A Unique Opportunity
Tara Madgwick
Friday, 11 February 2011
Horses capable of competing in Classics and Cups are now highly sought
after by Australian racehorse owners as we have just seen with a record
spend by the Aussies in New Zealand highlighting the trend, a move that
has prompted many local stud-masters to consider the potential of
tapping into this growing market.
Whilst two year-old racing is still considered the driving force at
Australian yearling sales, it is the yearlings with scope to win a
Guineas, Derby , Oaks or a Cup that are fast gaining momentum and demand
in the market place.
The progeny of sires such as High Chaparral (IRE) and Zabeel are driving
the resurgence of the stayer and Australian breeders who have been
reluctant in the past to breed for stamina are starting to change their
tune.
South Australia’s leading breeders Toorak Park Stud have long been
breeding Classic type horses and have had remarkable success and
longevity because of it.
“We’ve always been prepared to breed a horse that could be capable of
getting a mile or further and with the amazing prize money available in
these types of races, when you get such a horse you usually get a good
bank roll because of it,” said Harry Perks of Toorak Park.
Horses such as Gold Guru, Rebel Raider, Devil Moon, Gallant Guru,
Majestic Music, Serious Speed, Will Fly, Shamoline Warrior, St Clemens
Belle testify to this.
“Whilst we’ve bred some top two year olds as well like Undoubtedly,
Sanziro and Regal Kiss, the longevity and prize money won is much less
overall, unless of course you win a race like the Slipper,” Harry
emphasizes, “and that’s huge odds to do!”
Rebel Raider
(pictured) is the shining example of the superior classis style racehorse produced by Toorak Park.
A son of unbeaten Zabeel stallion Reset, Rebel Raider won two of his
four starts as a two year-old including the Group III SAJC Sires Produce
Stakes and returned at three to claim Group I victories in the VRC
Victoria Derby and SAJC South Australian Derby before missing most of
his four year-old season due to a self inflicted injury.
He came back to win the Group III SAJC Spring Stakes at WFA over 1200
metres, before he suffered a career ending injury on a heavy track at
Flemington in his last race, retiring with the record of six wins and
$1,403,740 in prizemoney.
His syndicate of owners are now looking for a show of interest from
stud-masters who will give the grandson of Zabeel an opportunity to
breed future Classic and Cups contenders.
“He is a son of the unbeaten Reset from the Group I performed Dehere
mare Picholine and carries a double cross of the great Sir Tristram,”
Perks said.
“Victorian Derby winners like Blevic, Blackfriars and Arena have shown
themselves to be well above average sires and we see no reason why Rebel
Raider can’t be as successful, given the opportunity.”
Blevic is the sire of 21 stakes-winners with progeny earnings in excess
of $18million, Blackfriars has 14 stakes-winners and earnings over
$11million, while Arena has seven stakes-winners and progeny earnings in
excess of $12 million.
“Any interested stud-masters should contact our agent Adrian Hancock to
discuss arrangements that suit all parties,” said Perks.
“Some members of the Syndicate are keen to support him including me
because we know with a tad of patience we will have more success down
the track with his progeny.”
