, visit www.foalpoint.com or • Easy expense tracking for each horse, creating 20162016 USUS HORSEHORSE and sending invoices can be done from your mobile send us an email at [email protected] C The richest two-year-old of his year, won the Meadowlands Pace at three and the Canadian phone. Pacing Derby at four OFOF THETHE YEARYEAR C • Sharing information on stallions, broodmares, 2Equalled theC world record as a two-year-old, and set world records on both half-mile and 2 C The only horse ever to win a race in sub-1:47 more than once-and he did it four times! The only horse ever to win a race in sub-1:47 more than once-and he did it four times! young stock, and horses in training is simple between 2 five-eighths tracks as a four-year-old C C C Won over $2.8 million in his race careercareer-includingincluding back-to-backback-to-back winswins inin thethe USUS BreedersBreeders CrownCrown FoalPoint users. As a four-year-oldC became the first horse ever to win in- sub-1:48 in three consecutive starts C C Out of US Broodmare of thethe YearYear,, ArtstopperArtstopper (by(by Artsplace).Artsplace). DamDam alsoalso ofof YagonnakissmeornotYagonnakissmeornot ($1,458,850)($1,458,850) 0 Bred in the purple—dam is a half-sister to Western Hanover 0 C C Has no Cam Fella or Direct Scooter in his pedigree-making him a perfect outcross for the 0 C Has no Cam Fella or Direct Scooter in his pedigree-making him a perfect outcross for the A quality youngmajority sire in oNorthf Southern America Hemisphere with 5 winners mares of over $250,000 from his first crop including USC Two-Year-Oldmajority of Southern of the Year, Hemisphere Lost In Time mares (1:50.2, $828,333) C A majestic individual-leavingleaving beautifullybeautifully talltall andand athleticathletic foalsfoals.. FirstFirst NZNZ weanlingsweanlings soldsold wonderfullywonderfully wellwell C Off1 to a strongat start the Aucklandin the Southern All Aged Hemisphere Sale to be 2ndonly leading Art Major, sire Bettor’s on average Delight and 1 at the Auckland All Aged Sale to be— 2nd leading sire on average 1 Mach ThreeC have sired more three-year-old winners in NZ in 2018/19 C Possibly the most commercial newnew siresire inin thethe worldworld today.today. HasHas servedserved tremendoustremendous booksbooks inin hishis first seasons inin bothboth NorthNorth AmericaAmerica andand Australasia.Australasia. 9 STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R 9 STANDING AT STANDINGNEVELE R INAT ASSOCIATIONALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALABAR WITH NEVELE R 9 $7,000 + GST ALABARALABARALABAR nevelerstud.co.nznevelerstud.co.nz 03 349 8627 alabar.co.nz alabar.co.nzalabar.co.nz 09 232 1800

SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONS SEMEN AVAILABLE ATSEMEN APPROVED AVAILABLE LOCATIONS AT APPROVED THROUGHOUT LOCATIONS NEW ZEALANDTHROUGHOUT DISCOUNTS NEW ZEALAND FOR MULTIPLE DISCOUNTS BOOKINGS FOR MULTIPLE TO ALABAR BOOKINGS AND NEVELE TO ALABAR R STALLIONS AND NEVELE R STALLIONS 24 THE FASTEST HORSE OF ALL TIME A SIRE ON THETHE RISE FASTEST—ALREADY HORSE A OFMULTIPLE ALL TIME SUB-1:50 SIRE A RocknrollAlways B DanceMikiMiki “I THINK THIS COULD BE HALL OF FAME TRAINER, JIMMY TAKTER A GROUP ONE “IPRODUCING THINK THIS SIRE COULD WITH BE HIS THE FIRST GREATEST NZ CROP HORSEHORSE THATTHAT EVEREVER LIVED”LIVED” HALL OF FAME TRAINER, JIMMY TAKTER

THE FIRST HORSE EVERTHETHE FASTESTFASTEST TO RECORDHORSE HORSE EVEREVER MULTIPLE SUBBREAKINGBREAKING THETHE -1:50 WINS ASWORLDWORLD A RECORDRECORD TWO-YEAR-OLDRUNNINGRUNNING 1:461:46 20162016 USUS HORSEHORSE C The richest two-year-old of his year, won the Meadowlands Pace at three and the Canadian Pacing Derby at four OFOF THETHE YEARYEAR C 2Equalled theC world record as a two-year-old, and set world records on both half-mile and 2 C The only horse ever to win a race in sub-1:47 more than once-and he did it four times! 2 five-eighths tracks The onlyas a horsefour-year-old ever to win a race in sub-1:47 more than once-and he did it four times! C C C Won over $2.8 million in his race careercareer-includingincluding back-to-backback-to-back winswins inin thethe USUS BreedersBreeders CrownCrown As a four-year-oldC became the first horse ever to win in- sub-1:48 in three consecutive starts C Out of US Broodmare of the Year, Artstopper (by(by Artsplace).Artsplace). DamDam alsoalso ofof YagonnakissmeornotYagonnakissmeornot ($1,458,850)($1,458,850) C0 Bred in the purpleOut —of damUS Broodmare is a half-sister of the to YearWestern, Artstopper Hanover 0 C C Has no Cam Fella or Direct Scooter in his pedigree-making him a perfect outcross for the 0 C Has no Cam Fella or Direct Scooter in his pedigree-making him a perfect outcross for the A quality youngmajority sire in oNorthf Southern America Hemisphere with 5 winners mares of over $250,000 from his first crop including USC Two-Year-Oldmajority of Southern of the Year, Hemisphere Lost In Time mares (1:50.2, $828,333) C A majestic individual-leavingleaving beautifullybeautifully talltall andand athleticathletic foalsfoals.. FirstFirst NZNZ weanlingsweanlings soldsold wonderfullywonderfully wellwell C Off1 to a strongat start the Aucklandin the Southern All Aged Hemisphere Sale to be 2ndonly leading Art Major, sire Bettor’s on average Delight and 1 at the Auckland All Aged Sale to be— 2nd leading sire on average 1 Mach ThreeC have sired more three-year-old winners in NZ in 2018/19 C Possibly the most commercial newnew siresire inin thethe worldworld today.today. HasHas servedserved tremendoustremendous booksbooks inin hishis first seasons inin bothboth NorthNorth AmericaAmerica andand Australasia.Australasia. 9 STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R 9 STANDING AT STANDINGNEVELE R INAT ASSOCIATIONALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALABAR WITH NEVELE R 9 $7,000 + GST ALABARALABARALABAR nevelerstud.co.nznevelerstud.co.nz 03 349 8627 alabar.co.nz alabar.co.nzalabar.co.nz 09 232 1800

Charlotte Mooney

Honestly, what do you think of when you hear the There is this sense of pride and passion that I’ve words “Irish Harness Racing?” I’m going to assume never experienced before in the industry. They’re you’d be like me and think paint ponies, and unashamedly proud of the investment they’ve made something one step removed from Irish road racing? in their bloodlines, the evolution of their training If that’s the case, let me share my great recipe for techniques and the product they produce. And so humble pie. they should be. A 3YO filly setting a 1.54.6 mile rate on a pear shaped track with no camber is something It involves three ‘p’s - one large helping of passionate to shout from the roof tops about. With that pride people, mixed in with pride and a quality product. It’s comes passion. Put it all together and you’ve got a pie that I don’t mind eating at all, in fact it tastes progression. brilliant. Currently the Irish Throughbred Association and In a climate where the New Zealand racing industry Greyhounds Ireland receive €75 million per annum seems to have lost it’s “why” and is imploding under from the government. Harness Racing - €0. That’s conservative thinking and infighting it was most set to change. refreshing to spend four days immersing myself into in the Irish Harness Racing (IHR) scene. The Irish Harness Racing Association is working closely with the government to prove the value and Let me paint a picture of the scene; worth of the industry to the country. With a feasibility study underway they are making great inroads. • Two all-weather surfaces, multiple grass tracks They’re not sitting around waiting for the results of across the Country that study, they’re out showing their determination to • The Vincent Delaney Memorial Festival, is held at prosper. Portmanock Track an all-weather surface track 25 With one of biggest equestrian events in Europe mins north of Dublin which races 20 Sundays a year on your doorstep what better place to promote • Purses range from €400 euro - €15,000. Purses are harness racing. Thanks to the French Trotting self-funded through entry fees and topped up with Association the IHRA were able to set up a state- sponsorship. of-the-art simulator, dispel a few myths (see my opening paragraph, we aren’t the only ones) and • Trotters race for more as they are subsidised by Le expose Harness Racing to thousands at The Dubin Trot (French Trotting Assoc.) Horse show. Having 14 horses to prepare for VDM was no excuse for IHRA President Mark Flanagan • No stabling – horses wait in their trucks or tied to of Meadowbranch Farm to not ensure that harness the float. racing had a presence. • Field sizes are 5 - 7 Talking of Meadowbrand Farm, Day One of our • No drivers’ fees or trainers’ percentages tour saw us descend on this 28 acre property North of Dublin. A training set up to rival most in NZ. The • No national bookie support, just on track. Flanagan brothers also have a Canadian property. The Meadowbranch handle will be familiar to many • No simulcast coverage thanks to Meadowbranch DJ’s southern hemisphere • Minimal media coverage Interdominion campaign.

• There are 150 – 200 broodmares bred a year The property operates under a wonderful mix of Southern & Northern Hemisphere training principles By now you’re probably thinking I just enjoyed far with up to 20 horses in work. too much of the marvellous Irish hospitality, as how can that scene make me excited. Because unlike us, With a diverse array of bloodlines including the Irish Harness Racing scene isn’t dwelling on the American imports, homebreds and French trotters negatives, it’s focusing on the positives and working the Flanagan brothers are a force to be reckoned together to evolve. That’s refreshing to be around. with on the tracks around the UK. They lined up 14 runners on Day One of #VDM19

26 Derek, the Delaney family and the IHR community have created such an amazing thing you just want to be involved in it, you just want to see it succeed. Has it been a walk in the park, absolutely not. There have been challenges every step of the way but sheer grit and determination to succeed has seen this concept not only survive but flourish.

Supported by some of the biggest players in the North American scene including Diamond Creek Farm and Hanover Shoe Farms the weekend hosts an array of international guests, many who have been back repeatedly. I can see why. There is something about the magic of the event that draws you in. American driver Jordan Stratton, Winning Irish Style! summed it up well when asked where his first victory at Portmanock sat in his career highlights: We had the pleasure of meeting Sable Matters a “the highlight!” On par or above the multiple grand name that will be familiar to many. The now 28 year circuit wins on Kiwi import Bit of a Legend. Why? old successfully competed in Australia, America and “It is the hospitality, the people, the welcomes, the Europe including an ill fated 1997 Inter Dominion handshakes. It’s the greatest feeling in the world, it’s campaign when he succumbed to an injury after what every driver hopes for.” a public trial win ahead of eventual winner Our Sir Vancelot. Testament to the international attachment to the event is the involvement of some industry highfliers Meadowbranch stud is the prime example of the year in, year out. “The Voice” Roger Huston caller of huge influence of American bloodlines in Ireland. over 180,000 American races takes prime position in the commentary tower, English commentator Daren On the property you found progeny by Bettor’s Owen delivers one of the most comprehensive and Delight, Sweet Lou, American Ideal and a Western informative big screen presentations I’ve seen and Ideal half brother to American sensation All Bets Are North American social media darling Heather Vitale Off. brings VDM to the world through her Facebook live The diversity of bloodlines right across Ireland is coverage. This is no amateur hour event. thanks to the importation of American broodmares They know their “why”, there’s no excuses, just united and more recently the access to American stallions commitment to the cause. via frozen semen. There’s a lot we can learn from the Irish, and not just The major player behind the importation of frozen how to have good time. semen into Ireland is none other than Derek Delaney. Harness Racing visionary, enthusiast and the man Find out more; behind Vincent Delaney Memorial weekend. This part of the story goes hand in hand. The growth IHRA - http://www.irishharnessracing.com/ of the VDM weekend has led to the growth in Vincent Delaney Memorial Weekend - opportunities for breeders in Ireland. One weekend https://vincentdelaneymemorial.com/ is helping spearhead the evolution of their entire industry. Interested in joining the Kiwi contingent for August 2020 – email [email protected] Vincent Delaney Memorial was first run as a single race for 2YO fillies to mark the tragic passing of Derek & James Delaney’s youngest brother. Horse mad since they were children, Derek tells humbling tales of being out with his horse and cart delivering coal and collecting scrap. Horses are in the Delaney DNA so to recognise Vincent, they created this memorial race.

Roll the clock forward to 2019 – that lone race has grown into a two-day festival which held 23 races. Two 2YO finals with €15,000 purses, international visitors and international financial support. How and why? I go back to the 3 ‘P’s. The people, the passion, and the product. It was a tad wet!

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 27 DISCUSSION PAPER: HOW DO NEW EMBRYO TECHNOLOGIES MAKE THE BREEDING OBJECTIVES ACHIEVABLE FOR THE NZ STANDARDBRED BREEDER?

Lee Morris

EquiBreed NZ Ltd, 399 Parklands Road, Te Awamutu can stallions produce frozen semen, while mares 3879, New Zealand are not allowed to produce frozen embryos in some stud books? Can these same breeding objectives Introduction justify the implementation of embryo freezing or in vitro embryo production? If the use of embryo Since the first equine embryo transfers in the transfer is considered elitist, then is being able to 1970s, frozen embryos and in vitro produced afford colic surgery also elitist? What if the new embryos have become reality for many breeds, technologies such as frozen embryos or in vitro including Standardbreds, in some countries. These embryo production actually are cheaper and make technologies have arisen from the foundations embryo transfer and its advantages more accessible of reproductive physiology and its control in an to the breeder? effort to increase fertility and efficiency, but most of all to breed the best genetics available. Some Advances in embryo transfer technology of the biggest advances in these objectives have evolved from reproductive technologies that we now Embryo transfer is gaining in popularity in consider routine, such as shortening the oestrous competition horses and problem mares. cycle with prostaglandins, inducing ovulation Furthermore, more advanced reproductive with exogenous hormones, artificial insemination technologies, such as freezing and thawing of, small and maintaining pregnancy with Altrenogest. For and large embryos are now offered routinely in any studbook to consider the implementation of large breeding centres worldwide. Pregnancy rates reproductive technology in their rulebook, they need in excess of 70% are now achievable after freezing to evaluate why they need any form of reproductive embryos. technology at all and do their studbook objectives align with the benefits of the technology. In addition Superovulation in the horse is limited by the anatomy to this the essence of any sport is fairness in the of the ovary which prevents multiple oocytes entering face of good quality competition. In the case of the the oviduct as the multiple growing follicles compete Standardbred sport it is also a huge industry that with one another at the entrance to the oviduct contributes significantly and financially to the GDP of and, in so doing, frequently fail to mature properly the nation and its export potential. before they can ovulate. Therefore embryo transfer programmes in the horse do not routinely involve the So, if we look at the introduction of a new technology administration of extra hormones to super-ovulate (that has been around since the 1980s!) like the mare. Furthermore, Standardbreds normally only frozen embryos, we can ask the same questions have multiple ovulations in 3-4% of oestrous cycles of the existing technologies and apply them to in comparison to Thoroughbreds which multiple the new technologies and then determine if the ovulate 10-15% of the time. new opportunities add value to the “sports club” and its mission. For example, why is artificial In vitro embryo production insemination allowed in Standardbreds? Why is The improvement in the recovery of multiple fresh embryo transfer allowed? Why are stallions immature oocytes from mares by transvaginal allowed to breed mares in two hemispheres and aspiration (Ovum Pick Up, OPU) has led to the rapid mares can only produce one foal per year? Why commercialisation of IVP in the last decade. Oocytes

28 obtained from preovulatory follicles have a higher development potential than those from smaller follicles, however, recovery rates are reported to exceed 50% per small follicle, so that the mean number of embryos from the multiple smaller follicles are higher than from preovulatory follicles per recovery session. OPU from these smaller follicles can translate to the production of ±1.25 embryos per OPU session. These oocytes undergo in vitro maturation prior to fertilisation by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to create multiple embryos from genetically desirable horses even if they are sub-fertile, actively competing or post mortem. Furthermore, the ultrasound guided transvaginal method of oocyte recovery can be performed repeatedly at regular intervals, ranging from roughly World’s first ever Frozen Embryo standardbred, a Mr Feelgood x every two to six weeks. This optimises recovery rates Imsmartenough Two-Year-Old filly and appears not to affect the ability of the mare to It is important that reproductive technologies are conceive subsequently and carry a foal to term. implemented with due respect for the rules of the In addition, only a single sperm is required for ICSI governing studbook. For the Standardbred, only one versus a minimum of one straw of frozen semen pregnancy to term per year is allowed per mare. for conventional insemination; this means the The key to the successful implementation of any technique can be used with stallions of limited semen technology is to ensure good record keeping and availability or low quality semen. Furthermore, there transparency is maintained. is no difference in the fertility of fresh or frozen Advantages of embryo transfer (ET): sperm in an ICSI programme. Animal welfare is one of the major reasons for The ability to culture the ICSI embryos, then freeze pursuing embryo transfer in the Standardbred them for subsequent transfer has revolutionised the industry. Embryo transfer enables mares to commercialisation of this technology. The first foals reproduce that may have health or fertility conditions produced by ICSI in the USA and Australia came preventing them from carrying their pregnancies to from early embryos (2-8cells) transferred into the term, for example embryo transfer overcomes issues oviduct for subsequent development. When in vitro of old age, laminitis, lameness, prepubic tendon culture to the large embryo stage (>64cells) was rupture, metabolic diseases, damaged cervix, made possible, the first pregnancies generated at history of foaling problems or abortion. The use of ET the Equine Fertility Unit in the UK represented the bypasses these issues and enables valuable mares starting point for a commercially viable embryo to continue to contribute to the gene pool. production system using non-surgical embryo transfer. This breakthrough was soon followed by Frozen embryos are the best way to preserve the the first report of pregnancies from frozen ICSI- genetics of broodmare lines for the future. When derived embryos from Cesare Galli’s laboratory in animal populations are reducing / shrinking, Italy, which further contributed to the commercial preservation of the female lines is essential for the application of these technologies. sustainability of the population. Adding in vitro embryo production technologies to the options The birth of live foals after transfer of ICSI embryos means that eggs can be salvaged from mares post has improved over the years in parallel with mortem, fertilised and frozen for future transfer. improved culture systems and better morphological Valuable mares can have their genetics preserved classification of embryos. Early studies yielded by embryo freezing more cheaply than insurance in pregnancy rates of 33 – 67% following transfer of ICSI many cases. embryos; these have now improved to reach levels of 60 – 80%. However, there exists a high incidence of Freezing embryos actually makes these technologies pregnancy loss (±20%) prior to 60 days of gestation. cheaper and more accessible to the NZ breeder. Nevertheless, the great majority of equine ICSI Currently, regular fresh embryo transfer requires pregnancies are carried to term with gestation the synchronisation of 2-3 recipient mares for the lengths reported to be within the usual range, and successful transfer and survival of the embryo and normal, viable foals are born. A scientific study of 30 this makes embryo transfer 2-3x more expensive foals produced by one of natural mating, embryo than a normal breeding programme. In the case of transfer or ICSI revealed no significant differences in frozen embryos, the embryo can wait cheaply in the foal development or placental parameters or gene liquid Nitrogen tank until a single recipient mare is expression. ready for transfer. This process will reduce the cost of an embryo transfer programme by 50%.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 29 The ability to freeze embryos will also facilitate rules need to benefit the sport in that country and disease management as the frozen embryos are ensure that opportunities for the import or export of cheaper to quarantine in a tank than a horse genetics or racehorses are not restricted. However, grazing in quarantine. The embryos can be tested an opportunity to future proof the industry, preserve for genetic, viral or bacterial diseases to ensure valuable female lines and ensure the integrity of or a tailored that they are not involved in disease transmission. the sport presents itself to the New Zealand breeder Furthermore, the embryos can be washed in while the regulations are open for discussion. F antibiotics and antiviral agents to ensure they are clean. It can be safer to ship embryos than horses KEY POINTS: What are the benefits of breeding programmE... between areas of different health status. making frozen embryos and in vitro There are also ethical questions about the best derived embryos available to NZ options for managing multiple embryos which can be recovered from an embryo flush. If the rules state Standardbred breeders? that only one pregnancy is allowed to be carried to term, then what happens to the extra embryos if a 1. HRNZ leads the way in the benefits mare produces more than one? Do we discard the of breeding technologies extra embryo? Submit it to a recognised research programme? Transfer two embryos just in case one 2. HRNZ could be a role model for does not succeed and then end up in a dilemma if both embryos produce a pregnancy and end up transparency and accurate records having to terminate one of the pregnancies…and at what stage? 3. Fertility treatment options The option to freeze the surplus embryos overcomes 4. Enables the achievement of these ethical dilemmas, because now we can preserve life. If the embryo is frozen we can report its breeding objectives existence to the studbook and preserve it for the next season. The stallion owner will be happy because 5. Animal welfare they will potentially have a service fee the following year as well from the same mare. The mare owner is 6. Genetic preservation happy because they have the genetic insurance and there is no risk of the mare producing more than one 7. Affordable embryo transfer pregnancy a year because the extra genetics are programmes safely stored away.

The questions about ownership of the frozen 8. Market opportunities embryos after the death or sale of a mare can be addressed in the same way that ownership of frozen 9. Opportunities to reduce wastage stallion semen is addressed. All around the world, in the industry there are frozen Standardbred embryos in storage • Artificial insemination • Stallion fertility and their existence may not even be recorded in base (no working fees) 10. Is accessible to more breeders Research in some jurisdictions, so now is the time to consider • their legitimate fate and ensure the integrity of the For all the reasons stated above, the opportunities • Frozen semen packages equine reproduction respective studbooks, the investment made by the that breeding technologies create and enable, mare owner, the potential service fees owing to the EquiBreed NZ is passionate about improving the • Embryo transfer • Stem cell treatments for lameness stallion owners and fairness to other breeders. access of New Zealand equine breeders to the best • Problem mares • Specialised equine reproduction genetics and the best technologies to breed the Currently, in New Zealand we have an open and best horse possible. Dr Lee Morris has dedicated transparent frozen embryo storage recording system more than 20 years of her career, study, research with HRNZ and we have the opportunity to show the and experience to providing these services to New ...think world how this technology can be managed with Zealand, so the kiwi breeder can lead, compete our studbook objectives in mind. The question of or keep up with the rest of the world despite the fate of the existing frozen embryos must also be geographical isolation. Now, the time has come for considered when reviewing the regulations, as these the New Zealand standardbred breeders to discuss embryos have been recovered, stored and recorded, and determine what is best for the New Zealand in keeping with existing regulations. breeding industry, its gene pool, opportunity and its future. Ultimately, the use of these technologies needs to be considered in light of the objectives of the Dr Lee Morris studbook and the sport. If every country is allowed 399 Parklands Road, RD 1, Te Awamutu 3879 T: 07 870 1845 E: [email protected] to have its own studbook and regulations, then those www.equibreed.co.nz

30 or a tailored Fbreeding programmE...

• Artificial insemination • Stallion fertility base (no working fees) • Research in • Frozen semen packages equine reproduction • Embryo transfer • Stem cell treatments for lameness • Problem mares • Specialised equine reproduction ...think

Dr Lee Morris 399 Parklands Road, RD 1, Te Awamutu 3879 T: 07 870 1845 E: [email protected]

www.equibreed.co.nz LINK TO HARBOUR LIGHT REALLY WAS A LIFE LINE FOR KEVIN JAMES AND DIANA HARBOUR

Frank Marrion

The now nine-year-old trotting mare Diana Harbour “We always knew she had speed and I think the has been an unlikely hero for Amberley’s Peter turning point came when we were able to start her in McClelland over the winter months. 1980m mobiles and she drew five both times.

Until leasing the daughter of Monarchy back in “She led out on her ear before trailing and winning March, McClelland had only ever won two races quite easily both times. with trotters and one of those was way in 1981 or 38 years ago when an 11-year-old Smithie’s Lad won a “Of course dropping right back to an R40 and having maiden at Masterton while McClelland was based in Ricky May driving have also played a big part of Wellington. things.

His other trotting win came when Elegant Miss won “There’s been a whole raft of things come together a maiden at Addington 11 years ago at odds of 38 to really and when trotters strike form, they tend to one. keep it going.”

Diana Harbour had been hopelessly out of form for Neighbour Kevin Chapman has also helped out with Kevin James when McClelland leased her, having not such things as loading when he’s had Glenthorne paid a dividend for a year and since winning a race racing at the same meetings, while the use of a at Rangiora when Jack Harrington trained her for a titanium hood as a calming agent has been another time. factor.

But for McClelland, Diana Harbour has raced 12 McClelland was contemplating tackling a race like times and won five races and over $30,000. the Ordeal Cup next, but with the likes of Great Things Happen, Harriet Of Mot, Sundees Son, She has won three of her four starts this season, Woodstone and Monbet among others likely to be on taking her lifetime record to nine wins from 92 races hand for that, he has decided to set his sights a bit for stakes worth $67,000. lower for now.

“Her five wins have actually come from eight starts “There’s things at Addington like the Met Multiplier at Addington and she’s also been second and third and the Dunstan Feeds comp which we can focus on. there, while being knocked over in the other race,” said McClelland. “I don’t have a right of purchase as Kevin wants her back for breeding next season, so we’ll just box on “Her main issue for Kevin over the years had been in the meantime and maybe reassess things around tie-up and as I’d had some success with mares tying Cup time.” up before, he asked me if I’d like to have a go. That is the Diana Harbour of today, but from a “We certainly did have some issues early on and in breeding perspective, she has been rekindling working our way through a process, we wound up memories of a top trotting mare back in the 60s in making some major changes to her feed and work Harbour Light and understandably, James is pretty routine, and some minor ones to her shoeing and keen to keep the family going. gear. Harbour Light is the fourth dam of Diana Harbour “A lot of the improvement has also been about and she won 14 races for George Murfitt, the getting her confidence back – she’s a small mare grandfather of James on his mother Dolly’s side. and was always a bundle of nerves. “George was a top jockey and later trained gallopers “She’d often wind up getting back in fields and before turning his attention to trotters,” recalls James. surrounded by horses.

32 “He bred Harbour Light after borrowing the Quite Sure mare Sure Phoebe from Grant Beckett’s grandfather.

“Harbour Light was by Light Brigade, but George made the mistake of often breeding her to his own stallion Larnie Scott, who was also by Light Brigade.”

Harbour Light was already heavily line-bred to Peter Volo and Peter The Great and Larnie Scott just exacerbated that, resulting in 2x2 line breeding to Light Brigade.

Three of Harbour Light’s first five foals were bred on that cross and none of them were any good, while she only left one further foal in a Tuft filly and she wasn’t persevered with either.

She had been bred for six seasons to either Game Diana Harbour winning at Addington the 2nd of August Pride or Johnny Gee and failed to get in foal.

Harbour Light had produced two earlier foals by Tuft however and they were both winners, with the filly James would wind up taking that earlier Noodlum Life Line being a good performer for Tony Perucich filly after breeding his two Gee Whiz colts. shortly before he enjoyed great success with the likes of Stormy Morn and Trio. Ashley Harbour wasn’t up to much as a racehorse or broodmare, but she did produce a Sundon filly in Life Line won four races and had numerous placings Swell Harbour and she has been doing a nice job of in her first year of racing and she would also prove carrying the line on for him. well named as the only daughter of Harbour Light to breed on. Her first foal was Earl Harbour (1 NZ & 20 Aus wins, $238,000), a now 13-year-old who is still racing in “A fellow called Bill Pearson had bought her as a Perth, while her third and fourth foals are Diana two-year-old, but part of the agreement was that Harbour and Red Harbour (3 wins). she would come back to George as a broodmare – I think after she’d had a filly for him,” said James. She has since produced a colt by Majestic Son and a yearling filly by Creatine for James and Waikari “But when George passed away in the meantime, farmer John Allen. Pearson offered her to his son Frank, or my uncle.” “We were breeding from her every second or third In that way, Pearson bred William Dee (19 wins, year and she’s now back in foal to Majestic Son, $345,000) and another good sort in Great Life (6 which will probably be her last foal as she’s getting wins) from Life Line, although his filly by Pointer old (20) and has started to lose weight.” Hanover proved of no consequence. James has also started breeding from Princess Frank Murfitt had initially made the mistake of Harbour, a Monarchy mare from a half-sister to breeding Life Line to pacing sires Alamo Lobell and Swell Harbour, and she is also in foal to Majestic Son. Noodlum for two fillies, before James borrowed her and hoped to breed a filly by Gee Whiz, but got two So the link between Harbour Light and George colts. Murfitt and his grandson James is alive and well and going forward nicely now. She later produced a filly by Gee Whiz in Ashley Blossom, who wound up winning four races for Brian But only due or thanks to Life Line. Borcoskie and she is the dam of a good Australian performer in Dullard Cup winner Don King (19 Aus wins, $172,000). FOOTNOTE: The colours used by Kevin James are the same as those worn by Harbour Light. George Grant Beckett would also breed Life Life’s last foal Murfitt had in turn taken over the colours from his in the Sundon filly Ashley Sunset, and her first three uncle G.B. Murfitt who won a Dominion Handicap foals were good performers in Phoebe Sunset, in 1916 with Whispering Willie. They were first used Phoebe Gladiator and Phoebe Revival, the latter a in 1860 and as such they are the oldest registered daughter of Wrestle who won nine races. colours in the country.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 33 It is interesting to note that there is another broodmare with an agonising closeness to the one hundred mark for her owners – Rob The Nest. She will remain stranded on 99 wins as all her progeny have completed their racing careers. Interestingly, the remarkable Berthabell (DOB 1909) remains’ just BROODMARE outside this group. She achieved a standout tally of ninety five credits all in NZ (most credited to any NZ bred mare in NZ) during the 1920/1930’s. Cyclone “CENTURIONS” Vance with ninety six winning credits is edging closer to the magical one hundred mark. Peter Craig ROB THE NEST (1989f Chiola Hanover/Tabella Robyn, family of Pottery Mountain, CF N82) trotter: There are few examples of NZ broodmares whose winner of six races, T2:08.1, $35,380; 11 live foals, progeny have totalled one hundred or greater wins 9 raced, 7 winners, three in two minutes, two in between them. Their identities are below and it must T1:56.0. Bred by National Bloodstock Corporation; all be remembered that there could be others. progeny bred by Neil Munro and/or Gary Allen. Currently (21 July 2019) there are nine NZ bred broodmares who can be considered centurions. Among them is the dam of the world’s first millionaire Winning Foals - NZ AUS NA TOTAL pacer; a mare whose only progeny to race has century plus of victories; another who produced a 1998g Sonofthedon 7 0 0 7 classy international female pacer of the late 1990’s; 1999g Thedonsson 9 0 14 23 a mare whose second last raced foal was her best performer; a pacing broodmare bred and owned by 2000f Charlotte Galleon 1 0 0 1 prominent trotting owners/breeders; one mare with both a millionaire and a double millionaire among 2001f Whoisinthenest 7 0 0 7 her foals whose own mother has achieved centurion 2002g Galleons Assassin 10 3 20 33 status, she boasting two millionaires amongst her progeny; one who only has six winning credits in NZ 2005g King Of Strathfield 6 15 0 21 but a massive number more in Australia and finally 2009g Just Leave 1 6 0 7 the current reigning champion with excellent records especially in NZ and North America together with Total foals : 41 24 34 99 further successes in Australia.

The illustrious ennead (nine of anything) of mares are Desilu, Sabrina Bromac, Vain Franco, Colwyn Rob the Nest is dam of Galleons Assassin Bay, Atomic Lass, Melvins Speed, Splendid Dreams, (T1:55.2US), Aust Breeders Crown – 2T, NZ Trotters her dam Scuse Me and the latest entrant Fleets Derby, Australian and NZ 2yo C&G Trotter of Year; Pocket. Each story will be written up in later articles Thedonsson (T1:54.4US), NZ/GN Trotters Derbies, NZ but a brief table outlining their achievements is set 3yo C&G Trotter of Year; King Of Strathfield (T1:56.8) out below: and grand dam of Wilmas Mate (T1:55.5), NZ Trotters Oaks, VIC Trotters Derby, Breeders Crown – 3T,

NO OF WINS BY PROGENY BY LOCATION : NZ AUS NA TOTAL

Desilu (1960f U Scott/Mischevious) 90 15 115 220

Sabrina Bromac (2000f Live or Die/Solo) 6 163 0 169

Vain Franco (1987f Holmes Hanover/Van Glory) 29 59 66 154

Colwyn Bay (1947f Josedale Dictator/Pleasure Bay) 42 14 87 143

Atomic Lass (1986f Sokys Atom/Tudoress) 41 52 14 107

Scuse Me (1993f BG’s Bunny/Super Smooth) 70 19 18 107

Splendid Dreams (2001f Dream Away/Scuse Me) 72 21 10 103

Fleets Pocket (2000f In the Pocket/Fleet Vance) 46 56 0 102

Melvins Speed (1986f Melvins Strike/Carlotta Lopez) 7 94 0 101

34 Jewels – 4T, NZ 4YO Mare Trotter of Year; Temporale DOB - FOAL/WINS BY LOCATION NZ AU TOTAL (T1:57.2), Rowe Cup, National Trot, Lyell Creek, Cambridge Trotters Mile, NZ 4yo H&G Trotter of Year; ‘04 - Cyclone Jake (g Muscles Yankee 5 11 16 Amour De Frere, VIC Need For Speed – 3T (T1:56.5) and Royal Charlotte (T1:57.7), VIC/NSW Trotters Oaks. ‘07 - Cyclone Dream (g Dream Vacation) 5 7 12

Rob the Nest was accorded the NZ Broodmare of the ‘08 - Cyclone U Bolt (g Dream Vacation) 9 3 12 Year Award in 2006. ‘09 - Glenferrie Typhoon (g Majestic Son) - 33 33

BERTHABELL (1909f Peter the Great/Corona Mac; ‘10 - Cyclone Lucky Seven (g Majestic Son) 3 7 10 family of Kate by Highland Chief, CF U301), placed, $111; 16 foals, 11 winners, four in 2:10.0. Bred by CG ‘11 - Cyclone Jeter (f Majestic Son) 1 9 10

Thompson, Kentucky, USA. All progeny bred by ‘14 - Cyclone L Ko (f Muscle Hill) - 2 2 Etienne Le Lievre. ‘15 - Cyclone S Adams (g Wishing Stone) 1 - 1 Winning Foals - NZ AUS NA TOTAL Total foals : 24 72 96 1917h Worthy Bingen 4 0 0 4

1918h Great Bingen 26 0 0 26 ** Conversion: $A1=$NZ1 1920h Peter Bingen 16 0 0 16 Winning Foals - NZ AUS NA TOTAL Cyclone Vance is dam of half million dollar earner 1921f Bessie Bingen 2 0 0 2 Glenferrie Typhoon (T1:54.4, 1650mM at Bendigo), 1998g Sonofthedon 7 0 0 7 Great Southern Star (heat/final), Maori Mile, 1922f Bertha Bingen 2 0 0 2 George Gath, Melton/Freestone Trotters Cups; dual 1999g Thedonsson 9 0 14 23 1923h Great Peter 8 0 0 8 Jewels Ruby winner at three and four Cyclone U Bolt 2000f Charlotte Galleon 1 0 0 1 (T1:54.5, NZ all comers record when recorded at 1924h Baron Bingen 7 0 0 7 Ashburton), City Of Sails FFA, Ordeal Trotting Cup, 2001f Whoisinthenest 7 0 0 7 VIC Trotters Derby heat; Cyclone Jake (T1:55.6), NSW 1925g Great Nelson 5 0 0 5 Trotters Championship; Cyclone Jeter (T1:58.4), VIC 2002g Galleons Assassin 10 3 20 33 1926h Great Parrish 14 0 0 14 Lightfoot Laurels, Chris Howe Cup; Cyclone Lucky 2005g King Of Strathfield 6 15 0 21 Seven (T1:56.3), Swan Hill Trotters Cup and Cyclone 1929f Corona Bell 1 0 0 1 Dream (T1:58.0). 2009g Just Leave 1 6 0 7 1930h Ringtrue 10 0 0 10 Next time we will take a look at NZ’s most successful Total foals : 41 24 34 99 Total wins : 95 0 0 95 winning broodmare, the only double centurion in DESILU.

One of several successful North American imports by Etienne Le Lievre, Berthabell arrived on NZ shores in 1914. Placed on three occasions from five starts, STALLIONS Berthabell numbered six daughters who bred on to leave substantial families. Her foals included six 2019/20 sons (and three daughters) by Nelson Bingen, with Worthy Bingen, Peter Bingen and Great Bingen BACARDI LINDY notable in the siring ranks. Among her sixteen foals $2000 + GST were winners of NZ Cup (Peter Bingen, twice), NZFFA (Great Bingen/Peter Bingen), GN Derby (Great Parrish/Great Peter) and Auckland Cup (Great RAGING BULL

Parrish). $2000 + GST CYCLONE VANCE (1998f Safely Kept/Cyclone Betsi, PRODIGAL SEELSTER member of NZ family of Little Agnes, CF N65): T2:06.1, $3250 + GST or pay on Qualifying/Sold $46,582; fourteen foals/one died, eight raced, all winners, six sub two minutes, two sub T1:55.0. Bred MONKEY BONES by Robert Jacobs, Mrs Annette Cameron; all progeny $2000 + GST LIMITED SEMEN bred by Aaron Lowe, Mrs Annette MacFarlane with exception of Cyclone L Ko, Cyclone S Adams, Cyclone Lucky Linda, and unregistered Kadabra filly bred by goStallions Aaron Lowe and Todd MacFarlane who are current Gostallions.org Contact 021 316 717 owners of Cyclone Vance. DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE on request

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 35 GROUP 1 WINNING son of CANTAB HALL CHAMPION EUROPEAN TROTTER VOLSTEAD THE FIRST SON OF CANTAB HALL TO tr,1:51.5 $773,903 STAND DOWN UNDER FIRST Dave Sanders SEASON REBATE Swedish Group 1-winning stallion Volstead has Volstead was also edged into second by Nuncio in served a three-week quarantine in New Zealand the Group 1 Swedish Sprint Masters, after also sitting before travelling on to Australia to stand the coming parked the whole race, getting to the front in the $1500 season at Haras des Trotteurs, Cardigan (Ballarat) shadows of the post only for his stablemate to come where he will be available in chilled semen form to off his back and nab him on the line. All Other New Zealand breeders. It was Volstead’s rare combination of speed and DISCOUNTS This will make the beautifully American-bred stallion, toughness which made his Swedish trainer Melander APPLY who competed in the Elitloppet, the first son of a huge admirer of the horse. Cantab Hall available as a chilled semen option in the Southern Hemisphere. “Volstead was very fast from the beginning when we started training him and was a very very strong NEW ZEALAND SERVICE FEE: $5000 + GST Pay by March 30 OR $6000 + GST POLF Cantab Hall has become an outstanding sire of sires horse,” Melander said. with his sons Father Patrick, Explosive Matter and FIRST SEASON REBATE Uncle Peter all in the top 10 of 3YOs US sires this “Volstead could race on the outside the whole race. If Volstead’s American owner Dean Miller is offering a FIRST SEASON rebate of $1500 to Down Under Breeders. it was a distance race or a mile race, it didn’t matter season. Pay by Mar 30 NZSBA discounts. Multi mare discounts (3 or more in-foal) and he could still win racing outside the entire race. Advertised price (GST exc) 5000 Rebate price (GST exc) 3500 Rebate price (GST exc) 3500 Volstead, who was sold back to the United States as “The reason I bought Volstead as a yearling was First season Rebate -1500 NZSBA discount(10%) -350 MM Discount 20% -700 a stallion by Swedish owner Stefan Melander, after Rebate price (GST exc) 3500 Discount price (GST exc) 3150 Discount price (GST exc) 2800 his great conformation and excellent pedigree a distinguished career in Sweden, will stand in 2020 New price $3500 + gst NZSBA Price $3150 + gst Multi Mare Price $2800 + gst in the US, but his first crop of foals will be in Australia by Cantab Hall from a Yankee Glide mare with and New Zealand. a tremendous pedigree of stakes winners and racehorses,” said Melander. • The first son of super sire CAN- • A brilliant versatile racehorse Volstead raced out of Melander’s top Swedish barn TAB HALL to be offered in Chilled who went 1.51.5 on a 1000m earning 5,876,324 SEK, winning 23 of his 72 race A son of stallion Cantab Hall out of the Yankee Glide semen form in Australasia. European track. starts, competing in Swedish elite Gold Division mare Madame Volo, Volstead was purchased as a • Cantab Hall is now proven sire • Winner of the international against some of the very best horses in the world. yearling at the 2012 Lexington Selected Sale. Madam of sires including Father Patrick, Sweden Cup and 23 races from Volo’s second dam is by Armbro Goal, thereby Uncle Peter, My MVP and Explo- age 3 to 7 and from 1 mile to In his victories, Volstead accounted for the likes offering a double dose of Speedy Crown bloodlines sive Matter. 2640m. of Elitloppet winners Ringostarr Treb and Magic on Volstead’s maternal line, making him ideal for a • American-bred VOLSTEAD is •From an outstanding family. Tonight, Olympic Trot winner BBS Sugarlight, two wide variety of New Zealand mares. an European Group 1 winning Dam by Yankee Glide out of an time Swedish Champion On Track Piraten and stallion. Armbro Goal mare making him Breeders Crown champion Digital Ink and 3-time Gr1 Volstead is a full brother to stakes-winner High ideal for Australasian mares. winner El Mago Pellini, among others. Bridge and his family also includes stakes-winners Missy’s Goalfire, Have You Ever, Lassie’s Goal, and Volstead’s victories including the Group 1 King Lear Jetta. Gustav V Pokal or King’s Cup and the prestigious STALLION NICKS/CROSSES international Sweden Cup, in 2017, run like the ‘I love Volstead very much and have retained VOLSTEAD (Cantab Hall/Yankee Glide) • MUSCLES YANKEE (Sireline, damsire) shares maternal line). Elitloppet, in heats and a same day final over a mile. breedings to breed my own mares in USA as I can carries two strains of SPEEDY CROWN • BACARDI LINDY (Damline) • MAJESTIC SON (SC Grandsire’s dam- in his maternal line through Yankee • YANKEE SPIDER (Sireline, damline) line, damline xc2) (CH shares sire’s It was in this final that he went his fastest time of see Volstead within the next five years becoming Glide and Armbro Goal, and should • CR COMMANDO (Sire’s damsire) maternal line). 1.51.5 on Solvalla’s 1000m track, highly successful and one of the top trotting stallions in the world,” said Melander. provide duplication opportunities with • DREAM VACATION (Sire’s damsire, mares of Australasian stallions with damline x2) SUNDON MARES The previous year Volstead qualified for the Elitloppet SPEEDY CROWN in their pedigrees • MUSCLE MASS (Sireline x2, damline Sundon has no Speedy Crown in his by winning the Group 2 HKH Prins Daniels Race, Volstead will stand at Haras des Trotteurs in Cardigan, Victoria, alongside successful group including: x2) pedigree but 90% of his mares nick just missing out on the final, won by his stablemate • LINDY LANE (Damsire) • MUSCLE HILL (Sireline x2 , damline) with sires who do, like Volstead. Nuncio, winning French stallion Used To Me, with both • KEYSTONE SALUTE (Damsire) • DREAM VACATION (Damline) No fewer than 45 of Sundon’s top 50 stallions will be available in chilled semen form in • STRAPHANGER (Damsire) ADDITIONAL CROSSES performers come from sires who carry Volstead drew wide in his heat, having then to work both Australia and New Zealand. • GEE WHIZ (Damsire) Speedy Crown (SC) + Cantab Hall (CH): Speedy Crown, especially maternally, three wide around the field to sit parked the whole • PEGASUS SPUR (Damsire) • ANGUS HALL/ANDOVER HALL (SC as does Volstead, who carries it twice race outside two-time winner Timoko. The effort Multi-mare discounts are available, including the • ARMBRO INVASION (Sireline) Sire Garland Lobell’s damsire), (CH including in “X-factor” position. eventually told and he was narrowly beaten into first season discount. There is also a special single fifth. mare $500 discount available for Volstead for NZSBA CHILLED FRESH SEMEN, AVAILABLE New Zealand-wide members for the Pay by March 30 option only. VICBRED ELIGIBLE. NZ SIRES STAKES, AUST BREEDERS CROWN NOMINATED. CONDITIONS APPLY. MULTIPLE MARE DISCOUNTS or NZSBA MEMBERS DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE. CONTACT

36 DAVE SANDERS (NZ) +64 212 452 784 [email protected] GROUP 1 WINNING son of CANTAB HALL VOLSTEAD tr,1:51.5 $773,903

FIRST SEASON REBATE $1500 All Other DISCOUNTS APPLY

NEW ZEALAND SERVICE FEE: $5000 + GST Pay by March 30 OR $6000 + GST POLF FIRST SEASON REBATE Volstead’s American owner Dean Miller is offering a FIRST SEASON rebate of $1500 to Down Under Breeders. Pay by Mar 30 NZSBA discounts. Multi mare discounts (3 or more in-foal) Advertised price (GST exc) 5000 Rebate price (GST exc) 3500 Rebate price (GST exc) 3500 First season Rebate -1500 NZSBA discount(10%) -350 MM Discount 20% -700 Rebate price (GST exc) 3500 Discount price (GST exc) 3150 Discount price (GST exc) 2800 New price $3500 + gst NZSBA Price $3150 + gst Multi Mare Price $2800 + gst

• The first son of super sire CAN- • A brilliant versatile racehorse TAB HALL to be offered in Chilled who went 1.51.5 on a 1000m semen form in Australasia. European track. • Cantab Hall is now proven sire • Winner of the international of sires including Father Patrick, Sweden Cup and 23 races from Uncle Peter, My MVP and Explo- age 3 to 7 and from 1 mile to sive Matter. 2640m. • American-bred VOLSTEAD is •From an outstanding family. an European Group 1 winning Dam by Yankee Glide out of an stallion. Armbro Goal mare making him ideal for Australasian mares. STALLION NICKS/CROSSES VOLSTEAD (Cantab Hall/Yankee Glide) • MUSCLES YANKEE (Sireline, damsire) shares maternal line). carries two strains of SPEEDY CROWN • BACARDI LINDY (Damline) • MAJESTIC SON (SC Grandsire’s dam- in his maternal line through Yankee • YANKEE SPIDER (Sireline, damline) line, damline xc2) (CH shares sire’s Glide and Armbro Goal, and should • CR COMMANDO (Sire’s damsire) maternal line). provide duplication opportunities with • DREAM VACATION (Sire’s damsire, mares of Australasian stallions with damline x2) SUNDON MARES SPEEDY CROWN in their pedigrees • MUSCLE MASS (Sireline x2, damline Sundon has no Speedy Crown in his including: x2) pedigree but 90% of his mares nick • LINDY LANE (Damsire) • MUSCLE HILL (Sireline x2 , damline) with sires who do, like Volstead. • KEYSTONE SALUTE (Damsire) • DREAM VACATION (Damline) No fewer than 45 of Sundon’s top 50 • STRAPHANGER (Damsire) ADDITIONAL CROSSES performers come from sires who carry • GEE WHIZ (Damsire) Speedy Crown (SC) + Cantab Hall (CH): Speedy Crown, especially maternally, • PEGASUS SPUR (Damsire) • ANGUS HALL/ANDOVER HALL (SC as does Volstead, who carries it twice • ARMBRO INVASION (Sireline) Sire Garland Lobell’s damsire), (CH including in “X-factor” position.

CHILLED FRESH SEMEN, AVAILABLE New Zealand-wide VICBRED ELIGIBLE. NZ SIRES STAKES, AUST BREEDERS CROWN NOMINATED. CONDITIONS APPLY. MULTIPLE MARE DISCOUNTS or NZSBA MEMBERS DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE. CONTACT DAVE SANDERS (NZ) +64 212 452 784 [email protected] COMBINATION OF SPEED AND STAYING POWER PRODUCES SHARTIN

Frank Marrion

Christchurch hobby trainer Grant Crabbe has been She is the second foal from Bagdarin, a one-win Live spending a lot of time in the spotlight as the breeder Or Die mare who was one of two minor winners out of Shartin, who is now the fastest pacing filly or of seven foals from the Save Fuel mare Slatina. mare in history at 1.46.8 and set to surpass $2m in earnings. Six of the latter’s foals were fillies with two of them by Pacific Rocket and P-Forty-Seven, but Slatina still Crabbe bred Shartin when he was going foal for foal should have done better with two foals by Courage from the Live Or Die mare Bagdarin with Ashburton’s Under Fire, two by Washington VC and one by Live Or Bruce Francis and most will quickly associate the Die. maternal line with the latter. Francis makes no excuses for Slatina although with Francis raced Shartin’s fourth dam Bravine some 50 the foals by Washington VC, one died as a yearling years ago after inheriting the breed from his father and the other one broke down. George, who had been given the Jacks Potts mare Protégé back in the 1940s by Ces Donald. However, Slatina had won five races from just 21 starts, with four of them down south under Tony George bred a good horse by U Scott from Protégé Barron, and she was a sister to the one-win mare in Brava (9 wins) and later an unraced sister called Chivasso, the dam of the top mare Donegal Delight Chenault. (17 wins, $229,000) along with good sorts in McDana (US1.52.2) and Italian Delight (1.54.3, 8 NZ wins). “Jack Litten trained for dad and I can remember him saying that while she wasn’t going to make it Their dam Kinsale was a qualified Noodlum mare as a racehorse, that he should never sell her as a who was a half-sister to eight winners including broodmare,” recalls Bruce. good sorts in Kanturk, Fredericton, Kajura and the hard-hitting Australian and U.S. performer Kizema “When George passed away in the early 60s, we (29 wins, $152,000). were sharing the foals from Chenault between myself, my brother Wayne and my sister, and I was Their dam Kiatina (5 wins) was a Fallacy daughter lucky enough to get the best of them in Bravine.” of Bravine and thus a half-sister to Locarno, Ostrava and Agrinion. Chenault had been bred to Bachelor Hanover in his first season at stud on the advice of Litten as he was Bravine was from a U Scott mare standing nearby in West Melton for Jim Dalgety. and Kinsale had a particularly good Bravine was a smart filly and won three times as pedigree as well, with Noodlum a juvenile, while on three other occasions she was second to Sam Tryax, the top colt that year with eight being by Bachelor Hanover from Deft wins from nine races. (Captain Adios), while Fallacy was Later Bravine won the featured Cardigan Bay 3YO by Light Brigade from another top Stakes at Hutt Park, downing the good Bachelor maternal line, so there was plenty of Hanover colts Walk Alone and Boy Friend. good blood and performers further Bravine went on to win eight races and produced the removed in Shartin’s pedigree. top colts Locarno (18 wins, Messenger, NSW Miracle Mile) and Ostrava (10 wins, 2nd NZ Derby) along with At that point however, or when breeding from the the good mare Agrinion (9 wins) among others, and likes of Kinsale from the 80s, Francis was perhaps she was unlucky not to be accorded a broodmare guilty of supporting stallions he either imported or award. stood at stud in Ashburton.

Things have sort of been going steadily downhill “Save Fuel produced some good, tough horses, since then and today, or on the face of it, Shartin but they tended to be top heavy and came with would appear to have come from nowhere. soundness issues,” said Bruce.

38 Shartin winning the Lady Liberty in a World Record time for mares; 1:46.8

“Kajura was a very good horse and an example. He After being sacked by another trainer, Francis gave won seven races in one year and five in a row for Leo her to Crabbe on a 50/50 deal and he produced her O’Reilly. to win a mile in 1.57.7 on debut as a three-year-old at Ashburton in February of 2011. “But after I sold him to Queensland and he won his first two starts, including the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Bagdarin had gone back to last from Albion Park, he died of colic.” a wide draw and was still wide and His Lordship half-brother Kanturk was also a very spotting the leaders some 10 lengths good three-year-old, winning two G3 races at Addington where he beat Freightman and Roydon on the home turn, but she stormed Glen. home to win going away in the hands Kinsale also produced a nice mare to Paulsboro in of Colin DeFilippi. Kivalina, but most of her foals were fillies by Save Fuel. She was then diagnosed with arthritis in the knees however and that was the end of that. A son of Bret Hanover, Save Fuel sired several good colts such as Partial Saving, Camberley Octane, Crabbe had always been greatly impressed by the Power To Burn, Bolsena and Savarma, but at no speed shown by Bagdarin, but being by Live Or Die stage did he produce any early speed. from a Save Fuel mare on top of that maternal line, we can safely assume she had a good degree of Probably his best filly was Dudinka, who when bred toughness as well. to a speed sire in Christian Cullen in her first two seasons at stud, produced Dudinka’s Star (GN Oaks) Bred to a noted speedster in Tintin In America, who and Dudinka’s Cullen, who won the G2 Superstars won the Sires Stakes 2YO Final over Highview Tommy only to be disqualified. and Stunin Cullen, out pops Shartin.

That is the first hint of things to come here and more Tintin In America was from an In The Pocket mare to the point, we probably need look no further than and came from the ‘Zen’ family, one noted for early Bagdarin and her ‘nicking’ with Tintin In America as speed, while his sire McArdle also possessed high an explanation for Shartin. speed.

Bagdarin was clearly a lot better than her one win On one occasion, McArdle was clocked pacing a suggests. final quarter at The Meadowlands in 25 seconds, a record at that time.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 39 THE FASTEST HORSE OF ALL TIME A SIRE ON THETHE RISE FASTEST—ALREADY HORSE A OFMULTIPLE ALL TIME SUB-1:50 SIRE A RocknrollAlways B DanceMikiMiki “I THINK THIS COULD BE HALL OF FAME TRAINER, JIMMY TAKTER A GROUP ONE “IPRODUCING THINK THIS SIRE COULD WITH BE HIS THE FIRST GREATEST NZ CROP HORSEHORSE THATTHAT EVEREVER LIVED”LIVED” HALL OF FAME TRAINER, JIMMY TAKTER

Shartin winning presentation for the Lady Liberty

He fashioned a very respectable record at stud with has a three-year-old brother called Knockawarwon better than a 50% record for winners to foals, and who is tracking in the exact same way as Shartin. a very high percentage of colt winners including speedsters such as Aslan, Five Star Anvil, Le Sol and “He also has a lot of speed and like Shartin I could Lusty Mac. have taken him to the trials as a two-year-old last season,” said Crabbe. THE FIRST In that respect, McArdle was not your typical son THE FASTEST of Falcon Seelster, but he never really made it “But they could easily have been tipped over the HORSE EVERTHE FASTEST commercially due to not enough group performers edge so I was patient with them. TO RECORDHORSE HORSE EVEREVER at two and three. “Knockawarwon has just started hoppled work MULTIPLE SUBBREAKINGBREAKING THETHE again and I expect he’ll qualify in November just like Francis initially bred a colt by Changeover from -1:50 WINS ASWORLDWORLD A RECORDRECORD Bagdarin, but when he proved a mongol-type and Shartin.” - - RUNNINGRUNNING 1:461:46 “like a retard” in training, he was happy to allow Crabbe has also bred a yearling colt by A Rocknroll TWO YEAR OLD Crabbe to keep her. Dance which he describes as “leggy and with long 2016 US HORSE Crabbe was doing a bit of work at Nevele R Stud pasterns”, which is a known source of speed. C 2016 US HORSE The richest two-year-old of his year, won the Meadowlands Pace at three and the Canadian OF THE YEAR when Tintin In America became available and Bagdarin missed three times to Sweet Lou last Pacing Derby at four OF THE YEAR Shartin belongs to his second crop. season before one late serve by Gold Ace did the C 2Equalled theC world record as a two-year-old, and set world records on both half-mile and trick, and he’s probably going to send her back there 2 C The only horse ever to win a race in sub-1:47 more than once-and he did it four times! Tintin In America was always up against it stud, 2 five-eighths tracks The onlyas a horsefour-year-old ever to win a race in sub-1:47 more than once-and he did it four times! this season. C Won over $2.8 million in his race career-including back-to-back wins in the US Breeders Crown because he was not considered commercial enough C As a four-year-old Won becameover $2.8 the million first horse in his ever race to career win in- sub-1:48including inback-to-back three consecutive wins in starts the US Breeders Crown to stand at a high end stud fee. C “People keep telling me that I should be sending her C Out of US Broodmare of the Year, Artstopper (by(by Artsplace).Artsplace). DamDam alsoalso ofof YagonnakissmeornotYagonnakissmeornot ($1,458,850)($1,458,850) C0 Bred in the purpleOut —of damUS Broodmare is a half-sister of the to YearWestern, Artstopper Hanover to Bettor’s Delight or something, but I don’t think you 0 C C Has no Cam Fella or Direct Scooter in his pedigree-making him a perfect outcross for the As such he didn’t get support from commercial 0 C Has no Cam Fella or Direct Scooter in his pedigree-making him a perfect outcross for the need those big, flash stud fees when you’re breeding A quality young sire in North America with 5 winners of over $250,000 from his first crop breeders or such mares, and he didn’t get enough majority of SouthernSouthern HemisphereHemisphere maresmares numbers on the ground either, with initial crops of 29, to race, or more to the point to sell.” including USC Two-Year-Old of the Year, Lost In Time (1:50.2, $828,333) C A majestic individual-leavingleaving beautifullybeautifully talltall andand athleticathletic foalsfoals.. FirstFirst NZNZ weanlingsweanlings soldsold wonderfullywonderfully wellwell 31, 23 and 10 foals C Off1 to a strongat start the Aucklandin the Southern All Aged Hemisphere Sale to be 2ndonly leading Art Major, sire Bettor’s on average Delight and Shartin makes that point hard to argue with. 1 at the Auckland All Aged Sale to be— 2nd leading sire on average 1 Mach ThreeC have sired more three-year-old winners in NZ in 2018/19 Those are his racing crops in New Zealand and C Possibly the most commercial newnew siresire inin thethe worldworld today.today. HasHas servedserved tremendoustremendous booksbooks inin hishis Canterbury Standardardbred Breeders Assn recently first seasons in both North America and Australasia. Shartin stands head and shoulders above his presented Grant with a framed print of Shartin’s win first seasons in both North America and Australasia. performers, although God’s Spirit has been smart in 9 STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R in the Lady Liberty on Hambletonian Day. She leads 9 STANDING AT STANDINGNEVELE R INAT ASSOCIATIONALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALABAR WITH NEVELE R $7,000 + GST NSW and taken a record of 1.50.9 at Menangle. 9 the voting for US Horse of the Year as at 10 October Crabbe did not breed another foal from Bagdarin after coming second in 2018. ALABAR until Shartin started showing promise, but he now Her earnings now US$2 million!!! ALABARALABAR nevelerstud.co.nznevelerstud.co.nz 03 349 8627 alabar.co.nz alabar.co.nzalabar.co.nz 09 232 1800

SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONS SEMEN AVAILABLE ATSEMEN APPROVED AVAILABLE LOCATIONS AT APPROVED THROUGHOUT LOCATIONS NEW ZEALANDTHROUGHOUT DISCOUNTS NEW ZEALAND FOR MULTIPLE DISCOUNTS BOOKINGS FOR MULTIPLE TO ALABAR BOOKINGS AND NEVELE TO ALABAR R STALLIONS AND NEVELE R STALLIONS 40 THE FASTEST HORSE OF ALL TIME A SIRE ON THETHE RISE FASTEST—ALREADY HORSE A OFMULTIPLE ALL TIME SUB-1:50 SIRE A RocknrollAlways B DanceMikiMiki “I THINK THIS COULD BE HALL OF FAME TRAINER, JIMMY TAKTER A GROUP ONE “IPRODUCING THINK THIS SIRE COULD WITH BE HIS THE FIRST GREATEST NZ CROP HORSEHORSE THATTHAT EVEREVER LIVED”LIVED” HALL OF FAME TRAINER, JIMMY TAKTER

John Mooney

In August and September 2019, in coordination with Currently stored semen HRNZ, we asked breeders and studs for submissions There is semen stored now for current and deceased on whether semen from deceased stallions should be stallions. There is no limit under the current rules. available after the death of the stallion. Similarly we Semen has been frozen at a cost. Contracts for sought opinions on the use of frozen embryos and stallions have been negotiated on the basis that eggs. This is an update. frozen semen could be used, without a time limit. In these circumstances it is argued that the rules USING FROZEN SEMEN AFTER THE DEATH OF A should have an extended period of time for studs to STALLION use that semen. In other words the new rule should A quick background not commercially disadvantage the studs when they At the June 2019 World Trotting Conference is was in good faith made commercial decisions to store agreed that, semen based on the current rules. “The use of semen from a dead stallion, or one that HRNZ could allow either the unlimited use of semen has been gelded, is not to exceed the breeding stored in the 2019 season or restrict it to a period season following his death or date of gelding. No of say five years hence, i.e. grandfathering it out of foal shall be registered for an insemination beyond the system. Concerns were raised on the possible this time limit”. ‘dumping’ of semen into the market. Some protection Currently there is no provision in the HRNZ rules could be provided by regulating the sale price by or regulations which limits the registration of foals limiting any discounting to say 20% of the previous produced by insemination from a registered stallion season’s published price. after its death. Exceptional cases Submissions There are special cases where semen has been A range of options and issues were presented by taken from a favourite horse that was euthanised or email and in writing in 15 subsmissions: gelded. Owners in this situation have asked for an • HRNZ to follow international practice as per WTC. exception giving them time to find a suitable mare. • For some the discussion was more about the In these rare cases a dispensation could be granted limiting the dominance of a particular stallion/s and by HRNZ. the need to give other stallions better opportunities. A possible way ahead? • The WTC rule will give better opportunities to new The HRNZ Board will make a decision in November. stallions. This is my personal view and not that of the NZSBA. • The year after the death of the stallion was a reasonable position. For stallions serving for the first time in the 2020/21 • The rule should also apply on the retirement of the season the rule could provide frozen semen is limited stallion – a stallion may live until he is 30 years old to one year after the year of death or retirement of but be out of active service at age 21. that stallion from active stud duty. • One submitter opposed the one-year grace period rule. The ban should be immediate. For stallions registered to serve in NZ in the 2019/20 • One year’s grace was described by one submitter season, even if stored off shore, a transition period as ‘a little skinny’ and that a longer period may be of five years is proposed as reasonable. Such semen approved by HRNZ if tests show that the frozen could not be used from the 2025/26 season onwards. semen was viable and healthy. [Live foal return should be an exception.] • The case was made for the regulations to meet NZ’s This seems to me to be a reasonable transition to: needs, recognising the WTC position. Technology is to be embraced. We need mares to be bred and a five • formalise the current gap in our rules; year grace period would allow continued access to • provide some commercial certainty for studs proven good sires, while not harming the prospects and breeders buying new stallions or the Southern of new sires. Hemisphere rights to imported stallions; and • The same rule should allow the use of frozen eggs • provide a balanced approach for the semen for a period of five years after the death of a mare. already stored here under the current arrangements Consistency is needed for stallions and mares. that permit the use for an unrestricted period.

42 It may need to be supported by a rule that limited I am asking that you see the overall benefits of the discounting of semen of a deceased stallion to allowing the use and storage of frozen embryos say 20% or 30% of the price of the previous season, to as another tool to advance the Standardbred and prevent dumping. (Such a provision may be doubtful Harness Racing. from a legal perspective as anti-competitive and may need to be checked.) I feel that this is a superb opportunity to lead the world in this technology and its implementation USE OF FROZEN EMBRYOS and EGGS for the benefit of the development of the breed. There is no question that the breed has developed A quick background exponentially in recent years due to the use of AI While earlier versions of the draft regulations and access to the best stallions in the world. The proposed that HRNZ would allow the registration of use of frozen embryos and eggs is simply a natural foals resulting from the storage of frozen embryos advancement in the technology and one that or frozen eggs, the global position of other racing should be embraced not discarded due to a lack of jurisdictions is now clear. understanding.

At the World Trotting Conference in June 2019, all I have spent a sizeable part of my career transferring racing jurisdictions outside of New Zealand agreed information from scientists to practitioners in the not to allow the registration of foals born from frozen area of genetic engineering of plants. As with embryos or frozen eggs. If permitted in New Zealand reproductive technology, genetic engineering can be these horses, and their progeny could only race and an emotive and complex topic if the technology is not be bred in New Zealand. explained in ways that those at the coal faces can understand. Scientists typically are the worst people There are approximately 30 frozen standardbred to do this. embryos currently in storage here. There are two know horses registered from frozen embryos. The way ahead? In the end it comes down to a judgement call by Submissions HRNZ: follow the WTC and other jurisdictions and The 13ubmissions are generally supportive of the ban ban the use of frozen embryos and eggs, or accept on the use of frozen embryos and frozen eggs. the advances in technology and science and have a One submission provides a summary of the different regime in NZ recognising that those horses justification for this position: and the progeny can only race here.

In regards to the regulation of the use of frozen The following is my personal view and not that of the embryos, I believe that New Zealand should be NZSBA or HRNZ. aligned with other Racing Jurisdictions. Embryo- It seems likely that the HRNZ Board will follow the transfer is a technique currently used on a small WTC advice and ban the use of frozen embryos and minority of mares. As such, the integrity of the New eggs. One of the reasons behind the WTC decision Zealand Standardbred Breeding Industry should not concerned the ability, or perhaps fear, of the ability be jeopardised for the sake of a small minority by to genetically alter the embryo. allowing the use of frozen embryos. We should also consider whether the potential wider-use of frozen- I am of the opinion that those who have frozen embryo transfer caused by the reduction in costs, embryos, which are not banned or illegal currently, could be harmful to the long-term development of should be allowed to use them up to and including the New Zealand Standardbred population. Natural the 2022/23 season provided they recognise in selection is most effective at reducing defects writing that they resulting horse or its progeny and sub-optimal fertility. Through the wider use cannot be exported overseas. Only one embryo can of artificial reproductive techniques, we could be be bought to fruition in any season. unwittingly introducing genetic weakness into the New Zealand Standardbred broodmare population. My second point is that the science should be monitored. HRNZ has the opportunity to advocate The views of those in favour of allowing the use of change in this policy at the WTC. As the submitter frozen embryos are summarised in these quotes: quoted above says technology in human, animal and plant biology is advancing rapidly. The ethical issues This proposal makes no sense. I have given it serious perhaps not as quickly. Other equine breeds, some thought and cannot see any possible reason let very select breeds, allow the use of frozen embryos. alone a good reason for prohibiting its use. Frozen Science will advance and we in the breeding industry semen is permitted and allows breeders world-wide should be able to use it once the risks are known. access to the very best genetics. How are frozen embryos any different? It is an ethical and non- HRNZ and The Breeders welcome any final threatening procedure. submissions on this matter. Please send to Liz Bishop, HRNZ GM Corporate Services, [email protected] and copied to Brad Reid, Executive Manager of NZSBA [email protected] by 27 October 2019.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 43 DOWNBYTHESEASIDE WHAT THE HILL DOWNBYTHESEASIDE SON OF CHAMPION PACER SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE SON OF THE TROTTING SENSATION - MUSCLE HILL

CHECK OUT CHECK OUT HIS CHECK OUT CHECK OUT HIS HIS STUNNING EYE-CATCHING HIS STUNNING EYE-CATCHING FIRST FOALS FIRST FOALS FIRST FOALS FIRST FOALS

For more information or bookings contact Stacey White on 021 595 492 - [email protected] For more information or bookings contact Stacey White on 021 595 492 - [email protected] For more information or bookings contact Stacey White on 021 595 492 - [email protected] For more information or bookings contact Stacey White on0- 021 595 492 - [email protected] NSW Foundation winner All Cashed Up), Maori Lindy PERKINS COMING (dam of Aldebaran Maori $74,581), Paris Pepperell Tr 1:56.7 (winner of $134,970), Joyce’s Image sister of Shes An Image and Gentle Image), Black Mamba UP TRUMPS WITH Cheval (half to Cold Sister), the Harold Park free- for-all winner Starry Wood, Maori Tessa (half to Maorisfavouritesun) and the USA mares Jessie Bessie TROTTERS and Yuno My Brutha.

Peter Wharton The broodmares are bred almost exclusively to a trio of well credentialled stallions for which Anthony has Prominent Brisbane breeder and owner Anthony secured the frozen semen rights or to stand in the Perkins has an affinity with the straightout trotter. flesh.

“I’ve always had a preference for the trotter over the Heading the list is the Swedish-bred, American- pacer. I grew up as a Scotch Notch fan and I’ve loved trained Sebastian K, whose 1:49 mile on the 1000 the square-gaiters ever since,” Buster Hanover was metre Pocono Downs track in 2014 established a new another favourite and I was lucky enough to recently benchmark for trotters around the world. The $2.9 purchase a Love You mare from his family million winner, who stands at Hanover Shoe Farms, He said he started attending trotting meetings at has already been represented by winners in Sweden Albion Park when he was five. However, Anthony’s and Italy and his first crop of two-year-olds will race initial foray into the sport was as a partner in the in America this year. pacer, Itchyskityrichie In Australia, Sebastian K’s first crop are very “We won a race at 100 to one at Redcliffe in 2008 impressive yearlings. They include progeny of the and we had a few nice bets on him and with the good racemares Mental Power, Mia Mosca, Starry winnings another horse quickly turned up.” Wood NZ and Ifu Seek Flight.

Anthony then started buying trotters and pacers Centurion ATM Tr 2, 1:53.8 ($731,374), the fastest from New Zealand. King Galleon, who won the two-year-old trotter ever to stand in the southern Group 3 Darrell Alexander Memorial Trotting hemisphere and whose successes include the Championship at Gold Coast and later won at Globe Peter Haughton Memorial and the John Simpson Derby Park, the Harold Park and Albion Park trotting Memorial as a two-year-old, stood his first ‘down winners Dalton Invasion and Kumbya and the prolific under’ season at the Goulburn Valley Equine Clinic, Albion Park winning pacer Glengarry Sunrise were Shepparton last year. He covered in excess of 40 among his early winners. mares – a fine total for a first-crop sire.

“Probably the best horse I’ve raced so far has been Already a successful sire in France, Centurion ATM Totally Different. He won eleven races at Albion belongs to the same family as the incomparable Park,” Anthony stated. Sundon, therefore a mating to the SJ’s Caviar horse will give the resultant foal a doubling up of the In 2010 Anthony set up a standardbred breeding blood of the most influential sire in Australasia in the and agistment outfit on 40 acres at Tallegalla, near modern era. Ipswich. There he starting breeding from a small band of broodmares including Kumbya, Clear Sky Completing the sire line-up at Trump Bloodstock Lady, Clinton’s Maid and The Castaway, a full sister is the French-based dual world champion Up And to Kiwi star Christopher Vance. Quick. The winner of $3.6million, Up And Quick won five races at Group 1 level in France including the Kumbya produced four winners with her first four prestigious Prix d’Amerique in 2015 and the Grand foals, Clear Sky Lady figures as the dam of the dual Prix de Paris in 2014 and 2015 and set world records Albion Park winner Whoseme Father (14 wins) and of 1:51.6 for 1609 metres and 1:55 for 3000 metres. Clinton’s Maid is the dam of the Melton winner Our Priddy Maid (10 wins). A son of Buvetier D’Anou, Up And Quick is the ideal outcross for mares by Balanced Image line sires such Over the years Anthony has gradually increased the as Earl, Monarchy and Yankee Paco. Furthermore, quantity and quality of his breeding stock, sourcing Buvetier D’Anou’s dam, Nesmile, is also the third mares from North America, New Zealand and locally. dam of Love You, thus mares by Love You will see the He currently owns 24 broodmares, of which 22 are resultant foals carrying a 3x5 Rasmussen Factor to trotters. The list of trotting matrons grazing Trump Nesmile. Bloodstock’s farm is equal to the best in the Australia. “The French/American cross has proven to be They include Illawong Bliss (half-sister to Redwood successful, so he should be a great option for locally winner Illawong Byron), Pepperell Magic (dam of owned mares,” Anthony said.

LEX WILLIAMS’ LAST COMMERCIAL CROP OF YEARLINGS PROVING QUITE THE SWANSONG

Frank Marrion

Back prior to the last yearling sales we wrote about Passed in on the day before finding a home with the great result achieved by Lex and Heather Brad Williamson, Cracker Hill won on debut against Williams at the 2018 Premier Sale. older trotters at Wairio back in March and was then right in contention in the Sales race until galloping With their last commercial crop of five yearlings, late in the piece and being disqualified. The son having subsequently scaled right back as they head of Muscle Hill and Juneamy Castleton would then into a retirement of sorts, the Williams’ topped the be beaten a neck by Tailored Elegance in the Sires inaugural trotting sale when selling the Love You- Stakes and a head by Bolt For Brilliance in the Ruby One Over Kenny colt for a record $160,000, while at the Jewels. also selling pacing colts for $90,000 and $55,000, the former a best result in that respect. One Guz Hall, a son of Angus Hall bred by Williams from Landora’s Pearl and also passed in at the That sale topped a very successful association with Premier before a deal was done with Michael and the yearling sales over the years as both buyers and Nathan Purdon, could easily have been in the thick of sellers. things at the business end of the season as well.

But as if that or those sales weren’t enough, four of He was sent off the favourite on debut at Addington those yearlings were to prove rather good two-year- back in March, but after dropping away in the run olds last season. home, an issue was discovered which required an The Love You colt is of course now Ultimate Stride, operation. the beaten favourite at the Jewels but an easy winner “He’s fine now and is due back in work at the start of of the G1 Redwood at Maryborough as he headed September and they think he is going to make a very towards the Breeders Crown. smart three-year-old next year,” said Lex.

Ultimate Stride crushed his Australian opposition “The only yearling from last year which hasn’t shown the Breeders Crownwhen he ran away with the 2yr- up yet is the Mach Three colt from Fleet’s Pocket and old trotting colts and geldings’ final by nearly 40m, I understand they were more than happy with him.” powering through tough conditions as rain and wind pelted the Melton track during the Group 1 event. Williams actually had seven starters at the Jewels as either a breeder or owner and while the likes of And although his Australian opposition could not Flying Mister Ideal, Mighty Flying Art, One Apollo and match him, driver Anthony Butt said that he could not One Over Da Skye were just making up the numbers, get his charge to go any more slowly. Flying Even Bettor, Cracker Hill and Ultimate Stride “The conditions weren’t ideal. He was getting pretty were in their respective races up to their ears. keen that first lap. I couldn’t get him going any Flying Even Bettor was always racing for second slower. after drawing the second row with One Change “He just wanted to get on with it, but he was very drawn to lead, but he did very well to achieve that good. He smashed them.” with five lengths to third.

And that $90,000 pacing-bred yearling was Flying A bit earlier, Williams would have been reasonably Even Bettor, the son of Bettor’s Delight who would confident of either Ultimate Stride or Cracker Hill have been a dual G1 winner last season but for his winning their Ruby. stablemate One Change. Brad Williamson was obviously quite entitled to Then there was Cracker Hill at last year’s sale. park his brother Nathan with the favourite Ultimate Stride if an effort to win the race, but in the end he

48 effectively left them both sitting ducks when Tony “We sent her up north (to the Dickies) to see if she Herlihy brought Bolt For Brilliance home with his could go left-handed and while that didn’t work out, well-timed late finish. she was mainly sent up there to access Love You at Equibreed.” So while no wins on the day, the Jewels still highlighted the influence that the relatively small- Love You is only going to be available via the time breeders have had on the game, largely innovative Waikato vet centre with stocks now low through buying Fleet’s Pocket for $29,000 at the 2002 following a change to the protocols for importing Premier Sale and One Over Kenny for $23,000 a year frozen semen into New Zealand last year. later. “We spent an enormous amount of time and money The In The Pocket-Fleet Vance filly Fleet’s Pocket trying to get it in last year, but they just made it too didn’t work out as a racehorse but she would difficult, so in the end it all wound up in Australia produce 10 winners to date, eight of them in 2.00 and there’s plenty of semen there,” said Hara des including the top filly Flying Pocketlands ($442,000) Trottuer’s NZ stallion manager Dave Sanders. and good performers in Mighty Flying Thomas ($338,000), Mighty Flying Mac ($266,000) and “We can maximize what’s currently on hand at Mighty Flying Major ($140,000). Equibreed where they’re also working on a new form of extender which acts in a way to nourish One Over Kenny would become the first trotting both fresh and frozen semen thereby extending the mare to win over a million dollars in a glittering effectiveness or life of the semen.” career and now she is proving just as valuable as a broodmare, with Ultimate Stride her sixth foal and In that respect, Williams will be grateful he has sixth winner. One Over Da Stars in the broodmare paddock as she could well wind up being the only Love You filly Williams will race her next foal in the Angus Hall colt emanating from One Over Kenny, although there are One Over All and he has been given to Gavin Smith some more coming from her sister One Under Kenny to train along with Flying Heathers One, the two- and her daughters. year-old Bettor’s Delight filly from Fleet’s Pocket. So after cutting right back on the broodmare The Somebeachsomewhere colt from Flying Mrs numbers in recent years, Williams will be back up Williams which was passed in at this year’s Premier to six going to stud this season, with the future was subsequently taken by Smith and syndicated, so emphasis on racing rather than breeding for the he has some nice stock to work with in that trio. sales.

One Over Kenny’s breeding career is about to enter a In that respect he has very high hopes for Bev K’s new phase with Williams having recently retired her One, a three-year-old Love You filly who is the first only two daughters to date in One Over Da Stars and foal from Petite One and who is in work with Hope, One Over Da Skye. along with two two-year-old fillies by One Over Da Moon who are also showing much promise. The Love You mare One Over Da Stars has been incredibly frustrating for all concerned, winning five Petite One, who holds the NZ record for trotting of her 38 races, which means she broke in at least 33 mares over 3200m at 4.04.9, was sold to Todd of them. Anderson and after missing to Love You in two subsequent seasons, she got in foal to him again last That she was capable of beating anything on her season. day was underlined by the fact that Greg Hope had no qualms about lining her up in the G1 Trotting The One Over Da Moon filly bred from eight-time Championship at Easter. winner Eyrewell Pegasus has been placed with Brent White, while one from Leith Ellen is with Robbie It was hoped that a stronger pace would help Holmes. One Over Da Stars stay flat, but she broke when mounting a three wide run from the rear at the Those fillies are expected to be racing next year and 1400m and in three subsequent races as well. in the meantime, Williams is keeping busy building a new home on the beach at Ocean View just south of Hope was keen to keep going this season with the Dunedin, while helping out at a son’s farm about 30 now six-year-old chestnut, but Williams reached a minutes away at Millburn. point where he decided enough was enough and she was worth more to them as a broodmare. The new home is going to take another year to complete but then Williams will be able to sit back One Over Da Stars is booked to Andover Hall, while and enjoy racing some good horses rather than just the Majestic Son mare One Over Da Skye (5 wins breeding them. from 41 starts) is heading to Love You.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 49 “For the yearling sales you need very good BROODMARES individuals by the right sires, but just as important is the pedigree page. OF THE YEAR “So one day we sat down with (preparer) David Shadbolt and Peter Lagan and worked out what we needed to do and that mostly revolved around the PACING – REALITY CHECK quality of the mares.

It has been a while in the making and it has been “A bit earlier we’d also bought T K Swift and while far from plain sailing, but Graeme Walsh’s faith was she didn’t produce the sort of performers we were rewarded when Reality Check was named Pacing hoping for, we did get some excellent results with her Broodmare of the Year recently. foals at the yearling sales.”

Last season’s standout three-year-old Ultimate The Christian Cullen colt was a good individual and Sniper was Reality Check’s third winner from seven Croon sold him at Karaka for $55,000, only for him foals, but those winners have been Group One to be lost while being broken in, but Walsh got a filly performers with Major Reality (WA Oaks) also taking who was not a great type and she sold for $22,000 at a record of 1.50.9 at Menangle last season. the Premier.

Last season was a disappointing one for Ultimate Ultimate Reality only qualified and her first foal has Machete before he was retired to stud, but he was a been given away as a hack. four-time G1 winner and took out the New Zealand Free-For-All two years ago in a mile rate of 1.51.9, an Major Reality, a filly by Art Major, was the first foal all-comers national record which still stands. that Walsh bred from Reality Check and she was sold for $31,000. Ultimate Machete also won the NZ Sires Stakes Final at Addington a year earlier in record time, a race Her win at Menangle late last year was her 23rd won by his brother Sniper last season in a new three- from 55 races and took her stakes to $434,000. year-old record of 1.52.9. “She was trained by Justin Prentice in Perth for a When spoken to in early October, Westport’s Walsh syndicate and came on the market last year because was anxiously awaiting the arrival of a third Bettor’s they didn’t want a broodmare. Delight foal from Reality Check. “Harvey Kaplan won a bidding war for her and now “As commercial breeders you’re always hoping for has her in foal to Bettor’s Delight, after getting that colts, but for once we wouldn’t mind a filly,” said 1.50 time on her.” Walsh. Next came a colt by Rocknroll Hanover and he was “She’s probably due a colt, but we’ll be happy just as a “huge horse” that brought only $12,000 at the long as the foal is healthy.” Premier.

It has been 10 years since Walsh acquired Reality “Bob Butt had him for Tony McGrath and I’m told Check as a broodmare from Rod Croon and he’s had he had a motor, but he had to be put down with a his share of bad luck along the way. twisted bowel as a late two-year-old.”

A top filly performer herself and a winner of the Sales Ultimate Machete was next and Reality Check’s first race for two-year-olds in Auckland, Reality Check foal by Bettor’s Delight, while Ultimate Sniper arrived was one of 11 winners from the smart and speedy two years later. Lordship racemare Maureens Dream, herself a half- sister to the brilliant juvenile Tuapeka Knight. Machete sold for $84,000 and Sniper for $85,000 with the Kennards, Creightons and Gavin Douglas Reality Check had produced a first foal colt by racing both. Christian Cullen for Croon when Walsh bought her privately back in foal to Christian Cullen. In between, Walsh bred a filly by American Ideal in Ideal Reality, and as a big horse, she went to stud “I think she only became available because Rod’s after qualifying as a late two-year-old. marriage had broken up and she was the sort of mare we were looking for at the time, while being in “We had her back at the trials later that year, but foal to the right sort of sire. decided she was worth more as a broodmare.

“We didn’t know much about breeding when we “She had a trial in December (9th) and was in foal a started, but we soon learned that breeding cheap week later, but it was late in the piece and now her mares to top stallions wasn’t going to cut it (at the foals are coming late until she has a season off.” yearling sales).

50 Fraser Mearns of Reddiford Financial Services presents The Breeders Pacing Broodmare trophy to Katrina and Graeme Walsh

The first foal is a colt by Bettor’s Delight in Ultimate TROTTING – DELLA’S SPEED Missile and he will be Walsh’s only yearling at the sales next year, while she is back in foal to Bettor’s. Della’s Speed didn’t raise too many eyebrows on the track, but a fine production record saw her crowned “She’s a really big mare and we don’t actually have Trotting Broodmare of the Year recently. a lot of options outside of Bettor’s when it comes to smallish sires. The now retired 24-year-old daughter of Chiola Hanover won four races with one in Auckland while “We’ll probably stick to the tried and true, but we’re on lease to trainer Jill Coppins with Peter Ferguson thinking about Lazarus for one of them as I’d expect driving her on each occasion. to see some hype around his first crop at the sales.” She had been bred by Dave Phillips, who imported An Art Major colt in Ultimate Assassin was sold for her Speedy Somolli dam Adella Lobell in the early $57,000 to Barry Purdon at the Premier last year, but 90s. he had to be put down with a form of laminitis. Phillips also bred winning brothers to Della’s Speed Reality Check then missed to Bettor’s Delight before in Bluee (7 NZ wins) and Timely Dash (2 Aus wins) producing a filly last season by Art Major, and she from Adella Lobell before she was acquired by South was soon sold to Spreydon Lodge as a weanling. Australia’s Dave Shammall, who bred the Victoria Trotting Oaks winner Adellas Dash. “We’re breeding to sell and we simply made a business decision on that one, knowing we had a filly Phillips bred good performers from Della’s Speed in in the bank. Meyer Lansky (8 NZ wins, $79,000), Bon Ton Cherie (5 NZ wins), Ella’s Speed (6 NZ wins) and Jagermeister “You have to keep selling something when you’re (4 NZ wins) before she wound up at Woodlands Stud breeding to Bettor’s all the time.” and her first foal for them was Speeding Spur.

So it can be seen that Walsh and his wife Katrina An 11-time Group One winner, Speeding Spur went have been through their share of ups and downs past $1 million in stakes last season before heading over the past decade with Reality Check. to America over the winter.

But in nurturing what is now a Broodmare of the The eight-year-old son of Pegasus Spur has been Year, they have certainly come a long way since one right out of the box since he began racing as a setting out on their breeding path. juvenile in a crop which included Monbet and Prince Fearless.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 51 STALLIONS AUSTRALASIA

Andrew Grierson with Kristie Hill of Dunstan Horsefeeds after receiving the award for The Breeders Trotting Broodmare of the Year

As such it is interesting to note some possible ‘magic Petite Evander as an older mare in the late 70s. bullets’ in his pedigree. Ima Lulu produced a good colt in Keystone Ludwig There is an important double up to Speedy Crown, and filly in Keystone Impala while her daughters led the sire of Pegasus Spur’s dam, while Adella Dash to Pegasus Spur ($1.3m) and more recently Wheeling was also by a son of Speedy Crown in Speedy N Dealin ($913,975) and Milligans School ($540,000). Somolli, a renowned source of speed. But the most important mare in Speeding Spur’s The 3x4 cross to Speedy Crown is an important one pedigree is perhaps Misty Hanover, a 1941 foal and because it is close up in Speeding Spur’s maternal the dam of Hickory Pride and Hickory Smoke. TRIXTON lines, which tend to be far more important than tr3, 1:50.6 $968,696 crosses and double ups in paternal lines because the The latter was a 2YO & 3YO Trotter of the Year and X or female chromosome is not passed from sire to won the Hambletonian and along with Hickory Pride, Muscle Hill - Emilie Cas El - Garland Lobell son. was a leading sire in North America, leading to Misty Hanover being inducted as an immortal into the U.S. • The HAMBLETONIAN WINNING SON of SUPER SIRE Muscle Hill. But further removed in Speeding Spur’s pedigree is Hall of Fame in the mid-70s. perhaps another significant event – the appearance • The PROVEN SIRING SON of Muscle Hill. Misty Hanover was just an average performer on of the half-brothers Hickory Pride and Hickory The fifth leading 2yo sire in North America(with Muscle Hill first). Smoke no less than four times. the track herself, but no surprises she became such an influential broodmare when one considers her The fifth leading 3yo sire in North America(with Muscle Hill first). One of those is totally irrelevant, with Speeding Spur pedigree. being a fifth generation descendant of Hickory Pride • Already nearly 20% of his 3yo starters HAVE WON $100,000. She was by Dean Hanover from Twilight Hanover, in male line through Yankee Bambino, Photo Maker, • DownUnder he has 19 just turned 3yos with over 26% to have qualified and S J’s Photo and Pegasus Spur. by Mr McElwyn from Rose Scott, by Peter Scott from Roya McKinney, by McKinney from Princess Royal, by or raced as 2yos. TRIXTON was a GOOD 2yo but a GREAT 3yo. Speeding Spur’s dam Della’s Speed carries a 2x3 Chimes from Estabella. reverse sex cross to Hickory Smoke, with her sire Service • Sire of the RICHEST 3yo filly in North America Evident Beauty t3, 1:52.6 Chiola Hanover being a son and her granddam Guy McKinney and Guy Abbey (sire of Greyhound) $735,298 to date. Arcane Rainbow also by Hickory Smoke. were early standouts in this maternal line, while Fee Roya McKinney was the dam of a top colt in $ For all enquiries please contact: But where this gets interesting is the fact that Highland Scott, a top filly in Rose Scott and the highly 9,000 +GST Pegasus Spur’s grandam in Ima Lulu was by Hickory influential Scotland, all three by Peter Scott. Frozen semen. Peter O’Rourke Pride, a Star’s Pride half-brother to Hickory Smoke. POLF. Mobile: 021 346401 This was quite outstanding blood back in the day Email: [email protected] Ima Lulu was a top performer herself, winning the and its influence on both sides of Speeding Spur’s 1976 Hambletonian Oaks while being a great rival of pedigree should perhaps not be underestimated. www.stallionsaustralasia.com … and also follow us on Facebook

52 Don’t miss out on breeding to the Best Bred & Proven Son of Muscle Hill STALLIONS AUSTRALASIA

TRIXTON tr3, 1:50.6 $968,696 Muscle Hill - Emilie Cas El - Garland Lobell

• The HAMBLETONIAN WINNING SON of SUPER SIRE Muscle Hill. • The PROVEN SIRING SON of Muscle Hill. The fifth leading 2yo sire in North America(with Muscle Hill first). The fifth leading 3yo sire in North America(with Muscle Hill first). • Already nearly 20% of his 3yo starters HAVE WON $100,000. • DownUnder he has 19 just turned 3yos with over 26% to have qualified and or raced as 2yos. TRIXTON was a GOOD 2yo but a GREAT 3yo. Service • Sire of the RICHEST 3yo filly in North America Evident Beauty t3, 1:52.6 Fee $735,298 to date. $ For all enquiries please contact: 9,000 +GST Frozen semen. Peter O’Rourke POLF. Mobile: 021 346401 Email: [email protected] www.stallionsaustralasia.com … and also follow us on Facebook

Don’t miss out on breeding to the Best Bred & Proven Son of Muscle Hill CHARLIE ROBERTS’ BREEDING SUCCESS DUE LARGELY TO BETTOR’S AND ‘THAT FAMILY’

Frank Marrion

The awards for Owner and Breeder of the Year have Zealand for quite some time with her 1.53.5 upset in been going for 16 years now and no individual has the 1998 Taylor Mile. been more influential than Charlie Roberts. This story actually begins with Purdon as a junior The proprietor of Woodlands Stud was recently driver and his very first foray into ownership. announced the Breeder of the Year for the fourth time in the last seven years, to go with a three-peat Time Lag was a Farm Timer filly racing for Brian in 2013-15, while in between the award has also gone Notman some 33 years ago when a then 22-year-old to Woodlands. Purdon acquired her with a view to getting a sale and a profit later. Roberts was also an Owner of the Year in 2013 following a season where Adore Me won 11 of 12 Purdon had driven Time Lag in two of her three wins races as a three-year-old and close relation Christen for Notman, and this venture went well for a start Me won 12 of 15 races as a four-year-old, the pair when the 4-year-old had another three wins and winning close to a million dollars in that season two seconds from six races for Purdon towards the alone. end of the 1986/87 season.

Throw in a few Broodmare Awards for Scuse Me and But Purdon then found himself with the liability her family and several Stallion Awards for Bettor’s of a broodmare instead of a healthy margin on a Delight and it can be seen that Roberts has had a racehorse when Time Lag went amiss. massive influence on the industry. Purdon only got five foals from Time Lag before Obviously, Bettor’s Delight has played a significant she died and her three colts were just moderate part in all of this, but Roberts’ success can be performers, so there was no real sign of what was attributed even more so to ‘that family’ – the one coming. that sprung from his decision to return Scuse Me to She had been the last of nine foals from the Fallacy New Zealand at great trouble and expense. mare Gold Heritage, whose only prior winners had Much has already been written about the family and been the Out To Win filly Remit in Perth along with its standout individuals over the years, so perhaps it Tyrit, who managed to win races in Macau. might be timely to focus on how and where all this Remit was a consistent performer rather than being evolved from. a star, winning 18 races and $93,000 from 109 starts As is so often the case in these sort of success stories, in the 70s, but she would establish a very good family it emanated from a most unlikely and surprising herself. place. She produced three good performers in Whitby Mark Purdon has also been a key figure in the story Timer ($315,000) and the fillies Whitbys Heritage over the years so it is fitting that he played a key role ($202,000) and Whitbys Merit ($169,000) among her during a brief and limited foray into the realms of eight winners, while this line would go on to produce breeding back in the 1980s. the likes of Whitbys Miss Penny ($568,289), Ima Spicey Lombo ($483,686), Ace Of Whitby ($317,247), Purdon actually appears as the breeder of Scuse Aikido Whitby ($270,328), Delightful Jade (Aus1.52, Me although he had loaned the Smooth Fella mare $241,577) and Montana Anna ($230,863) among Super Smooth to Jim Dalgety that season. others.

Scuse Me should have been a failure being a filly by And the first foal from Time Lag’s unraced daughter B.G’s Bunny and she was a buy back at the Premier in Super Smooth would be Scuse Me. Sale for $5500, but she became a Great Northern Oaks winner and the fastest mare over a mile in New

54 Dalgety had had a bit to do with the family over Scuse Me would have a “very rough’ trip to America the years and had been handed Super Smooth by however and never settled well enough to even Purdon to do a bit of work with. qualify.

While she developed hock issues, Dalgety liked Super Roberts had become aware of Scuse Me’s American Smooth enough to borrow and breed her to B.G’s plight in 1998 and put her in foal to Life Sign before Bunny when transported semen was just getting bringing her home via a long and winding road. going. “We called that colt foal Megabucks because that’s In 1992, B.G’s Bunny was heading for Dalgety’s what the whole episode had cost us,” recalled Lantana Lodge at West Melton, but he arrived with a Roberts in later years. reputation as a ‘maneater’ and wound up staying at Woodlands when that stud was in its infancy. Megabucks looked good winning five of 11 races for Barry Purdon before Roberts raced him in America Roberts found B.G’s Bunny to be no problem at with Brett Pelling. all however once he was “let out of his cage” and allowed a bit of freedom, but before heading home Then came the Dream Away filly Splendid Dreams (3, again the 19-year-old son of Albatross was found 1.59.3) and she looked smart in winning at Addington dead in his paddock. by three lengths as a 3-year-old and at Alexandra Park a year later, where she downed Helena Kilena He had covered 245 mares for 152 foals before his and Waitfornoone, but she was retired after just six demise, but in one of breeding’s greatest mysteries, races with a reoccurring tendon injury. Scuse Me would be one of only three or four foals by B G’s Bunny here that were ‘worth a feed’. Fillies by In The Pocket (La Filou) and Il Vicolo (Coca Vicola) and a colt by In The Pocket (Pardin Me) were That one crop in New Zealand produced only the next foals from Scuse Me and they were winners 32 winners (21%) and only half a dozen of them without amounting to much, but then came the managed to win more than one race. Dream Away filly Imagine Me (3, 1.56.9, $247,000), the Christian Cullen colt Torledo (7 NZ wins) and his This was an extraordinary development considering sister Abide With Me (1.57.7, 4 NZ wins) and American B G’s Bunny’s pedigree and performance and the Ideal colt Idolise Me (3 NZ wins). fact that he had seemingly been an adequate sire in America. Adore Me was Scuse Me’s first foal by Bettor’s Delight and her brother Have Faith In Me arrived two Especially so when the quality of mares he was years later. accorded in New Zealand was considered and needless to say, there weren’t too many breeders Clearly the speed factor inherent in Scuse Me lamenting his loss in subsequent years. through B G’s Bunny and a Smooth Fella dam proved the perfect foil for the toughness which Bettor’s B G’s Bunny could be considered among ‘the Delight brought to the table, in much the same way greatest disasters at stud ever’ and he would be the latter has crossed so well with the Direct Scooter joined in that respect by his best performed son sire line. in McKinzie Almahurst, along with another son of Albatross in Jaguar Spur. Have Faith In Me (1.47.5, $1.5m) was Scuse Me’s 12th winner from 12 foals, which is probably a record in B G’s Bunny has been an influence in maternal itself, and she added a 13th last season when Stand lines however and Scuse Me would prove to be an By Me won at Cambridge. exception to the rule here. Splendid Dreams produced the Christian Cullen After Dalgety had passed her in at the sales when brothers Christen Me and Hands Christian in there was little interest in what appeared to be a consecutive seasons along with Dream About Me modestly-bred filly, Purdon offered to go halves in among others, and now Adore Me’s first foal is Sweet racing her and Scuse Me would defy her sire and On Me, a first crop daughter of Woodlands’ new sire pedigree by making her debut as a late 2-year-old Sweet Lou who was last season’s 2YO Filly Pacer of and chasing Megaera and Kate’s First home in the the Year. Caduceus Club Classic. The first foal from Splendid Dreams was Splendid While she played third fiddle to those two top fillies Deal and her first three foals were Maxim ($510,000) for much of their 3-year-old seasons as well, by the and the smart fillies Splendour and Hartofdixie. time Scuse Me had won her second G1 race as a 4-year-old, a big offer had come from American Clearly this is a story that is still evolving and far from owner Joe Alflen. finished yet and it is disconcerting to think that none of it would have happened, had Roberts not had the inkling to return Scuse Me to New Zealand as a broodmare.

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 55 POWER – PERFORMANCE – PEDIGREE- A SIRE ON THEPOWER RISE —– PERFORMANCEALREADY A MULTIPLE – PEDIGREE SUB 1:50 SIRE A SIRE ON THEAN RISEEQUINE—ALREADY MASTERPIECE A MULTIPLE SUB-1:50 SIRE A RocknrollUltimate MacheteDance A RocknrollVincent Dance - - ESSENTIAL IN TODAY’S RACING Vincent A GROUP ONE PRODUCINGPERSONIFIES SIRE THE WITH NEVER HIS FIRSTSAY DIE NZ ROLLING CROP STYLE PERSONIFIES THE NEVER-SAY-DIE ROLLING STYLE ESSENTIAL IN TODAY’S RACING A GROUP ONE PRODUCING REGARDED SIREBY MARK WITH PURDON HIS FIRST AS NZAUSTRALASIA’S CROP NEXT SUPERSTAR

WON 16 OF 19 STARTS

THE FIRST THE FIRST HORSE EVER HORSE EVER TO RECORD TO RECORD MULTIPLE SUB MULTIPLE SUB C New Zealand Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year -1:50 WINS AS A C New Zealand Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year -1:50 WINS AS A C New Zealand Four-Year-Old Pacer of the Year TWO-YEAR-OLD C New Zealand Four-Year-Old Pacer of the Year TWO-YEAR-OLD C New Zealand’s fastest ever pacer over both 1950 and 2200 metres 2 C New Zealand’s fastest ever pacer over both 1950 and 2200 metres C C 2The richest two-year-oldC of his year, won the Meadowlands Pace at three and the Canadian C Four-time Group One winner (NZ Derby, NSW Derby, NSW Breeders Challenge A four-time Group One winner C The richest two-year-old of his year, won the Meadowlands Pace at three and the Canadian Pacing Derby at Cfour A four-time Group One winner and Auckland Cup) C Pacing Derby at four Won the NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Final in what is regarded as the greatest ever performance C Retired as Australasia’s fastest ever three-year-old - and was three wide then C Equalled the worldC Won record the as NZ a Sirestwo-year-old, Stakes 3yo and Final set world in what records is regarded on both as half-mile the greatest and ever performance C Retired as Australasia’s fastest ever three-year-old - and was three wide then 0 in this Group 1 classic C Equalled the worldparked record withoutas a two-year-old, cover when and he set set world the record records on both half-mile and 0five-eighths tracks inas this a four-year-old Group 1 classic 2 parked without cover when he set the record 2 2five-eighths tracks as a four-year-old C Did the impossible and sat outside Tiger Tara and beat him in the NZ free-for-all 2 C The greatest southern hemisphere son of champion sire, Art Major C C As a four-year-oldC becameDid the impossiblethe first horse and ever sat outsideto win in Tiger sub-1:48 Tara andin three beat consecutivehim in the NZ starts free-for-all C The greatest southern hemisphere son of champion sire, Art Major C As a four-year-oldC became Dam was the a Groupfirst horse One winnerever to andwin ingrand-dam sub-1:48 wasin three a Group consecutive One winner starts C Bred in the purple Dominateddam is a half-sister Australia’s to best Western four-year-olds Hanover in a Group One blitz in Western Australia C Dam was a Group One winner and grand-dam was a Group One winner 1 C —Dominated Australia’s best four-year-olds in a Group One blitz in Western Australia C Bred in the purple damboth isare a half-sisteroutstanding to broodmaresWestern Hanover 0 —-both are outstanding broodmares C 1 C 0 By an eight-time New Zealand Stallion of the Year from a mare destined to be A quality young sire in North America with from his first crop 0 C 5 winners of over $250,000 0 C C A spectacular individual with a real presence A quality young sire in North America with 5 winners of over $250,000 from his first crop including US Two-Year-Old New By an Zealand’s eight-time of the BroodmareYear, New Lost Zealand In of Time the Stallion (1:50.2,Year. A of full $828,333) the brother Year from to current a mare star, destined Ultimate to be Sniper. C A spectacular individual with a real presence New Zealand’s Broodmare of the Year. A full brother to current star, Ultimate Sniper. including US Two-Year-OldC of the Year, Lost In Time (1:50.2, $828,333) C C C On pedigree and type he is the ideal sire for many mares, especially daughters 9 Off to a strong start Standing in the Southern his first Hemisphereseason in 2019/20 —only Art Major, Bettor’s Delight and C of Bettor’s Delight C Standing his first season in 2019/20 Off1 to a strong startof in Bettor’s the Southern Delight Hemisphere —only Art Major, Bettor’s Delight and 1 9Mach Three have sired more three-year-old winners in NZ in 2018/19 1 1 Mach Three haveC sired more three-year-old winners in NZ in 2018/19 C After receiving outstanding support from broodmare owners throughout NZ and Australia in his first season, he stands his second season in 2019/20 STANDING AT NEVELE R IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALABAR + GST STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE$3,000 R 9 STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R 9 STANDING AT NEVELE R IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALABAR $4,500 + GST 9 STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R 9 ALABAR nevelerstud.co.nz alabar.co.nz ALABAR ALABARALABAR nevelerstud.co.nz 03 349 8627 ALABARalabar.co.nz 09 232 1800 nevelerstud.co.nznevelerstud.co.nz 03 349 8627 alabar.co.nzALABARalabar.co.nz 09 232 1800 nevelerstud.co.nz alabar.co.nz nevelerstud.co.nz alabar.co.nz SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONS SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONSSEMEN AVAILABLE ATSEMEN APPROVED AVAILABLE LOCATIONS AT APPROVED THROUGHOUT LOCATIONS NEW THROUGHOUTZEALAND DISCOUNTS NEW ZEALAND FOR MULTIPLE DISCOUNTS BOOKINGS FOR MULTIPLE TO ALABAR BOOKINGS AND NEVELE TO ALABAR R STALLIONS AND NEVELE R STALLIONS SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONS SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONS 56 POWER – PERFORMANCE – PEDIGREE- A SIRE ON THEPOWER RISE —– PERFORMANCEALREADY A MULTIPLE – PEDIGREE SUB 1:50 SIRE A SIRE ON THEAN RISEEQUINE—ALREADY MASTERPIECE A MULTIPLE SUB-1:50 SIRE A RocknrollUltimate MacheteDance A RocknrollVincent Dance - - ESSENTIAL IN TODAY’S RACING Vincent A GROUP ONE PRODUCINGPERSONIFIES SIRE THE WITH NEVER HIS FIRSTSAY DIE NZ ROLLING CROP STYLE PERSONIFIES THE NEVER-SAY-DIE ROLLING STYLE ESSENTIAL IN TODAY’S RACING A GROUP ONE PRODUCING REGARDED SIREBY MARK WITH PURDON HIS FIRST AS NZAUSTRALASIA’S CROP NEXT SUPERSTAR

WON 16 OF 19 STARTS

THE FIRST THE FIRST HORSE EVER HORSE EVER TO RECORD TO RECORD MULTIPLE SUB MULTIPLE SUB C New Zealand Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year -1:50 WINS AS A C New Zealand Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year -1:50 WINS AS A C New Zealand Four-Year-Old Pacer of the Year TWO-YEAR-OLD C New Zealand Four-Year-Old Pacer of the Year TWO-YEAR-OLD C New Zealand’s fastest ever pacer over both 1950 and 2200 metres 2 C New Zealand’s fastest ever pacer over both 1950 and 2200 metres C C 2The richest two-year-oldC of his year, won the Meadowlands Pace at three and the Canadian C Four-time Group One winner (NZ Derby, NSW Derby, NSW Breeders Challenge A four-time Group One winner C The richest two-year-old of his year, won the Meadowlands Pace at three and the Canadian Pacing Derby at Cfour A four-time Group One winner and Auckland Cup) C Pacing Derby at four Won the NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Final in what is regarded as the greatest ever performance C Retired as Australasia’s fastest ever three-year-old - and was three wide then C Equalled the worldC Won record the as NZ a Sirestwo-year-old, Stakes 3yo and Final set world in what records is regarded on both as half-mile the greatest and ever performance C Retired as Australasia’s fastest ever three-year-old - and was three wide then 0 in this Group 1 classic C Equalled the worldparked record withoutas a two-year-old, cover when and he set set world the record records on both half-mile and 0five-eighths tracks inas this a four-year-old Group 1 classic 2 parked without cover when he set the record 2 2five-eighths tracks as a four-year-old C Did the impossible and sat outside Tiger Tara and beat him in the NZ free-for-all 2 C The greatest southern hemisphere son of champion sire, Art Major C C As a four-year-oldC becameDid the impossiblethe first horse and ever sat outsideto win in Tiger sub-1:48 Tara andin three beat consecutivehim in the NZ starts free-for-all C The greatest southern hemisphere son of champion sire, Art Major C As a four-year-oldC became Dam was the a Groupfirst horse One winnerever to andwin ingrand-dam sub-1:48 wasin three a Group consecutive One winner starts C Bred in the purple Dominateddam is a half-sister Australia’s to best Western four-year-olds Hanover in a Group One blitz in Western Australia C Dam was a Group One winner and grand-dam was a Group One winner 1 C —Dominated Australia’s best four-year-olds in a Group One blitz in Western Australia C Bred in the purple damboth isare a half-sisteroutstanding to broodmaresWestern Hanover 0 —-both are outstanding broodmares C 1 C 0 By an eight-time New Zealand Stallion of the Year from a mare destined to be A quality young sire in North America with from his first crop 0 C 5 winners of over $250,000 0 C C A spectacular individual with a real presence A quality young sire in North America with 5 winners of over $250,000 from his first crop including US Two-Year-Old New By an Zealand’s eight-time of the BroodmareYear, New Lost Zealand In of Time the Stallion (1:50.2,Year. A of full $828,333) the brother Year from to current a mare star, destined Ultimate to be Sniper. C A spectacular individual with a real presence New Zealand’s Broodmare of the Year. A full brother to current star, Ultimate Sniper. including US Two-Year-OldC of the Year, Lost In Time (1:50.2, $828,333) C C C On pedigree and type he is the ideal sire for many mares, especially daughters 9 Off to a strong start Standing in the Southern his first Hemisphereseason in 2019/20 —only Art Major, Bettor’s Delight and C of Bettor’s Delight C Standing his first season in 2019/20 Off1 to a strong startof in Bettor’s the Southern Delight Hemisphere —only Art Major, Bettor’s Delight and 1 9Mach Three have sired more three-year-old winners in NZ in 2018/19 1 1 Mach Three haveC sired more three-year-old winners in NZ in 2018/19 C After receiving outstanding support from broodmare owners throughout NZ and Australia in his first season, he stands his second season in 2019/20 STANDING AT NEVELE R IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALABAR + GST STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE$3,000 R 9 STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R 9 STANDING AT NEVELE R IN ASSOCIATION WITH ALABAR $4,500 + GST 9 STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R STANDING AT ALABAR IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEVELE R 9 ALABAR nevelerstud.co.nz alabar.co.nz ALABAR ALABARALABAR nevelerstud.co.nz 03 349 8627 ALABARalabar.co.nz 09 232 1800 nevelerstud.co.nznevelerstud.co.nz 03 349 8627 alabar.co.nzALABARalabar.co.nz 09 232 1800 nevelerstud.co.nz alabar.co.nz nevelerstud.co.nz alabar.co.nz SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONS SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONSSEMEN AVAILABLE ATSEMEN APPROVED AVAILABLE LOCATIONS AT APPROVED THROUGHOUT LOCATIONS NEW THROUGHOUTZEALAND DISCOUNTS NEW ZEALAND FOR MULTIPLE DISCOUNTS BOOKINGS FOR MULTIPLE TO ALABAR BOOKINGS AND NEVELE TO ALABAR R STALLIONS AND NEVELE R STALLIONS SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONS SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE BOOKINGS TO ALABAR AND NEVELE R STALLIONS BREEDING MATTERS SEPTEMBER 2019 57 Revolutionising the way bloodstock is traded. 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Every month we bring this convenient trading opportunity directly to you. Whether you're at home, at work, out and about or on the farm you can join from wherever you are.

SAVE LOADS OF CASH P Bargain standard entry fee. P Low 5% commission rate on horses sold. P No transportation costs to an auction venue.

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BREEDING MATTERS SEPTEMBER 2019 59 GIRLS LET LOOSE REKINDLES MEMORIES OF ENIGMATIC TROTTING MARE SCREWS LOOSE

Frank Marrion

The trotting mare Girls Let Loose has been doing a purchased her dam Misfit either in foal or with a filly nice job just lately and furthering a Sutherland family at foot by Arksarben from Allan Holmes. association stretching back some 50 years. Her second foal was an Adorian filly in Misarben who The five-year-old Superfast Stuart mare is co-owned won three races as a trotter, but she only produced and trained by Rakaia’s Stu Sutherland and her third two unraced colts and there was only one more colt dam is Screws Loose, a top trotting mare in the mid- foal from Misfit. 70s who was trained by Sutherland’s uncle Stewart at Duntroon. Misfit was a half-sister to Benot, who to Adorian produced a good horse in the double gaited Screws Loose was raced Stewart Sutherland’s Kimrock, a winner of 11 races with eight as a trotter. brother Ewen and she was perhaps the best named horse ever. Screws Loose was line-bred 2x3 to Light Brigade, being by Aksarben from a mare by Vagus, an She won eight races and was good enough to finish unsound and lightly-raced trotter who won seven of second in a Rowe Cup (to Easton Light in 1976) and 16 races. two Trotting Championships to Frontier and Mighty Lee. Most of the time however, Screws Loose simply So Screws Loose had a bit going for her, but she lost the plot and went for a gallop. wasn’t always well served by sires despite there being a lack of good options in the 80s. “She was a bit before my time as I was still at school in the mid-70s, but I do know she was quite She was initially bred to Noodlum and Beau a handful and took a long time to get going (as a Nonantais and later to the likes of Keystone 5yo),” said Stu. Provider, Pointer Hanover and Top Trotter, while only producing five foals during the course of 13 seasons “But my uncles would often pick me up on their way at stud. through to the races with her. Toos Loose was a Noodlum filly who won two races “They had another good one at the time in as a trotter for Stewart and one of her five foals in Waipounamu.” Sun Of Loose had five wins when trained by John Hay for Stu and Mike McGuire. Like Screws Loose, Waipounamu was also by Aksarben and won 17 races for another uncle in However, Toos Loose’s one filly foal by Pernod Eden Gordon, the last of them coming in the Canterbury was “no good” and not persevered with. Park Trotting Cup when he was 11 and over a five- year-old Stormy Morn (32 wins). The last foal from Screws Loose was the unraced Chiola Hanover filly On The Loose and she only Waipounamu was placed at Group One level on produced a colt by Pernod Eden which was no good several occasions and was also second in a Rowe either, so that line went nowhere too. Cup to Ritch Hill in 1978. In between, Screws Loose produced the Game Pride A good trotter was never far from Stewart colt Screwless (2 wins) and the Keystone Provider filly Sutherland’s grasp and other open class ones he had Loosely, who won four races trotting with Ewen the included the likes of Frown, Arita, Waitaki Gamble, trainer for two of them. Worthy Adios and Hickory Stick. Loosely only had one foal during four seasons at stud Stu doesn’t know exactly how it came about, but and that was the Grant Our Wishes filly Foot Loose, it appears Ewen acquired Screws Loose when he who was bred, owned and trained by Stu’s brother

60 Alister, later winning a race at Manawatu while on lease to Peter Scaife. So the family of Screws Loose had become BACARDI precariously close to being lost, particularly around BACARDI the time of Foot Loose as she was “a bit of a bitch”, but Stu and Stephen Doody’s brother Gavin have SJ’s Photo – kept things going by breeding from her every second Rum Boogie year. LINDY by Valley Victory) Now they have Girls Let Loose to look forward to as LINDY a broodmare and a yearling filly by Majestic Son to bring along.

Girls Let Loose is a fourth foal and the earlier ones included the one-win trotter Boyz Let Loose and Don Let Loose, a big horse by Diedre Don who qualified when second the day that Habibti Ivy went 3.09 at Ashburton, only to then “blow a tendon”.

Foot Loose has also produced a colt by Great Success which was “no good” and a now three-year- old gelding by Pegasus Spur which is being given time.

“All of the colts from Foot Loose have been big horses which have needed time, while the Majestic Son filly is the spitting image of Girls Let Loose,” said Stu.

Stu trained the pacer Michael Grant to win a couple of races in the mid-80s and Girls Let Loose was his second winner 33 years later when she won the first and her four races to date at Oamaru late last year.

“I kept training the odd horse after Michael Grant for quite a while, but eventually I got too busy with my seed dressing business and gave the game away for OneOne ofof Australasia’sAustralasia’s a long time. leadingleading trottingtrotting stallions.stallions. “Alister had a licence for a while so the horses went under his name, but they’ve always been there in the background for me and they were in the blood. • Sire of Vicbred champions Claudys Princess, “I’d always hoped to get back into the training and in Needabacardi and Cruisin Around … winner of the end I simply made the time. the Kilmore Trotting Cup Sept 26. His lifetime

“Girls Let Loose has a bit of a temper and you have winnings are $258,000. 18 wins incl. The to be careful as she will bite, but on the whole she’s Holmfield and Final of 4yo Breeders Crown. pretty good when it comes to racing. Has won every season since 2yo. “I think we’ll send Foot Loose back to Superfast • Sired quinella in 2018 Vicbred Trotting Mares Stuart this season as his stock seem pretty easy to handle.” Sprint Championship – Margaret Ruth and Derrie Aire. So while the link may have been tenuous at times over the years, the Sutherland and Screws Loose • Sire of 11 Group winners. family association is away again thanks to Girls Let Loose. • 67 Australian bred winners from 98 starters and $3.1 million in stakes. • Amazing average of $32,000 per starter. goStallions

goHarness.org 021 316 717 Fresh semen • DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 61 Sires Stakes eligible now BEAT THE DRUM

Charlene Sharpe

Art Major enters the Hall of Fame after a sterling addition to the $209,500 James Dancer Memorial career on and off the track and $335,000 Progress Pace finals.

On the racetrack, Art Major won 32 of 49 starts, “He was very easy to drive,” Campbell said. “You just earning $2.7 million in the process. As a stallion, pointed him out of the gate. He did the rest.” the son of Artsplace sired the winners of more than $125 million, with his first two crops highlighted by Art Major ended the year with 20 wins and earnings standouts such as Art Official and Hypnotic Blue of $1.56 million, the most of any Standardbred that Chip. year. He was voted both the Dan Patch and O’Brien 3-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year. “Look at his whole body of work, as a racehorse and a sire,” said John Campbell, his regular driver. “He’s Blue Chip Farms’ Tom Grossman was among the one of the all-time greats.” pacer’s admirers.

Bred by Brittany Farms, Art Major was the sixth foal “I was really drawn to the horse,” he said. “He had from the Nihilator mare Perfect Profile. He was no some bad luck and didn’t have a genuine stud deal “killer yearling,” but his breeders were nonetheless by the end of his 3-year-old year. My father and I disappointed when he brought only $65,000 at decided to go for it.” the Tattersalls Yearling Sale in September 2000— They bought 50 percent of Art Major, but opted not especially considering he was a full brother to to immediately focus on his breeding career. Though Perfect Art ($576,983) and half sibling to Affluence it was relatively uncommon then, they decided to (Life Sign, $287,264). race Art Major through his 4-year-old season.

“I never looked at him as one of the greats, but he “We felt he’d make some money and improve his was one of the nice ones we raised,” Art Zubrod, stud value,” Grossman said. Brittany Farms general manager, recalled. It proved to be the right call, as Art Major won As a 2-year-old, Art Major, trained by Chris Ryder, eight of 11 starts, finishing second in the three made seven starts, winning four races and earning races he didn’t win. The pacer kicked off the year $81,515. He took a record of 1:54.3 in a division of the with victories in a free-for-all pace at Mohawk Reynolds Memorial at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Racetrack and an invitational at Hoosier Park. He Pocono. finished second in the $150,000 Battle of Lake Erie Although the first win of his sophomore season but bounced back to win a free-for-all pace at was slow to arrive and took seven attempts, Art Woodbine a few weeks later in 1:49.4 for driver Chris Major’s victory at Woodbine Racetrack for new Christoforou. trainer William Robinson on June 24, 2002, would Campbell, who’d spent months recovering from an kick off a four-race win streak. That summer, the colt injury, recalled his reunion with Art Major in July 2003 went on to win the $450,000 Hoosier Cup in 1:50.4, easily. It was the $350,000 U.S. Pacing Championship the $326,970 Confederation Cup in 1:51.1 and the at The Meadowlands. Campbell was back in the $369,188 Cane Pace in 1:53.1. bike for the first time in months and Art Major was “He was pretty much unstoppable for a while,” coming off a rare pair of defeats. Zubrod said. “I left the gate going a hundred miles an hour and After a fourth-place finish in that year’s $334,057 raced him extremely hard,” he said. final of the Little Brown Jug, Art Major launched yet The pacer’s endurance, which Campbell had always another string of wins with a victory in an $89,000 admired, didn’t fail him that night. He crossed the division of the Bluegrass Stake at Red Mile. From wire a neck ahead of Four Starzzz Shark, taking a there he went on to trounce his competition in new lifetime mark of 1:48.4. the $500,000 Breeders Crown final—defeating Allamerican Ingot in the elimination as well—in

62 Art Major

“It was a tremendous effort,” Campbell said. “And business and decided to explore the possibility of coming back from an injury, it was a really big win breeding in both Australia and the U.S. for me.” “People said it couldn’t be done,” he said. “I didn’t Art Major closed out his racing career with victories understand why.” in the $609,760 Canadian Pacing Derby and $540,000 Breeders Crown, again earning Dan Patch He spent months researching the concept and and O’Brien honors. connected with contacts in Australia. The rest is history. In the ensuing 14 years, he would go on to earn nearly as much acclaim as a stallion as he did on “He was really the first premier stallion to shuttle the racetrack. His initial crop of 137 registered foals to the Southern Hemisphere,” Grossman said. “He resulted in 118 starters who went on to earn $15.47 earned the shareholders as much in Australia as million. here.”

He went on to sire 22 foals with sub-1:49 records. Grossman is thrilled to see Art Major being His offspring have won more than $125 million and recognized for his widespread impact on the sport. include nine millionaires, most notably Art Official The pacer was nominated to the Hall of Fame both p,3,1:47 ($2,082,885), JK Endofanera p,3,1:48.2 as a stallion and a racehorse. ($2,049,580), Hypnotic Blue Chip p,4,1:47.2 ($1,787,311) “Each would qualify separately,” Grossman said, “but and Santanna Blue Chip p,1:51s ($1,666,701). together—racing at 4 when that was almost taboo, “The best attribute of him and his offspring is lung his stallion stats, his longevity—it’s amazing. He’s capacity,” Grossman said. “They never get tired. His been a blessing from day one. He certainly deserves numbers really picked up in the second half of his to be in the Hall of Fame.” HB career.” Charlene Sharpe is a freelance writer living in Grossman believes what also made Art Major’s stud Delaware. career impressive is the fact that he spent it traveling between hemispheres. Grossman, who was relatively new to breeding at the time, traveled to Asia for

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 63 LIGHTS OUT AT LEXINGTON: SALE SETS RECORD FOR GROSS AND AVERAGE

The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale concluded for $1 million or more. The full-brother to Greenshoe Saturday with a gross of $46.48 million and an sold for $1.1 million and the full-brother to Propulsion average of $60,997. sold for $1 million.

Dave Briggs “I think it’s a huge achievement,” Reid said of the million-dollar horses. “It definitely breaks a barrier. I think it’s going to be easier to sell the next one (for a million)… Speaking on behalf of Randy and myself, The 2019 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale concluded we’re happy that we’re the ones that broke the Saturday 5th October with new records for gross barrier.” ($46,480,000) and average ($60,997). The median rose from $35,000 in 2018 to $40,000 this year. About Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Farm said, “it the only stat that was down from the 2018 sale was seems like we’ve been building to this point and the number of yearlings sold for $100,000 or more the question was posed early this spring of ‘Can (121 this year compared to 124 last year). there be a million-dollar yearling?’ and I’ve always been bullish that if it was going to happen it was Though this year’s sale saw 60 more horses go going to be this year with Greenshoe’s brother and through the ring than a year ago, the gross was it happened to be Propulsion’s full brother as well, up more than $6.7 million (16.9 per cent) from which was great. Father Patrick and Muscle Hill the previous record of $39,770,000 fetched in (siring) the two million-dollar yearlings, I think, sort 2018. The average was up 7.7 per cent from the of says everything that they are the pre-eminent $56,652 reached in 2018 and up 4.2 per cent from stallions in the sport right now. Father Patrick is right the previous record average of $58,537 from the there with Muscle Hill and we couldn’t be more 2017 sale in which 622 yearlings grossed a total of thrilled… We were very blessed to be part of Father $36,410,000. Patrick’s group, with them allowing us to buy into the “The average is up, so there’s a bigger demand,” horse.” said Randy Manges, who manages the sale with Cane Run Farm sold Propulsion’s brother. David Reid, who added that he looks at the increase Kentuckiana Farm sold Greenshoe’s brother on in the median as an indicator of strength in more behalf of breeders Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz. jurisdictions. “Marvin and Al and the whole team does an “You’re not getting an influx of Europeans or amazing job of really working together to make Pennsylvanians or Ontarians or New Yorkers, so it great animals,” said Kentuckiana’s Ken Jackson. has to be a broad-based increase. I think the biggest “Selling a $1.1 million horse is exciting. I think it sets thing all week has just been the offerings of a lot of a threshold in our industry. Are we going to have the new sires,” Reid said. a seven-figure horse every year from now on? “It’s a very deep group right now with the young Probably not, but I think it makes $500,000 a lot sires, such as Captaintreacherous and Sweet Lou more possible.” and Muscle Hill, Father Patrick, Trixton, and then we Jackson credited farm manager Bob Brady for did very well with the foreign-bred horses, Love Yous Kentuckiana’s success. Asked what Brady told him he and Ready Cash. I think it’s just a mix of the depth was thinking when Greenshoe’s brother sold for $1.1 of the sire choices. In fairness, that’s a great tribute million, Jackson laughed. to our breeders that sell here and us to recruit them to sell at our sale, because we really believe that “(Brady) said, ‘I’m glad the hammer dropped.’ It’s we’re truly an international sale and we focus on that that whole lead-up, you know, you start hearing when we try to recruit.” it, you start talking about it and then you get them shipped in and everything and you just want to make This year’s median was up from last year, but off 4.8 sure that nothing happens in the stall because that per cent from the record of $42,000 set in 2017. can always happen; make sure that nothing happens The sale will be best remembered for its off-the- on the lead down, so I think Bob was relieved. There’s charts opening session in which two yearlings sold nobody that makes a better animal than Bob. He’s

64 Greenshoe’s full-brother, Maverick, topped the sale with a bid of $1.1 million by The Maverick Group led by Brad Grant. been a great partner and he knows how to really raise a good animal and he puts a lot of time, effort Sale managers Randy Manges (left) and David Reid said and passion into it, so it’s really exciting to see him they were thrilled with the results of the record-setting sale. get rewarded and get credit for it,” Jackson said.

Kentuckiana finished third on the consignors’ list in Bowden, who stands three stallions that offered their both gross sales ($7,353,000) and average ($79,065) first crops of yearlings — Always B Miki, Southwind for 93 yearlings sold. Frank and Creatine — said he’s pleased with how the “As a farm, it’s been incredible across the board,” rookie stallions sold. Jackson said. “We’ve had good results for our clients. “Creatine himself exceeded expectations. He sold a For ourselves, we’ve had good results. For the sales filly and a colt for $60,000, which was beyond our company, it’s been an incredible year. It’s exciting to expectations. He owns a special place in our heart, be part of it… I’m bullish about Kentucky right now, being a homebred and made $2 million dollars for us thoroughbreds, standardbreds, it doesn’t matter and then to see his first crop… we supported him with what it is, it’s a great place to be for horses.” some good mares and so did other people. There Reid’s Preferred Equine set a personal record for were specific people out there that thought the same gross sales with $9,731,000 for 137 yearlings sold. The way that we did, so we were just very pleased,” average of $71,029 ranked Preferred fifth. Bowden said.

Cane Run led all consignors in average with $165,500 “Southwind Frank, as well. He sold a $200,000 for 10 sold. Vieux Carre Farms was second in average yearling on opening night, then had a couple others ($87,217 for 23 yearlings sold). bring six figures, so he sort of belongs in that group of new stallions that people felt very strongly about. Hunterton was second to Preferred in gross sales Miki had a great book of mares and the individuals with $7,435,000 for 110 sold ($67,591 average). matched the pedigrees. He was popular as well.”

Nancy Johansson led all buyers with a total Saturday’s session-topper was Taboom, an Always expenditure of $1,980,000 for eight yearlings. Brixton A Virgin colt out of Walstan’s Lady sold for $97,000 to Medical AB of Sweden was second with $1,680,000 Kathy Smith of Ohio, who also purchased the third spent on seven yearlings. Determination Stable was highest priced yearling sold that night — Swan For third with $1,520,000 spent on six yearlings. All—Love To Win filly Love for All for $93,000. Both yearlings were consigned by Anvil And Lace Farm, Muscle Hill led all stallions in gross sales ($7,154,000) Agent. and average ($130,073) with three or more sold. Preferred Equine, agent for Lindy Farm, purchased The leading pacer by money and average was Swan For All—Cree filly Creedom for $95,000 from Somebeachsomewhere ($5,360,000 and $112,763). Peninsula Farm, Inc., Agent.

Saturday’s session saw 129 yearlings sell for a gross As to what the record-breaking sale says about the of just shy of $3 million and an average of $23,016. health of the industry, the experts had some theories. The session gross was up 7.4 per cent from the $2,765,000 fetched in 2018. The average was down “I think everybody complains about our president, 3.4 per cent from the 2018 average of $23,836. but I think our president has got the economy in the right place for everybody to be happy,” said Winbak

BREEDING MATTERS OCTOBER 2019 65 Farms’ Joe Thomson. “Everybody is making more way then you’re in a recession and stock markets are money, unemployment is down, stock market is at in the tank, you’re going to find people don’t have record numbers and people stopped complaining. the confidence to put forth the money to buy into When I was in the service they said when the guys things. stopped complaining there must be something wrong with them, so I guess under that statement “As far as the confidence that the market can then maybe the world is doing okay. support big-time horses, we’ve got the people and we’ve got the people that are buyers that have very “When you get the stock market or discretionary deep pockets and when they team up there’s a lot income going up then horses and other things like of money that can be had to drive the top of the that will do well. When you’ve got it going the other market. That’s kind of where the thoroughbreds have been for a long time. It’s the top part of the market that makes all the headlines and the others slug it out just like everyone else in the horse business.”

Jackson said the sale is the indication of a positive trend both for the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and the industry itself.

“What we’ve been seeing in the last couple of years at the sales is going to continue to happen,” Jackson said. “This is a global industry and it’s no different than technology… you can reach so many people in a phone call, in a Skype. Everything is global now and it makes it easier. When you see this happen and you see a global person buying a million-dollar horse… Everything has been positive. The racing has been great. Obviously, the sales company and the partners in the sales company do a great job with all that – Randy, Dave and the team do a wonderful job – and our consignors. It’s an exciting week.” Leading buyer Nancy Johansson (right) with Lucy Guariglia.

Propulsion’s full-brother Damien sold for $1 million to trainer Daniel Reden on behalf of Brixton Medical AB out of the Cane Run Farm consignment.

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